For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…Romans 1:16.
There is an interesting discussion going on at Possessing the Treasure about whether we need to lead someone in the ‘sinner’s prayer’ (or use any gimmicks) when sharing the gospel.
Here is a quote from the post:
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Is a sinner’s prayer necessary for salvation? Is it wrong to use one in sharing the gospel? If we read the New Testament from Matthew through Revelation we will find not one example of anyone praying a sinner’s prayer to be saved. Look at the example of Philip sharing the gospel with the Ethiopian eunuch in the passage at the top of this post. The eunuch was reading from the book of Isaiah. The Holy Spirit commanded Philip to approach and join the chariot. The eunuch was obviously reading aloud, which was how the ancients read. Philip heard him read from Isaiah 53. He offers to explain the passage. Philip explains that what he was reading is a prophecy about Christ. Then he preached the good news about Jesus to the eunuch……he explained to the eunuch that Jesus had provided a way for people to be saved from the penalty for their sins which separated them from God who is Holy and Righteous. What was the eunuch’s response? He believed immediately and asked to be baptized
The gospel powerfully brings people to repentance and faith. The gospel is the power of God for salvation. It does not need any help.
Witnessing Encouragement 
Loretta,
I think this “sinner’s prayer” teaching is like an infection. “A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough.” It may be the delusion spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 “God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” People try to take their salvation into their own hands, which is a big mistake. They try to take the place of God and make the choice themselves. Hosea 10:12 “it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.”
When I was converted, I wasn’t expecting it, although God had led me to prayer for it. God used Deuteronomy 5:29 in my conversion “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!” I was reading the Bible alone at the time it happened. When I received the Holy Spirit, I leaped for joy just like in Luke 1:41 “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
In Christ,
Thomas
Thomas,
I had a very similar conversion. I was not expecting it either; I was also alone reading the bible when it happened. I knew God saved me through Jesus, I knew I was ‘born again’, and I knew that He did it, through the Word. It was not a choice or decision on my part and I did not ‘pray a prayer’ to get saved. Jesus got a hold of me. Now, so many years later, (after being schooled in decisional regeneration) I finally do understand and believe that it truly is God alone that saves by His grace alone. This is overwhelming!
Loretta
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