Do any non-Catholics actually believe in the Sinner's prayer?

[lak611]

Reread my posts…Lord have Mercy.

I have read all your posts. I have also read all the other posts, including the one where the poster broke down all the parts of the sinner’s prayer and explained them. I see no false doctrine in the prayer itself.

 

[Righteousone]

I have read all your posts. I have also read all the other posts, including the one where the poster broke down all the parts of the sinner’s prayer and explained them. I see no false doctrine in the prayer itself.

Well, you wouldn’t see false doctrine because you believe in this prayer.

 

[lak611]

Well, you wouldn’t see false doctrine because you believe in this prayer.

I believe that any act of contrition is valuable. I say an act of contrition each time I go to Confession.

 

[Righteousone]

I believe that any act of contrition is valuable. I say an act of contrition each time I go to Confession.

How does your Act of Contrition go?

 

[lak611]

How does your Act of Contrition go?

I usually say this one.

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong
and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above
all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and
died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.

 

[dparker]

I though the majority of non-Catholics believe in OSAS, my apologies. It’s good to see that we have about half of the non-Catholics closer together with us . Do you know what major groups do believe in OSAS?

Yes…Calvinists. Usually includes most Baptists.

Those that do NOT believe in OSAS are Protestants from the Wesley/Arminian side of Protestantism. Includes Methodists, Nazarenes, and Pentecostals.

 

[Righteousone]

I usually say this one.

That’s beautiful. I still go by the old one:

Oh my God I am heartly sorry,
For having offended thee,
And I detest all my sins,
Because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell.
But most of all because I offended thee my Lord,
Who art all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve,
With the help of thy Grace,
To confess my sins, to do pennance,
And to amend my life.
Amen.

 

[Righteousone]

Yes…Calvinists. Usually includes most Baptists.

Those that do NOT believe in OSAS are Protestants from the Wesley/Arminian side of Protestantism. Includes Methodists, Nazarenes, and Pentecostals.

Holy God, look at all these denominations.

 

[Syele]

I though the majority of non-Catholics believe in OSAS, my apologies. It’s good to see that we have about half of the non-Catholics closer together with us . Do you know what major groups do believe in OSAS?

as dparker said, It is mostly Calvinists that believe in OSAS, that would be Southern Baptist and, um, some non-Denominational people. I can’t think of any others atm.

 

[johnnydigit]

The Catholic Church believes they have the “truths” of Christianity and I say to that, Jesus says He is the Truth so doesnt that mean we all have the Truth? We all love Jesus and strive to do his will. The Catholics are still upset that we left them centuries ago. They will never get over it and will always bash protestant beliefs saying they arent from God.

loving Jesus is great and we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, but loving Jesus includes loving all that He is, and loving all that He teaches and has left to the care of His Church. this is why they describe the Catholic Church as having the “fullness of the faith”.

it is great that protestants have a genuine love for our Lord, but it is not complete and those who need the fullness that He offers us are basically getting short changed. jumping from church to church out of the 33,000 is fine for those who find “enough” of what they need from Christ in the church that makes them comfortable and agrees with what they believe, but many will not find what they need. it is better to have one complete Church for everyone, than fractured bits with distortions of the complete truth.

 

[johnnydigit]

No, neither the confeitor (sp?) that is said during Mass nor the sinner’s prayer have “magic” powers that make you repent. Repentance is only in the heart. The prayers (both of them) are simply a prayer to say that you do out loud.

you forgot about the altar call. it seems to be a powerful element…

 

[Syele]

jumping from church to church out of the 33,000 is fine for those who find “enough” of what they need from Christ in the church that makes them comfortable and agrees with what they believe, but many will not find what they need. it is better to have one complete Church for everyone, than fractured bits with distortions of the complete truth.

Does that include the over 2,800 Catholic Denominations? OR do you just pull numbers out of a hat?

 

[johnnydigit]

Does that include the over 2,800 Catholic Denominations?

who told you that? can you explain this as i have never heard that before. afaik, the Catholic Church contains about 20 or so “rites”. they have their own style of Mass, they all have the Sacraments, but most importantly they all are in communion and follow the Pope. they all have one authority and are within the Catholic Church.

afaik, denominations follow no one. they don’t have the Sacraments. they follow their own beliefs and interpretations. there is no authority. anything goes. they are all independent.

===========

i can’t find anything on google that mentions 2800 Catholic denominations. i did find adherents.com/largecom/index.html
it does refer to Christian denominations, but not Catholic denominations. fyi it also doesn’t seem to be affiliated with any religion or organization. (“Adherents.com is an Internet initiative and is not affiliated with any religious, political, or educational organization.”)

 

[Syele]

who told you that? can you explain this as i have never heard that before. afaik, the Catholic Church contains about 20 or so “rites”. they have their own style of Mass, they all have the Sacraments, but most importantly they all are in communion and follow the Pope. they all have one authority and are within the Catholic Church.

afaik, denominations follow no one. they don’t have the Sacraments. they follow their own beliefs and interpretations. there is no authority. anything goes. they are all independent.

The constantly quoted 33,000 denominations number comes from a study done by Barrett. His definitions of “Denomination” are dubious at best. He included in his 33,000 over 2,800 Catholic Denominations. He arrives at that number by counting things like “location” and “different music style” as a new denomination. There is plenty to say about lack of unity among protestants without bringing up ridiculous studies like that one.
IF you really want to use it, then at least be fair, consider the Catholic Church one and give protestants 2,800= 1 too.

That means, using that kind of numbers, there are about 10 or 11 protestant divisions and one Catholic one. That should be enough to argue lack of unity but I doubt it will catch on, It sounds more superior to yell 33,000.

I for one, advocate chucking the whole study as useless and finding a better source if we want to use numbers.

The thing is, it’s not even really relevant to this thread. Most denominations use some version of the sinners prayer, even the ones who use a different title for it. and I still don’t see how it’s much different than the Catholic Act of Contrition prayers. The prayer isn’t about theology of OSAS, doesn’t highlight divisions among churches, remove the need for baptism or any of the other things I saw listed against it.

 

[lak611]

Most denominations use some version of the sinners prayer, even the ones who use a different title for it. and I still don’t see how it’s much different than the Catholic Act of Contrition prayers. The prayer isn’t about theology of OSAS, doesn’t highlight divisions among churches, remove the need for baptism or any of the other things I saw listed against it.

I agree. When looking at the actual words of the prayer, there is nothing contrary to the doctrine of any Christian church, including the Catholic church.

 

[johnnydigit]

The constantly quoted 33,000 denominations number comes from a study done by Barrett. His definitions of “Denomination” are dubious at best. He included in his 33,000 over 2,800 Catholic Denominations. He arrives at that number by counting things like “location” and “different music style” as a new denomination. There is plenty to say about lack of unity among protestants without bringing up ridiculous studies like that one.
IF you really want to use it, then at least be fair, consider the Catholic Church one and give protestants 2,800= 1 too.

That means, using that kind of numbers, there are about 10 or 11 protestant divisions and one Catholic one. That should be enough to argue lack of unity but I doubt it will catch on, It sounds more superior to yell 33,000.

I for one, advocate chucking the whole study as useless and finding a better source if we want to use numbers.

The thing is, it’s not even really relevant to this thread. Most denominations use some version of the sinners prayer, even the ones who use a different title for it. and I still don’t see how it’s much different than the Catholic Act of Contrition prayers. The prayer isn’t about theology of OSAS, doesn’t highlight divisions among churches, remove the need for baptism or any of the other things I saw listed against it.

you may be right. it’s just a number that i’ve seen, heard, and used. kinda like rumors about Catholicism, except i would still like to be properly educated on the facts if you have the resources.

i think you’re right, the sinner’s prayer is just tied to the practice of the “altar call”, after which believers subscribe to the notion of “OSAS” or “saved”.

if it helps you to be a better Christian, then so be it. it just isn’t the most complete or most correct way to go about your salvation because it can lead you to the notions just mentioned.

 

[Syele]

you may be right. it’s just a number that i’ve seen, heard, and used. kinda like rumors about Catholicism, except i would still like to be properly educated on the facts if you have the resources.

i think you’re right, the sinner’s prayer is just tied to the practice of the “altar call”, after which believers subscribe to the notion of “OSAS” or “saved”.

if it helps you to be a better Christian, then so be it. it just isn’t the most complete or most correct way to go about your salvation because it can lead you to the notions just mentioned.

I don’t think anyone was claiming it was a “Compete way to salvation” It is simply a prayer of repentance and a desire to turn to God. I seriously doubt any one has “been led” to skip baptism or to suddenly believe in OSAS just cause they repented while saying that prayer. They might do that if the churhc they are in at the time already believes that, but it’s not related.The prayer is something most churches have in common. Not something leading to other doctrines.

I’ll PM you some links about the Denomination study.

 

[East_Anglican]

You find it embarrassing because as a Catholic, your not doing your research, nor do you know much about this “Sinners Prayer”. Before you become “embarrassed” again, (I am embarrassed as a Catholic you do not know about this), do your research…

Sinners prayer niot from The Bible?

Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against you and that my sins separate me from you. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and turn to you for forgiveness. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one

Heavenly Father,

is the same as

Our Father in Heaven

I know that I have sinned against you and that my sins separate me from you. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and turn to you for forgiveness. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.

is the same as

Forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who have sinned against us.

and help me avoid sinning again

is the same as

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

believe that your son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.

Is the same as

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." and what the creed says.

I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life

is the same as

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Because Jesus said “Ask anything in my name and it will be done for you.”

In conclusion, if the sinners prayer is not from The Bible, The lords prayer isn’t from The Bible either.