“Confession”

In the present covenant [the Christian dispensation] we are to confess that Jesus Christ; the son of God, has come in the flesh. The apostle John makes this very clear: (1 John 2:23) “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” These words are very clear and precise; if anyone “denies the Son [I.e. Jesus Christ] that person does not have God. On the other hand if you acknowledge that Jesus is God’s Son and that he came to this earth and lived and walked among mankind you have the Father also! This can be understood by anyone who reads these words desiring to understand God’s will. In verse twenty two John writing by inspiration is very blunt and writes that anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ is a liar and an antichrist: (1 John 2:22) “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” Please keep in mind that John is writing by inspiration [God breathed] and the words that he penned are the words that God wants the world to know. To me it is a scary thought to think that God might consider me a liar and an antichrist. Sad to say antichrists were in the world even as John wrote these words: (1 John 4:3) “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

A good question to ask today is, “Since we are living under the New Covenant are we required by God to make what is called “the good confession?” In answer to this question I would reply with the words of the apostle Paul: (Rom 10:9–11) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  ¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  ¹¹For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Let us examine what Paul wrote. First he said that we are to confess with the “mouth”. By this Paul means that we must speak the words “I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Second, Paul informs us it is not enough just to speak these words we must also believe what we are saying! Thirdly when we make this confession we must not only believe that Jesus is God’s Son we also must believe that God raised him from the dead. Fourthly, Paul informs us that those who make this confession “shall be saved” [at least they are heading towards salvation]. I say this because there are other commands to be obeyed also. Verse eleven is an interesting verse, for there are many who are ashamed to make this confession.

Let us look to the Bible for a scriptural example of one who made this confession. The most precise example I know comes to us in the book of Acts, found in chapter eight. This occasion involves a preacher by the name of Philip and an Ethiopian eunuch. God had instructed Philip to go to meet the eunuch [Vs. 26]. When Philip found the eunuch he was reading from his Bible the words of Esaias the prophet; and Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading: (Acts 8:30 “Understandest thou what thou readest?” The eunuch replied that he needed someone to instruct him: (Acts 8:31) “And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?” It is very clear that the eunuch did not know who the prophet was writing about, but Philip did. Therefore, Philip began at that point and preached unto him about Jesus: (Acts 8:35) “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”  In Philip’s lesson about Jesus it is evident that he also taught the eunuch about baptism; this assumption is made on the basis of the eunuch asking to be baptized: (Acts 8:36) “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?”  If Philip had not taught the eunuch about baptism would he have asked “what is keeping me from being baptized”? Philip told him if he believed he could; the eunuch then makes his confession: (Acts 8:37) “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Friends, this is the confession that is required of us today!

-Bud