Confession, of Jesus Christ

A public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ, acknowledging both his divinity and his lordship. Without such, salvation is impossible.

Confession of faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation

Romans 10:9–10 See also Matthew 10:32–33 parallel Luke 12:8–9; Mark 8:38; 2 Timothy 2:12; 1 John 4:15, 1 John 2:23

that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.

Confessing Jesus Christ as Lord is only possible by the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:3

Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Results of confessing faith in Jesus Christ

Baptism

Acts 2:38–41 See also Acts 18:8, Acts 22:16

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off — to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.” With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.” Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.

A change in lifestyle

Matthew 7:21–23; 2 Timothy 2:19 See also Luke 19:8–9; 1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 13:15; 1 John 1:6, 1 John 2:4

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”

Persecution

John 9:22 See also John 12:42–43; 2 Timothy 3:12

His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews. For the Jews had already determined that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.

Demons confessed Jesus Christ's divinity

Luke 4:41 See also Matthew 8:28–29 parallels Mark 5:7, Luke 8:28

Demons also came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But He rebuked the demons and would not allow them to speak, because they knew He was the Christ.

Ultimately all will confess Jesus Christ's lordship

Philippians 2:9–11

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Notable confessions of faith in Jesus Christ

John 1:49 See also Matthew 14:33, Matthew 16:16 parallels Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20; John 6:69, John 11:27, John 20:28

“Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

The refusal to confess Jesus Christ

Matthew 10:32–33 parallel Luke 12:8–9 See also 2 Timothy 2:12

Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.