What is the difference in the Sinners Prayer and the Good Confession?

Question

The Church of Christ uses Matthew 16:16 when a person gets baptized to confess that he or she wants to become a Christian, and yet they don't believe in the Sinner's Prayer. What is the difference?

Answer 1

Matthew 16:16 is not a prayer. It is a statement or confirmation that one believes in Christ. Confession is something one does as part of the steps to become saved, and they continue to do it through their christian life. One cannot be saved without first acknowledging that salvation comes through Christ.

After Jesus rose from the dead and gave the command about baptism, there is no example or any command for any alien sinner to say a prayer to become saved. If there is, give book, chapter and verse.

Some cite Acts 2:21 that says, "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." What does it mean to "call on the name of the Lord"?

It does not mean just to say his name. Matthew 7:21 says, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." It is more than saying "Lord", but it involves something we do.

Calling on the name of the Lord is also not just saying a prayer. Notice the conversion of Saul (Acts 9 & 22). He called Jesus "Lord" (again notice Matt 7:21). Saul was told to go into the city and he would be told what he "must do" to be saved. In the city, he prayed and fasted for three days (Acts 9:9-11). At this point he still had not "called on the name of the Lord", he had not had his sins washed away, and he had not been told what he "must do".
Ananias came and told him to "be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord". He had not called on the name of the Lord until he had done what he was commanded ("be baptized").
To call on the name of the Lord is to rely on His authority. To be in submission to his authority you must follow his instructions.

Also, even though Saul had not eaten for three days, the Bible says he was baptized immediately and then he took food. In fact, none of the converts in Acts ate, drank or slept until they were baptized. They were always baptized immediately. If one is saved by saying a sinners prayer, why be baptized before even eating? Surely he was hungry! He had already called Jesus “Lord” and he had been praying and fasting for three days. According to the teaching of many, he should have been already saved. If he was already saved, why was he told to wash away his sins? Are we still saved if our sins are not washed away?

The blood of Christ washes away our sins. If his sins had not been washed away, then he must not have yet contacted that blood. The blood was shed at Christ’s death. Romans 6:3-4 says at baptism we are “baptized into Christ” and “baptized into his death”. That is why the urgency. Saul had not yet taken the step that places one “into Christ” and into contact with his death, because that is where the saving blood was. (Romans 5:8-10, Romans 6:3-4, Col. 2:12, Gal 3:27) We cannot be saved outside of Christ!


Jesus said "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved". Some say salvation comes before baptism. In essence they say "he that believes and is saved shall be baptized".
This is not the same thing Jesus said. It's not in the same order.

What would Jesus have said if he meant "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved"? I believe he said what he meant and meant what he said! I BELIEVE JESUS! "He that believes not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)

Jesus said to become saved, an alien sinner must hear, believe, repent, confess and be baptized. Not once was anyone told to pray to become saved.

Answer 2

Different things in different congregations; different terms, maybe.

The usual order is that you get saved (by confessing your sinful nature and your need of a Saviour), after which you seek Baptism; and as you are going to be baptised then you profess (confess) your faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour, as the Son of the Living God.

Baptism does NOT save.
Salvation saves.
Baptism is an outward and visible profession of your Faith.


The sinner's prayer
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The sinner's prayer must come from the "heart"; genuine, not just the repetition of certain words.

I think usually the "Sinner's Prayer" acknowledging that you are a sinner, acknowledging your need of a Saviour, believing that Jesus Christ is that Saviour you need and the only Saviour there is, and you ask Him for the gift He offers you and that you intend to walk in newness of life, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

A variety of words, samples can be found on the Internet. One sample is:

Dear Jesus. Thank you for the sacrifice You made for me. I am sorry for my past sins and will try my best not to repeat them. I ask Your help to keep this pledge. I know I am not worthy but I willingly accept You as my Lord and Savior, and I thank You for Your blessing over me and my family.

The sinner's prayer, basically, is a confession of sinful nature and asking forgiveness and cleansing on the basis of Christ's precious blood shed for the remission of OUR sins.
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Confession of Faith
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Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

It is a profession / confession of Faith. It is not, by the words themselves, a confession of sin.

Answer 3

All you have to do is to Ask Jesus (no kidding around here) to Save you.

(come into your Heart-your Spirit- and Recreate it-save you-)

You just have to be Sincere, what Ever Words you chose to use.
Thank you Jesus.

Answer 4

Baptism is not a confession that you want to get saved.

Answer 5

I have no idea, I'm non-denominational.