THE PLAN OF SALVATION (VI)

Confession is NOT the telling of your dreams, experiences, feelings, or opinions. Confession is NOT repeating the man made phrase "God for Christ’s sake has forgiven me my sins." The confession the alien sinner must make is not confessing his sins. Confession is the acknowledging that Christ is the Son of God. God acknowledged that Jesus is His Son (Matt. 3:17; 17:5). Christ himself acknowledged that He is the Son of God (John 17:3; Matt. 26:63; 27:40-43). The Holy Spirit was sent by Christ to guide the apostles unto all truth and He was to testify of Christ (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13). The demons acknowledged that Christ is the Son of God (Matt. 8:29; Mark 5:1-13; James 2:19). Men acknowledged Him as being the Son of God. John the Baptist acknowledged Christ as the Son of God (Matt. 3:1,2; Mark 1:4,5; John 1:29-36). Peter acknowledged Him as being the Son of God (Matt. 16:13-19). Steven acknowledged Him as bing the Son of God (Acts 7:55-60). The eunuch acknowledged Him as being the Son of God (Acts 8:37). One word (homologe’o) [3670] which is translated "confession is made" one time (Rom. 10:10) and means "to say the same thing...to agree with...not to refuse, to promise...not to deny, to confess, declare...to profess...to declare openly, speak out freely...to profess one’s self the worshipper of one." This word is translated "confess" 17 times (Matt. 10:32,32; Luke 12:8,8; John 1:20,20; 9:22; 12:42; Acts 23:8; 24:14; Rom. 10:9; Heb. 11:13; I John 1:9; 4:2,3,15; II John 7), "profess" 3 times (Matt. 7:23; I Tim. 6:12; Titus 1:16), "promise" (Matt. 14:7), "give thanks" (Heb. 13:15) and "confession is made" (Rom. 10:10). Another word (homologi’a) [3671] which is translated confession one time ((I Tim. 6:13) means "profession." This word is translated "profession" 4 times (I Tim. 6:12; Heb. 3:1; 4:14; 10:23) and "professed" (II Cor. 9:13). Confession shows faith in the greatest truth of all (I Tim. 3:16). It requires unconditional surrender to Christ. Thus Christ is our creed.

One must confess that Christ is the Son of God before baptism (Acts 8:37). One must confess Christ after baptism (Rom. 6:16; Rev. 2:10). This confession must be accomplished before death (Rom. 14:11).

Confession must be made before witnesses (Matt. 10:32; Acts 8:37; I Tim. 6:12).

The number one reason is it is a command of God, it is a requirement for salvation. If you desire that Christ confess you in heaven before the Father (Matt. 10:32). Confession is unto salvation (Rom. 10:9,10).

One must confess with the mouth (Rom. 10:9,10). One confesses Christ by his conduct (I John 1:7-10; Matt. 5:14).

What is baptism? Webster defines baptism as "the act of baptizing...any act or experience which purifies a person or starts him on a new way of life." Webster defines baptize as "to dip in water, or sprinkle water on, as a part of the ceremony of receiving a person into the Christian church...to cleanse or purify, as by baptism...to give a name to, as in the ceremony of baptism." The important definition comes from the Bible. One word (baptid’zo) [907] which is translated baptize means "to dip repeatedly, to immerse, submerge...to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water...to overwhelm..." This word is translated "baptize" 76 times in the New Testament (Matt. 3:6,11,11,13,14,16; 20:22,22,23,23; 28:19; Mark 1:4,5,8,8,9; 10:38,38,39,39; 16:16; Luke 3:7,12,16,16,21,21; 7:29,30; 12:50; John 1:25,26,28,31,33,33; 3:22,23,23,26; 4:1,2; Acts 1:5,5; 2:38,41; 8:12,13,16,36,38; 9:18; 10:47,48; 11:16,16; 16:15,33; 18:8; 19:3,4,5; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; I Cor. 1:13,14,15,16,16,17; 10:2; 12:13; 15:29,29; Gal. 3:27), "wash" 2 times (Mark 7:4; Luke 11:38), "baptist" Mark 6:14) and "baptized" (John 10:40). Another word (bap’tisma) [908] which is translated "baptism" means "immersion, submersion." This word is translated baptism 22 times (Matt. 3:7; 21:25; 20:22,23; Mark 1:4; 10:38,39; 11:30; Luke 3:3; 7:29; 12:50; 20:4; Acts 1:22; 10:37; 13:24; 18:25; 19:3,4; Rom. 6:4; Eph.4:5; Col. 2:12; I Peter 3:21).

Everyone adult (the ones who have reached the age of accountability) who has sinned should be baptized (Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 3:23; II Thess. 1:7-9). Children, babies, are not required to be baptized because they are safe.

As soon as he hears, believes, repents and confesses he should be baptized. Paul said, "...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Cor. 6:2).

One cannot be saved without baptism (Acts 2:38). Peter said, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 3:21). One cannot be in Christ where salvation is without baptism (Gal. 3:26,27; II Tim. 2:10). One cannot be born again without being baptized (John3:3,5; Titus 3:5). One cannot become a child of God and heir of God without being baptized (II Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:17).

continued next week 12/26/04