Focus on the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:23

but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,

The Scandal of the Cross & Christian Confession

Acts 2:36

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.

God’s people are a confessing people.

2 Corinthians 9:13

By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,

Confession of Christ proclaims our submission to Christ as Lord and demotes all others.

2 John 7–11

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

Confession of Christ brings us into the presence and family of God.

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Confession of Christ begins your resistance, the rightful rebellion, against the powers of this world.

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Confession of Christ is a shared, public act of faith.

1 Timothy 6:13

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,

Confession of Christ imitates Jesus in Pilate’s Hall.

1 Timothy 6:14

to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Confession of Christ says that we are still waiting in faith.

1 Timothy 6:15–16

which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Does it surprise us that Paul cannot talk about confession without making one of his own?!