What About The Sinner's Prayer?

by Travis Quertermous
From The Reminder, August 5, 2012
In answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?,” denominational preachers of the evangelical variety will often respond by urging sinners to repeat what they call “the sinner’s prayer.” Such a prayer will often take the form of confessing that one is lost, expressing one’s faith in Jesus as the Son of God, and then asking Him to come into their life as their personal Savior.

If you have ever prayed such a prayer and believe yourself to have been saved thereby, let me ask you to seriously consider these facts from the Bible. First, no inspired preacher of the New Testament church ever told anyone to pray “the sinner’s prayer.” Peter had taught the people of Jerusalem, “‘And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved’” (Acts 2:21). After hearing the gospel preached, some were convicted of their sins and cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Note carefully the response as the apostles taught them how to call on the name of the Lord: “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38).

Notice that the apostle Peter did not lead the crowd in “the sinner’s prayer.” There is no authority in Scripture for such. Rather, he taught them the gospel plan of salvation that they should believe the gospel, repent of their sins, and be immersed in water to receive the forgiveness of their sins. Have you truly called on the name of the Lord that you might be saved?