by R. L. Morrison

To answer the question of our title, we should first define the word. It means to declare openly, by way of speaking out freely, the confession, being the effect or result of inward conviction. Perhaps, we could add to that definition by saying confession is stating in spoken words the conviction of the heart.

But what does this have to do with obtaining salvation, or one's relationship to God? This question can only be answered by the scriptures. Since scripture is the only source of information we have regarding salvation, we can learn all we need to know on this subject by a study of them.

First, since there are many things we sincerely believe, and of which we speak, we must learn what we are to believe and confess in order to be made free from sin.

In Matthew 10:32-33, we find these words of Jesus recorded: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." In this, we find that which one is to confess: Jesus Christ.

But what must one believe about Christ that needs to be confessed? Jesus also answered this question: "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins, for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). Previously he said, "Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39). Jesus simply said the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the coming Messiah were fulfilled in himself. For an example of this, and the application of the prophecy to Jesus, look to Acts 3:22-23: "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul which will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people." This is part of a sermon by Peter, the Apostle, saying that God had raised up Jesus to turn men away from sin. So in this confession, which Jesus requires of men, one must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of mankind.

John, as he nears the close of his record of the life of Christ, tells us one reason for his writing: "And many other sighs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, ye might have life through his name" (John 20:30-31).

Now we have established by the scriptures that one must confess his faith in Jesus the Christ, as the Son of God, to be saved. We have learned how this faith is brought about, and that the Old Testament prophets foretold all this.

We should now consider what the New Testament teaches about how this confession is made. To do so, turn to Romans 10:8-10: "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee even in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is the word of faith, which we preach; 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." This establishes what the confession is, that it is made with the mouth, and is a simple confession of one's faith in Christ.

There is an example of this confession in the New Testament. Philip, an evangelist, was directed by the Holy Spirit to go to a certain place, on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. At this place, he met a man of Ethiopia, riding in his chariot and reading from Isaiah's prophecy. This man asked Philip to join him and explain the prophecies to him. The scripture says "Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 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? 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" (Acts 8:35-37). Then Philip baptized this man, as Jesus had commanded, when he gave the Commission to the apostles.

Now, consider some things this confession is NOT! It is not a confession that one is a sinner. All have sinned (Rom. 3:23). It is not a confession that God, for Christ's sake, has pardoned or forgiven one's sin. There is nothing in the New Testament that even implies such a confession as this. It is not a confession of some kind of peculiar feeling, which one took to be evidence of salvation. Rather it is a confession of faith in Christ as the Son of God, the result of believing the evidence presented concerning His being God's son.

We should take note that God the Father, on more than one occasion acknowledged or confessed Jesus Christ to be His Son. If God so confessed, man should not be ashamed or unwilling to do so!

When Jesus came to John, who was preaching in the wilderness near Jordan, he was baptized of John. When he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descended upon him. Then there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Mark 1:9-11). Matthew and Luke also record this.

In Matthew 17, we read of Jesus, Peter, James, and John going upon a high mountain apart from others. There Jesus was transfigured and Moses and Elias appeared and talked with him. Later a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice out of the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Matt. 17:5).

Since God said we are to "hear his Son", and the Son said one must confess faith in order to be saved, surely a believer would not hesitate to do so!

The penitent, confessing sinner who completes his obedience to the gospel by being baptized for the remission of sins, then continues this confession of faith in Christ by the manner of life that follows. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. If, therefore, he believes that Jesus is the Christ and his Redeemer, the manner of life, patterned after the life of Christ, our Example, will be shown as he lives day by day. His life will be a confession of his faith in Christ.

Are you confessing your belief?