The term "professes" in the context of the Bible often refers to the act of declaring or affirming one's faith, beliefs, or intentions. It is a significant concept in Christian theology, as it relates to the outward expression of one's inner convictions and the acknowledgment of faith in Jesus Christ.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Confession of Faith: In the New Testament, professing one's faith is closely linked to the idea of confession. Romans 10:9 states, "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." This verse highlights the importance of both internal belief and external profession in the process of salvation.

2. True vs. False Profession: The Bible warns against false professions of faith. In Matthew 7:21 , Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven." This indicates that mere verbal profession without corresponding action and obedience is insufficient.

3. Public Declaration: The act of professing one's faith is often public, serving as a testimony to others. In 1 Timothy 6:12 , Paul encourages Timothy, "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." This underscores the communal aspect of professing faith.

4. Consistency in Profession: The Bible emphasizes the need for consistency between one's profession and lifestyle. Titus 1:16 warns, "They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed." This highlights the danger of hypocrisy and the importance of living in accordance with one's professed beliefs.

5. The Role of the Heart: True profession is not merely a matter of words but involves the heart. Matthew 15:8 quotes Jesus, "These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me." This indicates that genuine profession must stem from a sincere heart aligned with God's will.

Theological Implications

The act of professing one's faith is foundational to Christian identity and community. It serves as a declaration of allegiance to Christ and a commitment to live according to His teachings. The Bible calls believers to ensure that their profession is genuine, backed by a transformed life that reflects the character of Christ. Professions of faith are not only personal affirmations but also serve as a witness to the world, inviting others to explore the truth of the Gospel.

Simon Magus, Professes to be God.
... Book II. Chapter XIV."Simon Magus, Professes to Be God. "At those sayings
of his Simon grew pale; but after a little, recollecting ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xiv simon magus professes to.htm

Pelagius Professes Nothing on the Subject of Grace which May not ...
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 33 [XXXI.]"Pelagius
Professes Nothing on the Subject of Grace Which May Not Be Understood of ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 33 xxxi pelagius professes nothing.htm

Pelagius Professes to Respect the Catholic Authors.
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 46
[XLII]"Pelagius Professes to Respect the Catholic Authors. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 46 xliipelagius professes to.htm

Simon Professes to Utter his Real Sentiments.
... Homily XVIII. Chapter XI."Simon Professes to Utter His Real Sentiments.
And Simon said: It contributes much to victory, if the ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xi simon professes to utter.htm

Luke's History: what it Professes to Be
... CHAPTER 1 LUKE'S HISTORY: WHAT IT PROFESSES TO BE. AMONG the writings which
are collected in the New Testament, there is included ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 1 lukes history what.htm

Argument: Then C??cilius Exclaims that He is Vanquished by ...
... Chapter XL."Argument: Then C??cilius Exclaims that He is Vanquished by Octavius;
And That, Being Now Conqueror Over Error, He Professes the Christian Religion ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xl argument then caecilius exclaims.htm

The Testimony of Abbot Antony in which He Teaches that Each virtue ...
... Chapter IV. The testimony of Abbot Antony in which he teaches that each virtue ought
to be sought for from him who professes it in a special degree. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iv the testimony of.htm

Appendix E.
... "I am going to offer a few plain remarks on what the Bible professes to
be. I say, professes to be, because those whom I speak to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/appendix e.htm

The Church and the Young Man.
... She professes to labor for the salvation of men, where can she find excuse for failing
to provide special appliances if need be, for the salvation of young men ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/the church and the young.htm

Perseverance Proved.
... But the cases are not parallel; for God nowhere professes ability to save all men,
but on the contrary, disclaims such ability, and professes to be unable to ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlix perseverance proved.htm

Professes (4 Occurrences)
...Professes (4 Occurrences). James 2:14 What good is it, my brethren, if a man
professes to have faith, and yet his actions do not correspond? ...
/p/professes.htm - 7k

Profession (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A calling or occupation for which one professes knowledge; the occupation,
if not mechanical, agricultural, or the like, to which one devotes one's self ...
/p/profession.htm - 11k

Astrologer (1 Occurrence)
... (Dan. 1:20; 2:2, 10, 27, etc.) Hebrews `ashshaph', an enchanter, one who professes
to divine future events by the appearance of the stars. ...
/a/astrologer.htm - 7k

Zealot (4 Occurrences)
... xxii) also refers to a Simon who succeeded James as bishop of Jerusalem and suffered
martyrdom under Trajan; and Hegesippus, whom Eusebius professes to quote ...
/z/zealot.htm - 12k

Jonah (30 Occurrences)
... man.". Jonah, Book of. This book professes to give an account of what actually
took place in the experience of the prophet. Some critics ...
/j/jonah.htm - 35k

Gederothaim (1 Occurrence)
... ged-e-ro-tha'-im (gedherathayim, "place of enclosures"): Stands as the 15th in a
list which professes to give only the names of 14 cities in the Judean ...
/g/gederothaim.htm - 7k

Godless (31 Occurrences)
... can hardly be rightly claimed that the idea of hypocrisy is involved in the meaning
of the word, for the "godless" man is not the one who professes one thing ...
/g/godless.htm - 16k

Temperate (6 Occurrences)
... restraint exercised by Joseph in the presence of his brethren, when they appeared
before him as suppliants, and in 1 Samuel 13:12, where Saul professes that he ...
/t/temperate.htm - 12k

Temperance (3 Occurrences)
... restraint exercised by Joseph in the presence of his brethren, when they appeared
before him as suppliants, and in 1 Samuel 13:12, where Saul professes that he ...
/t/temperance.htm - 12k

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)
... (2.) The book professes to have been written by Moses (1:1; 29:1; 31:1, 9-11,
etc.), and was obviously intended to be accepted as his work. ...
/d/deuteronomy.htm - 44k

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