CONFESSION

I. The Confession.

A. The facts:

1. Christ to be confessed before men. Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8.

2. Christ will confess the confessor. Matthew 10:32.

3. John confessed and denied not that he was not the Christ. John 1:20.

4. Jews agreed if any confessed Him, Jesus the Christ, was put out of the synagogue. John 9:22.

5. Confession a part of word of faith preached by apostles. Romans 10:8-10.

6. Confession in order to salvation. Romans 10:8-10.

7. It is made with the mouth. Romans 10:8-10.

8. Timothy confessed before many witnesses. I Timothy 6:12.

9. This, the good confession. I Timothy 6:12.

10. Jesus confessed same under Pilate. I Timothy 6:13.

11. Jesus, apostle and high priest of our confession. Hebrews 3:1.

12. The confession to be held fast. Hebrews 4:14; 10:23.

13. Confession of the hope. Hebrews 10:23.

14. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the son of God— God dwells in him and he in Christ. I John 4:15.

B. Meaning of the term. John 1:20.

1. In antithesis to denial. Matthew 10:32, 33.

2. Implies real or supposed guilt of something hitherto concerned. I John 1:9; Acts 19:18; John 1:20; Acts 24; 14.

3. Secondary meaning—to praise and give thanks, because confessing goodness of God has effect of praise or thanksgiving. Luke 10:21; Hebrews 13:15, Septuagint frequently, e. g., Psalms 136; 1. 138:1.

4. Other examples. John 1:49; 3:2-4; 9:28-29.

II. Conclusion:

A. Origin of the confession.

1. Jesus presented by Jesus demanded confession or denial.

2. These (confessions or denials) made according to convictions of men. Hence facts 1, 7.

3. It (the confession) originated from nature of preaching presented by Jesus.

B. Why term confess—rather than profess, declare, or some other?

1. At first considered a reproach. Facts 4, 10.

2. Term should be preserved to perpetuate (memory of) this fact.

3. Profess is to avow something, hence to lose this term is to lose fact mentioned in fact 2.

C. What is to be confessed?

1. "Confess me." Matthew 10:32.

2. "Confess Him to be the Christ." John 9:22.

3. Confess with mouth the Lord Jesus. Romans 10:9.

4. That Jesus is the Son of God. Matthew 14:33; I John 4:15.

5. The Christ the Son of living God. Matthew 16:16.

a. Conclusion: Last the full term, others the abbreviation of it.

D. Blessings attached to the confession.

1. Christ will confess the confessor before His Father and the angels. Matthew 10:32.

a. Confess him as a disciple.

2. It is in order to salvation. Romans 10:10.

a. Promotes attainment of salvation.

3. God dwells in confessor and he in God. I John 4:15.

4. Conclusion: Presenting of these blessings not to confession alone.

5. But all presented to confession properly made and followed by immersion.

E. Obligations imposed by the confession.

1. Having confessed, required to fight the good fight. I Timothy 6:12.

2. Makes Jesus our apostle and high priest. As apostle, binds us to his word—as priest, to His blood.

3. Requires us to hold fast what is confessed. Hebrews 4:14; 10:23.

F. History of the confession.

1. Made by the Father. Matthew 3:17.

a. Declared sonship and pledged the acceptance of his work.

2. Peter's first full confession by men. Matthew 16:16.

a. Peter was taught by the Father. Matthew 16:17, 18.

3. Faith, confession, foundation of Church. Matthew 16:18.

4. Made by Jews a crime to confess. John 9:22.

5. Before crucifixion, chief mark of discipleship. Matthew 10:23; John 9:22; 12:42.

6. Preached everywhere by Apostles. Romans 10:8-10.

7. Universally observed, for what Apostles preached, their converts received.

8. When remission obtained, confession between it and faith.

a. For could not confess before faith.

b. Baptism last act after confession.