A Prayer System Of Salvation
One of the great religious errors of our day is the so-called "prayer-system" of salvation. Advocates of this system invite the unconverted to an altar, or into a prayer room, where they all join together in prayer to God that this sinner may be forgiven of his sins. This system is of human origin and is contrary to the gospel as proclaimed by Christ and the apostles.
The apostle Paul sets forth certain divine rules governing Bible teaching in the following passages: "Give diligence to present thyself approved of God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15); "But we know that the law is good if a man use it lawfully" (1 Tim. 1:8); "For we are not as many corrupting the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ" (2 Cor. 2:17); "But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." (2 Cor. 4:2) These passages suggest a right and a wrong way, a sound or a corrupt manner, a lawful and an unlawful method, an honest or a deceitful handling of the word of truth. By these rules let us test this "prayer system" of salvation.
It is important to know to whom any statement is addressed. Let us study, first, Peter's statement in Acts 2:36-41. Every honest person must admit that Peter's words were addressed to the unconverted, or aliens. Strangely enough, it is almost universally taught by the denominations of our day that baptism is a command for Christians to obey! But no inspired apostle or other teacher ever gave commandment in any place for any Christian to be baptized. Peter on that memorable Pentecost was addressing unconverted people, not Christians. He commanded alien sinners, not Christian men, to be baptized.
Next let us study Acts 8:22. Here the same apostle (Peter) addressed a Christian who had sinned. It is strange irony that the very same denominations which apply Peter's words in Acts 2 to Christians, also exactly reverse his application in Acts 8, and apply these words of Peter (spoken by him to an erring Christian) to the alien sinner! Thus they seek to make the baptism commanded in Acts 2:38 to apply to the Christian; and have the repentance and prayer of Acts 8 applying to the alien sinner. But the context shows clearly that Simon the sorcerer had already believed and had already been baptized. Indeed, emphasis is added in the words, "Simon also himself believed' and being baptized he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed." (V. 13)
In Acts 2:38, speaking to the unconverted, Peter said, "Repent ye and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, unto the remission of your sins." But in Acts 8:22, speaking to a Christian who had fallen into sin, Peter said, "Repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thine heart shall be forgiven thee." So when modern denominationalists contend that Christians ought to be baptized, and that the unconverted ought to repent and pray for forgiveness, they exactly reverse the divine order.
Then consider Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus said, "Go, teach all nations, baptizing them....teaching them (the baptized) to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you?' Here are two distinct teachings: one to the alien sinners, the other to those who are converted. Baptism is included as a part of the duty of the alien sinner. Baptism does not belong to the teaching of a Christian's duty; neither does prayer belong as an obligation to be taught to the alien sinner. All those passages in the Bible enjoining prayer are addressed to those who are in the family of God (for example, James 5:16; Acts 8:22, and many others); but every passage enjoining baptism shows clearly that this is something to be done by one who is not yet in God's family, but who is desirous of becoming a citizen in God's kingdom.
Be not deceived by the erroneous teachings of those who contend that repentance and prayer are for the alien sinner and baptism is for the Christian. They have things exactly in reverse.
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