CONFESSING THE NAME OF CHRIST
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11 KJV) Paul clearly taught that every human being should bow to the authority of Christ. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Matthew 28:18 KJV) God, the Father, has given all authority in heaven and in earth to his Son. Because of this, every tongue (person) should confess the precious name of Jesus. Jesus asked Peter, “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter answering said, “The Christ of God.” (Luke 9:18-20 KJV) Confession of faith in Jesus is a part of the gospel of Christ and one of the conditions of salvation. (Romans 10:8-10) Have you confessed your faith in Christ as the Son of God? Let us examine the New Testament scriptures to learn the truth on this subject. It will be our intention to encourage you to confess Christ and make him the Lord of your life.
CONFESSING THE NAME OF CHRIST: Every human being should bow to the authority of Christ and confess Him as Lord. (Philippians 2:9-11) This confession is necessary in order for God to dwell in us and for us to dwell in God. (1 John 4:14-15) Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33 KJV) Jesus further taught that upon our willingness to confess him before men, He will confess us before the angels of God. (Luke 12:8-9) Jesus questioned his apostles about people’s perception of his identity, then asked who they believed him to be. Peter answered for himself and the others saying, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16 KJV) Thomas doubted that Jesus had been raised from the dead. Jesus appeared to him asking him not to be faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, “My Lord and my God.” (John 20:27-28 KJV)
SOME ARE UNWILLING TO CONFESS CHRIST: There are various reasons for folks not confessing Christ. Certainly, no one can confess Christ without being taught about Him and truly believing Him to be the Son of God. Jesus healed a blind man in Jerusalem. Due to his testimony before the Pharisees, he was excommunicated from the synagogue. Jesus later questioned this man, “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” He answered and said, “Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?” And Jesus said unto him, “Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.” And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshipped him. (John 9:35-38 KJV) This man’s parents were unwilling to confess Christ for fear of being cast out of the synagogue. (John 9:22) “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.” (John 12:42 KJV)
Have you confessed the precious name of Jesus? If not, why not? Only you can answer this question. To be continued…