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THE SINNER’S PRAYERIS IT BIBLICAL?

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Introduction

Ministers frequently tell people to say the “sinner’s prayer”

What is this prayer and its forms? Was the “sinner’s prayer” practiced or

commanded in the 1st Century? Why do many say this prayer? Is the “sinner’s prayer” supported by

scripture? What were sinners of the 1st Century

taught and commanded to do to be saved?

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Various Forms of this Prayer

“Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner and that I deserve to go to hell. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. I do now receive him as my Lord and personal Savior. I promise to serve you to the best of my ability. Please save me. In Jesus’ name, Amen”

The Billy Graham Evangelical Association “Peace with God” prayer:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead.  I trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In your name, amen.”

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Various Forms of this Prayer

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always.”

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In your name, Amen.”

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Various Forms of this Prayer

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

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Commanded In the New Testament?

Not commanded in the NT of sinner’s Not found in any case of conversion in

Acts In the 1st century lost souls were told to…

Hear - Romans 10:15 Believe - Acts 16:31; Romans 10:10 Repent - Acts 17:30 Confess Christ - Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9, 10 Be baptized “for the remission of sins” -

Acts 2:38 Be faithful unto death - Revelations 2:10

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WHY DO MANY SAY THE SINNER’S PRAYER?

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Why Some Pray This Prayer?

It expresses their desire of inviting Jesus to come into their life for salvation Revelation 3:20

It expresses their view of the need to “receive Jesus” for salvation John 1:12; 12:48

They believe that justification comes by one confessing they are a sinner Luke 18:9-14

Many blindly follow the direction of religious leaders, because of ignorance Matthew 15:8, 9, 14; Acts 3:17

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Not Saved by This Prayer…

For Jesus to “come in” one must hear his word and open the door Revelation 3:20

To “receive Jesus” one must believe and obey His words John 1:12; 12:48

The “good confession” begins by confessing Christ before men Romans 10:9, 10; 3:10, 23-26; Matthew 10:32, 33 Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15

We must study to show yourself approved unto God so as not to be ignorant 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 10:1-4; Colossians 2:4-8

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IS THE SINNER’S PRAYER SUPPORTED BY

SCRIPTURE?

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This Prayer is Not Scriptural

Jesus never taught or command this prayer Taught disciples HOW to pray

Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13 No sinners in the NT were commanded to pray this prayer

If so, where is the scripture?? Those who were worshipful/prayerful were not instructed

to pray this prayer Saul of Tarsus - Acts 9:9, 11, 22:16 (In Damascus 3 days &

prayed) Cornelius - Acts 10:1, 2, 31 Lydia - 16:13-15

Saints (children of God) prayed to God for the Lord’s people and His work Acts 2:41, 42; 6:1-4; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:25; 20:36 Acts 21:4, 5; 22:17; 28:8 Ephesians 6:18; James 5:13-15

Prayer is reserved for the child of God! - John 9:31

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Which Statement Is Scriptural?

A. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ”

Galatians 3:26, 27

B. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, For as many of you as have prayed the sinner’s prayer have put on Christ”2 Opinions 3:26, 27

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Which Statement Is Scriptural?

A. “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?”

Acts 8:36

B. “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me from praying the sinner’s prayer for salvation?”

1 Opinions 8:36

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Which Statement Is Scriptural?

A. “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord”

Acts 22:16

B. “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and say the sinner’s prayer, and pray away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord”

1 Rejections 22:16

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Which Statement Is Scriptural?

A. “Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”

Acts 19:4, 5

B. “Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they prayed the sinner’s prayer in the name of the Lord Jesus”

1 Objections 19:4, 5

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Which Statement Is Scriptural?

A. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ”

1 Peter 3:21

B. “The like figure whereunto even praying the sinner’s prayer doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ”

1 Omissions 3:21

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WHAT WERE SINNER’S OF THE 1ST CENTURY TAUGHT AND

COMMANDED TO DO TO BE SAVED?

Examples of ConversionPreaching Believed Repented Confessed Sinner’s

PrayerSaved

PentecostActs 2:14-41

RepentedV. 37-38

? Remission of SinsV. 38-47

SamariaActs 8:5-13

BelievedV. 12

?

EunuchActs 8:35-39

BelievedV. 36-37

ConfessedV. 37

? RejoicedV. 39

SaulActs 9:17-18

? Sins Washed AwayActs 22:16

CorneliusActs 10:34-48

BelievedV. 43

? Remission of SinsV. 43

The JailorActs 16:30-33

BelievedV. 31

Washed Stripes

?

LydiaActs 16:13

AttendedV. 14

?

CorinthiansActs 18:8

BelievedV. 8

?

Rom. 10:14-17 Heb. 11:6 Lk. 13:3 Rom. 10:10 ? 2 Tim. 2:10

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Examples of ConversionPreaching Believed Repented Confessed Baptized Saved

PentecostActs 2:14-41

RepentedV. 37-38

BaptizedV. 38, 41

Remission of SinsV. 38-47

SamariaActs 8:5-13

BelievedV. 12

BaptizedV. 12-13

EunuchActs 8:35-39

BelievedV. 36-37

ConfessedV. 37

BaptizedV. 38

RejoicedV. 39

SaulActs 9:17-18

BaptizedV. 18

Sins Washed AwayActs 22:16

CorneliusActs 10:34-48

BelievedV. 43

BaptizedV. 48

Remission of SinsV. 43

The JailorActs 16:30-33

BelievedV. 31

Washed Stripes

BaptizedV. 33

LydiaActs 16:13

AttendedV. 14

BaptizedV. 15

CorinthiansActs 18:8

BelievedV. 8

BaptizedV. 8

Rom. 10:14-17 Heb. 11:6 Lk. 13:3 Rom. 10:10 Gal. 3:27 2 Tim. 2:1019

Examples of ConversionPreaching Believed Repented Confessed Baptized Saved

PentecostActs 2:14-41

RepentedV. 37-38

BaptizedV. 38, 41

Remission of SinsV. 38-47

SamariaActs 8:5-13

BelievedV. 12

BaptizedV. 12-13

EunuchActs 8:35-39

BelievedV. 36-37

ConfessedV. 37

BaptizedV. 38

RejoicedV. 39

SaulActs 9:17-18

BaptizedV. 18

Sins Washed AwayActs 22:16

CorneliusActs 10:34-48

BelievedV. 43

BaptizedV. 48

Remission of SinsV. 43

The JailorActs 16:30-33

BelievedV. 31

Washed Stripes

BaptizedV. 33

LydiaActs 16:13

AttendedV. 14

BaptizedV. 15

CorinthiansActs 18:8

BelievedV. 8

BaptizedV. 8

Rom. 10:14-17 Heb. 11:6 Lk. 13:3 Rom. 10:10 Gal. 3:27 2 Tim. 2:10

Baptism is specifically mentioned in EVERY case of conversion!

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Matthew 28:18-20

“18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.19 ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 ‘teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” NKJV

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Mark 16:15, 16

“15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned”

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Will You Obey The Words Of Jesus & Be Baptized For

The Remission of Sins?

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Or, Obey The Doctrines of

Men & Remain Lost?