Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 6/11/2009

Question
The majority of preachers lead people to pray "The Sinner's Prayer". However, if you read the summary of the book of Romans, it clearly states that the Apostle Paul wrote this letter directly to the church members in Rome, not unbelievers.
My question for you is, if this is directed to those who have been redeemed, why do ministers of the word use this prayer to those who have not known God?
Anyone can pray a prayer, but there has to be an act of faith. An initiative of faith that leads them to do more than pray. Many people declare that baptism in water is no longer necessary because of the fact that we are in the period of God's grace. However, this is no where in any way stated in the bible.
Could you answer me this question?
Jesus was baptized, showing that Christians should follow in his footsteps. He didn't pray a prayer to be saved, he acted on faith and was baptized to lead the example. Even though John the baptist insisted that he was to be baptized by Jesus, Jesus refused.
I'm not an angry Christian. I am not Catholic. I am not Baptist. I am not a Jehovah's Witness. I simply believe in what God has revealed through his word.
Give me some feedback and then we will exchange scriptures concerning this topic.
May God Bless You Richly!!


Answer
Blessings and thank you for your question.

Let's break your questions up.

1.  Romans is the most seasoned of all Paul’s letters.  Written around 57 AD, Paul writes a great treatise on the faith.  Unlike Paul’s other letters, Romans is not written to solve some problem in a church but rather to teach and prepare
  1.  Paul wanted to prepare the Romans for his visit (which unknown to him at the time, would be in chains#
  2.  Paul wanted them to have a foundation in the faith.
  3. Pastoral – he wanted both the Jews and the Gentiles to live in love, harmony, and unity.

Theologically, it presents a clear understanding of the cross, why Jesus died, the sinful man, justification, sanctification, and election, the standing of the Jews, spiritual gifts, and the believers relationship with the Government.

While Romans was originally sent to the believers in Rome, the book is part of Scripture.  We believe that it now speaks to believers and non-believers because it is part of the word of God.

2.  Faith and the Sinner's Prayer - Jesus said that a man must be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God #see John chapter 3).  So how does one become "born again or saved?"   Paul said in  Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Ro 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."  If we put this into context, Paul was talking about Israel and how his own people were not saved.  He is not talking to or about believers here, he is talking to and about the lost.  

So what does he say?  That you must believe in Jesus.  That means in your heart believe that he died for your sins and was raised again on the third day.  Then you must confess that belief to God.  The sinner's prayer is supposed to be the starting point for salvation.  You must first believe in your heart then you say to God that you do believe and ask for his forgiveness.  That is what salvation is all about.  Baptism should follow that prayer and confession.  In fact, in my church, new believers must either give testimony that they do believe or must at least say "Jesus is Lord" in front of others before they are taken into the water.  Why?  Because we must believe and confess in order to be saved.  Jesus didn't need to be saved, HE WAS SALVATION.  He already believed in Himself because He was God incarnate.  He gave us baptism as an example which all believers should follow.

I know that a lot of preachers just lead people in this prayer and believe then that they are saved.  But faith must go along with confession or they are just empty words.