Is asking Jesus into your heart wrong?

Post by **_Beaver** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:03 am

You find this phrase it in almost every gospel tract and sinner's prayer, this "Jesus, I ask you into my heart" sentence. But where exactly is it in the bible? What are these tracts based on? Who defines what a sinner's prayer has to look like?
I just listened to an episode of wayofthemaster radio and the guy talked about false conversions and he said that this "Jesus is standing before the door and knocking" verse from the bible is used in a wrong way because it makes Jesus look like he is standing in front of our door hoping that we open him but it should be the other way around.
And he said that people get a wrong impression that all they have to do is ask Jesus into their hearts and then it's a done deal and they are saved but that you actually get saved by placing your trust in Jesus and repenting.
But if you read the important verses on how to get saved in Romans 10 then you won't find repentance. It only says believe and confess. But repentance is also important, isn't it?
What happens if I want to get saved and have not repented enough or repent later on? I don't think I repented a lot. Maybe later on when things came to my mind but when you convert then are you supposed to repent of all kinds of sins first of all? What happens if you don't repent?
I mean what's the deciding factor? Is it that you repent or is it that you are willing to repent, that you're really honest and sincere?
And if it's all about you being willing to repent then where does this willingness come from? Is it something which you have to simply bring forth when you want to get saved or is this attitude already a result of the holy spirit?

Post by **_TK** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 7:44 am

i believe that the concept of "asking Jesus into your heart" has led to many false conversions and likely false assurance as well. my understanding of the Rev passage of Jesus knocking at the door is that he is knocking on the door of His own Church that has excluded Him.

i it also my understanding that God grants a heart of repentance. i am not sure if i am stating this correctly. Jesus' first preaching was to repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

there does not seem to be a specific "formula" for salvation laid out in scripture in any one place. Jesus told some people that their sins were forgiven(and presumably "saved") after healing them without a lot of outward signs on their part; they had faith that Jesus could heal them; they may have repented but often we are not told this explicitly.

What I have gathered is that one must recognize Jesus as their rightful King, and agree to be His subject on His terms. of course in order to be His subjects we must repent, believe who He is, obey His teaching and confess our sins. Did the thief on the cross do all of this? i believe that He did, if not explicity then at least implicitly. Jesus obviously knew his heart.

Post by **_STEVE7150** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 8:15 am

But if you read the important verses on how to get saved in Romans 10 then you won't find repentance. It only says believe and confess. But repentance is also important, isn't it?
What happens if I want to get saved and have not repented enough or repent later on? I don't think I repented a lot. Maybe later on when things came to my mind but when you convert then are you supposed to repent of all kinds of sins first of all? What happens if you don't repent?
I mean what's the deciding factor? Is it that you repent or is it that you are willing to repent, that you're really honest and sincere?

I think when Paul uses the word "believe in your heart" in Romans 10.9 it implicitly means a heartfelt belief which includes believing not only in Jesus but also in what he said. And REPENT was probably the word he used more often then any other word.
Using the phrase "accept Jesus into your heart" is not technically wrong but the unbeliever needs to know exactly what it was that Jesus said and accept that into his heart also.

Post by **_Mort_Coyle** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:19 pm

I think the problem with the "ask Jesus into your heart" approach is that it emphasizes an event of conversion rather than a process of discipleship. As if something magical happens by praying the prayer. I think praying the prayer is akin to saying wedding vows; it only means something if you walk it out day-by-day.

Post by **_Paidion** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:47 pm

But if you read the important verses on how to get saved in Romans 10 then you won't find repentance. It only says believe and confess. But repentance is also important, isn't it?
What happens if I want to get saved and have not repented enough or repent later on?

Repentance (change of mind) is the necessary first step in the process of salvation from sin.

John the baptizer preached repentance. Jesus preached repentance. Paul and Peter preached the necessity of repentance. Not only is repentance necessary, but so is death to the self-life, submission to Christ, and "closing the deal" with baptism.

When Jews whom Peter was addressing were "cut to the heart" when they realized that they were responsible for having put to death their Messiah, they asked, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

Peter didn't tell them, "Ask Jesus into your heart."

He didn't hand out to them "The Four Spiritual Laws".

Neither did he say, "Believe in Christ and confess Him before people."

This is what Peter said:

Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forsaking of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Greek word "pisteuo", often translated "believe" also means to entrust oneself to some one. It is used in the passage where it is written that Jesus did not entrust Himself to man, for He knew what was in man.

Post by **_glow** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:16 pm

Paidion Was this water baptism? Glow

Post by **_DonO** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:18 pm

Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forsaking of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Repent metanoeo {met-an-o-eh'-o}

1) to change one's mind, i.e. to repent
2) to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins

To repent is the first condition for salvation that is to have a change of attitude towards your sins. To acknowledge to God you are not able to save yourself and that you are sorry for your sinfull life. Then you exercise faith in Christ to save you and this is in our soul (heart). When this happens we are regenerated born again in our spirit. We were spiritually dead before but after we are regenerated the Holy Ghost indwells us and we have spiritual life.

Is their a formula or prayer me must repeat to be saved? No their isn't. Remember the two men praying the pharisee who made a big show of how good he was vs. the publican who just said God be merciful to me a sinner. Jesus said he went home justified and not the religious blowhard.

The thief on the cross was mocking Jesus at first but near the end he repented and had a change of heart. He said to the other thief we are getting what we deserve but this man is innocent. He just said remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise. It was the inner change of his heart that Jesus recognised not what he said. He repented and believed.

Their is a danger in todays evangelism in the easy believism. The saying say this prayer or make a decision for Jesus is dangerous. There must be a revelation of the persons sinfull condition and the Holy Spirit must be working in a drawing and convicting way before a person can repent. Jesus said no man comes to me except the Father draw him. The Father draws us by the Holy Spirit. so just getting someone to pray a prayer doesn't mean their saved.

So to get saved we must be drawn to Jesus by the Father through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and when we recognize our sinfull ways and our lost condition then we can repent and have a change ot heart and exercise faith in Christ then we are baptised by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ (the Church).

Post by **_Paidion** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:58 pm

Paidion Was this water baptism? Glow

I think that all references to baptism in the New Testament indicate
"water baptism" unless "baptism in the spirit" or "baptism by fire" are specifically mentioned.

Post by **_glow** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:56 pm

thanks Paidion Glow

Post by **_Frank** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:35 am

I do not believe there is such a thing as a sinners prayer except one made unto repentence. Asking Jesus into your heart is just a term for asking Him to come into our life and indwelling us with His Spirit. I see nothing wrong with it. It could also come from confessing with our mouth and believing with heart that He was raised from the dead.