Topical Encyclopedia
Confessing, in the biblical context, refers to the act of acknowledging one's sins, faith, or beliefs openly and truthfully. It is a significant theme throughout the Scriptures, encompassing both the confession of sins and the confession of faith. The practice of confessing is integral to the Christian life, serving as a means of spiritual cleansing, reconciliation with God, and affirmation of one's faith in Jesus Christ.
Confession of SinsThe confession of sins is a vital aspect of repentance and spiritual renewal. In the Old Testament, the practice of confessing sins is often associated with seeking God's forgiveness and mercy.
Leviticus 5:5 states, "If someone incurs guilt in one of these ways, he must confess the sin he has committed." This acknowledgment of wrongdoing is a prerequisite for receiving atonement and forgiveness.
The Psalms also emphasize the importance of confessing sins.
Psalm 32:5 declares, "Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.' And You forgave the guilt of my sin." Here, confession is portrayed as a liberating act that leads to divine forgiveness and the removal of guilt.
In the New Testament, the practice of confessing sins is further highlighted.
James 5:16 instructs believers, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This passage underscores the communal aspect of confession, where believers support one another in their spiritual journeys.
Confession of FaithConfession is not limited to acknowledging sins; it also involves the declaration of one's faith in Jesus Christ. The New Testament places significant emphasis on the confession of faith as a public affirmation of belief in the Gospel.
Romans 10:9-10 articulates this clearly: "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."
The act of confessing Jesus as Lord is a fundamental expression of Christian faith and identity. It is an outward manifestation of an inward conviction, signifying allegiance to Christ and acceptance of His lordship. This confession is essential for salvation and is often associated with the rite of baptism, where new believers publicly declare their faith.
The Role of Confession in the Christian LifeConfession, both of sins and of faith, plays a crucial role in the life of a believer. It is a means of maintaining a right relationship with God and with fellow believers. By confessing sins, Christians experience the cleansing power of God's forgiveness and are restored to fellowship with Him. 1
John 1:9 assures believers, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Moreover, the confession of faith serves as a testimony to the world, proclaiming the truth of the Gospel and the transformative power of Christ. It is an act of obedience and a declaration of trust in God's promises.
In summary, confessing is a multifaceted practice that encompasses the acknowledgment of sins and the declaration of faith. It is a vital component of the Christian experience, fostering spiritual growth, community, and a deeper relationship with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Confess.
Greek
1843. exomologeo -- to agree, confess... Word Origin from ek and homologeo Definition to agree, confess NASB Word Usage confess
(2), confessed (1),
confessing (2), consented (1), give praise (2
...3670. homologeo -- to speak the same, to agree
... to speak the same, to agree NASB Word Usage acknowledge (2), admit (1), assured
(1), confess (6), confessed (4), confesses (6),confessing (1), declare (1...
1203. despotes -- lord, master
... [1203 () implies someone exercising "unrestricted power and absolute domination,
confessing no limitations or restraints" (R. Trench, 96).]....
Strong's Hebrew
3034. yadah -- to throw, cast... root Definition to throw, cast NASB Word Usage confess (10), confessed (3), confesses
(1),
confessing (2), gave (1), gave praise (1), give you thanks (5), give
...Library
The Duty ofConfessing Christ.
... The Homily. Chap. iii."the duty ofconfessing christ. Since, then, He
has displayed so great mercy towards us, and especially...
The Duty ofConfessing Christ.
... The Second Epistle of Clement. Chapter III."The Duty ofConfessing Christ.
Since, then, He has displayed so great mercy towards...
WhenConfessing the Divinity of Christ we Ought not to Pass Over...
... Chapter VIII. Whenconfessing the Divinity of Christ we ought not to pass over in
silence the confession of the cross. But let us see what else follows....
The Twentieth Chapter:Confessing Our Weakness in the Miseries of...
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Twentieth Chapter:Confessing Our Weakness
in the Miseries of Life. The Disciple I WILL bring...
Confessing Christ an Indispensable Duty.
...Confessing Christ an indispensable Duty.... Among the indispensable requirements of
the gospel, is that ofconfessing Christ, Himself hath determined it....
In theConfessing of Benefits, Computation is Made not as to the "...
... Chapter XXVI."In theConfessing of Benefits, Computation is Made Not as to The
"Gift," But as to the "Fruit,""That Is, the Good and Right Will of the Giver...
Confessing Christ.
...CONFESSING CHRIST. What a Woman Did. One place we were in, in England,
I recollect a Quakeress came in. The meeting was held in...
A Business ManConfessing Christ.
... A Business ManConfessing Christ. When I was in Ireland I heard of a man who got
great blessings from God. He was a business man"a landed proprietor....
Whether Contrition is an Assumed Sorrow for Sins, Together with...
... IN PARTICULAR, AND FIRST OF CONTRITION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether contrition is an
assumed sorrow for sins, together with the purpose ofconfessing them and of...
Now Imagine the Duelist Fasting andConfessing his Sins to God...
... Address 188: Now imagine the duelist fasting andconfessing his sins to
God today? Now imagine the duelist fasting andconfessing...
Thesaurus
Confessing (15 Occurrences)... (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Confess. Multi-Version Concordance
Confessing (15 Occurrences).
Matthew 3:6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan,
confessing their sins.
...Baptized (52 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan,confessing their sins.... They
were baptized by him in the Jordan river,confessing their sins....
Baptised (46 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Baptised (46 Occurrences). Matthew 3:6 and were
baptised by him in the Jordan,confessing their sins. (DBY)....
Praying (71 Occurrences)
... (WEY). James 5:16 Beconfessing to one another the trespasses, and be praying for
one another, that ye may be healed; very strong is a working supplication of a...
Sins (351 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan,confessing their sins.... They
were baptized by him in the Jordan river,confessing their sins....
River (189 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:6 and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan,confessing their
sins.... They were baptized by him in the Jordan river,confessing their sins....
Confession (22 Occurrences)
Zebah (9 Occurrences)
... The kings were taken alive and brought back across the Jordan; andconfessing that
they had personally taken part in the slaughter of Gideon's brothers, they...
Kneeling (12 Occurrences)
... being opened for him, in his upper chamber, over-against Jerusalem, three times
in a day he is kneeling on his knees, and praying, andconfessing before his God...
Judea (50 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:5 All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They
were baptized by him in the Jordan river,confessing their sins....
Resources
Was Hitler a Christian? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Dietrich Bonhoeffer? | GotQuestions.orgIs corporate confession of sin biblical? | GotQuestions.orgConfessing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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