The History of the Sinner's Prayer

As a ministerial student I have seen the "sinner's prayer" used over and over, even said to groups of children. I do not recall seeing a change in the life of anyone that I have seen lead through the sinner's prayer. I think peer pressuring a lost, sinner into saying a sinners prayer and then assuring them that they are thereafter a born again Christian is repugnant and a sin. Many false converts are made with the assurance from a Christian witness that they have been saved because they said a prayer. When I preach, I never offer someone to "pray to receive Christ". I preach the gospel and then tell them how to the Bible says you can be saved, I tell them when I am done to come talk to me if they want to (for counseling) or to go talk to God. Charles Spurgeon said, "If it is the fire of God working in a man's heart, it will be just as hot at 8:00 tomorrow morning in my office as it is after the message."

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[godrulz37]

Most evangelicals do not teach it does not matter what you do after you are saved nor Once saved always saved or Calvinistic perseverance of the saints (even those who do teach these errors do not usually condone godless living as believers).

[james3v6]

@godrulz37 The Bible does teach that once a person is saved God keeps them saved (unless Jesus is a liar John 10:28). But the Bible also teaches that a saved person is a changed person and will not live a life characterized by sinful living (2 Cor. 5:17; 1 John 1:6, 2:4). But what do you think about Christians telling others to repeat the "sinner's prayer" and giving them no Biblical counseling, no follow-up, and then telling that person they are afterwords born again?

[godrulz37]

I Cor. 1:17 Water baptism is important, but not salvific (baptismal regeneration is heretical). The issue is heart and motive, not spouting a prayer. Praying is a way to enter and maintain relationship with God. Concerns about technique, manipulation, etc. are valid, but I would not uncritically accept everything in the video. An alternative is not presented or a clear understanding of the author is not giving. Is his background sectarian in some way?

[godrulz37]

@james3v6 I share your concerns about parroting a sinner's prayer. I am also a fan of Finney, Moral Government Theology, Keith Green, Open Theism, etc. The Holy Spirit gives assurance through the Word, not a preacher to those who get fire insurance without true repentant faith.

[FAITHandLOGIC]

Billy Graham is a heretic. Listen to him speak now. He's basically a universalist.

[holdfastthyword]

A lot of merit in this video. I like the inquiry room concept... good food for thought. talkingfortruth general thoughtsare noteworthy. Edwards' 5 stages had elements of was sinner's prayer. thanks for posting

[talkingfortruth]

There is some truth in this but the narrator sounds like a lordship Salvationist and a lot of his accusations against Billy Sunday were wrong. He never told people they were saved! Notice how no source was given. Yea so what If he bragged about what God was doing. Paul did similar boasting and even said "that I might save some" even though God did the saving!