Years ago when I used to do a call-in radio talk show called Contend for Truth and we always had a contention for the day. One day we said: “Our contention today is that no one has ever been saved by praying the sinner’s prayer in the history of Christianity—not even once! If you disagree with us, give us a call.”
All five lines immediately started blinking.
I’ve said this same thing to many individuals and groups over the years and Christians are often stunned.
Many Christians have come to falsely believe that the sinner’s prayer itself saves.
But it doesn’t.
Sadly, though when I ask some of these Christians what does save they often don’t have an immediate answer.
The first caller was incredulous, “You’re saying that no one has ever been saved by praying the sinner’s prayer?!” I replied “Not even once! No one ever been saved by praying the sinner’s prayer in the history of Christianity.” He was shocked. So I asked this fellow: “For by…” I’d stretched it out, hoping he’d answer. But he didn’t so then I said… “for by grace you’ve been saved through…?” and he answered meekly, “faith?”
I replied, “Yes! For by grace you’ve been saved through faith!”
People are not saved by praying a prayer. To be saved one must have faith in Jesus Christ.
Now, let me be clear. There’s nothing wrong with the Sinner’s Prayer, per se. After all, it is a prayer of repentance from sin and of committing oneself to follow Christ. The Sinner’s Prayer is something that those who come to faith may do (I write “may” because some people do not begin the life of faith in Christ by praying that prayer). I’ve led people, who have come to faith in Christ, through that prayer and I hope to do so in the future.
But, again, let us remember that the prayer itself doesn’t save. To some this truth may seem picayune, but it has dreadful implications which I will address in my next blog.
Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Amen.
Very true, Dr. Jones. The thief on the cross never prayed a sinner’s prayer. And yet, he was granted Grace.
Indeed!
Well, when put that way, it makes alot of since. That would explain why so many after praying the “sinner’s pray” go back to their old way of life. Two things I have seen over and over: 1) people don’t want to take the time to grow in their faith (maybe because they never really had any) 2) they don’t know what to do next, so they go back to what they know.
Yes. In the blog after next, Dawn, I’m going to talk more about why so many “go back.”
So true, Dawn! Especially: “maybe because they never really had any.” I’ll be talking more about this soon.
That’s something to look forward to! I’ve always wondered about ascertaining the validity of a person’s salvation – regardless of not seeing strong confirmations of the Holy Spirit’s regeneration in that person’s life.
While I was sharing the gospel with a Jewish friend one day, a sweet gal with the kindest intentions asked him, “Why don’t you pray the prayer just in case it’s true, even though you don’t believe it?” I quickly said it’s through faith that one is saved, not through the words of any particular prayer. I didn’t want him to have a false sense of security that would keep him from pursuing his questions further. He said he couldn’t imagine that an insincere prayer would have any merit with God.
Interestingly, I just returned from a retreat where the speaker told that in her moment of salvation, she simply prayed, “YES!!”
Of course not Clay, eveyone knows that Christian baptism saves us: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16). Seriously, I’ve often thought that altar calls and the sinner’s prayer are evangelical protestant equivalents to the sacraments (outward and visible signs of inward and spritual grace). The sacraments don’t save us either – no matter how one comes down on baptismal regeneration. Receiving the sacraments are simply the natural outgrowth of a life of faith – means of grace. Both the sinner’s prayer and altar calls are, like recieving the sacraments, Godly responses to faith. THe only problem I have with altar calls and the sinner’s prayer is that it puts the emphasis on what we do, rather than what God has done for us in Christ. I think we need to remember that even faith is a gift of God. It reminds me of a story I heard (probably apocryphal) about an Episcopal priest who was being challenged by a street preacher: “Have you been saved?” The answer was “Yes” and then queried again “When” The final answer:”Two thousand years ago on Calvary” Of course that is both profound and glib, depending on how one means it (or takes it). We must appropriate to ourselves the faith that God kindles in us through the Holy Spirit.
Greg
Indeed, Greg, it can become for some a sort of saving sacrament. When used properly I see it more as a logical reaction from faith. Sort of “I’m sorry for all my sins, Lord, help me to be who You want me to be.”
Hey, this is a bit off topic, but Mr. Jones, you are awesome, and I saw you speak at the Caleb Conference in Huntington Beach. I would like for you to speak at my church as well, but I can’t seem to find your contact information. So how would I be able to talk to you about that?
Thanks Adrian!
You can reach me at clay.jones@biola.edu.
Clay