Reader Comment

“Saying a prayer is works-based. In the Sola Scriptura born again view one must accept Jesus into their heart, usually by saying the Sinner’s Prayer.”

“Baptism, however, is a sacrament. It’s something that God gives us rather than something we do. A sacrament is an outward sign of inward grace. Baptism isn’t works-based because it’s a gift from God. It’s administered to us, not something we ourselves do.”

My Response

I have responded to over 10k comments on Medium and this is the first time someone suggested that the Sinners Prayer is works-based … further that the act of baptism is a “gift from God” rather than “something we do.”

Decisional Regeneration

The Sinner’s Prayer is a form of “decisional regeneration” where one makes a decision to follow Christ to be saved. Other examples include “walking an aisle” and signing a decision card.

There are those, such as the reader above, who believe that when mankind makes an active pronouncement to “follow Christ,” it can be seen as a form of works-based salvation … thereby detracting from God’s grace and our faith alone in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The question becomes, is one saved at the point when the Holy Spirit chooses to come into the life of a new believer, or does salvation occur when one makes an active decision to accept Christ into their heart.

Perhaps this difference is too esoteric for serious consideration for most Biblical Christians.

We do know, however, that praying a prayer, walking an aisle, and signing a card does not assure one’s place in Heaven. It is only through the action of the Holy Spirit entering the life of the New Testament believer that seals us until the day of final redemption (Ephesians 4:30). However, Romans 10:9 clearly makes the point that there needs to be an outward sign of the inward change.

Romans 10:9 – because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Baptismal Regeneration

Suggesting, as this reader does, that “Believer’s Baptism” is NOT a form of works just because some consider it a sacrament, respectfully, makes little sense. In my view, baptism in a beautiful illustration of Romans 6:3-4. But to suggest that just because one considers it a sacrament, so it is therefore not a work, is disingenuous. Do we have to do a Communion to be saved? Of course not.

Salvation is grace alone, through faith in Christ alone. One grows in their faith and understanding of what God calls them to do, and that comes out in the form of works as part of sanctification … not salvation. Baptism will not save anyone. We are saved by trusting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9). It should be noted that those who do see baptism as required for salvation see the act as “baptismal regeneration.”

Conclusion

Bottom line … the Sinner’s Prayer does not save anyone in and of itself. Salvation is a heart change and is merely evidenced by saying the Sinner’s Prayer, walking an aisle, engaging in believer’s baptism, or signing a card. These actions or works are expressing a change already in the heart of the believer. However, Romans 10:9 and James 2:14-25 still make clear that our joyful expression needs to pass beyond a heart change, to be offered vocally and through our actions.

Scripture is clear that salvation is totally from God. Man has nothing to do with it either by decisional, baptismal, or any other form of “regeneration.”

Prior to salvation, we were …

Ephesians 2:1 - And you were dead in the trespasses and sins.

John 6:44-45 - No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—

Romans 3:11 - No one understands; no one seeks for God.