by Margaret Jamal

Created on: December 30, 2008

Billy Graham reached a ripe age of 90 in 2008. He is considered by many in the Christian faith to be the greatest modern day evangelist ever. If you have ever experienced any of his meetings, you will have heard traditional closing words. While the words may have slightly varied, the purpose was the same. Billy Graham would invite sinners to gather around him as he would lead them in a prayer. Those who agreed with him would confirm that they are sinners in need of salvation. They would declare their belief in Jesus, the Christ (or Savior) of God. They would ask Jesus to come into their hearts and to deliver them from sin. This type of prayer is referred to as a "Sinner's Prayer."

To address if saying the sinners prayer means you are saved, it is necessary to explain the meaning of five terms. These terms are: 1) spirit, 2) sin, 3) sinners 4) saved, 5) prayer and 6) The Sinners Prayer. Since all terms terms and how they relate are common Christian concerns, I will use Christian documentation to explain the terms. The documentation that will be used as the source is the Holy Bible.

SPIRIT : The spirit is an existence that is unseen and is the core and reality of human existence. It is the supernatural and eternal essence of humanity that is not in itself bound by time, space or any material laws. As humans have a mind that cannot be measured or even really tested, the spirit can not in itself be measured or assessed. However, the condition of the human spirit is measurable by beliefs, thoughts, outward practices and communication.

SIN (1 John 3:4): The term sin refers to intentionally thinking, saying or doing something that is in direct opposition to God's law and ordinances. God's laws are outlined in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. God is totally spiritual. God is opposed to sin which is also spiritual. Although sin is spiritual, it influences the thoughts, outward expressions and behaviors of those who practice it. Sin is a spiritual characteristic that contaminates its host as long as it exists with the life of its host. Sin is a spiritual inheritance that identifies those who are in opposition to God. Much like people inherit cultural identity from their ancestors, humanity has inherited the sin nature in their spiritual makeup.

The sin nature that man has, was first introduced by the first couple through whom all of humanity have since derived. The first humans passed down a legacy that included sin which forever contaminated and corrupted the relationship

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