Alien Sinners Praying for Salvation

Prayer is not in the Great Commission, the law of pardon as announced by the risen Christ, and no example of prayer for pardon was recorded in Acts of the Apostles. We then conclude that prayer is not a command given for salvation from sins. It is an addition by man and many souls are being led astray by this doctrine. Many are also being kept from learning and obeying the truth by a prayer system of salvation.

 

For What Should An Alien Pray?

 

1. For God to  love him? No, for God loves him now and has shown His love (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:9-10). 2. For light or understanding? No, for the word of God gives light, and the sinner has God's word (Psa. 119:105, 130). Hence, read and understand. 3. For the Holy Spirit? No. The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles to guide them into all truth. Christ never promised the Holy Spirit to anyone save the apostles (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13). 4. For Christ to come to him? No, because the sinner is invited to come to Christ (Matt. 11:28-30). If the sinner fails to come he will not be saved (John 5:40). 5. For mercy? No, for God has already extended his mercy to man (Ex. 34:6-7). 6. For God to be willing to save him? No, for God is willing to save him now (1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 18:23, 32). Yes, God is now anxious to save! 7. For converting or saving power? No. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16; Psa. 19:7). 8. For God to be reconciled to him? No. The sinner must be reconciled unto God (2 Cor. 5:18-20). This is done by obeying the truth. 9. To get religion? No. Religion is something to do not get (Jas. 1:27). 10. For saving grace? No. God's grace that saves has already come (Tit. 2:11- 12). 11. For pardon? No. The sinner must turn to God in order to be pardoned (Isa. 55:6-7). God is “ready to pardon” (Neh. 9:17). Is the sinner ready to turn to God? 12. For salvation? No. The sinner must comply with the terms of pardon before he can enjoy salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 11:14; 22:16). 13. For faith? No, for faith comes by hearing God's word (Rom. 10:17). 14. For repentance? No, for repentance is a command of God for man to obey (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3; Rev. 22:14). 15. For a pure heart? No, for the heart is made pure by obedience to the truth (1 Pet. 1:22). 16. For freedom from sin? No, for this comes by obedience (Rom. 6:17-18). 17. For God to accept him? No, for man must work righteousness (obey) to be accepted (Acts 10:34). When he does this he is accepted. 18. For remission of sins? No, for man must obey the Lord for remission of sins (Acts 2:38). 19. For the Lord to make known his will to him? No. The Lord has already made known His will to all sinners (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). 20. For  the baptism of fire? No, No!! That will come later—too soon for some, I fear—upon the wicked and disobedient at the end of the world (2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 19:20; 20:14-15; 21:8). Then why should an alien sinner pray at all? Where does the Bible teach a sinner to “pray it out with the Lord,” or “stay on your knees in prayer until God saves you”? The sinner must hear the gospel, believe, repent and, upon confession of his faith in Christ, be baptized in order to be saved. This is the Lord's way. Why change it?

 

Perry B. Cotham