Re: http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/sep2007/lauren98.htm, where it says, "Salvation cannot be found through repeating a prayer."

I don't totally agree,  The writer purports to know what is in the person's heart.

The word "repent" means to turn, or change direction.  For an unbeliever, the Scriptures indicate that it means to turn from unbelief to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16, Romans 10:8-9).  Then, after the born-again experience, the indwelling Holy Spirit is able to show them specific sins from which they need to repent.  It becomes a lifelong process.

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God" (Hebrews 6:1). Dead works are anything not done in faith.

If that writer had his way, no one would ever get saved because no one would ever stop repenting of their sins.  I know one person who kept repenting for years and never could get saved until he discovered salvation is by faith.  The writer probably questions that the 3,000 reported saved on the day of Pentecost were really saved.  But God says they were.

Someone once told me, "We cannot use a formula." 

Not true.  Romans 10:8-9 is a formula, and so is John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:13, 1 John 5:1, etc.  There is nothing wrong with formulas that are biblical.  It is a matter of the heart, and the writer cannot look into the hearts.  Only God knows.  A key phrase in Romans 10:8-9 is "and believe in your heart..."  That is something no man can ever know.  Only God can know.

But some say there must be fruit of salvation.  True, but we do not know the quantity or quality of fruit that qualifies for God's approval, and it varies with each person and what all they may have to overcome.  We all fall short; thus, the need for grace and the blood of Jesus.  It is dangerous for one to claim to be God's "fruit inspector."  Only He can do that.

It is true and no man can change the wonderful truth that "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God bless you

Jim