The Sinners prayer

[evangelist6589]

Many people have a vendetta against Dr. Stanley and so take his quotes out of context to fit their agenda. One reason that many dislike him is because he uses the sinners prayer. I will note that Dr. Erwin Lutzer whom is a Calvinist also uses the sinners prayer. Check out the books Your Eternal Reward, and One minute after you die.

The Podcast I am listening to at this time he mentions the consequences of sin Gal 6:7-9. He also says that sin has a consequence. And in another podcast he says that Christ is the only door to heaven (Jn 14:6). Stanley speaks against the new tolerance and says that Christ is the only door to heaven.

The Only Door to Heaven Podcast dated 12-8-12-9-11.. This quote he says "There are multitudes in church pews that will die and go to hell, because they do not have a relationship with Christ."

 

[Greektim]

Many people have a vendetta against Dr. Stanley and so take his quotes out of context to fit their agenda. One reason that many dislike him is because he uses the sinners prayer. I will note that Dr. Erwin Lutzer whom is a Calvinist also uses the sinners prayer. Check out the books Your Eternal Reward, and One minute after you die.

The Podcast I am listening to at this time he mentions the consequences of sin Gal 6:7-9. He also says that sin has a consequence. And in another podcast he says that Christ is the only door to heaven (Jn 14:6). Stanley speaks against the new tolerance and says that Christ is the only door to heaven.

The Only Door to Heaven Podcast dated 12-8-12-9-11.. This quote he says "There are multitudes in church pews that will die and go to hell, because they do not have a relationship with Christ."

Sinners prayer is a practice that Christians needs to stop practicing! My opinion...

Not a Calvinist issue, but an issue of a proper gospel and gospel presentation.

 

[agedman]

Sinners prayer is a practice that Christians needs to stop practicing! My opinion...

Not a Calvinist issue, but an issue of a proper gospel and gospel presentation.

It isn't words that get a person saved or all mutes would be lost.

I view the typical "sinner's prayer" as merely a guide help put rational organization to what a new believer may actually be expressing out of their heart for the first time.

 

[mandym]

It gets misrepresented as being represented as a saving factor. Which could not be further from the truth.

 

[annsni]

It gets misrepresented as being represented as a saving factor. Which could not be further from the truth.

Yep, it certainly does!! I've heard someone say "Well, I said that 'sinner's prayer' so I know I'm saved." and yet their lives say something totally different. But the fact that they said the prayer - or raised their hand - gives them the confidence that they have their "fire insurance" paid up.

 

[Greektim]

Yep, it certainly does!! I've heard someone say "Well, I said that 'sinner's prayer' so I know I'm saved." and yet their lives say something totally different. But the fact that they said the prayer - or raised their hand - gives them the confidence that they have their "fire insurance" paid up.

What is the purpose of the sinner's prayer??? "a guide help put rational organization to what a new believer may actually be expressing out of their heart for the first time" If that is so, then shouldn't that person no how to confess such as a repentant person? Why do they need to repeat a prayer for something they are already aware of?

 

[mandym]

Yep, it certainly does!! I've heard someone say "Well, I said that 'sinner's prayer' so I know I'm saved." and yet their lives say something totally different. But the fact that they said the prayer - or raised their hand - gives them the confidence that they have their "fire insurance" paid up.

That has nothing to do with the sinners prayer. Many people claim all sorts of things about their salvation experience and never really live for God. the cause is not the prayer. The prayer is used an excuse. The prayer does not do the misleading they are just rebellious.

I, in all my life, have never heard anyone teach that the prayer saves. Ever

 

[annsni]

That has nothing to do with the sinners prayer. Many people claim all sorts of things about their salvation experience and never really live for God. the cause is not the prayer. The prayer is used an excuse. The prayer does not do the misleading they are just rebellious.

I, in all my life, have never heard anyone teach that the prayer saves. Ever

But it is what is inferred. "Pray this prayer and you will be saved." "Raise your hand if you want to be saved - then pray this prayer with me". Then they do it and "Now you are saved. Welcome to the family!" I've seen it too many times and I've heard the results of it - just as I said. When asked "How do you know you are saved?", the answer is "I prayed the prayer when pastor asked anyone who wanted to be saved to say the words after him."

 

[evangelist6589]

It isn't words that get a person saved or all mutes would be lost.

I view the typical "sinner's prayer" as merely a guide help put rational organization to what a new believer may actually be expressing out of their heart for the first time.

So do I. Many take that out of context to claim that people are claiming words save them.

 

[evangelist6589]

Yep, it certainly does!! I've heard someone say "Well, I said that 'sinner's prayer' so I know I'm saved." and yet their lives say something totally different. But the fact that they said the prayer - or raised their hand - gives them the confidence that they have their "fire insurance" paid up.

Stanley nor Lutzer preach that someone can live like the devil and be saved (2 Cor 5:17). But people often take Stanley out of context (he is a much bigger name than Lutzer so Lutzer gets ignored) to make him say something he never did.

 

[evangelist6589]

That has nothing to do with the sinners prayer. Many people claim all sorts of things about their salvation experience and never really live for God. the cause is not the prayer. The prayer is used an excuse. The prayer does not do the misleading they are just rebellious.

I, in all my life, have never heard anyone teach that the prayer saves. Ever

Thats for sure. Sadly many that are militant against the prayer are John MacArthur & The Way of the Master camp. However some MacArthur associates with (Erwin Lutzer) use the prayer.

 

[revmwc]

Many people have a vendetta against Dr. Stanley and so take his quotes out of context to fit their agenda. One reason that many dislike him is because he uses the sinners prayer. I will note that Dr. Erwin Lutzer whom is a Calvinist also uses the sinners prayer. Check out the books Your Eternal Reward, and One minute after you die.

The Podcast I am listening to at this time he mentions the consequences of sin Gal 6:7-9. He also says that sin has a consequence. And in another podcast he says that Christ is the only door to heaven (Jn 14:6). Stanley speaks against the new tolerance and says that Christ is the only door to heaven.

The Only Door to Heaven Podcast dated 12-8-12-9-11.. This quote he says "There are multitudes in church pews that will die and go to hell, because they do not have a relationship with Christ."

No vendetta against Dr. Stanley but I heard his teaching that we don't have an old sin nature and that was all I needed to stop listening to him.

 

[annsni]

Stanley nor Lutzer preach that someone can live like the devil and be saved (2 Cor 5:17). But people often take Stanley out of context (he is a much bigger name than Lutzer so Lutzer gets ignored) to make him say something he never did.

I'm not talking about any of these guys - I'm just reporting what I've seen in real life.

 

[mandym]

Thats for sure. Sadly many that are militant against the prayer are John MacArthur & The Way of the Master camp. However some MacArthur associates with (Erwin Lutzer) use the prayer.

Anything can be taken and misused. Even Calvinism ( of which I am not) is taken to far to reject any evangelism in some places. Abuses and misrepresentations to not prove something wrong.

 

[Greektim]

Again, I would ask, "What is the purpose for the sinner's prayer?"

 

[mandym]

Again, I would ask, "What is the purpose for the sinner's prayer?"

Why does one pray about anything? Why would someone not want to bring prayer into the moment that they realize in their mind that they have a hear for God. I fail to understand why anyone would question that.

 

[Greektim]

Why does one pray about anything? Why would someone not want to bring prayer into the moment that they realize in their mind that they have a hear for God. I fail to understand why anyone would question that.

But a personal prayer to God for salvation is not the "sinner's prayer". The latter is the repeatable formula that a person says to God (in theory). What is the point of this repeatable formula? Are we saying that the person who is going to pray to God for salvation does not know what to pray for???

 

[Jerome]

Is this the kind of thing y'all find oh so appalling/improper?

Charles Spurgeon, "A Free Grace Promise" (1888):

Oh, that the unconverted among you may be moved to pray. Before you leave this place, breathe an earnest prayer to God, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner. Lord, I need to be saved. Save me. I call upon thy name."

Join with me in prayer at this moment, I entreat you. Join with me while I put words into your mouths, and speak them on your behalf—"Lord, I am guilty. I deserve thy wrath. Lord I cannot save myself. Lord, I would have a new heart and a right spirit, but what can I do? Lord, I can do nothing, come and work in me to will and to do of thy good pleasure.

♫Thou alone hast power, I know,
♫To save a wretch like me;
♫To whom, or whither should I go
♫If I should turn from thee?

But I now do from my very soul call upon thy name. Trembling, yet believing, I cast myself wholly upon thee, O Lord. I trust the blood and righteousness of thy dear Son; I trust thy mercy, and thy love, and thy power, as they are revealed in him. I dare to lay hold upon this word of thine, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Lord, save me tonight, for Jesus' sake. Amen."

 

[Tom Butler]

I believe that any repentant sinner who cries out to the Lord for salvation will be saved.

That said, if we have to lead a sinner to pray the prayer; if we have to tell them what to say, then we have not properly prepared them with the gospel.

We can quote Romans 10:9 (if thou will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, etc) why is more than that required?

Ah, one says, Romans 10:13 says "whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" Calling on the Lord is the sinner's prayer.

Wait, it says call on the NAME of the Lord.

Paul told the Philippian jailer to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul told the philosophers on Mars Hill that God commands them to repent. And some believed (Acts 17).

Jesus said "except you repent, you'll perish."

Philip told the Ethiopian eunuch to believe, not ask for salvation.

None of those folks were instructed to pray a prayer or ask for salvation.

Are we blowing an uncertain trumpet here?

 

[evangelist6589]

A quote from an amazon.com review on Stanley's book Eternal Security.

"Then again, you need to remember that Charles Stanley has said: "No matter what you do as a CHILD OF GOD, you are forgiven. You say, 'Murder?' Forgiven. 'Stealing?' Forgiven. 'Adultery?' Forgiven. 'Worshipping idols?' Forgiven.'" So according to HIS gospel - which is in STARK contrast to what the Bible declares, namely, that the unrighteous will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God - you can become EVEN MORE VILE AND WICKED after salvation than before.

There's a name for this "gospel", which really isn't "good news" at all: "Greasy Grace." But I prefer to call it what the Bible calls it: a "doctrine of demons" and a "damnable heresy."

Erwin Lutzer says the same thing in one of his books. He says that there will be degrees of rewards in Heaven. Those that abuse their gifts and do not live fully for God will not inherit the kingdom of God, meaning that they will be given lower ranks.