Confess(ing)

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The word “confess” is the Greek word ekzomologeo, a word that means {to declare, to say out loud, to exclaim, to divulge, or to blurt}.
Just what is CONFESSION; when and how are we to do it?  The Roman Catholic teach that it is a sacrament and that sacramental reconciliation is required only for grave or mortal sins—but it is required.
It is taught in Christian Churches that to be saved you must REPENT and BE BAPTISED and then you must confess your sins (daily?) or as often as you commit them(?) It is also taught the sinners prayer is required for salvation, where one must confess he is a sinner and beg God to forgive and save him!
Now what exactly does the Scripture teach about confession and salvation?
The Lord Jesus speaking to Jews said:
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
But many Jews, even though they believed that Jesus was Lord and the Son of God, were afraid to publicly confess Him.
John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
Now Paul, appearing before Felix, the Governor, confessed (not his sin but his belief):
Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
And Paul’s mission (after he was saved) was to go to the Gentiles:
Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
Paul told gentiles (and Jews) just what we are to confess to be saved:
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
That Jesus is God, and we can do it now and be saved or later (after death, when it will be too late to be saved).
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
James, writing to Jewish believers (1:1-2), is still living UNDER THE LAW.
And following the Law he exhorts them to confess their faults (sins) to each other (James 5:12-16)
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
John, likewise writing to Jewish believers, was still living UNDER THE LAW.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Note that John exhorted that they (Jewish believers) are to confess Jesus is their Messiah:
1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

And last of all The Lord Jesus will confess the name of all believers in heaven:

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

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Raised (From the Dead)

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In almost every epistle the Apostle Paul wrote, he mentions the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and/or the promise of believer’s being raised for a total of 26 times.

Romans 4:24  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;       
Romans 4:25 
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again …
Romans 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,…
Romans 6:9
Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; …
Romans 7:4
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies …
Romans 8:34
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession ..
Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Romans 14:9
For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he …
1 Corinthians 6:14
And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
1 Corinthians 15:4
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:12-17
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that … For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet … sins.
1 Corinthians 15:20
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
1 Corinthians 15:35
But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
2 Corinthians 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 
2 Corinthians 5:15
And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead😉
Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Colossians 2:12
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
1 Thessalonians 1:10
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 4:14
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

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2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

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What Must I Do to be Saved?

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Usually, for an individual to ask this question, they are in trouble, in need or lost. And the Philippian jailer who asked Paul and Silas this question, realized he was lost. And of course they gave him a direct answer.

Acts 16:31-32  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

What exactly did they mean to Believe and be Saved? Let’s look into some writings of Paul. In his letter to the Church at Corinth he explained the Gospel:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The Gospel which can save us is to believe Christ Jesus Died (on the cross) for our sinsaccording to the scripture

was buried,  according to the scripture

and on the third day rose alive, according to the scripture  

Victory over death!

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Shall Be Saved

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There is (and always has been) a lot of confusion about what one must do to be saved in this age of grace. Then again there are those who don’t believe they have a need to be saved. But for the ones who want to be saved from an eternal damnation, which everyone faces after death (Hebrews 9:27), a study of God’s word, just looking at references of where SHALL BE SAVED are used will reveal just how one can (must) be saved.   

All references found in the Old Testament speak to the Jew (Israel):

Numbers 10:9 has to do with Israel under God’s protection in the time of WAR. And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

In Psalm 80 it again appears this has to do with the physical protection of Israel as they serve God:
80:3  Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
80:7  Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
80:19 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Proverbs 28:18 (read surrounding verses) also appears to be speaking of physical life on earth: Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

Now in Isaiah the text appears to be speaking of eternal salvation:
45:17   But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
64:5  Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.

Then in Jeremiah SHALL BE SAVED speaks prophetically about the time of TRIBULATION (which is yet to come).
17:14   Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
23:6   In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness.
30:7  Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

Then in the New Testament (the Gospels) we find the words of Jesus speaking to JEWS:

Matthew 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 24:13   But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mark 13:13  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mark 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
John 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

After the resurrection Peter tells the Jews (Israel) how to be saved (Spiritually):
Acts 2:21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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Confess

Confess is actually a very easy word to understand.
The Greek word is homologue which literally means
to speak alike or the same, and referred to the idea of agreement or consent (especially in law courts).”
It means to confess, profess, proclaim, acknowledge, state openly, declare with a “sense of promise,” affirmation, commitment, public intention.

Matthew 3:6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
Mark 1:5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
John 1:20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
Acts 19:18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done.
James 5:16  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

The above verses apply to the Nation (and individual Jew) of Israel. The below verses apply the age of Grace.

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Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
2 Corinthians 9:13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
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 your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

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Gentile Confessions

There is much said about confession of sins both to be saved before and also after salvation.

Let’s see what Paul taught his Gentile converts about confession:

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath 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.

Looking at this passage (vs 9,10) it would appear that the confession is “Jesus is God” and when you believe that and speak (confess) it out loud (with your mouth) you will be saved.

Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.   

Whether you do it in this life or not, you will do it after death.

Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

The door of salvation is open to Jews and Gentiles because God is now declaring it.
Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

See Romans 14:11. Now, in this life or Later in the after life. JESUS IS LORD (GOD)!

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Resurrection Part 2

Second Resurrection: some OT Saints Matt 27:52-53 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Third Resurrection: at the Rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Cor 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Forth Resurrection: at His second coming 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Rev 19:11-13 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Rev 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Fifth Resurrection: rest of saints Rev 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

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Resurrection Part 3

Other Thoughts: National (Jews) Resurrection: Hosea 6:1-2 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Spiritual Resurrection: Current status of Believers Ephesians 2:1-6 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Material Resurrection John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

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Born Again Part 2

James 1:21, 2:14, 5:15, 5:20, 1 Peter 3:20-21, 4:18, 2 Peter 2:5, Jude 1:5,1:23,
Revelation 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
The Apostle Paul, writing to the believing Hebrews reminded them of saved:
Hebrews 5:7, 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
And as the apostle went to the gentiles he made much of being saved, becoming a new creature and obtaining eternal life. And it’s interesting to look at it letter by letter.
Romans 5:9-10, 8:24, 9:27, 10:1, 10:9, 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 11:14, 11:26,
1 Corinthians 1:18, 1:21, 3:15, 5:5, 9:22, 10:33, 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
Ephesians 2:5 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
1 Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
1 Timothy 1:15, 2:4, 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

It’s amazing that the term “Born Again” is only used three times in the scripture. But the need to be saved is stressed throughout the New Testament.
One final thought on saved (this is after the Great White Throne Judgement).

Revelation 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

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Shall Be Saved Part 2

And then God sends Peter to a house of Gentiles (Jewish prostilites):
Acts 11:14  Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Then in Acts 15 (read the whole chapter) the 12 Apostles agree with Paul (and Barnabs) that God has sent Paul to the Gentiles with the message of Salvation and they (the 12) were to go to the house of Israel (Jews):
Acts 15:11  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Following Paul and his ministry to the Gentiles the way of being saved for eternal life is made very clear:
Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, in as much as I am the apostle of the Gentiles…
Romans 5:9-10  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Romans 9:27  Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Even though Paul was the apostle of the Gentile, he never forgot his Jewish brethren and their need of salvation:
Romans 2:10  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Romans 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Romans 10:12  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

And after salvation, our service (works) for God will mean something (read all of 1 Corinthians 3:9-15):
3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Ephesians 2:8-10  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

REMEMBER saved people do not become sinless… they just sin less

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