How the Billy Sunday
Converts Pledge Card Relates to the
Heresy of Decisional Regeneration

When Billy Sunday (1862-1935) started his own organization in 1896, he used the inferior BIST system in the Inquiry Room. Before long, he equated coming forward with  "saving faith", and changed the “Decision Card” (used to get penitent information for follow-up) to a “Convert’s Pledge Card.” He eventually started calling everyone who came forward a convert and in 1914 eliminated the Inquiry Room altogether.

Setting up the false premise that a physical act was the same as saving faith, Sunday encouraged the lie of a 100 percent conversion rate to be reported in the press. There would be no examination of seekers for evidence of supernatural reeneration and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Thus began the heresy of Decisional Regeneration.

It doesn't matter if you're Arminian or Calvinist or Restorationist...you can prevent false conversions. The problem isn't telling people to immediately repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ...the problem is telling people they're saved because of something they've done. Faithful Evangelical ministers examine seekers for Biblical evidence of supernatural regeneration and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Here are five evidences God has saved you.

1) You are Obedient to God's Word
2) You have Power Over Sin
3) You are Led of the Holy Spirit
4) You Bear Fruit of the Holy Spirit
5) You Love God's Word and God's People

It's impossible to force or bribe God to save you, but a necessary result of God saving you is you'll bear good fruit. Whenever God supernaturally regenerates a heart and fills someone with the Holy Spirit, he will want to please God with a life of faith, working through love (Galatians 5:6). If you think you are saved, look for Biblical evidence.