Hey there, John-UK and NY Mike. I was pondering on this more last night and a passage in Acts came to mind, where Ananias tells Saul to "arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on His name."(Acts 22:16). Here we have an example in the writings of the Apostles of a possible "prayer" to God for washing away of sins, however, I would also point out the importance of repentance and believing the Gospel...and baptism as well. Jesus taught all of this(calling, repentance, belief, baptism, "repent and believe the Gospel, He who believes and is baptized.." etc) and the Apostles repeated the same(Acts 2:38, 16:31, 22:16). I think it's important for all of this in the Christian life...repentance, calling upon God in times of need(especially when we fail), and faith alone in the once-for-all perfectly meritorious and finished work of Jesus Christ.

Yes, SteveR, that is true. Some say to be saved, do this or that, but I think we need the whole works(faith, repentance, confession, prayer)..not just a prayer, not just baptism or agreement with the "correct" creed.

In a way she's right and based on scriptural testimony(actually scriptural silence on sinner's prayer salvation) I am obliged to agree. The Apostles did not conduct sinners prayers and altar calls to save people. To judge someone as saved or not based on a prayer is not according to the Bible.

As for the disputations here about how much water, there's more to baptism than immersion alone. When God baptizes believers with the Holy Ghost, the record in the apostolic writings in the New Testament is that the Spirit is poured out and falls upon instead of believers being immersed.