Topic(s):  Denominationalism, Salvation

Todd Clippard

I do not know the time of the origin of the sinner's prayer. I do know it didn't originate in the Bible! Some will point to Acts 8 and Peter's statement to Simon the Sorcerer as the origin or example. However, we know this cannot be true because Simon had already believed and been baptized in accordance with great commission.

One should always ask for book, chapter, and verse when discussing denominational doctrines. If a passage can be produced in "defense" of the error, then that passage should be studied to see what it really teaches. Emphasis should be made to show how the passages work together in harmony with one another. Every passage must be understood so as not to contradict another (Matthew 4:6-7; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).