In the last blog. I asked the question, and hopefully answered why Romans 10 does not show what many have termed “the sinners prayer.” The one reason in particular was that Romans 10 doesn’t hold the sinners prayer is because Romans 10 doesn’t speak to the sinner to repent.
Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. KJV
There is yet another reason that through another close look upon Romans 10 that this is not “the sinners prayer for salvation.”
Many take Romans 10 and the words of “confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt believe in then heart that GOD hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
There be those who couple this scripture with John 3:16 and say ok. Here it is “confess and believe” and one is saved…
John recorded this word in (his gospel.) This quite possibly the most mis appropriated scripture in perhaps all the bible. John didn’t even write his gospel until around 100 A.D. So, the question must be asked. How could the first church have taken John’s gospel in particularly John 3:16 to be the salvation message?
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. KJV
The salvation message that would cause the New Testament Church (the church) to be born. We know came way before John's gospel. We see the word for word preaching in Acts 1 and 2 that immediately followed Jesus' crucifixion. Therefore, the idea of “confession and believing” as defined in our day wasn’t even in place. The reason as stated; because John had yet to record his gospel. So, it would be in error to take something and attribute it to salvation when John 3:16 wasn’t even around.
Neither John 3:16 nor Romans 10 speak of what Jesus said in accordance to the way of salvation.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. KJV
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. KJV
1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: KJV
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. KJV
Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? KJV
Acts 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. KJV
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, KJV
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; KJV
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. KJV
Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? KJV
I believe with these and many other scriptures from the word of GOD lets us know that baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is for the remission of sins.
Romans 10: 8,9 doesn’t teach us repentance nor the necessity to being water baptized. So the conclusion is. HOW CAN THIS BE THE SINNERS PRAYER IF THERE IS NO ADDRESS TO THE SINNER TO COME TO REPENTANCE AND WATER BAPTISM IN THE NAME OF JESUS?
So, the plan of salvation for sinners MUST include baptism. Not only does Romans 10:8-10 not mention baptism neither does it even allude to such need for water baptism. Yet, we read of Paul who also wrote previously in Romans 6 with such clarity to those who had already been baptized.
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
HOW DO WE SHOW HIS DEATH WITHOUT BAPTISM?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: KJV
PAUL HERE IS DECLARING THAT BAPTISM IS NECESSARY TO SHOW CHRIST’S DEATH. BUT ALSO PAUL SAYS, “IF, WE HAVE BEEN PLANTED TOGETHER IN THE LIKENESS OF HIS DEATH, WE SHALL BE ALSO IN THE LIKENESS OF HIS RESURRECTION.”
There can only be one way to share in the hope of resurrection with HIM, and that is to be buried with HIM in baptism.
I would also like to point out that Paul preached the very message that Peter preached on the day of Pentecost and to the house of Cornelius in Acts 10 as well to the Philippian jailor in Acts 16. This also Paul preached again in Acts 19:1-6 asking but 2 questions to men that already were “believers” of Jesus. The one that I wish to point out is verse three.
Acts 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. KJV
There is just no factual basis to what we today see termed as “the sinners prayer.” Why would Paul ask this question. Its certainly not for an outward confession of faith. Paul was asking have you obeyed the word of GOD; having your sins washed away. Have you been buried with Christ in baptism?
The "sinners prayer" we do not see it in scripture as its portrayed today. Paul was adamant by his questioning of those who were the disciples of John the Baptist and "believers" of Jesus. Therefore, we can rule out Romans 10:8-10 being the “sinners prayer.”
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