Definition and Context:
In the biblical context, "professing" generally refers to the act of declaring or affirming one's faith, beliefs, or allegiance, particularly in relation to one's faith in God and adherence to Christian doctrine. It involves both verbal acknowledgment and the demonstration of faith through actions. The term is often associated with the public declaration of faith, as well as the consistency between one's professed beliefs and their lifestyle.

Biblical References:

1. Romans 10:9-10 :
"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."
· This passage highlights the importance of professing faith in Jesus Christ as a fundamental aspect of salvation. It underscores the necessity of both internal belief and external confession.

2. 1 Timothy 6:12 :
"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
· Here, Paul encourages Timothy to remain steadfast in his faith, reminding him of the public profession he made. This verse emphasizes the significance of a public declaration of faith as a commitment to live according to Christian principles.

3. Titus 1:16 :
"They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed."
· This verse warns against hypocrisy, where one's actions do not align with their professed beliefs. It serves as a caution that true profession of faith must be accompanied by a life that reflects God's teachings.

4. Hebrews 4:14 :
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess."
· The author of Hebrews encourages believers to remain steadfast in their profession of faith, drawing strength from Jesus Christ, the high priest. This verse calls for perseverance in faith amidst trials.

Theological Implications:

· Authenticity of Faith:
Professing faith is not merely a verbal declaration but involves a genuine commitment to live according to the teachings of Christ. Authentic faith is demonstrated through actions that align with one's professed beliefs.

· Public Witness:
The act of professing one's faith publicly serves as a witness to others and is an integral part of Christian discipleship. It is a declaration of allegiance to Christ and His teachings, often made in the context of baptism or other public affirmations of faith.

· Consistency and Integrity:
The Bible calls for consistency between what believers profess and how they live. A true profession of faith is marked by integrity, where one's actions reflect their beliefs, thereby glorifying God and serving as a testimony to others.

· Challenges and Perseverance:
Believers are encouraged to hold fast to their profession of faith, especially in the face of challenges and persecution. The New Testament frequently exhorts Christians to persevere, drawing strength from their relationship with Christ and the hope of eternal life.

Practical Application:

· Self-Examination:
Christians are encouraged to regularly examine their lives to ensure that their actions align with their professed beliefs. This involves seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and being open to correction and growth.

· Community and Accountability:
Being part of a faith community provides support and accountability, helping believers to remain true to their profession of faith. Engaging in fellowship, worship, and service strengthens one's commitment to live out their faith authentically.

· Evangelism and Discipleship:
Professing faith is foundational to evangelism and discipleship. Believers are called to share their faith with others, making disciples and teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Profess.5335. phasko -- to affirm, assert
... See 5346 (). Word Origin probably from the same as phemi Definition to affirm, assert
NASB Word Usage asserted (1), asserting (1), professing (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5335.htm - 6k

Lectures to Professing Christians
Lectures to Professing Christians. <. Lectures to Professing Christians
Charles G. Finney. Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/lectures to professing christians/

And Since Celsus, Although Professing to Know all About the Gospel ...
... Chapter LIV. And since Celsus, although professing to know all about the
Gospel? And since Celsus, although professing to know ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter liv and since celsus.htm

Professing Rhetoric at Rome, He Discovers the Fraud of his ...
... Book V. Chapter XII."Professing Rhetoric at Rome, He Discovers the Fraud
of His Scholars. 22. Then began I assiduously to practise ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xii professing rhetoric at rome.htm

Lectures to Professing Christians
Lectures to Professing Christians. <. ... Title Page. Lectures to
Professing Christians by. CHARLES G. FINNEY. 1878 version. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/finney/lectures to professing christians/title page.htm

In what Manner the Mathematicians are Convicted of Professing a ...
... Book V. Chapter 5."In What Manner the Mathematicians are Convicted of
Professing a Vain Science. Do not those very persons whom ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 5 in what manner the.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John xiv. 6, "I am the Way, and the ...
... and their foolish heart was darkened." [4195] They are the Apostle's words, not
mine: "And their foolish heart was darkened; for professing themselves to be ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xci on the words.htm

The Laodicean State of Christendom.
... This Epistle portrays the last state of the professing church on earth, a state
characterized by high pretensions and self-sufficiency, but so utterly nauseous ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 the laodicean state of.htm

Exposition of St. Paul's Words. --1 Tim. vi. 20.
... O Timothy, keep the deposit, shunning profane novelties of words and oppositions
of the knowledge falsely so called, which some professing have erred ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/exposition of st pauls words 1.htm

Sleepers at Noonday
... Now, brethren, do not forget that this exhortation of my text, and therefore this
description, is addressed to a community of professing Christians. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/sleepers at noonday.htm

Philip the Evangelist
... If there is no necessity for speech felt by a professing Christian, that
professing Christian's faith is a very superficial thing. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/philip the evangelist.htm

Professing (6 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Profess. Multi-Version Concordance Professing (6 Occurrences). ... (WEY).
Acts 24:9 and the Jews also agreed, professing these things to be so. (YLT). ...
/p/professing.htm - 8k

Profession (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The act of professing or claiming; open declaration; public avowal or
acknowledgment; as, professions of friendship; a profession of faith. ...
/p/profession.htm - 11k

Nicolaitanes (2 Occurrences)
... They were seemingly a class of professing Christians, who sought to introduce into
the church a false freedom or licentiousness, thus abusing Paul's doctrine ...
/n/nicolaitanes.htm - 7k

Godliness (16 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS NIV). 1 Timothy 2:10 but (which becomes women professing
godliness) with good works. (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS). ...
/g/godliness.htm - 12k

Godly (50 Occurrences)
... serious behaviour. (See RSV). 1 Timothy 2:10 but -- which becometh women
professing godly piety -- through good works. (YLT). 1 Timothy ...
/g/godly.htm - 21k

Wandered (29 Occurrences)
... sorrows. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). 1 Timothy 6:21 which some professing have erred
concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen. (See NIV). ...
/w/wandered.htm - 15k

Importance (9 Occurrences)
... Acts 5:36 Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of importance,
and a body of men, some four hundred in number, joined him. ...
/i/importance.htm - 9k

Fools (53 Occurrences)
... KJV WBS). Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Corinthians ...
/f/fools.htm - 20k

Followers (37 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 5:36 Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of importance,
and a body of men, some four hundred in number, joined him. ...
/f/followers.htm - 16k

Erred (14 Occurrences)
... sorrows. (KJV WBS). 1 Timothy 6:21 which some professing have erred concerning
the faith. Grace be with you. Amen. (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS). ...
/e/erred.htm - 10k

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