It has been interesting to read some of the responses to the adoption of the resolution on the “sinner’s prayer” by the SBC in New Orleans last Wednesday. From the way some Calvinists and others speak of it, you would think that the convention affirmed Finney and enshrined all of his new measures as the required practice of every Southern Baptist church. On the other hand, to listen to the way that some neo-traditionalists and others speak of it, you might think that the messengers put a beat down on Calvinists in the SBC by passing the resolution.

The truth, as is so often the case, is found in neither narrative. The confusion stems at least in part from the fact that the resolution on the “sinner’s prayer” that was widely touted by neo-traditionalists before the convention was completely different from the one that came out of committee and was ultimately adopted by the messengers. The one that Eric Hankins submitted was problematic for many reasons. The one that was presented and adopted was much more carefully worded and grounded in biblical language and reasoning.

There were some who spoke against the resolution that made it to the floor, primarily due to the damage that superficial evangelism (which often uses a form of words “as an incantation that results in salvation merely by its recitation”) has done to individuals and churches. This, however, is far from a “Calvinist” concern. Nor would it be accurate to evaluate the passing of this resolution as a slap against the more reformed elements in the convention.

The most impassioned statement made during the debate was by Mitch Axsom, an elder at First Baptist Church of Clinton, Louisiana. That 175 year old church’s confession of faith is the 1689 Baptist Confession and Mitch spoke for the resolution.

To make it easier for you to compare the resolution that was submitted to the one that was adopted, I have reproduced them both below. Hopefully, this will help clear up some confusion and prevent further misrepresentation of what happened in New Orleans regarding the “sinner’s prayer” resolution.

This is the resolution that Eric Hankins submitted:

WHEREAS, God desires for every person to be saved and has made salvation available for any person who hears the Gospel (John 3:16; Romans 10:14-17; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2); and

WHEREAS, A free response to the Holy Spirit’s drawing through the Gospel is both possible and necessary in order for anyone to be born again (John 3:1-16; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 10:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13); and

WHEREAS, Prayer is God’s gracious means through which any person can communicate with Him and is everywhere in Scripture commanded and commended for every matter and every person (2 Chronicles 7:14; Matthew 7:7-11; Mark 11:17; Philippians 4:6); and

WHEREAS, Praying to God to express repentance for sins, to acknowledge Christ as Lord, and to ask for forgiveness and salvation is modeled in the Bible (Acts 2:37-38; Romans 10:9-10); and

WHEREAS, While there is no one uniform wording found in Scripture or in the churches for a “Sinner’s Prayer,” the prayer of repentance and faith, acknowledging salvation through Christ alone and expressing complete surrender to His Lordship, is the biblical means by which any person can turn from sin and self, place his faith in Christ, and find forgiveness and eternal life (Luke 18:9-14, 23:39-43); and

WHEREAS, It is biblically appropriate to help a sinner in calling on the Lord for salvation and to speak of Christ’s response to such a prayer as “entering a sinner’s heart and life” (John 14:23; Acts 2:37-40; 16:29-30; Romans 10:11-17; Ephesians 3:17); and

WHEREAS, A “Sinner’s Prayer” is not an incantation that results in salvation merely by its recitation and should never be manipulatively employed or utilized apart from a clear articulation of the Gospel (Matthew 6:7, 15:7-9; 28:18-20); now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in New Orleans, LA, June 19-20, 2012, commend the use of a “Sinner’s Prayer” as a biblically sound and spiritually significant component of the evangelistic task of the church; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage all Christians to enthusiastically and intentionally proclaim the Gospel to sinners everywhere, being prepared to give them the reason for the hope we have in Christ (I Peter 3:15), and being prepared to lead them to confess faith in Christ (Romans 10:9), including praying to receive Him as Savior and Lord (John 1:12).

This is the resolution that the SBC adopted: