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 Sins The 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 Faith Confession 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 Life Confession, 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 ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1843.htm - 8k 3670. homologeo -- to speak the same, to agree 1203. despotes -- lord, master 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 ... /hebrew/3034.htm - 6k Library The Duty of Confessing Christ. The Duty of Confessing Christ. When Confessing the Divinity of Christ we Ought not to Pass Over ... The Twentieth Chapter: Confessing Our Weakness in the Miseries of ... Confessing Christ an Indispensable Duty. In the Confessing of Benefits, Computation is Made not as to the " ... Confessing Christ. A Business Man Confessing Christ. Whether Contrition is an Assumed Sorrow for Sins, Together with ... Now Imagine the Duelist Fasting and Confessing his Sins to God ... 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. ... /c/confessing.htm - 11k Baptized (52 Occurrences) Baptised (46 Occurrences) Praying (71 Occurrences) Sins (351 Occurrences) River (189 Occurrences) Confession (22 Occurrences) Zebah (9 Occurrences) Kneeling (12 Occurrences) Judea (50 Occurrences) Resources Was Hitler a Christian? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Dietrich Bonhoeffer? | GotQuestions.org Is corporate confession of sin biblical? | GotQuestions.org Confessing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Confessing (15 Occurrences)Matthew 3:6 Mark 1:5 Luke 2:38 John 12:42 Acts 19:18 Romans 7:16 Hebrews 13:15 James 5:16 1 John 2:23 2 John 1:7 Ezra 10:1 Nehemiah 9:3 Proverbs 28:13 Daniel 6:10 Daniel 9:20 Subtopics Confessing Christ: A Test of Being Saints Confessing Christ: An Evidence of Union With God Confessing Christ: Church in Pergamos Confessing Christ: Consequences of Not Confessing Christ: Ensures his Confessing Us Confessing Christ: Influences of the Holy Spirit Necessary To Confessing Christ: Man Born Blind Confessing Christ: Must be Connected With Faith Confessing Christ: Necessary to Salvation Confessing Christ: Persecution should not Prevent Us From Confessing Christ: Peter and John Confessing Christ: The Fear of Man Prevents Related Terms |