Yesterday we had our last study in DJ (the post entitled "DJ" explains what this is). We looked at the resurrection from John's account (in chapter 20). We pitched the resurrection as important because it was a unique point of differentiation between Jesus and other religious figures esp. those who claim to be god. Being the last study, one of our aims was to find out where the seekers were at. And someone wondered if they were at the point to pray "the prayer". I find this an interesting concept. Does someone become a Christian because they have prayed "the prayer"? I remember doubting my own 'salvation' after my prayer because I didn't really understand it all. So is there some kind of line that is crossed from unbeliever to believer? And the way to cross that line is to say "the prayer"? I guess the question that then begs to be asked is 'is there such a line to be crossed?'
I see faith as a journey and there are landmarks in that journey. Choosing to believe in Jesus is one such landmark. Some people would distinguish landmarks through various ways. A prayer can be a way to acknowledge that landmark but I think it has been hailed too much as the point of conversion. I think the more important thing is a conscious decision and an understanding of what it means to have made the choice to become a follower of Jesus. Maybe it would be more significant if the person were to be asked as to how they would like to acknowledge their choice of following Jesus. As individuals, people may want to express it differently - by declaring it to others if it happens in a public meeting, sharing a meal with significant people to commemorate the decision, writing a song, painting a picture etc. By enforcing "the prayer" norm, we are taking away the person's creative individuality which is God-given and enforcing a practice that is human formed. It is high time we put many practices into question, and ponder where they originated from.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
saying "the prayer"
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3 comments:
Hi Karen,
"Does someone become a Christian because they have prayed "the prayer"?"
My 0.02$:
No. Absolutely not. If one gained access to salvation through prayer, then salvation would be by works (and that is inconsistent with Ephesians 2:8-9).
Rather, prayer is the chief response to salvation. The order of events in salvation, in simplified terms is this:
1st: The Holy Spirit regenerates the sinner's heart. He is then born-again (Ephesians 2:1, John 3:1-22 and note in this chapter, the second birth precedes the exercise of faith).
2nd: The sinner makes some form of profession of faith (1 John 4:2, Romans 10:9).
3rd: The now saved sinner walks with the Lord on the path of sanctification where the Holy Spirit shapes the believer more and more into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29, 2 Thessalonians 2:13).
The 2nd and 3rd events are closely intertwined.
Unfortunately, most believers I know seem to place the cart before the bulls in that they believe the confession comes first, then the second birth. I find this view to be inconsistent with Scripture and my own salvation story.
Take care and God bless,
Rand
PS: About putting traditional practices in question, have you ever asked yourself where the term "accepting Christ as personal Savior" came from? It's no where to be found in Scripture.
Hey Karen,
Nice blog, by the way! I'd like to say "Amen" to what Rand said and also add another thought.
It seems that the problem most people have with discipling a new believer is that they feel this person has just crossed some amazing threshold, and now are treated entirely differently. While yes, they HAVE crossed a big threshold by entering from death to life, they still should be treated as if they're on a continuum, which they are! These people who "prayed the prayer" WILL doubt, like you and I did. They will continue to sin.
If we look at salvation and sanctification from a wider scale, it will be easier when the person transitions to believer.
Okay, I rambled a lot. Hope it was coherent. :)
Thanks for your comments. Rand, thanks for your biblical backing (and interesting to note that Jesus never asked anyone to accept him as personal saviour! And I don't think Paul mentions that too). Glad to know that my frustrations are actually biblical! Sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by the "sinners prayer brigade". Guess this is what happens when I work with evangelicals! Lets try not to enforce human practices as 'gospel'.
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