Fact-Check: “Church Lies You Still Believe”
1) “The Sinner’s Prayer is in the Bible.”
Verdict: Misleading.
There’s no fixed, formulaic “sinner’s prayer” text in the Bible. People in the New Testament are called to repent, believe, confess Christ, and be baptized—but Scripture never gives a set prayer to recite for salvation. Passages often cited (e.g., Romans 10:9–10) speak of confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in the heart, not repeating a scripted prayer.
What the Bible does say: Salvation is by grace through faith; we respond with repentance and public confession of Christ (Rom 10:9–10). Many Christians still use a spontaneous prayer as a way to express that faith, but the prayer itself isn’t a biblical requirement. For background, see discussions noting no verbatim “sinner’s prayer” appears in Scripture.
2) “Altar calls are a New Testament practice.”
Verdict: Mostly False.
The modern “come to the front” altar call isn’t found in the New Testament and only became common during 19th-century American revivalism (popularized by Charles G. Finney). In the NT, “altar” refers to Israel’s sacrificial altar (fulfilled in Christ), and converts were baptized—not invited to a stage. Historically, the public “invitation” system is a relatively recent method.
3) “Christians are commanded to tithe 10%.”
Verdict: Partly True, Partly False (depends on what you mean).
The Old Testament required multiple tithes under Israel’s law. The New Testament never commands Christians to give a fixed 10%. Instead, it teaches intentional, generous, cheerful giving “not under compulsion.” Many churches use 10% as a wise guideline, but it’s not a universal NT command.
What the Bible does say: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give… for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7).
4) “The word ‘Trinity’ is in the Bible.”
Verdict: Technically True that the term is not there; the doctrine is historic Christian teaching.
Neither the word “Trinity” nor a formal definition appears in the New Testament. Early Christians coined the term later (famously used by Tertullian) to summarize biblical teaching that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct yet one God. So: the label isn’t in Scripture, but the concept it names is the classic reading of the Bible in mainstream Christianity.
5) “The Magi visited Jesus at the manger and there were three of them.”
Verdict: Inaccurate on both counts.
Matthew says only that “Magi from the east” visited Jesus after he was born and that they came to a house—not a stable or manger. It never states how many Magi there were; the traditional number “three” comes from the three gifts. Many nativity scenes blend Luke’s manger scene (shepherds) with Matthew’s later visit of the Magi.
Two more common add-ons (in case the reel mentioned them)
“God helps those who help themselves” is a Bible verse.
Verdict: False.
The saying isn’t in the Bible. It traces to classical/early-modern sources, popularized in English by Benjamin Franklin; Scripture actually emphasizes God’s help for the helpless.
“Satan rules Hell.”
Verdict: False.
In Revelation, the Devil is thrown into the lake of fire; he isn’t depicted as ruler of it. The Bible presents ultimate judgment as God’s domain, not Satan’s.
Bottom Line
- Some popular church practices (altar calls, a scripted “sinner’s prayer,” a fixed 10% rule) are traditions or tools, not explicit NT commands.
- Some beloved details (three Magi at the manger) are later traditions, not verse-by-verse facts.
- Some slogans (“God helps those…”) are misattributed to the Bible.
- The Trinity is a classic Christian doctrine built from Scripture’s data even though the word itself isn’t in the text.
