Not everyone who raises their hand at an alter call gets saved. Not everyone who comes forward to the front of the church gets saved. Not everyone who simply mouths “the sinner’s prayer” (which, by the way you can’t find in the Bible) gets saved. There is no set formula. There’s no right words to say regarding ones salvation. There is no set formula. There is no “sinner’s prayer.” You won’t find such in the Bible. Simply saying “repeat after me” is useless, unless the Spirit is at work. It is an act of God. “No man comes to the Father unless the Spirit draws him ” John 14:6 (b)
Salvation is initiated by God. The sinner then responds to the to the Spirit’s conviction in their heart. Salvation is a gift from God Almighty.
Again, salvation is initiated by God. There must first be repentance. The clarion call is made, “repent and believe in the Gospel”. Mark 1:1
God is the one who gives us the opportunity to repent. (see II Tim 2:25)
In Acts 2:37-38 we read, “Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter replied, ‘each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
In addition, it’s Biblical even after salvation that when we sin, or the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the word shows us an area of are life that’s not pleasing to the Lord, we must repent and ask for forgiveness. My daughter said to me just this morning, “it’s called conviction. That’s why we go to church. It’s not just to feel good. They’re (some preachers) who are so worried about offending people, that they’re offending God.” And she’s right!
Paul tells young Timothy to “preach the Word.” Not edit the word so as not to offend. “12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
There is not such thing as easy beliefism. We’re all “wrenches” who need a Savior. And until we recognize we need a Savior salvation is not possible.