“Thoughts about the Good Confession”
By Stan Butler
Have you ever given the “good confession” and how it’s used much thought? I mean really? Peter answering Jesus’ question, “Who do men say that I am?” said in Matthew 16:16; “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” To which Jesus then said that He would build His church upon that statement.
Many of us have sat in worship services and seen some one come forward during the time of invitation. The preacher or elder perhaps would then tell the congregation that Mr. or Mrs. Doe has been previously baptized and has come forward to make known their wishes to place their membership with that particular congregation. To which they are asked to give an almost “word-at-a-time” response to what the preacher or elder would have them say, which generally goes something like this, “I believe”… “I believe”… “that Jesus”… “that Jesus”… “is the Christ”… “is the Christ”… “the Son”… “the Son”… “of the living God”… “of the living God.” The congregation then applauds and the “right hand of fellowship” is then extended.
Although there is no example given in scripture of this event taking place in the early church to be a part of the local body of believers, I see no harm in the practice. What I would like to hear from the preacher or elder though, is that Mr. or Mrs. Doe has given a similar confession of their faith before they were baptized into Christ. You may be thinking, “What’s the difference when these words are said as long as they are required to say them at some point? It could perhaps weed out those who were sprinkled as a baby and feel strongly that sprinkling is baptism. (More on this in my next post.)
Well, “according to the scriptures” a confession of faith must be made before baptism and if not, the baptism should not take place. God has not left us without instruction on this fact. In the 8th chapter of Acts, we find the example of a man (the Ethiopian eunuch) who wanted to be baptized but is told that he first must believe with all his heart, and without prompting, he replies in verse #37, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” I’m a stickler for what’s written in the Word of God and if I had my way, these exact words are what I would have one say simply because these words are the one example of a “confession of faith” that was accepted and allowed the eunuch to enter into the kingdom via his baptism.
Also take note in the conversion of the Ethiopian, that in verse #35, it says that, "Philip preached unto him Jesus." With the drop out rates in our churches today as high as they are, one can’t help but wonder if perhaps that obedience to the terms of pardon have been preached more than preaching Jesus to the candidate. I am fully committed to the “terms of pardon” as laid out “according to the scriptures”, but before immersing someone into Christ; I’d certainly make sure that they had a working knowledge of who Jesus is before baptizing them into Him, as well as a complete understanding as to what’s required of them in their obedience to the terms of pardon.
In closing, let me add my disapproval for those who would insist on adding to the “good confession.” I cringe when I hear the confessor having to repeat the added words “and I have accepted Him as my personal Savior and I have made Him the Lord of my life.” This is so much a part of the denominational churches and what they require. How and why do men think that they can make more perfect what God has already ordained?
My next post will be about baptism and why I think the church should ask a potential member both "how" and "why" they were baptized. Till then…give it some thought.
By Stan Butler
Have you ever given the “good confession” and how it’s used much thought? I mean really? Peter answering Jesus’ question, “Who do men say that I am?” said in Matthew 16:16; “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” To which Jesus then said that He would build His church upon that statement.
Many of us have sat in worship services and seen some one come forward during the time of invitation. The preacher or elder perhaps would then tell the congregation that Mr. or Mrs. Doe has been previously baptized and has come forward to make known their wishes to place their membership with that particular congregation. To which they are asked to give an almost “word-at-a-time” response to what the preacher or elder would have them say, which generally goes something like this, “I believe”… “I believe”… “that Jesus”… “that Jesus”… “is the Christ”… “is the Christ”… “the Son”… “the Son”… “of the living God”… “of the living God.” The congregation then applauds and the “right hand of fellowship” is then extended.
Although there is no example given in scripture of this event taking place in the early church to be a part of the local body of believers, I see no harm in the practice. What I would like to hear from the preacher or elder though, is that Mr. or Mrs. Doe has given a similar confession of their faith before they were baptized into Christ. You may be thinking, “What’s the difference when these words are said as long as they are required to say them at some point? It could perhaps weed out those who were sprinkled as a baby and feel strongly that sprinkling is baptism. (More on this in my next post.)
Well, “according to the scriptures” a confession of faith must be made before baptism and if not, the baptism should not take place. God has not left us without instruction on this fact. In the 8th chapter of Acts, we find the example of a man (the Ethiopian eunuch) who wanted to be baptized but is told that he first must believe with all his heart, and without prompting, he replies in verse #37, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” I’m a stickler for what’s written in the Word of God and if I had my way, these exact words are what I would have one say simply because these words are the one example of a “confession of faith” that was accepted and allowed the eunuch to enter into the kingdom via his baptism.
Also take note in the conversion of the Ethiopian, that in verse #35, it says that, "Philip preached unto him Jesus." With the drop out rates in our churches today as high as they are, one can’t help but wonder if perhaps that obedience to the terms of pardon have been preached more than preaching Jesus to the candidate. I am fully committed to the “terms of pardon” as laid out “according to the scriptures”, but before immersing someone into Christ; I’d certainly make sure that they had a working knowledge of who Jesus is before baptizing them into Him, as well as a complete understanding as to what’s required of them in their obedience to the terms of pardon.
In closing, let me add my disapproval for those who would insist on adding to the “good confession.” I cringe when I hear the confessor having to repeat the added words “and I have accepted Him as my personal Savior and I have made Him the Lord of my life.” This is so much a part of the denominational churches and what they require. How and why do men think that they can make more perfect what God has already ordained?
My next post will be about baptism and why I think the church should ask a potential member both "how" and "why" they were baptized. Till then…give it some thought.
