Come into My Heart, Lord Jesus? A Plea for Biblical Accuracy in Child Evangelism
First published at SI May 1, 2006.
Into my heart, into my heart,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Come in today; come in to stay.
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Harry Clarke, Welsh song leader for Evangelist Billy Sunday, wrote these words in 1924. Who hasn’t heard these words sung at the end of an evangelistic challenge? I’m still amazed that many Christians still sing the lyrics after they already know the Lord.
The language of “asking Jesus into one’s heart” is part of a soul winner’s basic vocabulary, at least in my experience. It is firmly entrenched, it seems, especially in children’s ministries today. Consider this recommended prayer for children given by one church:
Dear God, Thank you for making a way for us to turn from the wrong things that we have done. I know I have done wrong things, but right now I want to look upon Jesus so that you will forgive me for the things I have done. Please let Jesus come into my heart, to live forever there. I want to live forever with God. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen
Now, to be fair, this prayer does deal with forgiveness of sin. It acknowledges the love of God. But what it fails to do is to lead a child to verbalize trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Isn’t that what the Gospel is all about?
Before I try to persuade you to stop using this terminology in your personal evangelism, let me assure you of two things:
- Some people are genuinely saved when asking Jesus into their hearts.
- There are many wonderful Christians who take the time to explain salvation clearly to children even if they use the “into my heart” phrasing.
Now, I know some of you are thinking right off the bat: this is just semantics. But is it? I was talking with a father in our church just last week, and he related to me how his young, preschool son firmly believes that Jesus lives in his real, physical heart. Just semantics? I don’t think so.
There are some legitimate concerns I have about the concept of “asking Jesus into our hearts.” Let me share them with you in the hope that, if nothing else, you will become even more committed to the precision we must have in communicating the Word of God.
Concern #1: It tends toward Easy Believism
There are Christians who are more interested in acquiring decisions for Christ than they are in making disciples of Christ. Often, “asking Jesus into your heart” becomes the magic formula for easy spiritual decision-making. Unfortunately, much of the time, these witnesses give an unclear and incomplete Gospel presentation. Consequently, many of the “decisions” made fall away in short order and were likely never genuine.
Concern #2: It is Exegetically Unfounded
Search the Scriptures. You will not find a passage through either precept or pattern where “asking Jesus into your heart” is employed in evangelism. Not once. Surely that must account for something. How can we be comfortable in using so consistently an expression that lacks ANY Scriptural support?
Some will ignore context and appeal to a passage like Revelation 3:20.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (KJV).
Although this verse is used heavily in evangelistic methodology, it is often taken out-of-context. In context, the Christian will find that Jesus is speaking to a church, a lukewarm church that has lost its fellowship with Christ. In John’s vision, Jesus tells this church He is knocking on their door and pleads with them to open the door and resume fellowship. It’s not about salvation.
Sometimes, instead of taking things out-of-context, we simply take them out-of-order. Such is the case for other New Testament verses where the result of salvation is turned to become the means of salvation. What about these verses?
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Gal. 2:20).
Another popular Gospel song exclaims: “What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart!” Does Jesus really come in? The short answer is “Yes, He does.” We can’t dispute the clear teaching of these verses. But while Jesus’ indwelling is certainly a result of salvation, there is simply no biblical evidence that His spiritual entrance into our lives is part of the means of salvation.
Concern #3: It Easily Confuses Children.
Easy-believism angers me. Careless Bible study frustrates me. But taking the most important message in the entire world and making it confusing for little ones both angers and frustrates me.
Bob Wilkin in his book Don’t Ask testifies of the confusion this inaccuracy has wrought among children when he writes,
Years later I was teaching an evangelism course at a Bible College in East Texas. I had my students write out their testimonies after I had explained what I have recounted above. I found that quite a few of the students went through years of confusion because someone told them as children that if they asked Jesus into their hearts they would be saved. They wondered if they had done it right. They wondered if they had been sincere enough. So they asked Him in over and over again for years. They couldn’t gain assurance. Finally someone shared with them that to be saved they had to trust in Christ alone. Only then, by their own testimony, did they come to faith in Christ. Years of inviting Him into their lives had only confused and frustrated them.
Consider as well this personal testimony from Dr. John MacArthur:
And every time, as a little kid, that somebody said, “Ask Jesus in your heart,” I can remember saying, “Jesus, please come in my heart.” I can remember that over and over: “In case you’re not there, please come in today.” You know? I mean, I did that as a kid. I’d go to camp, the guy would give a message, and just to be sure, you know, I’d say, “Lord, if you’re not in my life, please…”
Then, of course, there is the problem that children are not generally able to think in the abstract until about age seven. So, we should not be surprised when children take “asking Jesus into their heart” in a literal way. We must be absolutely clear when dealing with children about their eternal souls. Remember, the Bible tells us that child-like faith is essential, but it does not say the same about child-like intellect. While many children are saved at a young age, they must understand the essential truths of salvation in order to properly direct that precious faith in trusting Christ.
Concluding Comments
I would like to show you an excellent model for explaining salvation to children. It’s posted on the website of Kids4Truth. Bob Roberts and the other magnificent people who run this ministry have dedicated their lives to making sure children learn the doctrine of God’s Word. Allow me to condense his article to just the main points. You can read it in full at “Questions About God.”
1. God wants you to honor and serve Him.
2. Your sin (breaking God’s rules) keeps you from pleasing God.
3. Sin is paid for by death and separation from God.
4. You cannot get to heaven by being good or doing lots of good works.
5. Here’s the best part. Christ paid for your sins.
6. Accept Christ’s payment for your sin.
7. Turn from your sin. Want something completely different than your sin.
8. God has made you a promise—eternal life.
Becoming a Christian is much like joining an army. It costs nothing to join but the good soldier is willing to obey and even lay down his life for the general. When somebody does join the army, their life is no longer their own. When somebody joins the army, they surrender their rights to their leader. That’s what God expects of us. Look at what Jesus said about becoming a Christian (follower of Christ):
Matthew 16:24-25, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
In order to become a Christian your will must be broken because it is naturally at war with God! In fact, the Bible says that our condition is pretty miserable, for we are born into this world:
1. An enemy of God (our will is against His will—Rom. 5:10)
2. Dead in sins (unable to anything that pleases God—Eph. 2:1)
3. Held captive by a foreign power greater than ourselves (Eph. 2:2)
4. A child of wrath (someone destined for eternal judgment—Eph. 2:3)
Have you ever seen a football game? There are two teams, each with different wills. One team desperately wants to run one way, and the other team wants to go the other way. They have opposing wills. We are born with a will that wants to do anything except turn from our sin and trust Christ for forgiveness! That’s why becoming a Christian is primarily a surrender of your will!
This is an excellent example of communicating to children the truth about salvation. I truly believe that if we are more careful and clear in communicating these truths to the minds of children, we will be able to avoid long periods of time in people’s lives when they aren’t sure of their salvation or have to keep making professions of faith to be sure. Now, I do think it’s important that if a child wants to express faith in Christ, we should encourage it—each and every time that desire occurs. At some point along the way, true faith will likely be expressed and assurance will come. We cannot see their hearts and must not put any stumbling blocks in their spiritual journey.
Ironically, four years before penning Into My Heart, Harry Clarke had written the music to another song entitled “What Must I Do?” I like the message of this song much better:
“What must I do?” the trembling jailer cried,
When dazed by fear and wonder;
“Believe in Christ!” was all that Paul replied,
“And you shall be saved from sin.”
Refrain:
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
And you shall be saved!
What must I do! O weary, trembling, soul,
Just turn today to Jesus;
He will receive, forgive and make you whole;
Christ alone can set you free.
His blood is all your plea for saving grace,
The precious fount of cleansing!
O come, accept His love, behold His face,
And be saved forevermore.
Brian McCrorie is senior pastor of Heather Hills Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN where he lives with his wife, Deborah and their five children. He is a graduate of Northland Baptist Bible College (Dunbar, WI) andCalvary Baptist Theological Seminary (Lansdale, PA).
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We just need to trust that God saves. Jesus saves. Methods don’t. We don’t. Evangelists don’t. Soul-winners don’t. Prayers don’t. If we believe Jesus, we are assured of salvation if we continue believing. Those who don’t continue in the faith, prove that the faith they had was never genuine.
With children, we should encourage them to believe, and teach them that if they truly believe certain signs of faith or evidences of grace will follow in their lives. We should also, upon seeing those signs of grace, should instruct the children about baptism, I would think.
But among Baptists, baptism itself has lost a lot of its meaning. Instead of celebrating God’s gracious cleansing of the individual’s sin on account of Christ’s blood and sacrifice for them, it becomes a celebration of the individual’s faith-story and an accomplishment that they are now making in their obedience to Christ. Whatever else baptism symbolizes, it certainly at its root symbolizes the internal cleansing that Christ effects. After all it is a “washing” with water. See Acts 22:16, 2:38, 1 Pet. 3:21-22, Col. 2:11-12 (as well as the fact that water purification rituals abound in the OT and provide the backdrop for baptism).
Salvation is what happens to us graciously by God. We believe, but after we believe realize that God is the one who worked in our hearts to bring about that belief (1 Jn. 5:1). The many verses that say “whoever believes” are actually literally saying the “believing ones”. It isn’t a point in time act of belief, so much as it is a life of continuing to believe. Such a life evidences a genuine work of grace. This is the life of one called by God, chosen, and saved.
Teaching the true gospel is our role. Making people respond, pressuring them to — is appealing to a carnal mentality that doesn’t work. We can’t change their hearts, and they ultimately can’t either. They must be pointed to Christ and His Word. Then a miracle can happen when God changes their hearts to see the beauty of Christ (1 Cor. 4:4-6). Salvation is not merited by jumping through the right gospel hoops. We can’t get people to savingly believe by appealing to their consciences and stirring them to “do something” about the state of their soul. We have to preach Christ crucified, and that message will have an effect as the Spirit applies it.
Striving for the unity of the faith, for the glory of God ~ Eph. 4:3, 13; Rom. 15:5-7 I blog at Fundamentally Reformed. Follow me on Twitter.
It is great if you have kids whose parents are supportive and who can be quickly baptized. However, when you reach kids through AWANA or 5 Day Clubs, you do not always have the option of offering baptism. Sometimes parents have trouble with allowing their kids to be baptized, and there are plenty of baby-sprinklers out there we have to contend with.
I believe people choose to believe in Jesus Christ, that they actually exercise their will. True, I believe that the Holy Spirit coaxes them to believe, and I believe in election in its fullest sense. But still, the will is involved. No one is saved by a decision, but by faith in Jesus Christ. But faith is often perceived as and involves a decision.
In my view, faith is taking God at His Word. To create a time when one remembers doing so is important, whether “confessing with your MOUTH” or following the Lord in baptism. If you guys have a hard time with prayers or repeating prayers, then so be it. I do not. I love written prayers (and have written one for every day of the year plus many more; see some of them at http://www.highlandpc.com/prayers/).
To my way of thinking, a person is saved by faith, but can express that faith in a variety of ways: confessing with the mouth, baptism, works, and prayer. Although I do not view baptism as optional when it comes to obedience, it is not always the most “at hand” method. So I beg to differ with you. I don’t think one has to pray to express saving faith, but I see no prohibition against it. Do you?
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On the other hand, even though I am a Calvinist, I argue strongly against the opposite reaction that Charlie and Bob seem to be communicating, which is that we don’t call people to salvation.
I would highly recommend the following articles by Dan Phillips from the Pyromaniacs blog, who although a strong Calvinist argues that we shouldn’t…
…worry about whether or not it is “doctrinally proper” to call people to come to Christ, to decide, to believe, to repent, to turn, to accept Christ, to get reconciled to God, or even to get saved. Because God issues all these commands, and authorizes us to echo them in His name (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20).“Here’s Your Problem: You Really, Really Don’t Get Deut. 29:29”
In the following article, he answers the question, Are Calvinists obliged to snort, jeer and mock at every use of the verb “choose” (or “decide”) where God is not the subject?
“Communicating Better: You Don’t Choose?”
See also:
“Communicating Better: ‘Decisonalism’ or ‘Decisionism’ ”
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Greg Long, Ed.D. (SBTS)
Pastor of Adult Ministries
Grace Church, Des Moines, IA
Adjunct Instructor
School of Divinity
Liberty University
I respect your viewpoint, and agree that their are reasons for delaying believer’s baptism. Many churches don’t give it until kids are age 12 or older, beside the other scenarios you bring up.
Personally, praying for salvation as a means of expressing belief has problems. The methodology isn’t in Scripture, and there are many who have either seen problems or experienced problems as a result of it. If we really are expressing faith, the sinner’s prayer should be worded: “Lord, thank you for saving me. You promised to save those who believe, and I believe. Please bless my continued walk with You.”
I think many are verballizing their faith when they are given this prayer as a step to do. But some are confused by it or trust in the action as a means of placating God.
If you look throughout the NT, you really don’t see an emphasis on a point-in-time idea of salvation. The stress is on present continued faith. Sure, there are conversion experiences recorded. But there isn’t a dramatic call for action, other than a call to believe (or believe and be baptized). There are a host of “if” statements such as Col. 1:23. These don’t make much sense in a view that emphasizes the conversion experience so highly. We need God’s Spirit at work in us, and we need to be actually believing His promise of salvation by grace. We need to be repentant in spirit and sensitive toward sin. And we need this attitude to last our entire lives. When we fall, we get back up and continue believing and trusting God.
I think its hard for us to think of evangelism without the sinner’s prayer because it has been so influential. But again, prior to 1900 or so, no one ever publicly called for people to pray a sinner’s prayer. If we study evangelism pre-Finney, it may do much to help us approach evangelism in our own era.
I appreciate the back and forth on this, and I think I’ve presented my case. I can understand others not fully buying in, but I would urge them to consider this more carefully.
Blessings,
Bob
Striving for the unity of the faith, for the glory of God ~ Eph. 4:3, 13; Rom. 15:5-7 I blog at Fundamentally Reformed. Follow me on Twitter.
I believe we do need to believe. We need to call people to believe. With children, we need to be careful we aren’t ready to pat them on the back and applaud them publicly when they come forward at an invitation and believe. We are attracting them to believe by this acceptance, and we are possibly communicating subtly that it is their act which gets them assurance of salvation.
For adults, by all means call them to believe. Invitations probably even have a place, but they weren’t used widely before Finney. But for children, as they are at different stages of development and as their parents know them best, deal carefully.
A method used prior to Finney’s time was personal counseling. The pastor’s study was open for people to come and discuss the sermon and a heart to heart chat could be given in person and private. Public invitations are a man-designed, method that “works”. But we aren’t to accomplish the work of God by means of carnal / man-made weaponry.
Striving for the unity of the faith, for the glory of God ~ Eph. 4:3, 13; Rom. 15:5-7 I blog at Fundamentally Reformed. Follow me on Twitter.
Luke 18:13-14 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other:
Acts 8:35-37 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 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? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 16:30-34 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
One thing we don’t see in any of these passages is anyone leading another person in prayer, or an emphasis on saying certain words or phrases. I’m of the ‘preach the Gospel and let the chips fall where they may’ branch of evangelism. I don’t want to do any persuading- explaining yes, persuasion no. Even in Paul’s testimony before Festus and Agrippa, I don’t read anything that sounds like a spiritual ‘sales pitch’-
Acts 26:22-23 …I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
Sometimes I think the church has a bit too much Dale Carnegie flowing through its veins, and we’re addicted to analogies and illustrations for everything. If there is ever a time to not add bells and whistles to the message, presenting the Gospel would be one of those times when, whether preaching to a child or an adult, we need to leave the sentimental and/or tragic stories and heart-wrenching songs out of it.
[Greg Long]Greg, I’m sorry if I was unclear earlier. I do strongly believe that we ought to call people to salvation. However, that call is a call to belief, not to some ritualistic action. So, I tell people they must believe in Jesus. Then, later, I ask if they do. I do not ask them if they would like to believe in Jesus, and if so, to pray a prayer, walk an aisle, sign a tract, etc. The implication in each of those scenarios, despite any verbal explanation to the contrary, is that the person is doing those things in order to believe in Jesus, or that they are somehow one piece of the “believing in Jesus” ritual.
On the other hand, even though I am a Calvinist, I argue strongly against the opposite reaction that Charlie and Bob seem to be communicating, which is that we don’t call people to salvation.
Now, I will say that I have seen occasionally good invitations, but they were not salvation invitations. They were invitations to concerned people to talk to a counselor about their condition. Fine, I have no quarrel with that; it’s a different matter entirely.
My Blog: http://dearreaderblog.com
Cor meum tibi offero Domine prompte et sincere. ~ John Calvin
[Charlie]Believe me, I have major problems with the repeat after me sinners prayer kind of invitation, especially with children. I am a children’s ministries pastor and I have directed our children’s workers not to use that kind of invitation in our ministries.[Greg Long]Greg, I’m sorry if I was unclear earlier. I do strongly believe that we ought to call people to salvation. However, that call is a call to belief, not to some ritualistic action. So, I tell people they must believe in Jesus. Then, later, I ask if they do. I do not ask them if they would like to believe in Jesus, and if so, to pray a prayer, walk an aisle, sign a tract, etc. The implication in each of those scenarios, despite any verbal explanation to the contrary, is that the person is doing those things in order to believe in Jesus, or that they are somehow one piece of the “believing in Jesus” ritual.
On the other hand, even though I am a Calvinist, I argue strongly against the opposite reaction that Charlie and Bob seem to be communicating, which is that we don’t call people to salvation.
Now, I will say that I have seen occasionally good invitations, but they were not salvation invitations. They were invitations to concerned people to talk to a counselor about their condition. Fine, I have no quarrel with that; it’s a different matter entirely.
I think you are arguing against “decisionalism”, am I correct Charlie? Some forms of it are wrong, but I believe some Calvinists throw the baby out with the bathwater. We should urge people to be reconciled to Christ. We should call them to repent and believe in Christ. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking someone “Would you like to repent and believe in Christ?” Because that’s exactly what the Bible calls them to do and calls us to urge them to do.
Again, I know this thread is about the article that was posted, but I would highly recommend the articles I posted above.
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Greg Long, Ed.D. (SBTS)
Pastor of Adult Ministries
Grace Church, Des Moines, IA
Adjunct Instructor
School of Divinity
Liberty University
But, still, I think it is a strange way to phrase things. “Believe in Jesus” I get. “Do you believe in Jesus?” I get. But what does, “Would you like to believe in Christ?” mean? To me, it implies that the person can simply turn on belief at will. Furthermore, it seems like a trick question. If a person says no, then he doesn’t believe in Jesus. But if he says yes, it sounds as if he still doesn’t believe in Jesus, but upon answering yes, you will then respond with some sort of instruction as to how to believe in Jesus.
Let’s make this a test situation, but without the question. A 16-year-old knocks on your office door and says, “I would like to believe in Christ.” What do you say/do?
My Blog: http://dearreaderblog.com
Cor meum tibi offero Domine prompte et sincere. ~ John Calvin
[Charlie]…”Right now, is your trust in Christ alone and what he did for you, and not at all in your own works or deserving?”Had a professor in college ask the same question and it had a profound impact on me. You see, I had asked Jesus to come into my heart when I was 5. The only thing I remember about the event was that I could not get to sleep that particular night (which was very unusual for me). I went to my parents room and they led me to the Lord. Was baptized when I was 10. At 15 I heard some preaching on hell and was terrified that I had not understood or not been sincere at 5 and so made a 2nd profession of faith. In my early 20’s at the urging of a counselor (as a result of some shameful behavior on my part) I made a 3rd profession of faith and was baptized a 2nd time. I wrote in my Bible, “Salvation: (the time and date) A conscious experience of salvation.” (still have the Bible)
BUT, I still wasn’t sure if I was saved. Until my professor asked me if I was trusting Christ alone NOW! He asked it of an entire class, then explained that we should not base our trust in what we had written in our Bibles. I had heard so many preachers tell us to write our decisions down in our Bibles so when Satan caused us to doubt we could show him our Bible.
Some 30 years later, when I was pastoring, a woman came to my office between Sunday School and church to ask me to give an altar call at the end of the service. Her son was there and she knew that he would come forward if I did. She was sure he wanted to come forward years ago but “that devil woman he was married to” kept him from coming forward. I refused her request and word got around the church that “Pastor Brian doesn’t want people to get saved.” I am quite sure that the son would have come forward, and also quite sure that he would have left the church as unsaved as when he came, but his mama would have been happy that he “got saved.”
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[JohnBrian]Thanks for sharing that brother. I have a similar story myself where I made a profession again in my 20s. But it really comes down to faith, do we believe Jesus saves those who trust Him for salvation, or do we not? Praise God for his marvelous grace![Charlie]…”Right now, is your trust in Christ alone and what he did for you, and not at all in your own works or deserving?”Had a professor in college ask the same question and it had a profound impact on me. You see, I had asked Jesus to come into my heart when I was 5. The only thing I remember about the event was that I could not get to sleep that particular night (which was very unusual for me). I went to my parents room and they led me to the Lord. Was baptized when I was 10. At 15 I heard some preaching on hell and was terrified that I had not understood or not been sincere at 5 and so made a 2nd profession of faith. In my early 20’s at the urging of a counselor (as a result of some shameful behavior on my part) I made a 3rd profession of faith and was baptized a 2nd time. I wrote in my Bible, “Salvation: (the time and date) A conscious experience of salvation.” (still have the Bible)
BUT, I still wasn’t sure if I was saved. Until my professor asked me if I was trusting Christ alone NOW! He asked it of an entire class, then explained that we should not base our trust in what we had written in our Bibles. I had heard so many preachers tell us to write our decisions down in our Bibles so when Satan caused us to doubt we could show him our Bible.
Striving for the unity of the faith, for the glory of God ~ Eph. 4:3, 13; Rom. 15:5-7 I blog at Fundamentally Reformed. Follow me on Twitter.
[Charlie] Greg, I really think we’re missing each other somehow. I read the threads, but I don’t see the immediate relevance. My comment about “Would you like to believe in Christ” was in response to Ed’s post, in which it served as an introductory question leading to something that was not believing in Christ, in that case, a sinner’s prayer (albeit a modified one, telling God you believe in Jesus).I apologize, Charlie, for arguing against something you are not advocating. However, I have no problem asking someone “Would you like repent and trust Christ?” I believe, as you do, that regeneration happens at a moment in time. I think the difference between us is that I do not believe regeneration precedes faith (although I believe God grants the faith that brings regeneration).
But, still, I think it is a strange way to phrase things. “Believe in Jesus” I get. “Do you believe in Jesus?” I get. But what does, “Would you like to believe in Christ?” mean? To me, it implies that the person can simply turn on belief at will. Furthermore, it seems like a trick question. If a person says no, then he doesn’t believe in Jesus. But if he says yes, it sounds as if he still doesn’t believe in Jesus, but upon answering yes, you will then respond with some sort of instruction as to how to believe in Jesus.
Let’s make this a test situation, but without the question. A 16-year-old knocks on your office door and says, “I would like to believe in Christ.” What do you say/do?
To answer your question, I would explain the Gospel to the teen using Scripture and asking questions along the way. If he seems to understand and agree with the basic facts of the Gospel, I would ask one or more of the following questions:
“Have you received God’s gift of salvation?”
“Have you ever repented of your sins and trusted Christ’s death and resurrection to save you?”
etc.
If he says “no,” I would say, “I urge you to do so. Would you like to pray to God and tell him what is on your heart?”
So in that sense I agree with you. I wouldn’t have him repeat a sinner’s prayer. I want the words he says to reflect what is already in his heart.
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Greg Long, Ed.D. (SBTS)
Pastor of Adult Ministries
Grace Church, Des Moines, IA
Adjunct Instructor
School of Divinity
Liberty University
On the practical implementation, I would agree with Charlie at the top of #15 (not the later portion on children and baptism).
At least in my experience, I have seen TREMENDOUS damage done to people through the “decision” approach. Not that the Bible does not call us to a decision, or even to press others for a decision, as Greg correctly points out.
This is abused, however, by people who have elevated a prayer for salvation to something akin to a sacrament by which God’s grace is conferred - through the need to know the date and time, saying the right words, repenting enough, being willing to walk the aisle, etc., etc. It does not seem to cross people’s minds that this is, at best, an extra-Biblical invention which can easily cloud the gospel from so many different directions.
When you add to this the revivalist element of “coming forward to make sure you are saved,” you have a recipe which can easily destroy someone’s Christian life.
I have seen these elements abused so badly within fundamentalism that I would probably not advocate them. Invitations may be helpful if they give people information and an offer of where they can find assistance. But high-pressure invitations are unbiblical and absurd. (For one thing, most people do not make life-changing decisions while bowing with their backs to a crowd after walking to the front of a church — all in less time than it takes to sing two verses of a “hymn.”) It is time for the church to get back to the (truly) historic practice of closing services with a benediction from Scripture.
Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
“Personally, praying for salvation as a means of expressing belief has problems. The methodology isn’t in Scripture”
I would argue that Romans 10:13-14 says,
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Calling on the Lord for salvation is both OT and NT. Calling based on content is also implied. So praying by calling on the Lord for salvation is extremely Scriptural. We might argue about the wording of the prayer, but we can also note that such a “calling” is based upon Gospel content being presented. What could be wrong about rehearsing the content in prayer before the Lord and then calling upon Him?
I think I am simply right about this.
"The Midrash Detective"
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