Is the “Sinner’s Prayer” in the Bible?

[mailmandan]

Sorry, but I think I will go with what the Bible says in Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12&13, Acts 22:16, Acts 10: Acts 10:47&48, Acts 16:15&33, and 1 Peter 3:21. If God was trying to teach that baptism is essential to salvation, I don’t know how he could have been any plainer.

If water baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation then God would not make so many statements in which He promises eternal life/salvation to those who simply BELIEVE/PLACE FAITH IN CHRIST FOR SALVATION. I think I will go with what the Bible says in Luke 8:12; John 1:12; 3:15,16,18,36; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26; Acts 10:43; 11:17; 13:39; 15:9; 16:31; 26:18; Romans 1:16; 3:22-28; 4:5-6; 5:1; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9; 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 John 5:13 etc.. There are a handful of verses in the Bible that works salvationists try to use as proof texts to prove that water baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation, yet a careful examination of each of these texts in context will show that none of them prove that baptism is absolutely required for salvation, though they do prove that baptism was an assumed initiatory response to the gospel of salvation. In other words, these texts prove only that baptism is regularly associated with conversion and salvation, rather than absolutely required for salvation.

 

[mailmandan]

I find it very interesting that every time a specific Bible verse does damage to a false doctrine, like James 2:24 destroys the doctrine of “faith only” and Mark 16:16 plainly puts baptism BEFORE salvation, then the passage itself and its credibility comes under attack. I guess the idea is, if you can’t refute what it says then just say it’s not inspired and shouldn’t be there.

You need to stop confusing salvation through faith in Christ "alone" (Ephesians 2:8,9) with "faith only" - empty profession of faith/dead faith that remains "alone" - barren of works. (James 2:14) Man is saved through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9); yet genuine faith is vindicated, substantiated, evidenced by works (James 2:14-24). *Christ saves us through faith based on the merits of His finished work of redemption "alone" and not based on the merits of our works.* It is through faith "in Christ alone" (and not by the merits of our works) that we are justified on account of Christ (Romans 3:24; 5:1; 5:9); yet the faith that justifies is never alone (solitary, unfruitful, barren) if it is genuine (James 2:14-24). *Perfect Harmony*

You need to keep in mind that James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3).

Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned. The omission of baptized with "does not believe" shows that Jesus does not make baptism absolutely essential to salvation. Condemnation rests on unbelief, not on a lack of baptism. So salvation rests on belief. *NOWHERE does the Bible say "baptized or condemned." If he who believes will be saved then he who believes and is baptized will be saved as well. Yet who did Jesus say will be condemned in Mark 16:16? Those who don't believe or those who have not been baptized?

So where is baptism placed before salvation in 3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26? If water baptism is absolutely required for salvation, then why did Jesus not mention it in those verses? What is the ONE requirement that Jesus mentions 9 different times in each of these complete statements? BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics. So much for your theory.

*John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

[Beckworth]

No man has the power to baptise you into those things, these passages are not water baptism, they are spirit baptism

You are blaspheming the spirit, giving credit to man for his work..

Ephesians 4 says ther is only “one” baptism. You would have us believe there are TWO—Holy Spirit baptism AND water baptism. Actually, in the scriptures there are 5 baptisms mentioned. But I believe what he is meaning in Ephesians 4 is that there is only one that saves. Holy Spirit baptism was only ever given to a few people and its purpose was not to save people. The apostles were given the spirit on the day of Pentecost not to save them, but to enable them to fulfill God’s work and as a sign that this that they are doing has God’s full approval. The same thing happened when the first gentiles were converted. God poured out the Spirit as a sign to the Jews that They were accepted by God.

In Acts 11:17&18- Peter told the Jews that God have them (the gentiles) the same gift that he gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Now you have a problem

No man has the power to baptise you into those things, these passages are not water baptism, they are spirit baptism

You are blaspheming the spirit, giving credit to man for his work..

 

[notuptome]

Ephesians 4 says ther is only “one” baptism. You would have us believe there are TWO—Holy Spirit baptism AND water baptism. Actually, in the scriptures there are 5 baptisms mentioned. But I believe what he is meaning in Ephesians 4 is that there is only one that saves. Holy Spirit baptism was only ever given to a few people and its purpose was not to save people. The apostles were given the spirit on the day of Pentecost not to save them, but to enable them to fulfill God’s work and as a sign that this that they are doing has God’s full approval. The same thing happened when the first gentiles were converted. God poured out the Spirit as a sign to the Jews that They were accepted by God.

In Acts 11:17&18- Peter told the Jews that God have them (the gentiles) the same gift that he gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Now you have a problem

Gal 1:6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Gal 3:1 ¶ O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Do you really know Christ?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Beckworth]

Ephesians 4 says ther is only “one” baptism. You would have us believe there are TWO—Holy Spirit baptism AND water baptism. Actually, in the scriptures there are 5 baptisms mentioned. But I believe what he is meaning in Ephesians 4 is that there is only one that saves. Holy Spirit baptism was only ever given to a few people and its purpose was not to save people. The apostles were given the spirit on the day of Pentecost not to save them, but to enable them to fulfill God’s work and as a sign that this that they are doing has God’s full approval. The same thing happened when the first gentiles were converted. God poured out the Spirit as a sign to the Jews that They were accepted by God.

In Acts 11:17&18- Peter told the Jews that God have them (the gentiles) the same gift that he gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Now you have a problem

You say we are saved by belief (alone) but you also say that Holy Spirit baptism saves people. How is that possible? If Spirit baptism saves people then they cannot be saved by faith alone. Are they saved when they believe or are they saved by Spirit baptism? You would do better to keep to the faith only doctrine because NOWHERE in the Bible does it say that Holy Spirit baptism saves us. Holy Spirit baptism is not something man can do. God has to do that. In other words man can not get Spirit baptism just because he wants it. That would make God a respecter of persons giving it to some people but not to others. Your argument for Acts 10 where Cornelius and his house were baptized with water baptism which was commanded by Peter is that they were already saved by the Holy Spirit baptism. Well why doesnt God just pour it out on EVERYBODY so Everybody can be saved? And obviously these people believed in God so at what point were they saved? When they believed? Or when the Holy Spirit came upon them? If they were saved at the point of faith which you say is what you believe, then the Spirit baptism was unnecessary and did not save them because they were already saved. If they were saved by Spirit baptism, which you also say you believe then they were not saved by faith.

You cannot prove with book, chapter, or verse that Holy Spirit baptism is given to save people. That is just your opinion. Spirit baptism was given as a sign to confirm God’s approval which it did for the Jews in Acts 11 when they said, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

 

[Magenta]

 

[notuptome]

You say we are saved by belief (alone) but you also say that Holy Spirit baptism saves people. How is that possible? If Spirit baptism saves people then they cannot be saved by faith alone. Are they saved when they believe or are they saved by Spirit baptism? You would do better to keep to the faith only doctrine because NOWHERE in the Bible does it say that Holy Spirit baptism saves us. Holy Spirit baptism is not something man can do. God has to do that. In other words man can not get Spirit baptism just because he wants it. That would make God a respecter of persons giving it to some people but not to others. Your argument for Acts 10 where Cornelius and his house were baptized with water baptism which was commanded by Peter is that they were already saved by the Holy Spirit baptism. Well why doesnt God just pour it out on EVERYBODY so Everybody can be saved? And obviously these people believed in God so at what point were they saved? When they believed? Or when the Holy Spirit came upon them? If they were saved at the point of faith which you say is what you believe, then the Spirit baptism was unnecessary and did not save them because they were already saved. If they were saved by Spirit baptism, which you also say you believe then they were not saved by faith.

You cannot prove with book, chapter, or verse that Holy Spirit baptism is given to save people. That is just your opinion. Spirit baptism was given as a sign to confirm God’s approval which it did for the Jews in Acts 11 when they said, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

First of all Jesus said belief was sufficient.

Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

So yeah the baptism of the Holy Spirit does in fact save.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[mailmandan]

Ephesians 4 says ther is only “one” baptism. You would have us believe there are TWO—Holy Spirit baptism AND water baptism. Actually, in the scriptures there are 5 baptisms mentioned. But I believe what he is meaning in Ephesians 4 is that there is only one that saves.

Even though there are baptism(s) plural, in Matthew 3:11 we read - I baptize you with 1. water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the 2. Holy Spirit and 3. fire. *There is only ONE baptism that places us into the body of Christ and that is SPIRIT baptism, not water baptism.

Ephesians 4:5 - one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

 

[Social1]

I get that acting like a prayer is an automatic in, is potentially highly deceptive. But I also think it's silly to pooh pooh the very idea of a sinner's prayer.

Scripture does say at some point in time a Christian will confess with their mouth, believe in their heart, and call on the name of the Lord.

What do you call it when you call upon God, believe and confess? Yeah probably a prayer of a sinner asking to be saved.

Romans 10

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

This is probably the best example of using context as pretext in the word of God. Hands down the most detrimental.
Paul begins in chapter #9 with a heartfelt address to his kinsman, the Israelites. He uses many Old Testament references to try to explain without room for dispute that the outward keeping of the law is now replaced by an inward heartfelt faith in the promised Messiah.
He is carefully trying to put new wine into old wineskins without them bursting. He is attempting to change a few thousand years of religious practices with faith.
He then moves on to tell them they are not God's only chosen people. That salvation and the right to be the children of God is now open to all nationalities.
When he says if you confess with your mouth he is not referring to a weak statement that Christ is Lord, but a proclamation from the spirit of truth that CHRIST IS LORD!
The belief in the heart that God raised him from the dead is from the same promised Spirit.
For Christ was declared by the same spirit to be the son of God with authority over all things by his resurrection.
He then simply explains that any nationality can be subject to the same spirit that would cause them to call upon the name of the Lord. It's not a statement to become saved, but a bold proclamation of the spirit assuring your salvation solely through the will of God through Jesus Christ.

 

[Lanolin]

Maybe the difference is between sinners prayer and a saints proclamation or testimony.

Of course we were all sinners before we got saved. And we had to talk to God somehow. So we prayed.

 

[notuptome]

Maybe the difference is between sinners prayer and a saints proclamation or testimony.

Of course we were all sinners before we got saved. And we had to talk to God somehow. So we prayed.

The sinners prayer is not written in the bible but it is found in the contrite heart of the person that has seen their need to be saved from their sins. What they pray is not a simply prayer by rote but a simple prayer motivated by great need.

The Holy Spirit brings the needed conviction and prompts the prayer for salvation.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[CharliRenee]

Talking to God with a repentant heart is definitely biblically encouraged.

 

[dcontroversal]

No man has the power to baptise you into those things, these passages are not water baptism, they are spirit baptism

You are blaspheming the spirit, giving credit to man for his work..

Sounds like another Campbellite to me...reminds me of Seaperch......

 

[dcontroversal]

All of the above is irrelevant
the fundamentals of Christian salvation is still and always will be

Acts 2:38

All of the above is irrelevant, the fundamentals of Charismatic psuedo salvation is still and always will be Acts 2:38

That is what you meant right?

My bible states clearly that God is pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save those that believe.......no religious hoop jumping, no water and for sure no charismatic manifestations required..!

Go ahead and red x me....you said red x's mean truth is being preached!!

 

[Waggles]

My bible states clearly that God is pleased by

Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Sounds like another Campbellite to me...reminds me of Seaperch......

Believe it or not. Worse that sea perch

 

[dcontroversal]

Believe it or not. Worse that sea perch

Wow....now that is saying something hah

 

[dcontroversal]

Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Sure............keep believing it......even though it was translated by Anglicans that peddle a watered down salvation....

 

[Social1]

The sinners prayer is not written in the bible but it is found in the contrite heart of the person that has seen their need to be saved from their sins. What they pray is not a simply prayer by rote but a simple prayer motivated by great need.

The Holy Spirit brings the needed conviction and prompts the prayer for salvation.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

One who does not have the spirit of God would not pray for forgiveness of sins except for a selfish or self righteous reason.
Eternal life does not come by him that willeth or tuner, but of God that shows mercy.
The imputation of the Holy Spirit is the alpha and omega of your salvation , period.
Faith, love, desire belief, hope, works, all come through the spirit of truth.
A dead man can not pray for their salvation. As Lazarus was in the tomb, so are we to God without the Spirit.

 

[notuptome]

One who does not have the spirit of God would not pray for forgiveness of sins except for a selfish or self righteous reason.
Eternal life does not come by him that willeth or tuner, but of God that shows mercy.
The imputation of the Holy Spirit is the alpha and omega of your salvation , period.
Faith, love, desire belief, hope, works, all come through the spirit of truth.
A dead man can not pray for their salvation. As Lazarus was in the tomb, so are we to God without the Spirit.

All men are Gods creation and Gods Spirit lighteth every man that comes into the world. Every man has the ability to respond to God. John 1:9.

By blurring the distinction between literal and figurative you create a false narrative. If you do not know the presence of the Holy Spirit you have a problem. Look into the word of God and seek the faith necessary to believe in Christ. Faith is freely given to all who seek. Don't be the man in John 3:19-21. Don't confuse being religious with being born again.

For the cause of Christ
Roger