Role of Confession in Christian Redemption Process
The Role of Confession in Christian Redemption
Confession plays a crucial role in the Christian redemption process, serving as a public declaration of faith and a means of acknowledging sins. The concept of confession is rooted in biblical teachings, where it is associated with both the acknowledgment of sins to God and to others [1].
In the context of redemption, confession is closely tied to the idea of salvation. According to Reformed tradition, confession is a necessary aspect of the salvation process, as it demonstrates one's faith in Christ. Calvin's commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and 1-2 Thessalonians highlights the significance of Christ's sacrifice as a means of procuring righteousness for believers, emphasizing that the entire blessing of redemption consists of remission of sins and spiritual regeneration [6].
The biblical basis for confession is found in various passages, including Romans 10:9-10, which states that confession with the mouth is a necessary aspect of salvation. Presbyterian commentary on this passage emphasizes that confession is an indispensable test of discipleship, particularly in times of persecution [9]. The act of confession is also linked to the concept of reconciliation, where believers are reconciled to God through Christ's sacrifice [2].
In the New Testament, baptism is often associated with confession. According to Smith's Bible Dictionary, baptism signifies a confession of faith in Christ and is a public profession of discipleship [3]. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition interprets baptism as a symbol of the believer's salvation, where the act of baptism represents the answer of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ [5, 10].
The relationship between confession and redemption is further illuminated by one commentary tradition on Hebrews 10:3. The repeated offering of sacrifices in the Old Testament served as a reminder of sins, highlighting the need for a more complete atonement. Christ's sacrifice provides this atonement, and confession is a means of acknowledging and participating in this redemption [7].
The Reformed tradition emphasizes that confession is not merely a one-time event but an ongoing aspect of the Christian life. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note on Philippians 3:10, the goal of the Christian life is to know Christ experimentally, and this knowledge is deepened through the power of his resurrection [8].
In the context of redemption, confession serves as a means of accessing the benefits of Christ's sacrifice. According to Romans 3:24, believers are justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ [4]. The act of confession is a crucial aspect of this process, as it demonstrates one's faith in Christ and acknowledges their need for redemption.
The role of confession in Christian redemption is multifaceted, encompassing both the acknowledgment of sins and the public declaration of faith. As Easton's Bible Dictionary notes, confession involves an acknowledgment of sins to God and to others, highlighting the importance of honesty and transparency in the Christian life [1].
The significance of confession is also underscored by its connection to the concept of reconciliation. Through Christ's sacrifice, believers are reconciled to God, and confession is a means of expressing this reconciliation [2].
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).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Baptism — It is well known that ablution or bathing was common in most ancient nations as a preparation for prayers and sacrifice or as expiatory of sin. In warm countries this connection is probably even closer than in colder climates; and hence the frequency of ablution in the religious rites throughout the East. Baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is the rite or ordinance by which persons are admitted into the Church of Christ. It is the public profession of faith and discipleship. Baptism signifies-- + A confession of faith in Christ; + A cleansi”
- Romans “Romans 3:24 (Webster) — Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ:”
- 1 Peter “This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, -- 1 Peter 3:21”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 28.3: become man, and be a partaker of our flesh, that he might be our brother: it was necessary that he should by dying become a sacrifice, that he might make his Father propitious to us. That he might present us holy. Here we have the second and principal part of our salvation — newness of life. For the entire blessing of redemption consists mainly in these two things, remission of sins, and spiritual regeneration. ( Jeremiah 31:33 .) What he has already spoken of was a great matter, that righteousness has been procure”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 10:3: But--so far from those sacrifices ceasing to be offered (Heb 10:2). in, &c.--in the fact of their being offered, and in the course of their being offered on the day of atonement. Contrast Heb 10:17. a remembrance--a recalling to mind by the high priest's confession, on the day of atonement, of the sins both of each past year and of all former years, proving that the expiatory sacrifices of former years were not felt by men's consciences to have fully atoned for former sins; in fact, the expiation and remission were only legal and typical (Heb 10:4”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:10: That I may know him--experimentally. The aim of the "righteousness" just mentioned. This verse resumes, and more fully explains, "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ" (Phi 3:8). To know HIM is more than merely to know a doctrine about Him. Believers are brought not only to redemption, but to the Redeemer Himself. the power of his resurrection--assuring believers of their justification (Rom 4:25; Co1 15:17), and raising them up spiritually with Him, by virtue of their identification with Him in this, as in all the acts of His redeeming work”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 10:10: For with the heart man believeth unto--justifying righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation--This confession of Christ's name, especially in times of persecution, and whenever obloquy is attached to the Christian profession, is an indispensable test of discipleship.”
- 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 3:21: Noah's salvation in the ark upon the water prefigured the salvation of all good Christians in the church by baptism; that temporal salvation by the ark was a type, the antitype whereunto is the eternal salvation of believers by baptism, to prevent mistakes about which the apostle, I. Declares what he means by saving baptism; not the outward ceremony of washing with water, which, in itself, does no more than put away the filth of the flesh, but it is that baptism wherein there is a faithful answer or restipulation of a resolved good conscience, engaging to believe”