Why is it Christians are saved by Grace, yet some churches say you have to say a certain prayer to be saved?

Question

Isn't that still doing somthing for your salvation. Didn't Jesus say "Whoever beleives in me will have eternal live?"

Answer 1

Believing is not enough. Even satan believes.

It also says:
Romans 10:9-11
If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

It also says:
Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.

Hope this answers your question.

Answer 2

Good Question. In the entire bible, there is No sinners prayer !!
And when Jesus is at the door knocking to come in, in the Book of Revelation, it is referring to those which are already saved, not the unsaved.
Revelation was written for the saved christian !!

According the Apostle Paul, the person who started christianity, "Salvation is Romans 10:9-10 And by believing and doing this simple act, a person receives Jesus. John 1:12 to as many as received Jesus "

The sinners prayer is Not even in the Bible.
But Paul outlines how to be saved in Romans 10:9-10. And this is how a person becomes a born-again christian according to the christian bible, NOT through a sinners prayer !!
Simply believe in one's heart that YHWH rose Yeshua Jesus from the dead, and confess that Yeshua Jesus is Lord and one is then saved !!
It is as simple as that, according to the Apostle Paul, and the Bible.
A "sinners prayer" is Not necessary.
The sinners prayer is a repetitious type of prayer which Yeshua Jesus said not to pray. Repetitous prayers are for the vain and prideful. Humility is yielding to Romans 10:9-10

Answer 3

Jesus did say that. He also said that not all who say "Lord! Lord!" will be saved. Apparently, He defines 'believing in Him' differently than we humans do. Yes, we certainly are saved by grace through faith. Any works are just evidence of that salvation, not the cause of it. Many churches who use a particular "sinners' prayer" do that to help someone articulate their new-found faith. A whale of a lot of people, when they realize how sinful they truly are by God's perfect holy standards are dumb-struck and don't know what to say to Him. Having a prayer to repeat helps ease the awkwardness. In all the churches I know of, saying your own version of that prayer is fine. One needs to make sure it contains true repentance, a sincere expression of one's faith -- a belief in Jesus and Who He was and what He did for us on the cross -- and a commitment to follow God and His ways. All these things are things that God does require. Saying them out loud is a way for the leadership of the church to make sure your faith agrees with Biblical principles. If it doesn't, the leaders need to see that you get the appropriate teaching so your understanding is full. Unfortunately, some people who 'come to Christ' do so with an inadequate understanding of what they're doing and fall away when trouble hits or when things get dull. Only God knows if these will be saved on the Day of Judgment. That's His call, not mine. I need to do what I can to see that people are not deceived into thinking they're saved when they're not.

Answer 4

Great observation. It is a sign of our theological ineptitude. Most of our churches dont really understand grace. I think Scripture teaches that when God regenerates our hearts the result is that we begin seeking him. Salvation may result in us praying the sinners prayer. The sinners prayer does not cause salvation. Only God can cause salvation which is another Genesis (creation from nothing). He creates spiritual life where none existed before. Just like he created the universe where no universe existed.

Answer 5

Excellent question - you are absolutely correct - you do NOTHING on your own to get saved. Both faith and grace are provided by God.

I had a pastor once that said the Bible states that when you are not a Christian, you are in essence dead - and what can a dead person do? Nothing. Salvation is a free gift of God, lest any man should boast.

Answer 6

This certain prayer?

It is an example. It is only a guide. It is suggested, not a requirement.

The devils believe and tremble. One must also repent and be redeemed. Accept the sacrificial gift of the shed blood of Jesus Christ personally; appropriate it to oneself.

Good answer by daleswife. Great reference by Mikki.

Answer 7

there isn't a certain prayer. It's just saying, proclaiming, you believe Jesus is your savior. Some churches just give you the words you can, not have to, say as a proclamation.

Answer 8

Go to a Baptist preacher and you can get saved and get a guarantee to a free pass on Judgment Day. This makes things easier for Jesus cause he'll have millions of people to judge on that day.
You will go directly to heaven. Yes Jesus said, whoever believes, but he meant if you confirm it and get an okay from a Baptist preacher.

Answer 9

Ephesian 2:8-9 says "we are saved by grace through faith, and not of yourselves: it is a gift from God. Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Saying one simple prayer one time is just works, and doesn't display consistant faith in Christ. It's our DAILY walk with Christ that saves us. That shows faith, and that's what saves us. That's why Paul said, "I die daily." He died to self daily, to live spiritually in Christ, to have that faith.

You're absolutely right in what you quoted from the bible, it's all about believing in Him and trusting in Him.
God bless you!

Answer 10

you must confess that Jesus was the Son of God,and that He died and was raised from the dead on the third day,after that you are saved by grace