Confessing Jesus

Introduction

The past few weeks we have been seeking the scriptural answer to the very biblical question, “what must I do to be saved?”

We understand, as implied within the question itself, that there are requirements that we must meet in order to obtain the blessing and gift of salvation!

We noted the comprehensive nature of faith, that is, faith obeys God. Therefore, our faith is evidenced by our activity and obedience such as repentance (turning from our sin to doing good deeds).

Now, we want to understand the importance of verbalizing our faith in regard to salvation -

Confessing Christ is An Expression of Faith

An important distinction to make before we continue our study is between God’s first law of pardon (forgiveness for someone who has never become a child of God) AND God’s second law of pardon (forgiveness for the Christian who has sinned).

God’s plan of forgiving the Christian after they sin: they must confess their wrong, repent, and pray for God’s mercy -

The confession of faith as we are studying in this less is NOT a confession of wrongdoing. This is God’s plan of forgiving the sinner who has never obeyed the gospel and become a child of God.

Confession of faith as we are studying in this less is NOT a confession of wrongdoing. This is God’s plan of forgiving the sinner who has never obeyed the gospel and become a child of God.

Confession of faith as we are studying in this less is NOT a confession of wrongdoing. This is God’s plan of forgiving the sinner who has never obeyed the gospel and become a child of God.

•The sinner has already acknowledged their sin and need for forgiveness when they REPENTED. •Now they are confessing their FAITH.

The sinner has already acknowledged their sin and need for forgiveness when they REPENTED.

Now they are confessing their FAITH.

Confessing one’s personal faith in Christ is required for the forgiveness of sins and must be done before they are baptized into Christ.

Confessing one’s personal faith in Christ is required for the forgiveness of sins and must be done before they are baptized into Christ.

There is a correlation between faith and words - ; cf

Confession is the verbal expression of our faith in Jesus -

Confessing with your mouth is expressing what is in your heart.

The outcome of your confession is salvation (vv 9-10) and righteousness/justification (v 10), standing approved by God

We confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. We recognize His position of authority over all of creation and the church -

We believe in the saving power of Jesus — His death and resurrection -

Confessing Jesus is a Public Testimony of Your Confidence

Confessing Christ is not a passive action, even though we seem to put it off to the very last and often as a rushed set of words before a person is baptized.

Confession is not an action of weakness.

It is a determination of your confidence!

Paul wrote to Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith” and to “take hold of eternal life” -

He then reminds him of when Timothy determined to enter this fight. The choice was not made at his baptism. The choice was made by the “good confession!”

Also, the confession was public and before witnesses

It is one thing to whisper something under your breath so that only you know what you said

It is altogether different to say something so that others hear what you have to say

A public confession is beneficial because others are able to remind you of your choice and determination.

I’ve heard people say they wanted to be baptized a second time because they couldn’t remember why they did it the first time.

While we should appreciate such sincere hearts, I believe one of the benefits of making public confession is so that others can hear it and remind you of your choice to become a Christian!

A public confession holds us accountable for how we are to live before God. And others are to see and know of our confession -

We don’t make confession to NOT be heard

We make confession so others may know about God and Jesus Christ!

Confessing Jesus Anticipates Our Future Bodily Resurrection

Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life...” -

He asked Martha if she believed that statement -

She said “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world” -

By raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus proved that He was indeed “the resurrection and the life” - ,

Jesus assures us that He will come again to judge the world. On that day, Jesus will raise the dead -

“an hour is coming and now is” — people will hear and know the words of God; that has come

Jesus’ first coming was to give life and salvation

“an hour is coming” — future time when those in the tombs will hear the voice of Jesus and will be raised

Jesus’ second coming will be to judge the world and bring the saved back to the Father

All who are in the grave will be raised - v 28

The good will be raised to eternal life - v 29

The evil will be raised to judgment - v 29

Jesus’ resurrection is the firstfruits of the future bodily resurrection -

Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, His body not suffering decay, so will our resurrection be!

Our future resurrection will be the same in kind as Jesus’ resurrection

We will be transformed and changed to live in eternity -

Conclusion

Confessing Jesus is something that those who believe in Jesus must be willing to do!

Confessing Christ is a verbal expression of our faith, it is a statement of confidence and determination to follow Christ and tell others about Him, and it is about our eternal future and resurrection

Are you ready to confess Jesus and clothe yourself with Him in baptism?

Come to Him today!