The Sinner's Prayer

[Marooncat79]

I have always found this interesting.

are ye ignorant that we, as many as were baptized to Christ Jesus, to his death were baptized? Rom 6:3 YLT

Why does it not say we are also baptized to his life?

This is what John Gill says about the passage:


were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death:
and therefore must be dead to sin, and consequently ought not to live, nor can they live in sin. This does not suppose, that some of this church were baptized persons, and others not; but that some might be baptized in water who were not baptized into Christ: there is a difference between being baptized in water in the name of Christ, and being baptized into Christ, which believers in their baptism are; by which is meant, not a being brought by it into union with Christ, which is either secretly from eternity, or openly at conversion, and both before the baptism of true believers; nor a being brought by it into the mystical body of Christ the church, for this also is before it; but rather it designs a being baptized, or a being brought by baptism into more communion with Christ, into a participation of his grace and benefits; or into the doctrine of Christ, and a more distinct knowledge of it: the power of which they feel upon their hearts, and so have really believed in Christ, heartily love him, and make a sincere profession of him; though rather the true meaning of the phrase "baptized into Christ", I take to be, is to be baptized purely for the sake of Christ, in imitation of him, who has set us an example, and because baptism is an ordinance of his; it is to submit to it with a view to his glory, to testify our affection for him, and subjection to him, without laying any stress or dependence on it for salvation; such who are thus baptized, are "baptized into his death"; they not only resemble Christ in his sufferings and death, by being immersed in water, but they declare their faith in the death of Christ, and also share in the benefits of his death; such as peace, pardon, righteousness, and atonement: now this proves, that such persons are dead to sin, who are so baptized; for by the death of Christ, into which they are baptized, they are justified from sin; by the death of Christ, their old man is crucified, and the body of sin destroyed; besides, believers in baptism profess themselves to be dead to sin and the world, and their baptism is an obligation upon them to live unto righteousness.

The rest of the section deals with death to sin and being dead to sin--6:3 is the introduction to this idea of having been buried with Christ

 

[MB]

In another thread, what started out as a debate over what is commonly known as The Sinner's Prayer deteriorated rapidly over the troll-ship of the original poster.

So, what about it? My first training in personal witnessing (or soul-winning) did, in fact, include a point at which the lost person was instructed to "pray something like this: Etc, etc."

If the lost person prayed as instructed, at the end we were taught to ask, "did you sincerely pray that prayer? Did you really, really mean it?"

If yes, we were taught to say, "then on the authority of God's word, I declare that you are saved. And don't let anybody try to talk you out of it."

Over the years, however, I have come to some doubts about that process. When we tell someone to pray the Sinner's Prayer, is it possible that they are hearing something like, "say these magic words."?

This was brought home to me when a young college student was asked about relationship with the Lord Jesus. Her answer: "Well, I said the prayer."

So, I ask, is the use of the Sinner's Prayer a valid method of soul-winning?
If so, how do you avoid making such a prayer "magic words?"

If not, what is the proper way to "draw the net." The proper way to bring someone to the point of decision? What do you tell them to do, or say, if anything? What questions, if any, do you ask them to elicit a commitment?

Release the hounds!!!

Excuse me but the magic is not in words but in believing. Paul and his followers told the Jailer what to do.
Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.
You guys always make this out to be such a mystery.
MB

 

[Berean]

I believe when the Holy Spirit convicts you of your lost and totally depraved condition and you repent you won't have to "Invite Christ into your heart" You can't keep him out. This is the Supernatural. The sinners prayer is what John the Baptist said Repent and be Baptized.

 

[MB]

I believe when the Holy Spirit convicts you of your lost and totally depraved condition and you repent you won't have to "Invite Christ into your heart" You can't keep him out. This is the Supernatural. The sinners prayer is what John the Baptist said Repent and be Baptized.

But Paul and his followers said;
Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.
Repentence seems to be the first thing although you couldn't or wouldn't repent with out being convinced of Christ and who He Is.
MB

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Baptism might be based on the law of Moses which states those who have become unclean in a myriad of ways had to be bathed in water. Jewish tradition requires immersion in what's called a "mikvah".

Converts to Judaism are to this day, immersed in these pools.

 

[Yeshua1]

In another thread, what started out as a debate over what is commonly known as The Sinner's Prayer deteriorated rapidly over the troll-ship of the original poster.

So, what about it? My first training in personal witnessing (or soul-winning) did, in fact, include a point at which the lost person was instructed to "pray something like this: Etc, etc."

If the lost person prayed as instructed, at the end we were taught to ask, "did you sincerely pray that prayer? Did you really, really mean it?"

If yes, we were taught to say, "then on the authority of God's word, I declare that you are saved. And don't let anybody try to talk you out of it."

Over the years, however, I have come to some doubts about that process. When we tell someone to pray the Sinner's Prayer, is it possible that they are hearing something like, "say these magic words."?

This was brought home to me when a young college student was asked about relationship with the Lord Jesus. Her answer: "Well, I said the prayer."

So, I ask, is the use of the Sinner's Prayer a valid method of soul-winning?
If so, how do you avoid making such a prayer "magic words?"

If not, what is the proper way to "draw the net." The proper way to bring someone to the point of decision? What do you tell them to do, or say, if anything? What questions, if any, do you ask them to elicit a commitment?

Release the hounds!!!

The "sinners prayer" is not the problem or issue, as many have done that very same thing and been saved by the Lord...

Its holding that just because one might have done one somewher ein the past and yet has no visible change mean all is well is the problem!

 

[salzer mtn]

I went to a church years ago and the pastor was a advocate of the sinners prayer. The things he ask the sinner, like do you believe you are a sinner and do you believe there is a hell, do you believe you will go there if your lost. All these things most people believe anyway. After he led the sinners prayer he would pronounce the sinner saved. His priority was to get little children to come to the altar and lead them to Christ. This was in the days of Jack Hyles, and all the other easy believism preachers that were popular back then. Now I see a different approach or spin that some preachers use. I have witnessed preachers say the only way you confess your faith ( meaning believing what we believe) is by being baptized and they will not take your profession if you say you were saved while believing free will doctrine or were preached too by a free will preacher. I have heard preachers say if you are trusting in a long ago experience you have never been saved. I have heard preachers say if you truly believe you are a sinner, you are saved. I have heard preachers say if you believe what I believe and preach, you are saved. I am counted as a un-believer where I go to church, I will not recant my salvation. I was saved when I was twenty three, I was deep in the pits of sin and loved my sinful life. But God crossed my path, convicted me of my sins and I called upon Him and He saved my soul and made me know I had passed from death unto life. If I had returned to the wallowing in the mire after I had made a profession then there would be grounds for condemning me, but I didn't and by Gods grace I won't. I have decided to find a church where love is, not just love to there own bunch. Pray for me.