What is the Sinner's Prayer?
Introduction. Many religious groups teach that a non-Christian must say a prayer similar to the following in order to be forgiven of sin and be saved:
Steps to Salvation. The Bible associates many things with the process of having one's sins forgiven and being saved:
However, prayer by the non-Christian isn't one of them. Yes, prayer is associated with repentance and forgiveness, but only for those who are already Christians.
Sinners Who Prayed. Praying to the true God will not save the sinner. See Cornelius in Acts 10:1-2, 4, 22, 32-33, 43, 47, and especially 11:14-15. Even praying to God while showing sincere repentance and while knowing that Jesus is the resurrected Son of God will not save the sinner. Note carefully the conversion of Saul, later know as the apostle Paul, in Acts 9:5-6, 11, 17-18 and especially Acts 22:10-16. He was explicitly told to stop praying, arise, and be baptized. Only then would his sins be washed away (Acts 9:11; Acts 22:16). Seeing the resurrected Jesus in person, repenting, fasting, and praying obviously hadn't washed his sins away.
Calling on the Name of the Lord. Some might ask, "What about passages like Acts 2:21 that link being saved with calling on the name of the Lord? Isn't that a reference to the Sinner's Prayer? The simple answer is "no". The sentiment of Acts 2:21 is found in many other scriptures - specifically in Romans 10:8-15 and more generally in Acts 22:16; Matt. 7:21-23; Rom. 1:16-17; Matt. 7:7-8; and Heb. 11:6. Combining these passages together, we understand that calling on the Lord isn't simply saying or praying “Lord, save me”. It is daily living in obedience to what the Lord has said.
Conclusion. As the Bible reveals by commands and examples of conversion in the book of Acts, it is baptism (immersion in water) that is the final step in becoming a Christian, not the Sinner's Prayer. Have you been forgiven of your sins and been saved according to the Bible?
- "God, I am a sinner. I believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for me. I want to be saved. I want Jesus to come into my heart and be the Lord of my Life. Please forgive me of my sins. Wash me clean. Thank you, Lord, for saving me and washing my sins away."
Steps to Salvation. The Bible associates many things with the process of having one's sins forgiven and being saved:
- Belief (John 8:24; Mk.16:16)
- Repentance (Luke 13:3; Acts17:30)
- Confession of Jesus as the Son of God (Rom.10:9-10; Acts 8:37)
- Baptism (immersion in water) (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:1-7; Col.2:12)
- Remaining faithful (1 Cor.15:58; Rev.2:10)
- Repentance & prayer when a Christian sins (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:5 thru 2:6)
However, prayer by the non-Christian isn't one of them. Yes, prayer is associated with repentance and forgiveness, but only for those who are already Christians.
Sinners Who Prayed. Praying to the true God will not save the sinner. See Cornelius in Acts 10:1-2, 4, 22, 32-33, 43, 47, and especially 11:14-15. Even praying to God while showing sincere repentance and while knowing that Jesus is the resurrected Son of God will not save the sinner. Note carefully the conversion of Saul, later know as the apostle Paul, in Acts 9:5-6, 11, 17-18 and especially Acts 22:10-16. He was explicitly told to stop praying, arise, and be baptized. Only then would his sins be washed away (Acts 9:11; Acts 22:16). Seeing the resurrected Jesus in person, repenting, fasting, and praying obviously hadn't washed his sins away.
Calling on the Name of the Lord. Some might ask, "What about passages like Acts 2:21 that link being saved with calling on the name of the Lord? Isn't that a reference to the Sinner's Prayer? The simple answer is "no". The sentiment of Acts 2:21 is found in many other scriptures - specifically in Romans 10:8-15 and more generally in Acts 22:16; Matt. 7:21-23; Rom. 1:16-17; Matt. 7:7-8; and Heb. 11:6. Combining these passages together, we understand that calling on the Lord isn't simply saying or praying “Lord, save me”. It is daily living in obedience to what the Lord has said.
Conclusion. As the Bible reveals by commands and examples of conversion in the book of Acts, it is baptism (immersion in water) that is the final step in becoming a Christian, not the Sinner's Prayer. Have you been forgiven of your sins and been saved according to the Bible?