Salvation:
Is A "Profession Of Faith" Good Enough?
(The Sinner's Prayer / Prayer of Salvation)
    compiled by Brother L. Harrell

    "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." John 3:16

John 3:16 is often used as a scripture to tell a "believer" how to be saved. Unfortunately, John 3:5 is ignored (Listed Below) and the reader skips over to John 3:16, ignoring the commandments of God and the Apostles. Jesus tells us we must be born of water and Spirit.
    "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." John 3:5
    "…Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."  (From Romans 8:9)
Making a "Profession of Faith" without following up with the commandments of God and the Apostles is simply not good enough. A "Profession of Faith" does not satisfy God's mandate of "baptism in Jesus' name" and receiving "Holy Ghost / Holy Spirit".  Jesus tells us baptism should be in Jesus' name (See Luke 24:47 Below).
    Luke 24:47 "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Paul was commanded by God / Jesus to go into Damascus, where he was told what God has appointed for him to do (Acts 22:10). There Ananias instructed Paul to be baptized and wash away his sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Through Ananias, as in Luke 24:47, Jesus instructs baptism in Jesus' name. 

Peter declares that we receive forgiveness of sins through Jesus' name. This is by baptism in Jesus' name. (See Acts 10:43 Below)

    "All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." (Acts 10:43 NIV)
Cornelius, his relatives and close friends received the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance (Acts 10:45-46). Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (See Acts 10:48 Below). This achieved the requirements of John 3:5. (There is only one baptism [Ephesians 4:5], baptism in Jesus' name.) 
"For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,  'Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.'  So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days."   (Acts 10:46-48 NIV)
Notice that Cornelius and his associates were not simply told to state the "sinner's prayer". To merely state the "profession of faith" is the enemy's way to keep people from salvation.   (Just saying the "sinner's prayer" and not washing away sin and not receiving the power of the Holy Ghost will keep you out of the kingdom of God). 

Recalling his trip to Damascus, Paul did not simply command sinners repent, then state the "sinner's prayer" and tell them they were saved. (This is a delusion/heresy that many churches teach today left by Catholicism).   Paul says they should prove their repentance by their deeds. (Acts 26:20 Below) When you truly repent, you will obey God's commandments. You must act on faith/belief in Jesus.

    "First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."  (Acts 26:20 NIV)
    "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." James 2:17
When the multitude asked Peter and the apostles in Acts 2:37, "what shall we do?"  They were not told to recite the sinner's prayer.  What they were instructed is listed below:
    "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." Acts 2:38 
Concerning baptism, apostle Peter states: "It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (From 1 Peter 3:21 NIV)

Concerning baptism, apostle Paul states: 

    "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection." (Romans 6:3-5 NIV)
Apostle Paul also states:
    "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians 3:27
It's not possible to be baptized into Jesus' death, and united with him in his resurrection, if you have not been baptized in the name of Jesus.   Believers do not automatically receive the Holy Ghost upon "profession of faith" / "sinner's prayer" / "prayer of salvation" / "confession of faith".

Acts 8:16 (Listed Below) illustrates that certain believers were baptized (for quite a while), and had not yet received the Holy Ghost.  The believers in Acts 19:6 (Listed Below) did not receive the Holy Ghost until Paul laid his hands on them.  After they received the Holy Ghost, they spoke with tongues as the Spirit gave utterance.  This is biblical proof  that the Holy Ghost is not automatically given upon "profession of faith" or "repenting" and stating the "sinner's prayer".

    "When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." (Acts 8:15-17)
    "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." (Acts 19:5-6)
    "For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people." (Isaiah 28:11)

    "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit."  (Joel 2:28-29)

There are many other commandments God has given us concerning righteousness and salvation. A few scriptures are listed below: 

Faith: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  Hebrews 11:6

Peace: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"  Hebrews 12:14

Righteousness: "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:20

Forgiveness: "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."  Matthew 6:15

Humility: "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."  Mark 10:15

Pride: "Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble"  1 Peter 5:5 NIV

Money: "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."  Matthew 6:24 NIV

The Works of the Flesh: "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."  Galatians 5:17-21 NIV

Morality: "If ye love me, keep my commandments."  John 14:15

Obey Acts 2:38 .  Live a holy life, obeying God and His commandments.

Tongues: Gifts and callings are not revoked, subject to repentance.  Yet, they are confirmation by the Spirit, and sacredly should be regarded as such. We must not falsely speak in tongues (counterfeit evidence / false prophecy), inferring that the Father has said what He hasn't, bearing false witness and dishonoring the Father [see Luke 18:20].  This includes one gifted with tongues, speaking in a way, at a time, where another will believe the Lord is explicitly making a statement, when He is not.  While tongues are a gift (but not limited to such), and are without repentance / not subject to repentance [see Romans 11:29], they are confirmation of the Word [see Mark 16:20], given by the Spirit [see 1 Corinthians 12:11]. 

 
 

Proverbs 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

Proverbs 12:17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

Luke 18:20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

 

A confirmation that one is a believer is evidenced with speaking in tongues through the Spirit [see Mark 16:17].  A believer manifesting miracles in Jesus’ name should not be forbidden by other believers from proclaiming the gospel [see Mark 9:39].  One such miracle is speaking in tongues as Jesus Christ gives utterance, although we are gifted to regulate each other in love, keeping order [see 1 Corinthians 14:29 & 32].  

 

Romans 11:29 (DARBY) For the gifts and the calling of God [are] not subject to repentance.

Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

1 Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Mark 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

1 Corinthians 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

1 Corinthians 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

1 Corinthians 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

 

These gifts, which are manifestations of the Spirit, given by the Spirit at His discretion.  We are not to counterfeit His discretion, which this counterfeiting is witchcraft (the art or power of bringing preternatural power).

 

1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

1 Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

1 Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Revised:  08/12/11

http://seventhdayapostolic.org/ChooseLORD/