Sinner's Prayer Can Lead to Salvation, Say Southern Baptist Traditionalists

sermonindex Jun 24, 2012

How did you become saved? Did you admit you were a sinner, repent of your sins, believe Jesus Christ died for your sins, and call on the Lord and pray to accept Jesus into your life?

The recent decision by delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention to affirm the use of the "sinner's prayer" – known as a prayer of repentance and "inviting Jesus into your heart" – has undermined Calvinism in the denomination and placed a renewed emphasis on traditional Baptist soteriology: if you repent, call on the Lord and believe in Christ for mercy, you are saved.

(Photo: The Christian Post)
Messengers attend the Southern Baptist Convention's Annual Meeting in New Orleans, June 19, 2012.

The resolution, which passed Wednesday by a majority vote of around 80 percent, affirmed the belief that "repentance from sin and personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are necessary for salvation." Citing Romans 10:13, it also affirmed that "repentance and faith involve a crying out for mercy and a calling on the Lord," more commonly known as the "sinner's prayer," as a "biblical expression of repentance and faith."

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One strong caution in the resolution: "The 'sinner's prayer' is not an incantation that results in salvation merely by its recitation and should never be manipulatively employed or utilized apart from a clear articulation of the Gospel."

Sree Jun 25, 2012

The resolution, which passed Wednesday by a majority vote of around 80 percent, affirmed the belief that "repentance from sin and personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are necessary for salvation."

The very first fact that they did a voting to make a decision proves that they approach is wrong. So the decision made will also be no God's will.

Where in New Covenant do we see any decision made on Voting? Decision is always taken by elders based on their own wisdom. Not based on Vote system. If the decision in acts 15, not to burden the Gentile believers by laws of Circumsition was taken based on voting then we would all have this law now. Because the majority of Believers in the meeting there were Jews who wanted Gentiles to be circumcised. But only Peter with revelation from Holy Spirit was able to guide them to make right judgment.

when will these Churches learn and repent of Ungodly procedures?

jimur Jun 27, 2012

Heavenly Father shed light upon our understanding. Upon our words, our thoughts and our discourse..........

Surely we would agree unity of the body of Christ is clearly taught within the New Testament. This fact is not open for debate, thus I will offer but one verse for consideration.

1 Corinthians 1:10 (KJV)
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Certainly we should seek and take council with the elders of the church. However we must also be aware elder ship does not equal Godly perfection. This idea manifests itself in many NT verses also.

Matthew 16:21 (KJV)
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Matthew 26:59 (KJV)
59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

Mark 15:1 (KJV)
1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

Neither can it be denied the ruling factor of the scribes, elders, and priests a great contributor to the reformation. Although elders are not mentioned specifically perhaps we should consider such a verse as

Matthew 5:20 (KJV)
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

In light of these can we then conclude a prayerful vote to further insure unity of the body of Christ is not scriptural? We were not promised a perfect church in this world yet scripture demands we seek such. What better way than members of the body offer prayer asking for guidance and assurance to the very head, foundation, and cornerstone? I'm not satisfied we should readily dismiss or condemn such a practice as ungodly and IMHO it would appear a congregational approach with biblical mindset adhering to New Testament teaching would better lend itself to Christ pleasing Church governing.

My prayer continues. ......... As Christians may we forever seek the will of our Heavenly Father. That we would yield ourselves to that will and He might allow the Holy Spirit guide us always in the paths of His righteousness and truth and that our lives reflect the light of His only begotten, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus, as it is written, thy will be done. Amen.