Confession and Faith in Intercession and Christian Living
Confession in Christian living encompasses both an open declaration of faith and an acknowledgment of sins [1]. The act of confessing Christ is presented as essential for salvation, requiring the influence of the Holy Spirit and serving as a test of one's spiritual state and union with God [2]. This public profession of faith is not merely verbal but must be connected with genuine belief [2].
The Bible illustrates various forms of confession. An open profession of faith is seen in passages like Luke 12:8, while acknowledging sins to God is exemplified in Leviticus 16:21, Ezra 9:5-15, and Daniel 9:3-12. Confession can also involve admitting wrongs to a neighbor, as indicated in James 5:16 and Matthew 18:15 [1]. The fear of human judgment can hinder this confession, but persecution should not prevent it [2].
Intercession, closely related to confession and faith, involves prayer on behalf of others. Christ himself provides the ultimate example of intercession. His priestly office includes both his self-sacrifice and his continuous intercession for believers [3]. While on earth, Jesus interceded for his followers (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Hebrews 5:7), and he continues this function in heaven, appearing before God on behalf of his people (Hebrews 9:12, 24) [3]. This advocacy is founded on his perfect sacrifice and aims to secure the fulfillment of God's promises [3].
Believers are also called to intercede for one another. James 5:16 encourages believers to "confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective" [7]. This passage highlights the connection between confession, intercessory prayer, and healing. The "work of faith" is understood as the active reality of one's faith, demonstrating itself through continuous actions rather than mere assent [8]. This working faith is crucial for the perfect development of spiritual graces [8].
Intercession is also linked to God's long-suffering, which is part of His character (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15). God's patience aims at salvation (2 Peter 3:15) and is exercised through Christ's intercession (Luke 13:8) [4]. This divine long-suffering should motivate repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) [4].
Prayer under affliction is another aspect where intercession plays a role. Believers are exhorted to pray when suffering (James 5:13), asking God to consider their troubles (2 Kings 19:16; Nehemiah 9:32; Psalm 9:13), for His presence and support (Psalm 10:1; 102:2), and for divine comfort (Psalm 4:6; 119:76) [5]. Prayers for mitigation of troubles, deliverance, pardon, and guidance are also part of intercessory practice during affliction [5].
The sanctification of things through the word of God and intercession is mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:5 [6]. This suggests that intercession has a role in setting apart and making holy aspects of Christian life. The concept of "work of faith" is further elaborated by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, who describe it as the "working reality of your faith; its alacrity in receiving the truth, and in evincing itself by its fruits" [8]. This is not a passive belief but an active, continuous demonstration of faith [8].
In cases where a fellow Christian is seen "in the act of sinning, and continuing in the sin," intercessory prayer can be a means for God to grant life to the sinning brother, provided the sin is not "unto death" [9]. This implies that the intercessor's prayer can be instrumental in the restoration of a sinning believer [9].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Confession — (1) An open profession of faith (Luke 12:8). (2.) An acknowledment of sins to God (Lev. 16:21; Ezra 9:5-15; Dan. 9:3-12), and to a neighbour whom we have wronged (James 5:16; Matt. 18:15).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confessing Christ — Influences of the Holy Spirit necessary to -- 1Co 12:3; 1Jo 4:2. A test of being saints -- 1Jo 2:23; 4:2,3. An evidence of union with God -- 1Jo 4:15. Necessary to salvation -- Ro 10:9,10. Ensures his confessing us -- Mt 10:32. The fear of man prevents -- Joh 7:13; 12:42,43. Persecution should not prevent us from -- Mr 8:35; 2Ti 2:12. Must be connected with faith -- Ro 10:9. Consequences of not -- Mt 10:33. Exemplified Nathanael. -- Joh 1:49. Peter. -- Joh 6:68,69; Ac 2:22-36. Man born blind. -- Joh 9:25,33. Martha. -- Joh 11:27. Peter and John. -”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Intercession of Christ — Christ's priestly office consists of these two parts, (1) the offering up of himself as a sacrifice, and (2) making continual intercession for us. When on earth he made intercession for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Heb. 5:7); but now he exercises this function of his priesthood in heaven, where he is said to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:12, 24). His advocacy with the Father for his people rests on the basis of his own all-perfect sacrifice. Thus he pleads for and obtains the fulfilment of all the promises of the everlas”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:5 (YLT) — for it is sanctified through the word of God and intercession.”
- James “Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. -- James 5:16”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 1:3: work of faith--the working reality of your faith; its alacrity in receiving the truth, and in evincing itself by its fruits. Not an otiose assent; but a realizing, working faith; not "in word only," but in one continuous chain of "work" (singular, not plural, works), Th1 1:5-10; Jam 2:22. So "the work of faith" in Th2 1:11 implies its perfect development (compare Jam 1:4). The other governing substantives similarly mark respectively the characteristic manifestation of the grace which follows each in the genitive. Faith, love, and hope, are the ”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 5:16: If any . . . see--on any particular occasion; Greek aorist. his brother--a fellow Christian. sin a sin--in the act of sinning, and continuing in the sin: present. not unto death--provided that it is not unto death. he shall give--The asker shall be the means, by his intercessory prayer, of God giving life to the sinning brother. Kindly reproof ought to accompany his intercessions. Life was in process of being forfeited by the sinning brother when the believer's intercession obtained its restoration. for them--resuming the proviso put forth in”