Christians know that hearing, faith, and repentance are essential to salvation (Romans 10:17; John 8:24; Acts 17:30-31). But they are not the only items essential to a man’s conversion; confession is also needed. “Confession” means “to speak the same thing as.” This is not a confession of sins, but a confession of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10). This confession is a verbal declaration that you believe Jesus is the Son of God and brings the promise of salvation (Luke 12:8; Matthew 10:32).
Principles regarding the confession of Christ are exactly the opposite of the cases of denial. Denial involves being ashamed (Mark 8:38). Confession is put to test by contrast with our evil world. Peter’s denial of Christ is a good example (Luke 22:54-62). He denied knowing Christ and his affiliation with Him. Of course, this resulted in great sorrow.
What does confession involve? Confession involves than mere words (Matthew 7:21-23). It is an action of the heart and mouth (Romans 10:8-10). We must confess that Jesus is the Christ and we must confess Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 2:20-23; 4:12-15). When you confess Jesus, you have the Father and the Son, and you will have God dwell in you. When we cite examples of confession, we normally focus on Peter in Matthew 16:16.
While this is a wonderful confession, there are several more in the New Testament:
- The demons (Luke 4:34, 41).
- Peter (John 6:66-69).
- The centurion (Matthew 27:54.
- Nathanael (John 1:49).
- Martha (John 11:27).
- Thomas (John 20:24-29).
- The Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:37).
What if we do not confess? If a man is unwilling to confess Jesus as the Christ of God, then he will lose his soul (Matthew 10:33; Luke 12:9; 2 Timothy 2:12). It is not enough just to believe and not confess (John 12:42-43). Those who love men more than God, thus making them reluctant to confess Christ, will not be saved (Galatians 1:10; Matthew 10:34-39). One day we will all confess Christ (Philippians 2:9-11).
John 20:31 says, “But these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.” After studying the Bible, we can have the faith to confess Jesus Christ. Now when you hear preachers speak of confession in a sermon, or at the end during the invitation, you will have a better understanding of it so your confession will be from the heart.
Kyle Campbell
