Salvation Prayer
Salvation Prayer
Most every ministry you come across (including ours) has some kind of instructions for salvation. We believe that words simply are not enough. The Bible says in Jas 2:18 that faith and actions are intertwined. Neither is valid without the other. if we tell people that they are totally and completely safe by simply repeating a written statement, we put them at a disadvantage, give them false hope and literally set them up to fail. Think about it, where are we instructing them to place their trust? In God, or in the words we just had them repeat out loud.
In our society today "instant" is in. People are looking for an "instant" fix to their problems. We need to take care in how we preach the Gospel, and where we tell people to place their faith. If we tell them they are now saved, because they "confessed with their mouth" the "prayer of faith" it becomes an incantation to many. Salvation is not about repeating words, it's about becoming born of the Spirit. If we neglect that part of the equation we are not giving them the whole story.
Now, before everyone dismisses this because it doesn't go along with your denomination or church, lets look at some scripture (in depth).
Rom 10:9-10 GW
(9) If you declare that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God brought him back to life, you will be saved.
(10) By believing you receive God's approval, and by declaring your faith you are saved.
(I urge you to read the entire chapter and not just focus on the verses I quoted. Please take the time to see this in context.)
Notice in verse 9 that it is implied that salvation is a 2 part process. First is mentioned your declaration, then comes believing. I'm using the God's Word translation of the Bible. But for clarity we'll use the King James Authorized for the Strongs numbers.
Rom 10:9-10 KJV+
(9) ThatG3754 ifG1437 thou shalt confessG3670 withG1722 thyG4675 mouthG4750 the LordG2962 Jesus,G2424 andG2532 shalt believeG4100 inG1722 thineG4675 heartG2588 thatG3754 GodG2316 hath raisedG1453 himG846 fromG1537 the dead,G3498 thou shalt be saved.G4982
(10) ForG1063 with the heartG2588 man believethG4100 untoG1519 righteousness;G1343 andG1161 with the mouthG4750 confession is madeG3670 untoG1519 salvation.G4991
Yes, it's a little confusing at first. There is the scripture, then the corresponding Greek definitions of the original words (strongs numbers). Note this is not an attempt to make the verses make sense like our Bible translations do, but it is a direct translation of the original words. This lets the reader see the original intent of the author. (Something we should all be striving to do)
Please note that the declaration or confession of faith uses the same root Greek word, Strongs number G3670.
G3670
ὁμολογέω
homologeō
hom-ol-og-eh'-o
From a compound of the base of G3674 and G3056; to assent, that is, covenant, acknowledge: - con- (pro-) fess, confession is made, give thanks, promise.
From the original Greek word we see that this "confession" is much more than simply repeating a prayer out loud. It's actually acknowledgment and covenant. Now think about it, how can an acknowledgment and corresponding covenant be made without first having the belief that it is so (In this context it is not possible)? In a way these two verses are redundant and it would seem that Paul is attempting to drive home a point. As I requested before, please take the time to read the entire chapter, these definitions will become quite clear.
Keep in mind that Bible translators not only needed to translate the words, they also needed the translation to make sense in their day. In may translations you'll see italicized words, or words in a lighter type. This usually indicates that those words were added so the verses make sense in the language of the day. Who knows, in 1611 when the Authorized King James came out, maybe the word confession implied all the Greek definitions, it today's English it does not. If you see this in your Bible, look in the front and you will see and explanation. All the more reason to use all the tools at your disposal.
Please consider these things when you preach the Gospel to others. Don't imply that repeating the canned prayer is all they need because its not. Salvation comes when a person believes on the Messiah, when their hearts change.
I'll let you look it up for yourself, but Gospel simply means good news. When I share the gospel with people I tell them that we have all broken God's law and because of that we are sentenced to hell. The "Good News" is, you don't have to go. Jesus took our punishment for us. How do you miss hell? Simply believe that Jesus did this for you. Then get a Bible and start reading.
I don't know from scripture the exact moment in time a person becomes born again or saved. Clearly from Romans it is when the belief is deep enough and strong enough to cause commitment and then to enter into a covenant relationship. By scriptural definition this is much more than repeating a prayer.
Discussion at the Cross Roads
