Topical Bible: Confessing Christ: Must be Connected With Faith

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The act of confessing Christ is a fundamental aspect of Christian doctrine, deeply intertwined with the concept of faith. Confession, in this context, refers to the public acknowledgment and declaration of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This confession is not merely a verbal affirmation but is intrinsically linked to a genuine faith that resides in the believer's heart.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides a clear mandate for the confession of Christ, emphasizing its connection to faith. In Romans 10:9-10, the Apostle Paul writes, "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 underscores the dual requirement of belief in the heart and confession with the mouth, illustrating that true confession is a reflection of inner faith.

Faith and Confession: An Inseparable Bond

The relationship between faith and confession is further highlighted in Hebrews 11:6, which states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him" . Faith is the foundation upon which confession is built; without faith, confession is rendered meaningless. It is through faith that believers are able to genuinely acknowledge Christ's lordship and His redemptive work.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling believers to confess Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:3, Paul asserts, "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" . This indicates that the confession of Christ as Lord is a Spirit-led act, empowered by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who nurtures and sustains the believer's faith.

Confession as Evidence of Faith

Confession serves as a tangible expression of faith, demonstrating the believer's allegiance to Christ. In Matthew 10:32-33, Jesus Himself declares, "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" . This passage highlights the importance of public confession as a testament to one's faith and commitment to Christ.

The Cost of Confession

Confessing Christ often comes with a cost, as it may lead to persecution or social ostracism. Yet, the New Testament encourages believers to remain steadfast in their confession, regardless of the consequences. In 1 Peter 3:15, believers are exhorted to "sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have, but with gentleness and respect" . This readiness to confess Christ, even in the face of adversity, is a mark of true faith.

Conclusion

While a conclusion is not provided, the exploration of confessing Christ as inherently connected with faith reveals its essential role in the life of a believer. The act of confession, empowered by the Holy Spirit and rooted in genuine faith, serves as a public declaration of allegiance to Jesus Christ, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in the believer's life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 10:9
That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ and Nicodemus.
... of this number was Nicodemus, who came confessing that Jesus ... baptized shall be saved."
Faith in Christ is essential ... Belief in him must be strong enough to sway ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ and nicodemus.htm

The Love of Christ.
... He is the same loving Lord, the same loving Christ who has borne us ... Whenever we turn
to Him with broken hearts, confessing our sins, when in ... how He must love us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the love of christ.htm

Note A. --Chap. Ii
... He must see and believe in the life which Scripture holds ... Confessing and giving up
all that is of self and sin, yielding himself wholly to Christ and His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/note a chap ii.htm

The Seven Books of John Cassian
... When confessing the Divinity of Christ we ought not to pass ... to the children of Israel
are attributed to Christ, it follows that He must have existed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cassian/the seven books of john cassian /

On the Atonement.
... If they believe it and hold it as a reality, must it not subdue their heart to love
and ... How fitting that, while Christ is dying, we should be confessing! ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/xii on the atonement.htm

The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ...
... Though the imminent peril of confessing Christ was well ... Jewish capital; [57:3] for
Christ had instructed ... the conversion of the Samaritans must have reminded ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the progress of.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... fruit of our lips, giving thanks (confessing) to his ... regeneration may be entertained,
union to Christ is then ... to conceive that one of them must necessarily be ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

"Lo, I am with You Alway. "
... a witness to go out into the world confessing Me before men ... it; it comes out of itself."
If Jesus Christ be in ... You must confess Jesus in the world, in your home ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/jesus himself/ii lo i am with.htm

Concerning the Sacrament of Penance
... "They were baptized of John in Jordan, confessing their sins ... institution of confession
is given when Christ tells us that an offending brother must be told ...
/.../first principles of the reformation/concerning the sacrament of penance.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... by taking the blame of it, and confessing it to ... not pride themselves on this; for
they must understand that ... a stone, are used as types of Christ because they ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm