Glass Street church of Christ

site last modified
February 26, 2008

CONFESSION UNTO SALVATION

by Randy Meyer

A defining characteristic of a true disciple is a willingness to follow their master with a receptive mind. To be a student, one must have a teacher and accept their instruction. In like manner, if we are to be students of God’s Word and disciples of Christ, we must willingly follow the instructions of the teacher (Christ) in a forthright manner. Is it any wonder, then, that the beginning of our service to the Master involves our confession of Him.

In Acts 8:37, we find the Ethiopian eunuch beginning his service to the Lord by confessing Him. Philip had evidently instructed the eunuch in the need for confession although he didn’t tell the eunuch exactly what to say. He simply asked if he (the eunuch) believed. Notice the eunuch’s response, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:37). He simply confessed Christ. That is all that God demands of man’s confession to become a Christian (Rom. 10:9).

Many in the religious world today have perverted this wholesome confession of Christ to “teaching for doctrine the commandments of men” their own version of salvation (Mark 7:7). One such erroneous “confession” states, “I believe that God, for Christ’s sakes, has pardoned my sins…” Another erroneous practice of many is that one must only “confess” Christ is their savior and by saying such makes them saved. Please note, there is NO similarity between such statements/practices and the biblically recorded confession of the eunuch. Furthermore, there is NO similarity of the witness to the confession by Christ (Luke 22:70-23:3) which was confessed by Timothy in front of many (II Tim. 6:12-13). Such “man made” versions of confession are nothing more than statements of belief regarding a doctrine of men. It is NOT a confession of Christ. I would certainly think that if one would want to be pleasing to God, he would use the word of God as the standard, and it alone!

The confession God demands reveals the conviction one has in their heart concerning Jesus, and is “made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10). By this we see that confession is just as necessary for salvation as belief and repentance. However, this confession of Jesus is only the beginning of a life that will continue to confess Christ in every aspect.

Remember the words of Jesus “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32). Confession is most certainly essential for ones salvation but confession alone does not make one saved. One must confess Christ while also being obedient to ALL of what Christ demands (John 14:15). Have you confessed Christ as required by God? Have you followed such confession with obedience in becoming a Christian? If not, why not now! We are here to assist you in this today (James 4:13).