FAITH ALONE----REALLY? by steve finnell
There are those who profess that God saves by faith alone. They contend that anyone who believes that water baptism is essential to forgiveness of sins is being saved by works. The problem is that the faith alone crowd believe it is essential say a form of the "sinner's prayer" in order to be saved. In other words, faith + the sinner's prayer saves. Using their reasoning, saying the sinner's prayer would be a work.
Example of a sinner's prayer: Lord Jesus, I come before you and confess that I am a sinner. Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross, and that Almighty God raised you from the dead. I pray that you forgive me my sin, and be my Lord and Savior. In the name of Christ Jesus I pray this request. Amen.
The problem is under the new covenant the Bible never instructs a non-Christian to pray for forgiveness. A proof text used is 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV) John was addressing Christians. John was not telling unbelievers to say the sinner's prayer and be forgiven. John was not telling unbelievers to say a sinner's prayer so that they might be saved.
Proof text number two: The tax collector (publican) prayed and was forgiven. Luke 18:9-14.....13"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying. 'God be merciful to me a sinner!" 14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be abased,
and he who humbles himself will be exalted."(NKJV)
The tax collector (publican) was not a pagan. The tax collector was a member of the Jewish religion. He collected taxes for the Romans. The tax collector was already part of a synagogue. The tax collector did not become a Jew by saying a sinner's prayer.
There is no Scripture that states that saying the "sinner's prayer" grants forgiveness to non-Christians. Saying a sinner's prayer does not add anyone to the body of Christ. Saying a sinner's prayer cannot save anyone.
What do men have to do to be saved?
Believe: John 3:16
Confess: Romans 10:9-10
Repent: Acts 2:38
Be Immersed in water: Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16
Proof text number two: The tax collector (publican) prayed and was forgiven. Luke 18:9-14.....13"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying. 'God be merciful to me a sinner!" 14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be abased,
and he who humbles himself will be exalted."(NKJV)
The tax collector (publican) was not a pagan. The tax collector was a member of the Jewish religion. He collected taxes for the Romans. The tax collector was already part of a synagogue. The tax collector did not become a Jew by saying a sinner's prayer.
There is no Scripture that states that saying the "sinner's prayer" grants forgiveness to non-Christians. Saying a sinner's prayer does not add anyone to the body of Christ. Saying a sinner's prayer cannot save anyone.
What do men have to do to be saved?
Believe: John 3:16
Confess: Romans 10:9-10
Repent: Acts 2:38
Be Immersed in water: Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16
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