We Are Saved By Confession
The act of confession is one that is many times misunderstood, being mistaken by most to mean that a person must make a list of their sins, then make that list known to some other person who in turn allegedly has some authority to do something about this list. Although the Bible does tell us about those who came to John the baptizer for baptism were confessing their sins, this is not what the Bible teaches for us today to do to receive forgiveness of our sins. Those who have been following our series of articles dealing with how God saves us will take note that this is our fourth installment. Thus far we have noted that the Bible teaches that we are saved by hearing the Gospel message (Mk. 4.24), believing that message (Heb. 11.6), repenting of sin (Lk. 13.3), and now the vital import of making confession of our faith that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8.37). This is the confession that God says leads to salvation. As we have noted above, it was the practice of those in Israel to confess their sins before being baptized of John (Matt. 3.5,6), and the apostles John and James both teach us that confession of sin is important to received forgiveness for those who are already Christians, and have committed sins. However, those today who are neither subject to John's baptism (because it is no longer valid), nor are yet Christians, the Bible teaches that confession is with reference to that person acknowledging their faith in who Jesus is. This fact is stated clearly in Paul's epistle to the Romans. "He said, because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God 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" (Rom. 10.9,10). There are a couple of things we must take note of in this passage. First, Paul makes the close connection of confession with faith. One who does not believe the gospel message surely would not confess his faith in Christ. Second, we must also see the context of this passage. This statement was not made to people wanting to know how to be saved, but to those already saved when Paul is reminding of their stand before God. The point we are making just here is this: The Bible teaches that confession is a part of the salvation process. Thus, those who refuse to confess that Jesus is the Lord cannot be saved. All this is but confirmation of what Jesus taught while on the earth. Matthew records this plain teaching in his gospel account. He wrote: "Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 10.32-33). Again we learn two things here. One is the simple fact that if we want the Lord to confess us before the Father in Heaven, we must confess Him to men (confess our faith in Him). In fact, Jesus Himself made this confession, and Paul reminded Timothy to be true to his making it also. He wrote, "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession" (1 Tim. 6.11-13). Second, to fail to make such a confession is the same as denying Him. In an effort to justify not confessing Christ, some have tried to make this passage say whoso does not confess, but does not deny either, shall be saved. If you can see through a ladder, you can see the fallacy of this thinking. Jesus' point is that if one fails to confess Him, it is the same of denying Him. In fact, we have record of this very action (or lack of action) recorded for us. John wrote, "Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God" (John 12.42-43). There are, no doubt, many reasons why men will not confess Christ, but this record tells us that some fail to confess Him because of what others may think or do. It is abundantly clear that we are saved by confession. No, not confession alone, for we are not saved by any one thing alone. But confession is certainly necessary to be saved... even as we have learned regarding hearing, believing, and repenting. We hope that those reading this will certainly be willing to confess Christ as Lord so that you may be saved. Our next and final article will put it all together and draw the logical, biblical, and conclusive answer to the question of Acts 16:30 which reads "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? God bless you in your study of His word.
Robin W. Haley
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