When you pray to God, asking Him to come into your heart, into your life, the words you say must be your words alone. You cannot be saved by repeating what someone else is saying. You cannot be saved by reading a Bible tract because they are someone else’s words. It is as if you are holding that person’s hand, and he is bringing you into Heaven along with him.
Sorry, but this is one journey you must make alone. You must use your own words. Jesus wants one-on-one relationships with His people. You must stand alone and apart. If you are alone on a mountaintop and near death and then decide you are a believer in Christ, you must then speak the words aloud although there is no one except God who will hear. God may honor that confession of your faith in Him. However you do it, confession of your belief in Jesus Christ is a mandatory requirement and must be done publicly and out loud, assuming also that you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord. Because God is a legal God, you are legally bound to complete both steps as required.
Confession before men is key to having your name permanently and forever written in the Book of Life. It is one reason many who think they are saved are actually not. They have left out this one crucial step to true salvation. To some, this comes naturally once a person is saved, the desire to tell someone else. Others are ashamed or embarrassed to be known as a Christian. If they do not confess before men their belief in Christ, then Jesus will not confess them before His Father in Heaven when the time comes. Remember this. Cowardice is not an option.
Why, you ask? Because the Word of God states that: “Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32 KJV
Also, Matthew 7:13,14 KJV says “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Luke 13:24 says to “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”
Friends, the gate into Heaven is narrow. There is only room for one person to go through at a time. You must make the decision alone to follow Jesus. Group repeaters will not be able to crowd through that narrow door. Even common sense tells you this.
Baptism is an act of righteousness, a public declaration that you identify with the Lord. It symbolizes His death and resurrection into life. But it is not the way to salvation.
So if you are seeking the Truth and desire to be saved so that you may spend eternity in Heaven, follow the steps mentioned above. And when you pray, pray always in the name of Jesus. The word ‘amen’ just means that you agree with what has been said; that is all.
Jesus said in John 14:6: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”
So friends, seek Him while He can yet be found. And make those corrections necessary to guarantee your entrance into Heaven, into life eternal, and make certain your name is written in the Book.