Nowhere in the Bible does it say to "pray a little prayer to be saved," or to "ask Jesus to be your personal Lord and Savior." There isn't an example of anything like that being done, nor was anybody told to do anything like that when they asked, "What shall we do?"
Does anybody know where this originated? Was it in some denominational creedbook or catechism?
2006-08-14 02:45:20 · 14 answers · asked by flyersbiblepreacher 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Johncondo, you are absolutely right that He is the Son of God. That's not what I asked.
2006-08-14 02:52:21 · update #1
Chris p, you might have a point as to that part. Of course, Jesus said those words to Christians (of the church at Laodicea), and not to those wanting to become Christians.
2006-08-14 02:56:20 · update #2
debydoo, I don't know if anybody has claimed that they were Biblical, but nearly every religious group tells you do "ask Jesus into your heart" as though it were a passage from the Bible.
Everybody's copying from somebody; I'm just wondering who the original was...
2006-08-15 04:23:26 · update #3
You are right, it doesn't say it.
It is a prayer that someone made up based on this verse.
Rev 3:20 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.
The door to your heart. Not the pump in your chest, the Spirit.
2006-08-14 02:53:24 · answer #1 · answered by chris p 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This seems to come from a modern, man centered view of theology. As if God is at
the mercy of man's free will choice. The thing is, the only people who will sincerely
seek God are the ones He enables to do so. It starts with God's choice, not man's.
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you -
Psalm 3:8
From the Lord comes deliverance.
2006-08-14 10:11:02 · answer #2 · answered by Hope 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The simple definition of , " ask JESUS into your heart", simply means to believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Believe is the key word. In the Greek the word believe means to trust in, cling to and readily accept his teachings from your heart.... it is not merely lip service.
"Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and you shall be saved ",
is declared all over the new testament as a prerequisite for eternal life with GOD.... it is the central theme of Matt, mark Luke and john... the simple and easy way to say all that I have explained here is to, " ask JESUS INTO YOUR HEART"
~GOD BLESS YOU AND LEAD YOU~
2006-08-14 10:15:55 · answer #3 · answered by wordman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would tend to agree with a lot of people here who have already answered saying that this prayer was created by man. Probably to gain power over people -- something to hold over their heads. (Religion seem to be all about power when you look at the hierarchy of the church.)
Someone posted a verse that said something to the effect of, "I will dwell within you and I shall dine with you and you with Me." I think that God (the divine creator of all things -- not necessarily the Christian image of God) dwells inside of us already whether we ask for it or not. I believe that asking Jesus into your heart is more of acknowledgement of that God-nature within you. By acknowledging it you can no longer ignore the call to service in God's love. You can't go about your life pretending that it's all about you.
That's just my opinion. :-)
2006-08-14 10:13:54 · answer #4 · answered by Phoenix's Mommy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." -- Mark 12:30
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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." Rev 3:19-20
1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2006-08-14 09:57:53 · answer #5 · answered by Just David 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, I belive the term "ask Jesus into your heart:" is a product of the Modern Gospel. the problem is that this insinuates that we need to accept Jesus, But in reality, Its us who are guilty Lawbreakers who need to beg jesus for acceptance. By the way, here is a good website for you www.wayofthemasterradio.com
God Bless
WDJD
2006-08-14 10:13:38 · answer #6 · answered by WDJD 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The words you are quoting are man's words and I doubt anyone has portrayed them as Biblical.
Jesus refered to the heart many times through His ministry, as well as prayer etc...
.
2006-08-14 09:59:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
From the words of God,..................... and you can find them in Romans Capter 10 i believe, "if you confess with your mouth and you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord then you will be saved" or something like that. You can read it yourself, its in there !
2006-08-14 10:02:18 · answer #8 · answered by Catt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably started with TV Evangelists, sounds like a good way to get started asking for cash
2006-08-14 09:51:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe he is the son of God
2006-08-14 09:48:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋