Confession With Agreement

Many faith only churches teach we just need to make a confession to go to heaven. This based on Romans 10:9-12. Yet, this has to be taken in context with its position in the letter, since baptism is spoken of in chapter 6. There are many questions. Are ch6 and ch10 connected? What does one have to believe when baptized into Christ. Is there a document produced by the church at the time of baptism we must read or sign? Do we have to believe and understand the Nicene Creed or the council of Trent, do we have to be familiar with the church fathers? The answer is no to all the above.

 Romans 10 explains the simplicity of baptism followed by the ongoing confession Christians must exhibit. It is accompanied by a confession of the word of faith that was taught to us. Specifically, the resurrection and enthronement of Christ.

After baptism it is this ongoing blessing/confession of God, for his fulfillment of the Gospel, that is required. It isn't complicated. We continue to express our agreement with God's work. Of course, when sincere we repent and change our actions, but we never achieve God's glory in this life. It must be through ongoing belief and confession that salvation is maintained. We will look into the meaning and biblical usage of this word confession to get an idea of its actual meaning.

Notice Confession is made "unto" salvation. The Greek word is "eis" which means moving in the direction of but not necessarily having arrived. Confession is necessary for salvation but doesn't save immediately, Christ must save completely when he returns. Also, confession saves after baptism. We will be saved eternally when Christ returns, until then we are sealed and await the coming of Christ. 

The word "eis" is used when Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper stating his blood was "for" remission of sins, but man's sins weren't remitted when Jesus died, it also requires the preaching of the covenant and man's faith which started weeks later. His death was toward remission, it was absolutely necessary, but it required other elements. Like Christ's death, confession is necessary but doesn't automatically complete us being saved. It is toward salvation. Confession doesn't save before baptism. In the Roman letter confession is after baptism, but very clearly joined to it theologically.

In Romans Paul writes to Christians who have already been baptized. They have no need of that anymore. The pronoun "thou" isn't speaking of non-christians who are saved through confession, but those already baptized Christians. The confession in Romans 10 could be that of a confession in a church worship setting, or a general event where confession is appropriate. It could even be in prayer or song which may use the mouth, public or private. Such confessions of Christ have been common in almost all denominations in some form. When we sing or pray, we often confess, and the word confess can be used for worship. This word in Greek is often used in our thanks and worship.

It is not a confession of human creeds. But that matching the word of God. Creeds may contain God's word, but often with commentary, and commentary may be inaccurate. The Nicene creed is inaccurate.

Romans 10:9

That if thou (christians) shalt confess (praise God for) with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

Romans 10:10

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness (this is in baptism); and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

This phrase "with the heart man believeth unto righteousness" matches Romans 6:3-4 and baptism, Romans 6:16-19, obedience from the heart is where we lose sin and begin to live for Christ. Baptism is where Christ's righteousness is imputed to us. Confession (thanksgiving) coincides with this change in our lives. You see this same word could be translated thanks or praise, and if you translate it that way it can make a difference.

Confession in song or prayer would mean the use of modern band worship is unnecessary and carries no extra weight in pleasing God; or singing solo would not allow all parishioners to participate except in an amen after prayer. Confessions tied in with the Lord's Supper would be appropriate. "The cup which we bless" (same root as confess) could be a unified confession versus a priestly takeover. The word translated bless in English often comes from this root. It is very possible that confession in Romans 10 is tied to our joint worship, but we must leave room for personal acts of confession as well.

Hebrews 13:15

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name. 

Notice the giving thanks with the fruit of lips in Hebrews 13 is the same Greek word as Confession in Romans 10. It is considered praise in Heb. 13. Thus, we can't rule out it is a reference to corporate worship. We approach God outside the Jewish camp, separate from Judaism. This New Testament worship is sufficient to keep union through Christ, without elaborate worship. Blessing God from the heart is God's desire. Also, if Hebrews 13:15 is praise then Romans 10:9-10 may be praise and thanksgiving through Christ. The praise in Hebrews 13:15 is clearly after being saved, so Romans 10 can be after salvation thru baptism as well.

Faith only groups who are opposed to making worship a necessary part of salvation will be startled to learn that confession in Romans 10 is the same as the fruit of the lips in Heb 13, but this is a reality. Confessing Christ with the lips in preaching, prayer, confessional readings, song, etc is in some form necessary for salvation. It is effectual toward salvation where keeping the Law of Moses is not. 

Romans 10 actually ties back to Romans 6 and baptism. 

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 

In baptism we are made free from the law, this is the jist of the chapters following chapter 6. The confession of Romans 10 is a confession made within baptism and after baptism. Since we are not under the law in legal judgment, we are under conscience as the law taught us sin, God required confession of the Gospel and Christ's reign. Confession can start before baptism, since we are still under law before baptism confession doesn't save

See Acts 8, baptism is why we may be saved through confession vs keeping the law.

Acts 8:37

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 

It is unfortunate this verse is left out of many major bibles. Confession before baptism would be necessary for a baptizer to baptize a convert. Confession after baptism is necessary to maintain status as a Christian. The promise is that those who maintain giving of thanks in agreement with God, they will be saved.

The word confess could be translated many words, sometimes it is translated profess. Sometimes give thanks. If give thanks it implies worship. like the 10 lepers where only one returned to give thanks. This root is used in Matthew when Jesus gave thanks. It is used in Mark when Anna gave thanks.

Matthew 11:25

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 

Luke 2:38

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 

Luke 10:21

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 

The Greek is actually "homologos", when broken into parts it means "same word". It is a confession or agreement of the word of faith preached to us before baptism, especially the resurrection thru the Father's power. So based upon a confession of the word spoken, the "same word", we are baptized. This confession must continue until death. Confession is the "same word content" preached to us, the word delivered to us and preached to us. It is used when giving thanks by expressing agreement with God. It conveys thankfulness and supportive acceptance. In Anna's case she went on to educate people about the Christ, who God brought into the world.

The word is different than simply thanking, it is deeper in that it expresses agreement with. It can be used for praise, confession of sin acknowledging God is right, it is used in recalling God's works. This Greek word is thanksgiving and approval after God has done something, in this case raising Christ to sit upon his throne, forgiveness in baptism, and freeing Christians from the law. All of these are worthy of agreement and thanksgiving.

It isn't a creed which is a commentary, it is a collection of apostolic truths such as found in scripture. In Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3 we are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. The psalms are prophetic collections in God's word. Our worship should match the truths declared in scripture.

Catholics and most protestants don't want this confession tied to baptism from ch. 6, since that would discredit infant baptism. One must be old enough to confess the word of faith for confessional praise. This matches John 4:1 where Jesus baptized disciples, and Matt 28:18-20 , where Jesus commanded us to baptize disciples, not infants. This confession applies to disciples. The word infant in Luke can also be translated student, an underling under a teacher. It is clear confession isn't a formula for salvation leaving baptism out but is required anytime when asked about your faith. It can be at baptism, or just talking to a friend, or before death in martyrdom, or worship settings. I believe Paul is using it for worship in Romans 10. Confession before baptism is "unto salvation", that is why confession alone didn't save. It required heartfelt obedience in baptism.

It is clear from the Roman letter that the Romans did not practice infant baptism at this time. It was a later addition and heresy from gnosticism. It is also clear that general praise was enough to please God without any documents or councils or worship from the Law. This is why church fathers didn't add Jewish instruments as good and necessary, because they added nothing salvation wise. Confession was sufficient without them.

Someone might ask how we know Romans 10 ties back to Romans 6, the answer is comparative wording and theme development. Romans has a progressive developed theme starting in ch.1. Jesus freeing us from the law in ch 6 sets the stage for thanking him with agreement in ch.10. It is tied together. Baptism in the context made way for God accepting the church's praise.

Romans 1:5

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 

 Romans 1:5 says grace is for "obedience to the faith", not obedience to judaism. Grace leads to Christ's system and not the service of the law. Many teach that we have freedom to serve judaism, but the wording of Romans 7:4 says we "should" be married to another. It is a moral standard we should follow.

Romans 7:4

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, [even] to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 

Romans 6 and Romans 10 use the same words found in chapter 1. It is a continual theme.

Romans 6:16

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 

Romans 6:17

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 

Notice that righteousness and the heart are mentioned in Romans 10 as well. Thus a common theme carried from Romans 6 into Romans 10. The Jew gentile theme starts in chapter 2, we are married to another in chapter 7, and Jewish topics in Ch. 8 and 9. Thus it is a common theme with common words. The baptism of chapter 6 and the confession of ch10 all fit within the same theme and system.

Romans 10:10

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

Believing from the heart includes the baptism of chapter 6:3-4, the same expression in Romans 6:16. With the heart man believes in baptism. With the heart man believes in the cross. With the heart we believe in the resurrection.

In Romans 6 righteousness is thru obedience, not to the law, but to the doctrine taught. In Romans 10 righteousness is through believing. Thus, believing something that must be obeyed will reconcile the two ideas. It is the difference between believing facts vs believing promises with obedience. I believe we must obey Christ. Thus, believing and obedience aren't mutually exclusive as taught by faith only groups.

Romans 10 also uses obeyed and believed in the same context.

Romans 10:16

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 

The difference between baptism and confession is one is ongoing until death. Confession is "unto salvation". It is an ongoing requirement during our lifetime. It also includes confessing baptism, which is part of the word of faith that we confess.

If someone denounces baptism after being baptized they likely wont be saved, they violated Romans 10. This is different than denouncing infant baptism, which has no confession of faith by the one baptized. Someone confirmed 7 years later doesn't fit the context.

This confession does discount the need for creeds and other documents produced by man. It also discounts keeping the old law. Our baptism and confession/profession to Christ's reign are enough without man's additions. Also, there is no identifiable moral standard for salvation. We do not know how much sin is too much. All Christians are sinners, but clearly some will be considered reprobate in the judgment. Some will be sheep and goats and only Christ can decide. So, we should admonish one another to live worthy.

To be saved one is baptized and must confess in an ongoing sense as profession of faith is required.