Decisional Regeneration- The Heart of Easy Believism/Prayerism
"Saved" by Making a Decision?
Many people having heard the gospel of salvation by grace through faith have mistakenly supposed, or been led to believe that their will is faith and have made a “decision” to believe or “chosen” to be saved, but found that they are no different now than they were before they made that choice. Their faith being in the prayer they said, or in their own commitment is not the same as saving faith.
These are often guaranteed eternal life in return for their professions, with no evidence of spiritual rebirth. Their flesh being dead in sins and trespasses, is unable to bring the new life of a second birth simply by willing it. They find only lifeless ritual and frustration, not having been renewed by the Holy Spirit of God. Sin still rules and reigns in their lives. Spiritual things remain a mystery and so they are easily tossed about by every wind of doctrine.
They stumble on, blind and in the dark, but now, with a false assurance of forgiveness, they continue in sin, claiming that promise of salvation so carelessly given, often by a well-meaning, yet misguided soul-winner.
Nowhere in the Bible does it tell sinners to make a decision to be saved. They are told to repent and believe. Nowhere are they told that if they decide today to choose Christ, they can say a prayer, and REALLY mean it and know for sure that they are now saved. Our decision is only to repent, and become willing to hear the words of life which minister faith to us. “Faith cometh by hearing” NOT by deciding.
A decision simply is NOT the same as faith. A decision is an act of the will and we are clearly told that we are NOT saved “by the will of the flesh or the will of man,” (John 1:13) but “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost”. (Titus 3:5)We are saved by Faith, NOT by our will. We simply do not have the power to become regenerated by our own will. It is only through faith that God regenerates us.
A decision (act of our will) or a prayer does not guarantee true faith, no matter how much we may REALLY mean it. Neither can we know for certain that we are saved because of a bible reason simply because we know the facts of the gospel. Head knowledge does not guarantee a salvation.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Jesus made it clear that many will stand before Him in end, believing that they have been saved, but will be turned away, not having been truly regenerated. "Ye must be born again ."(John 3:7)
How can you know for sure that your faith is real and that you have been truly born-again? The only true guarantee of salvation is being sealed by the Holy Spirit, “the earnest of our inheritance.”( Ephesians 1:14) The bible makes it clear that “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His”. (Romans 8:9)
If you do not have the Holy Spirit within you, you are not saved. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” (Romans 8:16) If you are truly saved, regenerated by the Holy Spirit, you will know it.
The Holy Spirit gives clear evidence of its existence within a believer. The Holy Spirit creates within him a new nature that is completely different than his old nature. It enlightens him and teaches him spiritual things that he could not understand before, bringing him from darkness to light. The believer with the Holy Spirit of God now within him is freed from the bondage of sin and is now able to desire the will of God. He now desires to serve God rather than sin. He hungers for the word of God, seeking to know Him better. He loves the people of God and desires fellowship with them instead of with the world. Have you received the Holy Spirit?
The Bible tells us many times throughout to “repent and believe.” The only decision we have to make is whether we will repent and turn to God in order to receive the gift of salvation freely given by faith in Jesus Christ.
Repent and Believe!
Many people having heard the gospel of salvation by grace through faith have mistakenly supposed, or been led to believe that their will is faith and have made a “decision” to believe or “chosen” to be saved, but found that they are no different now than they were before they made that choice. Their faith being in the prayer they said, or in their own commitment is not the same as saving faith.
These are often guaranteed eternal life in return for their professions, with no evidence of spiritual rebirth. Their flesh being dead in sins and trespasses, is unable to bring the new life of a second birth simply by willing it. They find only lifeless ritual and frustration, not having been renewed by the Holy Spirit of God. Sin still rules and reigns in their lives. Spiritual things remain a mystery and so they are easily tossed about by every wind of doctrine.
They stumble on, blind and in the dark, but now, with a false assurance of forgiveness, they continue in sin, claiming that promise of salvation so carelessly given, often by a well-meaning, yet misguided soul-winner.
Nowhere in the Bible does it tell sinners to make a decision to be saved. They are told to repent and believe. Nowhere are they told that if they decide today to choose Christ, they can say a prayer, and REALLY mean it and know for sure that they are now saved. Our decision is only to repent, and become willing to hear the words of life which minister faith to us. “Faith cometh by hearing” NOT by deciding.
A decision simply is NOT the same as faith. A decision is an act of the will and we are clearly told that we are NOT saved “by the will of the flesh or the will of man,” (John 1:13) but “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost”. (Titus 3:5)We are saved by Faith, NOT by our will. We simply do not have the power to become regenerated by our own will. It is only through faith that God regenerates us.
A decision (act of our will) or a prayer does not guarantee true faith, no matter how much we may REALLY mean it. Neither can we know for certain that we are saved because of a bible reason simply because we know the facts of the gospel. Head knowledge does not guarantee a salvation.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Jesus made it clear that many will stand before Him in end, believing that they have been saved, but will be turned away, not having been truly regenerated. "Ye must be born again ."(John 3:7)
How can you know for sure that your faith is real and that you have been truly born-again? The only true guarantee of salvation is being sealed by the Holy Spirit, “the earnest of our inheritance.”( Ephesians 1:14) The bible makes it clear that “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His”. (Romans 8:9)
If you do not have the Holy Spirit within you, you are not saved. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” (Romans 8:16) If you are truly saved, regenerated by the Holy Spirit, you will know it.
The Holy Spirit gives clear evidence of its existence within a believer. The Holy Spirit creates within him a new nature that is completely different than his old nature. It enlightens him and teaches him spiritual things that he could not understand before, bringing him from darkness to light. The believer with the Holy Spirit of God now within him is freed from the bondage of sin and is now able to desire the will of God. He now desires to serve God rather than sin. He hungers for the word of God, seeking to know Him better. He loves the people of God and desires fellowship with them instead of with the world. Have you received the Holy Spirit?
The Bible tells us many times throughout to “repent and believe.” The only decision we have to make is whether we will repent and turn to God in order to receive the gift of salvation freely given by faith in Jesus Christ.
Repent and Believe!
Decisional Regeneration (the heart of Easy Believism/Prayerism)
So often, I hear preachers exhorting the unsaved to “get saved today“, or “take care of that matter of your soul right now, make that decision today.” They tell the unsaved, “don’t wait, do it today, there may not be another chance.” It sounds as though it were just another work, or item on their bucket list, as though being saved is something we can “do” ourselves, simply by the power of our decision, as though our decision were the catalyst for regeneration rather than faith.
To tell an unsaved man that he NEEDS to be born again and that he should repent and believe are important truths, but to tell him to get himself saved, implies that he has power over his own rebirth. It is telling him to do that which he cannot do. Can a man, quicken his own self simply by deciding? No more than he can bring himself back from the dead. But God can do both. We cannot be saved by our decision (our will). The bible makes it clear that we are “born, not of blood, NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH, NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, but of GOD.”
When we repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God saves us by the washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
John 1:13 Speaking of rebirth, it also tells us “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
As much as we may want to decide the moment of salvation, or manipulate it, it is simply beyond our control and our understanding.
So what then is the message of the bible? The bible, tells us that we are condemned by our sins, and except we repent and trust in the Savior we will perish. It tells us God’s plan for saving us and the means by which we CAN be saved. It tells us that we are saved “by grace THROUGH FAITH”, and we are commanded to repent and believe. Nowhere does the bible tell an unsaved man to decide, or to do anything else at all in order to secure his salvation. It does not tell him to walk an aisle, or say a prayer, or even to take care of that matter today. The only decision we have to make is whether or not we will repent; and we know that we are not saved by repentance, but by faith.
The biblical command then for the unsaved is simply REPENT & BELIEVE. Repentance is the first command, for without repentance there is NO salvation. The bible tells us that:
“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble,” James 4:6 and that “salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.”
Many have believed in God and even the facts of salvation and NOT been born again, because they had no repentance. Psalms 119:155 Simply believing that there is a God is not enough, for even the demons believe and tremble.
When we turn from our wicked rebellion toward God, (repent) and become WILLING to hear the words of life found in the holy scriptures, faith cometh by that hearing and we are then made wise unto the means of salvation described within; “how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:3 and “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”John 3:15
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:10
Notice here that it is with the HEART that man believeth unto righteousness; it is not merely a mental ascent. A decision to get saved, or saying a sinner’s prayer or even calling upon the Lord, is no guarantee of faith. Many people have made sincere “decisions” without repentance, or without true faith and were never truly born again. What they really meant one day, may be the farthest from their desires the next. Our emotions and very often our decisions are ruled by our fickle hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
If we are exhorting the unsaved to trust in their “decision,”( the will) that which does not save, it is no less than a false gospel we are preaching. The message of salvation is far too important and has been so confused and twisted by so many that we as the church ought to at least use biblical terminology.
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
But what if they don’t make a profession? We must seal the deal! If the heart truly believes, the mouth will confess it without our prompting. No preset words or prayer will be necessary. And if they truly possess saving faith, they WILL be saved. Nothing WE do or fail to do, or tell them to do will change that. But sadly, if true faith is not there, what we do may lead them to a false assurance and in essence seal their condemnation instead.
It is not our job, our even within our capability to “seal the deal” for them. That responsibility and power belongs ONLY to the Holy Spirit of God. When did we become the mediators or salvation? When did salvation become something that could be initiated upon our command our leading? We are told to simply preach the gospel. We are never told to seal the deal. God tells us that HE will do that. Will we trust God to do what he says we will do, or will we continue to do what seems right in our own eyes? Many confronted with the truth of this false doctrine, willfully refuse to change. A woman I once knew told me that if these things were truly so, then it would mean that all her efforts over the years were in vain, and she just could not accept that. To her credit, she did spend some time praying and searching her heart. Sadly, she decided that the failure was not in her, but in those who professed not being sincere. She continues to do that which is right in her own eyes, still offering assurances based on merely a profession. Will we also allow our pride to rule us that way? Is our pride really worth sending so many to Hell with a false gospel?
So often, I hear preachers exhorting the unsaved to “get saved today“, or “take care of that matter of your soul right now, make that decision today.” They tell the unsaved, “don’t wait, do it today, there may not be another chance.” It sounds as though it were just another work, or item on their bucket list, as though being saved is something we can “do” ourselves, simply by the power of our decision, as though our decision were the catalyst for regeneration rather than faith.
To tell an unsaved man that he NEEDS to be born again and that he should repent and believe are important truths, but to tell him to get himself saved, implies that he has power over his own rebirth. It is telling him to do that which he cannot do. Can a man, quicken his own self simply by deciding? No more than he can bring himself back from the dead. But God can do both. We cannot be saved by our decision (our will). The bible makes it clear that we are “born, not of blood, NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH, NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, but of GOD.”
When we repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God saves us by the washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
John 1:13 Speaking of rebirth, it also tells us “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
As much as we may want to decide the moment of salvation, or manipulate it, it is simply beyond our control and our understanding.
So what then is the message of the bible? The bible, tells us that we are condemned by our sins, and except we repent and trust in the Savior we will perish. It tells us God’s plan for saving us and the means by which we CAN be saved. It tells us that we are saved “by grace THROUGH FAITH”, and we are commanded to repent and believe. Nowhere does the bible tell an unsaved man to decide, or to do anything else at all in order to secure his salvation. It does not tell him to walk an aisle, or say a prayer, or even to take care of that matter today. The only decision we have to make is whether or not we will repent; and we know that we are not saved by repentance, but by faith.
The biblical command then for the unsaved is simply REPENT & BELIEVE. Repentance is the first command, for without repentance there is NO salvation. The bible tells us that:
“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble,” James 4:6 and that “salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.”
Many have believed in God and even the facts of salvation and NOT been born again, because they had no repentance. Psalms 119:155 Simply believing that there is a God is not enough, for even the demons believe and tremble.
When we turn from our wicked rebellion toward God, (repent) and become WILLING to hear the words of life found in the holy scriptures, faith cometh by that hearing and we are then made wise unto the means of salvation described within; “how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:3 and “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”John 3:15
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:10
Notice here that it is with the HEART that man believeth unto righteousness; it is not merely a mental ascent. A decision to get saved, or saying a sinner’s prayer or even calling upon the Lord, is no guarantee of faith. Many people have made sincere “decisions” without repentance, or without true faith and were never truly born again. What they really meant one day, may be the farthest from their desires the next. Our emotions and very often our decisions are ruled by our fickle hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
If we are exhorting the unsaved to trust in their “decision,”( the will) that which does not save, it is no less than a false gospel we are preaching. The message of salvation is far too important and has been so confused and twisted by so many that we as the church ought to at least use biblical terminology.
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
But what if they don’t make a profession? We must seal the deal! If the heart truly believes, the mouth will confess it without our prompting. No preset words or prayer will be necessary. And if they truly possess saving faith, they WILL be saved. Nothing WE do or fail to do, or tell them to do will change that. But sadly, if true faith is not there, what we do may lead them to a false assurance and in essence seal their condemnation instead.
It is not our job, our even within our capability to “seal the deal” for them. That responsibility and power belongs ONLY to the Holy Spirit of God. When did we become the mediators or salvation? When did salvation become something that could be initiated upon our command our leading? We are told to simply preach the gospel. We are never told to seal the deal. God tells us that HE will do that. Will we trust God to do what he says we will do, or will we continue to do what seems right in our own eyes? Many confronted with the truth of this false doctrine, willfully refuse to change. A woman I once knew told me that if these things were truly so, then it would mean that all her efforts over the years were in vain, and she just could not accept that. To her credit, she did spend some time praying and searching her heart. Sadly, she decided that the failure was not in her, but in those who professed not being sincere. She continues to do that which is right in her own eyes, still offering assurances based on merely a profession. Will we also allow our pride to rule us that way? Is our pride really worth sending so many to Hell with a false gospel?
What is our Decision in Salvation?
To say that there is no decision in salvation would be wrong; but to say that the act of becoming saved is merely a
decision is equally wrong.
Obviously, the bible tells us that there IS a decision in regard to salvation, but that it is only whether or not we will respond to the conviction of our sin, by the Holy Spirit, and repent toward God. Paul preached “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Many today, believe that we simply decide to believe the gospel and based on that decision, we are saved. A decision is an act of the will. The bible is clear that we are NOT born again by the will of the flesh, but by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:13)
What is the catalyst for that regeneration according to the bible? Faith. NOT a decision. A decision is not faith. When there IS genuine faith involved, the mouth will testify of it-showing that the will is agreeable to it for “ for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34 )
A decision or act of the will, WITHOUT faith is worthless. This is illustrated in the parable of the sower:
Matthew 13:20 “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Those who receive the word with gladness, chose to believe, but because of hardness of heart, (unrepentance) the seed of faith was unable to take root within their heart. Their choice obviously did nothing. We see that they only dureth for a while. That does not sound like eternal salvation to me.
Now in regard to today’s Easy Believism gospel that decision would have been taken as faith and these led through a prayer and told they were saved. They quite simply would have been lied to.
“But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.” (John 6:64)
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” (John 6:66-67)
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matthew 7:22)
A decision is NO guarantee of salvation, or of Faith. The ONLY guarantee or proof of salvation is the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, NOT the testimony of man. Why would some NOT have faith? Because of hardness of heart- an “evil heart of unbelief”. An unwillingness to repent prevents faith, no matter how we may decide to choose to believe, it is impossible.
“ Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
(Hebrews 3:12)
What is it that causes that evil heart that is hardened against belief? Sin, and unwillingness to repent.
“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
(Hebrews 3:13)
We must choose to repent toward God. When we do repent, and recognize that we are subject to God, we become willing to hear the words of God which minister faith to us.“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
Faith cometh by HEARING, not by deciding. Faith is not something we decide to do. It is something we receive through the hearing of the word. If, as the bible tells us, faith cometh by hearing, then what is it that would prevent hearing? Sin
We must choose to repent toward God. When we do repent, and recognize that we are subject to God, we become WILLING to hear the words of God which minister faith to us.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
When faith comes, there is no more decision to make. True belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer to the decision already made, which was to seek to be reconciled to God. Faith cometh by HEARING, not by deciding. Faith is the solution to a decision already made. When we repent and believe, then God does something miraculous in us by the power of the Holy Spirit. I do not believe that we can direct it or initiate it for someone else upon our command, simply by telling them to decide, or say a prayer. It is mysterious " as the wind bloweth" I don't think we will ever completely understand how and when He chooses to do it, but it is available to any who repent and believe. The profession or confession of faith, therefore is not so much a decision or call to respond as it is a testimony of faith within.
To say that there is no decision in salvation would be wrong; but to say that the act of becoming saved is merely a
decision is equally wrong.
Obviously, the bible tells us that there IS a decision in regard to salvation, but that it is only whether or not we will respond to the conviction of our sin, by the Holy Spirit, and repent toward God. Paul preached “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Many today, believe that we simply decide to believe the gospel and based on that decision, we are saved. A decision is an act of the will. The bible is clear that we are NOT born again by the will of the flesh, but by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:13)
What is the catalyst for that regeneration according to the bible? Faith. NOT a decision. A decision is not faith. When there IS genuine faith involved, the mouth will testify of it-showing that the will is agreeable to it for “ for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34 )
A decision or act of the will, WITHOUT faith is worthless. This is illustrated in the parable of the sower:
Matthew 13:20 “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Those who receive the word with gladness, chose to believe, but because of hardness of heart, (unrepentance) the seed of faith was unable to take root within their heart. Their choice obviously did nothing. We see that they only dureth for a while. That does not sound like eternal salvation to me.
Now in regard to today’s Easy Believism gospel that decision would have been taken as faith and these led through a prayer and told they were saved. They quite simply would have been lied to.
- As a sidenote: any testimony of salvation that includes a profession, but does
not result in a changed life, must also be rejected if we are to look at it
biblically. I know of those who claimed to have gotten saved, but for several
years did not come to church, repent of sin, or become a new creature.
Then suddenly something changed, they repented and began to be interested in
hearing the word of God, and then were transformed. I would suggest that from a
biblical perspective, we would have to assume that their salvation occurred much
later than their decision. I don't believe that the Holy Spirit of God can
come into a sinful man and NOT change him.
“But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.” (John 6:64)
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” (John 6:66-67)
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matthew 7:22)
A decision is NO guarantee of salvation, or of Faith. The ONLY guarantee or proof of salvation is the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, NOT the testimony of man. Why would some NOT have faith? Because of hardness of heart- an “evil heart of unbelief”. An unwillingness to repent prevents faith, no matter how we may decide to choose to believe, it is impossible.
“ Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
(Hebrews 3:12)
What is it that causes that evil heart that is hardened against belief? Sin, and unwillingness to repent.
“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
(Hebrews 3:13)
We must choose to repent toward God. When we do repent, and recognize that we are subject to God, we become willing to hear the words of God which minister faith to us.“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
Faith cometh by HEARING, not by deciding. Faith is not something we decide to do. It is something we receive through the hearing of the word. If, as the bible tells us, faith cometh by hearing, then what is it that would prevent hearing? Sin
We must choose to repent toward God. When we do repent, and recognize that we are subject to God, we become WILLING to hear the words of God which minister faith to us.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
When faith comes, there is no more decision to make. True belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer to the decision already made, which was to seek to be reconciled to God. Faith cometh by HEARING, not by deciding. Faith is the solution to a decision already made. When we repent and believe, then God does something miraculous in us by the power of the Holy Spirit. I do not believe that we can direct it or initiate it for someone else upon our command, simply by telling them to decide, or say a prayer. It is mysterious " as the wind bloweth" I don't think we will ever completely understand how and when He chooses to do it, but it is available to any who repent and believe. The profession or confession of faith, therefore is not so much a decision or call to respond as it is a testimony of faith within.
