Biblical Conversion
(Pt. 1)

Introduction

“What must I do to be saved?” This question from the Philippian jailer is the most important question a sinner can ask. I’ll admit, I imagine that if Paul had not been beaten, weakened, and had just endured an earthquake, he may have corrected the jailer’s question from “What must I do…” to “What has Christ done…” However, the history of American Christianity has sought to streamline that question—and, as we will discuss briefly, in a damaging way.

My pastor recently began an expositional series through Ephesians, and in the first chapter Paul testifies to God’s sovereign choice in predestining certain sinners to redemption from before the foundation of the world. This concept “rubs people wrong” in many Christian circles because it takes the determination of salvation out of our hands and places it squarely in God’s, and God’s alone.

Why is this a problem? Well, at our very core as sinful humanity, we want to be in charge. This was the first sin in Eden. Adam and Eve knew God’s plan, but when presented with the chance to become gods themselves and overthrow Jehovah… they didn’t hesitate. That damning independence has continued from generation to generation—and yes, as I will argue, has even corrupted the conversion experience.

The History of the Sinner’s Prayer

It is true that in the biblical text, as well as the early centuries of Christianity, a formalized “Sinner’s Prayer” is lacking. What was not lacking was a public declaration of dedication to Christ through baptism and active church membership (see other posts for more on church membership). To be a Christian meant that one actively and consistently pursued holiness, repentance, and discipleship.

As the New Testament church marched slowly into the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church corrupted much of true biblical doctrine, preferring a man-centered religion of works and (in many ways) paganism. Sinners were called to confess to wicked men, place their trust in a corrupted papal institution, and even purchase imaginary indulgences. The Reformation restored the essential truths of salvation, Faith Alone being one of the most prominent. When contrasting “salvation by works,” a “salvation by faith” was a God-honoring reversal.

As the centuries rolled on, the 18th and 19th centuries saw the rise of calling sinners to a “singular moment” of conversion. Preachers like Eleazer Wheelock (1740s) and Charles Finney (mid-1800s) used a technique that targeted potential converts by having them sit in “The Mourner’s Seat” or “The Anxious Seat.” In this situation, a family member or concerned neighbor would bring a potential convert to the evangelistic service, and that individual would be seated in a special seat, usually the front row. That seat would be used by the congregation to pray for them specifically, as well as to let the counselors and preachers know to whom they should direct their preaching and counsel. Needless to say, these were controversial decisions even in their time.

D. L. Moody used “Inquiry Rooms,” where individuals could go for further explanation, counsel, and prayer. These inquiry rooms helped standardize the concept of a prayer of salvation. The official “Sinner’s Prayer” is attributed to the evangelistic style of Billy Sunday in the early 20th century. The heart behind the sinner’s prayer movement came from a place of concern. The logical foundational question could go something like this: “What is the most essential thing to believe in order to be saved?” The sinner’s prayer became the simplest equation for salvation.

In the mid- to late-20th century, Billy Graham brought the sinner’s prayer to the global scene. Bill Bright’s Campus Crusade for Christ established the Four Spiritual Laws. First, God loves the sinner and has a wonderful plan for their life. Second, all have sinned and been separated from God. Third, Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation. Finally, the sinner must individually receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. This final step of “individually receiving Jesus Christ” took the form of a formal prayer “inviting Jesus to save the sinner.” It also became commonly explained as, “Pray and ask Jesus into your heart.” This idea of “heart” comes from Jewish tradition, in which the heart represents the deciding center of the person. From there, popular televangelists would ask their TV audiences to repeat a prayer after them asking Jesus to save them. They would then be instructed to either tell someone they had “gotten saved” or even to write the date in their Bibles so they would never forget that day of decision.

Bridging the Gap

As I assess this discussion, it centers on a misunderstanding of what true justification (conversion) entails. Is a sinner saved the moment they pray and not a second before? Is a sinner saved only when they “open the door of their heart,” allowing Jesus to save them? Or is the sinner’s salvation a “signed and sealed” reality by God before creation itself? (Eph. 1:3–14) Does God save the sinner against his will? Can God save the sinner if He is not asked? Who gets the final say in the sinner’s salvation? Can God be resisted? Are there sinners in Hell today whom God would have loved to save… if only they would have let Him?

These are very important questions.

It would be very helpful if we were given an inspired timeline of the process of salvation (in a way we are, though not exactly in the way I am describing here). Step 1… Step 2… Step 3… Then there would be no confusion, right? Well, I’m imagining some of you chuckled at that statement. The salvation of sinners is one of those biblical mysteries that has slowly been revealed through the pages of Scripture. We know far more about the spiritual realities behind “Redemption” than those in the Old Testament did, which should motivate us to study and embrace these revealed truths all the more!

We will continue this discussion next week, but until then I would encourage you to study your Bible, looking for passages describing God’s role in our salvation and passages that explain man’s responsibility in salvation.

That is all I will say for now! May we be blessed through this discussion, and may God be ever praised!

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