Volume 96, Number 11 8900 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748
With the Mouth Confession is Made unto Salvation
Esoteric or Elementary?
Troy Spradlin
W
hile working in commercial audio, I was
frequently amused by the overwhelmed
expressions of my clients when I attempted
to demonstrate how to operate a mixing console. They
would glance at the myriad of knobs and buttons,
grimace, and then reply, “Whew! That looks way too
complicated for me!” However, after I explained that all
they were seeing was a single channel with just a few
knobs, buttons, and a fader, which was simply multiplied
32 times, the feeling of complexity slowly faded. Once
they learned how easy it actually was to operate, their fear
completely disappeared. It seems there are an abundance
of things like this in our modern world which carry a
similar notion of bewilderment. We can obviously look
at theoretical mathematical equations or quantum physics
as being incomprehensible, but many things exist which
only at first appear to be complicated. When we apply
a little rational reasoning, what was once considered
“complex” quickly becomes “simple” and we come to
realize that we had just made it more complicated than
it actually is.
The Bible is no exception. Consider Romans 10:10,
“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and
with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” This
verse does not at all appear to be difficult to comprehend,
nor is it overly sophisticated or baffling. Yet, it has been
so extremely misrepresented that many have walked
away from their Bibles with the erroneous, popular belief
that the Scriptures are just too arduous to understand.
Simple doctrinal teachings, such as this verse and others
regarding the Gospel plan of salvation, are so varied that
November 2010
entire libraries have been written concerning the subject.
Despite all this, the Bible remains easy to understand.
An academic degree is not required to comprehend
what the Bible has to say about obtaining salvation from
one’s sins. The book of Romans itself contains all the
essential elements. One must hear (10:17), then believe
(Continued on page 11)
Confession
With the Mouth Confession Is Made
Troy Spradlin.............................................. 1
A Life Characterized by Confession
Kevin Cauley.............................................. 2
Good Confession
Don Prather............................................... 3
Timothy’s Good Confession
Cody Westbrook........................................ 4
The Good Confession of Peter
Andy Baker................................................ 5
“Whosoever Confesses Me Before Men”
Tom Moore................................................ 6
Whosoever Confesses Me Not Before Men
Mike Bonner.............................................. 7
The Ethiopian’s Good Confession
Clay Bond................................................... 8
They Refused to Confess
Don Walker................................................ 9
Southwest Is Seeking a Preacher................... 10

A Life Characterized
by Confession
J
. W. McGarvey said, “Among all the conditions
of pardon and eternal life, [repentance] is the
most difficult to bring about” (Chapel Talks 71).
Amending that thought, I offer that confession is the
most difficult to sustain. In that vein of thought, Horace
Mann suggested, “It is more difficult, and it calls for
higher energies of soul, to live a martyr than to die one.”
Before one becomes a Christian, he must confess that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Rom. 10:10). To fail
to confess Jesus as Christ is to deny Him (John 12:42-43).
One cannot become a Christian in a state of denying that
Jesus is the Christ. However, one’s confession of Jesus
as Christ does not end with the words, “I believe Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God.” One must continue to
confess Jesus on a daily basis by the life that one lives.
In that regard, a life of confession entails certain things.
First, a life of confession means denying selfish
attitudes and interests. Confession forces us to conquer
the first enemy that presents itself as a challenge to
confessing Christ as Lord–one’s self. John 12:42-43
records the fact that some of the chief rulers would not
confess Jesus. Verse forty-three tells us why: “because
they loved the praise of men more than the praise of
God.” One must deny self and the concerns of the self
(such as the praise of men), if one is to truly begin to
confess Christ. This self-denial must then continue as
one’s manner of life—a habit that perpetually presents
itself in each moment. “Then said Jesus unto his
disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt.
16:24). With this thought in mind, the writer of the book
of Hebrews said, “let us hold fast the confession of our
hope that it waver not” (Heb. 10:23).
Second, a life of confession means walking in
the steps of Christ Jesus. There is a path that we must
follow if we are to maintain a life of confession. The
apostle John called it “walking in the light” (1 John
Page 2 CHRISTIAN WORKER November 2010
1:7). The apostle Paul exhorted, “As ye have therefore
received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (Col.
2:6). The apostle Peter said, “For even hereunto were
ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving
us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Pet.
2:21). Walking in the steps of another is not necessarily
simple; it takes effort, concentration, discernment, and
steadfastness. A boundary is implied. One must actually
see and know where those steps lie and the path that they
take. To make a step in a different direction or outside of
the steps of Christ is not to walk in His steps. When we
walk so as to follow his steps, we become His imitators,
and exemplify Him in our life (1 Cor. 11:1). Such a walk
naturally confesses the Lord of such a life.
Third, a life of confession means promoting the
teachings of Christ Jesus. Standing before the Sanhedrin
counsel, the apostle Peter said, “For we cannot but speak
the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
The apostle Paul wrote, “For though I preach the gospel,
I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon
me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1
Cor. 9:16). And of the Christians enduring persecution
at the hand of Saul, Luke recorded, “Therefore they that
were scattered abroad went every where preaching the
word” (Acts 8:4). A Christian cannot continue to confess
Christ without promoting the teachings of Christ. It is not
enough merely to deny self and be a good example. One
must verbally profess to others the truths of the gospel
message. There are many methods to accomplish this.
What is clear, however, is that others cannot become
Christians without verbal teaching (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark
16:15-16). Christianity is a taught religion. Part of the
Christian’s confession is to teach.
(Continued on page 3)
CHRISTIAN WORKER
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Kevin Cauley--------------------------------------------------------- Editor
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No doubt many other things could be said about
a life of confession. This issue of the Christian Worker
focuses upon confession as an essential element in
God’s plan for man’s salvation. As you read through
these articles, it is our prayer that you will come to see
the essentiality of this teaching in God’s plan. May God
bless you as you truly seek to confess Him, both now
and perpetually.
CW
Good Confession
Don Prather
L
ike paper ripped from a carefully wrapped
package, changing moral perspectives have
torn the covers off of behaviors once described
by Paul as done in secret and shameful to speak of
(Eph. 5:12). From the most deviant perversions to
mere embarrassments that once remained confidential,
all things are naked and open. Brazen, blatant, and
unblushing (Jer. 6:15), everyone spreads everything in
front of everyone.
Everything, that is, except the values and virtues
of Christianity.
According to stunning social irony, Christianity
is supposed to remain under wraps. From legal
setbacks that have made declarations of faith publicly
unwelcome to private encouragements to keep our
opinions to ourselves, we have been shushed aside and
silenced. Worse, according to equally stunning spiritual
contradiction, we have cooperated. Believing that
modern sensitivities might be offended if we forthrightly
declare what we believe, we have cooperated with the
open denial of cautiously concealed convictions.
Confession contradicts this conspiracy of silence.
Harmonizing and integrating inner certainties with
outer declarations, confession (homologeo, from homoú
= together with + légo = say; “together-say”) turns
faith into courageous expression. “When faith comes
forth from its silence to announce itself…its voice is
confession” (Marvin Vincent). What we believe, in other
November 2010 CHRISTIAN WORKER
words, should be matched by conscientious confession
through our lips and our life.
Romans 10:10
Paul connects faith, confession, and salvation
with these words: “With the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation.” “An honest and good heart” (Luke
8:15) must “hear the word, and understand it” (Matt.
13:23) and “and bring forth fruit” (Mark 4:20). Quietly
retaining what is heard and believed is insufficient. “For
of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke
6:45). Salvation is only available to those “who believe,
and therefore speak” (2 Cor. 4:13). “There can be no true
attachment to Christ which will not… show itself in the
life and conversation” (Albert Barnes).
I Timothy 6:12-13
Far beyond utterances, Timothy had “professed a
good profession before many witnesses.” Paul charged
him to continue in his life of confession and “Fight the
good fight of faith.” In his profession and fight, Timothy
was following the example of Jesus “who before Pontius
Pilate witnessed a good confession.”
Pilate had asked our Lord, “Art thou a king then?”
(John 18:36-37). To this “Jesus answered, Thou sayest
that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause
came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto
the truth.” In His “good confession,” Christ declared
Himself to be King after bearing witness through His
ministry and message, and thus encouraged Timothy and
all other saints to “be faithful unto death” (Rev. 2:10).
Matthew 16:16 & Acts 8:37
By saying, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of
the living God,” Peter pioneered the confession that
he would later elicit from the Jewish eunuch who said,
“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Jesus’
promise to Peter that “upon this rock I will build my
church” (Matt. 16:18) also predicts the “rejoicing” (Acts
8:39) that the Ethiopian experienced after he requested
and received baptism.
Although these words do not create a baptismal
formula that is followed word-for-word in every
New Testament example or that is to be followed in
every instance of baptism, they do establish step-by-
step requirements of belief and willing expression of
(Continued on page 4)
Page 3
(Good Confession, continued from page three) Timothy’s Good Confession
(1 Timothy 6:12-13)
belief as prerequisites to baptism. Asking those who Cody Westbrook

N
themselves ask, “Here is water; what doth hinder me
ear the end of the first epistle to Timothy, his
to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36) to make a clear statement
son in the faith, the apostle Paul gave a strong
of their belief contradicts nothing and clarifies much.
admonition­­––“Fight the good fight of faith, lay
hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and
Matthew 10:32-33 & John 12:42
hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Appealing promises and appalling warnings are
I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth
paired when Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall
all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius
confess me before men, him will I confess also before
Pilate witnessed a good confession” (1 Tim. 6:12-13).
my Father…But whosoever shall deny me before men,
In considering this text, there are three questions that
him will I also deny before my Father.” In this passage
arise: First, what did Timothy confess? Second, why was
the “together-saying” of our consistent confession is
it referred to as a “good confession”? And finally, how
matched by the “together-saying” of Christ’s confession
can Christians apply this to their lives?
on our behalf before God. Every hurtful time “they think
it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of
As we consider the context of our verse,
riot” (1 Pet. 4:4), every stressful experience of “fighting
Timothy’s confession is clear. Paul’s ultimate desire for
with beasts” (1 Cor. 15:32), and every sad instance of
Timothy was that he “lay hold on eternal life.” This,
“perils among false brethren” (2 Cor. 11:26) is matched
however, could not be accomplished unless he strives
by Christ standing in our place in the presence of God,
to do those things that necessitate it. Thus the apostle’s
acknowledging his ownership of us, and “ever living to
admonition was that he “fight the good fight of faith.”
make intercession” (Heb. 7:25).
Timothy was to engage in a continual and disciplined
struggle to oppose and overcome the stumbling blocks
Contrasting sharply with the ongoing confession
that Satan set before him. In doing that, he found himself
of the “merciful and faithful high priest” who makes
in a position all too familiar to the first century church.
reconciliation for sins (Heb. 2:17) is the cowering denial
Timothy had to give an account of his faith even in the
of some chief rulers of the Jews who “did not confess
face of death.
him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.”
Matthew Henry describes their appalling state saying,
As the Hebrew writer indicates, Timothy had at
“Observe the method of conversion implied here. Sinners
one time been brought before the government and cast
are brought to see the reality of Divine things, and to
into prison because of his faith (Heb. 13:23). Hence, the
have knowledge of them…See the power of the world
confession that Timothy made was the very same that
in smothering convictions, with regard to the applause
Jesus made as He stood before Pilate (1 Tim. 6:13; Mark
or censure of men.” Smothered confession does nothing
15:2-5). Although the Savior was facing an agonizing
for men, nothing for God, and nothing whatsoever for
death, He did not deny the truth that He was the Son
the fearful and unbelieving.
of God. Likewise, Timothy, on at least one occasion,
stood firm in the face of the mighty Roman Empire and
Conclusion
declared himself to be a servant of Jesus Christ.
(I did not know exactly which way to go with a
conclusion – if any is needed. Perhaps you can use your
Paul also writes that Timothy had been called
editorial privilege to say some words directing readers
unto eternal life. This statement ties the confession that
out of this introduction and toward the other articles.)
is referred to in this context as the “good confession” to
that he had made prior to his obedience to the Gospel.
CW
When Timothy had been called by the Gospel (Luke
13:24, 2 Thess. 2:14), he, like all men, made the “good
confession” that he believed Jesus the Christ to be the
Son of the living God (cf. Acts 8:35-38). That confession

(Continued on page 5)

Page 4 CHRISTIAN WORKER November 2010

(Timothy’s...Confession, continued from page four) The Good Confession of Peter
Andy Baker
is continually repeated throughout the life of the faithful

M
Christian (cf. Col. 1:23, 1 Tim. 4:16, Phil. 1:27). For
atthew is a gospel account written with a Jewish
this reason, Timothy was in the position to make the
audience in mind. There are many things that
confession before those who intended him harm. By his
attest to that, including the quotations from
words and his conduct, Timothy was able to consistently
the law and the prophets on almost every page of this
profess his faith in Christ before all men, which, on many
book, which helped the Jews make the connection that
occasions, put his life in danger (Matt. 10:32-33, Rom.
Jesus was and is the Messiah. The purpose of the book
10:9-11).
of Matthew is to show that Jesus is God’s chosen King
and to show the nature of His kingdom. Jesus came with
The example of Timothy teaches me that once I
grace and truth, yet there were many misconceptions
make the initial confession of my faith in Christ, I must
about who He was.
continue to make that same profession throughout my
life. John wrote, “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:
In Matthew 16:13, Jesus asks His disciples,
Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in
“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” They
the flesh is of God” (1 John 4:2). As I spend time with
responded, “Some say John the baptist, some Elijah, and
my friends and family or gather around the lunch table
others Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Indeed,
with my coworkers, I know that there will be many who
Jesus did resemble all of these men in some respect. He
oppose Christ. Notwithstanding, God’s desire for me
was like John in His message of repentance (Matt. 3:1-
is that I teach all men the Gospel (Mark 16:15, 1 Cor.
2; Luke 13:1-3). He was like Elijah in His miracles (1
9:16, et. al.). While some may embrace faith in Christ,
Kings 17:21-24; Mark 5:38-43). He was like Jeremiah
most will reject it; in the process I may lose popularity,
in His ministry to a people who stubbornly refused to
be ridiculed, sever ties with a close friend or family
turn to God for salvation (Jer. 9:1; Luke 19:41-44). Yet,
member, or even lose my job. But I must not allow the
all of these assumptions about Jesus failed to capture
consequences that may follow to deter me from my
who He truly was. Jesus then asked His disciples plainly,
Christian duty. Instead I must boldly and courageously let
“But who do you say that I am?” Peter’s confession was,
the Gospel be known if I am to make the same confession
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Looking
that Timothy made.
at this confession carefully, what is Peter saying that is
so important?
On more than one occasion, Jesus revealed
the high cost of following him. Serving Christ takes
“You…” Peter made this claim about Jesus
precedence over my family and friends, over my own
and no other. Seeing the evidence of His teaching, His
life, and over all that I possess (Luke 14:25ff). In fact it
miracles, and His Nature, Peter followed that evidence
may even cost me my own life (Rev. 2:10). If my ultimate
to its conclusion. The decision to accept or reject Jesus is
goal is to “lay hold on eternal life” I must continue my
based upon what the person sees and understands about
unwavering faithfulness no matter what. Will you stand
Him from His word. There is no salvation in any other
beside Timothy and confess your devotion to the King
name. There is no other person who has the truth of God.
of kings before all men, even at the ultimate cost?
There is no other way to God the Father (Acts 4:12; John
6:67-68; John 14:6). What a person says regarding Jesus
CW
will change his/her life forever, for good or for evil, based
upon how they respond to Him.

“…are the Christ…” Christ means Messiah

or “anointed one.” The title is a reference to one who is
chosen for an office or set apart for a specific purpose.
It calls to mind when the tabernacle worship was first
begun, Moses anointed it, the furniture, and Aaron
for the office of the priest. The reason for this was

(Continued on page 6)
November 2010 CHRISTIAN WORKER Page 5
(Peter’s...Confession, continued from page five)
the consecration of those things which would make
atonement for the people. Jesus was the Anointed of God
for the purpose of God, to be a sacrifice of God and to
serve as the High Priest of Christians in the tabernacle
which God has made (c.f. Heb. 7:26-8:3; 9:11-12). Christ,
the Messiah, alone is able to once for all make atonement
for all and to save men from their sins (Rom. 5:1-9).
“…the Son…” What does it mean that Peter
called Jesus “the Son”? The biblical usage of the phrase,
“Son of God,” has to do with God’s chosen king and
not simply a familial relationship. To the Jewish mind,
the understanding of that phrase comes primarily from
the Psalms (c.f. Psa. 2:2-7; Psa. 89:20-29). Jesus is
God’s promised King from the lineage of David and
He is the King who has been exalted to the right hand
of God (Matt. 22:41-46; Heb. 1). The Son that Peter
confessed was not an earthly king, as the Jews thought
He should be. However, God has crowned His Son and
has established His everlasting kingdom (Dan. 2:44;
Matt. 16:18-19; John 18:36-37; Acts 2). Christians are
a part of the kingdom here on earth, yet the promise is
that when our King comes again, He will deliver His
subjects to His heavenly kingdom (2 Tim. 4:18).
“…of the living God.” Jesus is the only begotten
of the Father, and the gospel account of John proves His
divinity. God is the God of the living. So many religions
are based upon non-living gods, or dead servants of
non-living gods. God and His Servant Jesus are both
alive and well and will judge all men (Acts 2:29-40).
Those who are not in the kingdom and will not accept
the offer of God’s peace will go into everlasting torment.
Those who are in the kingdom and have obeyed from
the heart the doctrine of Jesus will go into everlasting
life (Matt. 25:31-46). This is the plan of the living God.
It all depends upon what a person will do with Jesus.
In response to Jesus’ question, the magnitude
of Peter’s confession is, in essence, “You, Jesus, are the
Anointed One for God’s purpose, His chosen King to
rule over the everlasting kingdom of God.” How have we
built our lives upon the truth of Jesus? Peter confessed
the truth that Jesus desires all men to understand and to
confess. No other religion will last. No other kingdom
or its glory will last. Our High Priest, our King, and His
kingdom will last forever. That is the bedrock of truth
that Peter confessed and the foundation of the church of
which Christians are a part. CW
Page 6 CHRISTIAN WORKER November 2010
“Whosoever Confesses Me
Before Men”
Tom Moore
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,
him will I confess also before my Father
which is in heaven. (Matt. 10:32)
C
onfession is a basic part of the plan of
salvation. “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” (Acts 8:37). “For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10).
In Matthew 10:32, “confess” (homologeo in
the Greek) is translated also as “profession” and
“confession” in 1 Timothy 6:12-13:
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed
a good profession before many witnesses. I give
thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth
all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before
Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.
To “confess” means to acknowledge Christ, to manifest
our dependence on Him for salvation, and to be
attached to Him. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says the word
also carries the idea of “to agree with.” H. Leo Boles
says, “To confess Jesus is to make him the object of
our faith and life; it is to own him as a Savior; it is to
honor him in the life; it is to espouse his cause and to
face opposition and reproach for his sake. Those who
do this he will honor as his friends before the Father.”
Clearly, obedience is connected with confession.
Contextually, Jesus has been talking about the
fear of men. Fear makes men do things they normally
would not do. How many men and women, young
and old, have cowardly backed away from professing
Christ in word and action because of fear? Thus, our
Lord proclaimed, “And fear not them which kill the
body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear
him which is able to destroy both soul and body in
hell” (Matt. 10:28). Jesus says that in spite of what
men may do, if we are willing to confess Him before
men, we can rest assured that He will confess us before
the Father. He is offering a tremendous assurance that
(Continued on page 7)
(“Whosoever..,” continued from page six)
if we acknowledge Him as Lord (in word and action)
in every aspect of our lives, and depend upon Him for
salvation, then He will stand for us. The apostle Paul
wrote, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on
him shall not be ashamed” (Rom 10:9-11). Jesus, in
Matthew 10, is talking about a lifelong commitment,
a daily confession with one’s life and words.
The promise that Jesus makes here is that He will
confess those who confess Him. The usual limitation
on these words is that if one confesses Christ and
remains faithful until death, then in the judgment
Christ will confess him. But, perhaps, there is also
something more immediate involved. Jesus did not
say when He would confess those who confess Him;
but He gave an example of it with Peter’s confession.
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art
thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not
revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and
upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates
of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:17-18).
 
From this it would appear that when any person
confesses Christ and is buried with him in baptism,
Christ confesses those who have been born again in the
presence of God. It is possible that such is precisely
the occasion when the redeemed have their names
written in the “Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 20:15;
21:27). Inscriptions in the book of life do not wait
upon the judgment, nor even upon the death or proved
fidelity of the persons thus honored; but their names are
written there while they still live and work on earth:
“whose names are in the book of life” (Phil. 4:3).
 
Confession of faith in Christ as God’s only
begotten Son (including, of course, one’s obedient
lifestyle) is a basic requirement of the Christian
religion, and it is called “the good confession” for good
reason—for without such our names will not be written
in the book of life and there will be no hope of heaven.
CW
November 2010 CHRISTIAN WORKER
Whosoever Confesses Me
Not Before Men
Mike Bonner
For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will
not perish but have everlasting life.
T
hese are familiar words in the book of John to
those who read and cherish the scriptures for daily
living (3:16). Who can fathom the depths of love
which the God of Heaven demonstrated to mankind for
his eternal redemption? The things the Lord endured
because of man’s actions and attitude should boggle our
minds and cause us to appreciate and love Him more.
This should encourage man to believe and obey His Son,
thus confessing His holy name before men with his life
and speech.
Unfortunately, there will always be a group of
individuals that will not obey what is right in all realms
of life, but it’s different when it comes to obeying and
confessing Christ for many reasons. First we must ask
ourselves, “What does it mean to confess Christ?” The
term “confess” is derived from the compound Greek
word, homo-logeho, which means to acknowledge; it
also carries the idea of saying the same thing as another.
It is God’s desire for man to say the same thing about
Christ as He has said. For example, God called Him Son.
Peter said, “He is the Christ, the Son of God” (Heb. 1:8;
Matt. 16:18). So what is the result when a person fails to
confess Jesus as Lord and Christ before men? This type
of attitude and disposition causes the one who has not
been immersed in water for the remission of their sins
to remain in their sins (John 8:24). Jesus is the only way
for man to be justified in the sight of God; therefore, if
man circumvents His teachings and/or His Deity, he will
be separated from God (Isa. 59:1-2).
So how can the child of God fail to confess Christ,
and what are the ramifications of doing such a thing?
Children of God fail to confess Christ when their lives are
not in accordance to His word. Jesus instructed the Jews
to be “the light of the world and the salt of the earth.”
Paul told the church at Thessalonica to abstain from all
appearances of evil (Matt. 5:13-16; 1 Thess. 5:22). Many
who confess Christ to be Lord and Savior find themselves
doing the very opposite of these commands by allowing
the works of the flesh to govern them. Take Facebook,
(Continued on page 8)
Page 7
(“...Confesses Not...,” continued from page seven)
for example. What a great way to show the world that
Christ is living in you by posting religious articles and
quotes from the Bible (which some are doing), to help
lost souls see the way out of sin (Gal. 2:20; 6:17)!
Unfortunately, there are some who are posting immodest
pictures and using foul language, thus showing the world
that Christ really has not influenced their lives (1 Cor.
5:1). Brethren and friends, this ought not to be the case
among the people of God. God wants His people to be
consistent in life, whether we are at work, a sporting
event, conducting business, or online, His desire is for
us to be in the position to share Christ as we go into the
world (Matt. 10:7). Doesn’t God deserve our lives to be
the best they can be?
When we consider the awesome privilege that we
enjoy in praying to God, when we consider worshipping
Him in Spirit and in Truth, shouldn’t we be comfortable
in knowing that He hears and answers and is accepting
our worship? However, our relationship with God will
be strained if we fail to stand for the truth and our lives
are not in order. Our relationship with Him should be
of utmost importance in our lives. When Jesus was in
the Garden of Gethsemane praying to the Father, I truly
believe the most hurtful thing to Him was being separated
from God for that short period of time. Hence, the reason
He said on the cross before dying and taking on the sin
of the world, “My God My God, why hast thou forsaken
me?” (Mark 15:34; 2 Cor. 5:20-21)! Jesus took His
relationship with God very personal and serious and we
should as well. Let us be mindful to confess our Lord
publicly and privately, thus pleasing Him in all we do.
CW
Cauley-Barker Debate
Does Morality Come from God?
Kevin Cauley (Christian) and Dan Barker (atheist)
engaged in this debate in November 2009. Brother
Cauley did a masterful job in refuting Mr. Barker’s
“arguments” against the existence of God. The DVD
is $8 plus postage and handling. No doubt, it will be
beneficial to all. You may order from:
Southwest church of Christ
8900 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748
Page 8 CHRISTIAN WORKER November 2010
The Ethiopian’s Good Confession
(Acts 8:37)
Clay Bond
R
omans 6:23 teaches us that while we deserve
death, God offers us the gift of salvation.
However, in order to receive God’s gift we
must be willing to confess the precious name of Jesus,
“…with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”
(Rom. 10:10). Jesus said “If ye believe not that I am he,
ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). He also taught
that if we want Him to confess us before His heavenly
Father, we must be willing to confess Him before men
(Matt. 10:32). A failure to confess Christ will condemn
our souls to eternal punishment.
As is always the case, men have twisted and altered
this confession to please their own whims. Consequently,
confessing Christ has become little more than a vague
statement of one’s personal feelings about Jesus Christ.
The truth of the matter can be found by examining the
confessions spoken by early converts. We want to focus
on the necessity of this confession by looking at Acts
8:26-40 which records the conversion of an Ethiopian
man.
The angel of the Lord instructed Philip to go
toward Gaza. On his way Philip encountered a man
returning home to Ethiopia after having worshipped
in Jerusalem. As this man rode in his chariot he read
from the book of Isaiah chapter 53. Philip overtook the
chariot and asked the Ethiopian man if he understood
what he was reading. This goodhearted man admitted
that he did not and expressed the desire to be taught.
The Ethiopian’s major question was: Of whom does
the prophet speak? Philip began with that scripture and
preached Jesus. During the journey they approached a
body of water and the Eunuch expressed his desire to be
baptized, to which Philip replied “If thou believest with
all thine heart, thou mayest.” It is at this point that we
come to the Ethiopian’s confession “I believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God.” Notice that he did not say “I
accept Jesus as my personal savior,” nor did he say “I
love Jesus with all my heart.” This was a bold, verbal
statement of the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
and therefore Deity. This is the confession each of us
must make if we are going to be saved from our sins.
(Continued on page 9)
(The Ethiopian’s..., continued from page eight)
Some have questioned whether women are
permitted to make this public confession before the
assembly in light of 1 Corinthians 14:34, “Let your
woman keep silence in the churches: for it is not
permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded
to be under obedience, as also saith the law” (see also
1 Timothy 2:11-14). While it is true that women are
forbidden to lead, instruct or teach over men, this is not
to say that women are to maintain absolute silence at all
times. Women, as part of the assembly, are commanded to
sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Women must be baptized into
Christ to be saved. Philip’s statement to the Ethiopian
man shows that confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God is required before one may be considered a
candidate for baptism. Therefore, we can conclude that
a woman must confess this truth to those present before
she can be scripturally baptized. It is God Who has
determined the boundaries of women’s roles and His
word may make exceptions.
Let me emphasize that making the good confession
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is part of God’s plan
to save, not all of it. One may utter the verbal statement
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and believe this to
be true, yet refuse to obey His other commands. We are
also commanded to repent (Acts 2:38), to be baptized
washing away our sins (Acts 22:16), and to continually
walk in the light (1 John 1:5-7). While verbal confession
is necessary, the failure to act upon that confession and
treat Christ as Lord will surely lead one to be lost in
eternity. We must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God and having confessed we must obey His every
command “And being made perfect, he became the
author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him”
(Heb. 5:9).
CW
November 2010 CHRISTIAN WORKER
They Refused to Confess
(John 12:42)
Don Walker
I
n the chapter preceding our context, Jesus had
raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43, 44). The
next verse reads, “Then many of the Jews which
came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did,
believed on him” (John 11:45). However, that response
was not universal. When the Pharisees heard what had
been done they took counsel and determined to remove
Christ. Caiaphas, who was the high priest that same
year said,
Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is
expedient for us, that one man should die for the people,
and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake
he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he
prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And
not for that nation only, but that also he should gather
together in one the children of God that were scattered
abroad (John 11:49-52).
The next verse explains how from that time forth
they took counsel together for to put Him to death (John
11:53).
In chapter 12 there are a number of significant
events unfolding around Jesus as He is marching toward
the cross. Mary took “a pound of ointment of spikenard,
very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped
his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the
odour of the ointment” (v. 3). Knowing that Jesus had
passed over to Bethany and that Lazarus was there with
him people came, “not for Jesus’ sake only, but that
they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from
the dead” (v. 9). Yet, curiosity was not the only driving
force. Not only were the chief priests scheming to put
Jesus to death, but they were also wanting to remove
others that had drawn attention to Jesus and what
He was doing and able to do. “But the chief priests
consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death”
(v. 10). John even gives the reason why they desired to
murder Lazarus: “Because that by reason of him many
of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus” (v. 11).
It is also in this context that we read of what is
often called the “triumphal entry.” The result was that
(Continued on page 10)
Page 9
(They Refused..., continued from page nine)
the Pharisees could tell they were slowly losing control
and knew that something had to be done and quickly (v.
19). Perhaps the most significant point in many ways
is the fact that “there were certain Greeks among them
that came up to worship at the feast: The same came
therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee,
and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus” (vv.
20:21). Temperature was very swiftly rising and the
events were bringing the religious leaders to a fevered
pitch. Jesus had to go. There was no other answer. It
was time for men to make a choice. In the midst of Je-
sus telling them that He must die and how He would
die, He called for the Father to “glorify thy name” (v.
28). After a brief questioning, it says that Jesus “de-
parted, and did hide himself from them” (v. 36). The
next state is tragic and very disheartening. Note the pas-
sage. “But though he had done so many miracles before
them, yet they believed not on him” (v. 37). Just as Isa-
iah had prophesied, their hearts were hardened and they
did not believe.
Even sadder is what we discover as we continue
to read.
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many
believed on him; but because of the Pharisees
they did not confess him, lest they should be put
out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise
of men more than the praise of God (vs. 42, 43).
In John 1:12 Jesus taught that those who believed
on His name had the power to become the sons of God.
It is significant that He did not say, “They become sons
of God.” Even in the well known passage of John 3:16,
we learn that simple belief does not guarantee salva-
tion. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus said those
who believe “should not perish.” Contrary to the NIV
saying “shall not perish,” the proper translation lets us
know that faith alone will only take us so far and it
does not guarantee our salvation. These chief rulers be-
lieved, but they would not confess Jesus because they
loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Just as they would not confess Jesus before men, Christ
would refuse to confess them before the Father. We see
here practically what James taught in James chapter
two. “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified,
and not by faith only (James 2:24).
May we never seek the praise of men more than
the praise of God, and may we ever confess our Lord
both in word and action as we study our Bibles more
and more.
CW
A Great Gift Idea for Holidays,
Birthdays, or any Special
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Southwest Lectureship Books
1988.....The Book of Proverbs 6.00
1990.....The Book of Psalms (II) 6.00
1991.....God Hath Spoken 5.00
1993.....The Abundant Life 4.00
1996.....“Precious Bible—Book Divine!” 6.00
1997.....“Churches of Christ Salute You” 6.00
1998.....“Be at Peace Among Yourselves” 6.00
1999.....“As For Me and My House” 6.00
2000.....The Hub of the Bible: Acts 2 6.00
2001.....The Bible Doctrine of Heaven 6.00
2003.....Why We Are Members of the
Church of Christ. 8.00
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2005.....Authentic Christianity in
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2006.....Job: A Topical Commentary 12.00
2008.....Imitating Christ:
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8900 Manchaca Road; Austin, TX 78748-5399
(512) 282-2486

Page 10 CHRISTIAN WORKER November 2010


(With the Mouth, continued from page one)
(10:9), repent (2:4), confess (10:10), and be baptized
(6:4) which results in salvation. Five simple steps, each
being a natural progression from the previous one, are all
clearly outlined by many examples given throughout the
New Testament; none of which are at all complicated!
Complicating Confession
The apostle Paul frequently dealt with the issue of
“complicating the simple.” According to his many letters
to the early church, he was almost incessantly embattled
with false teachers. The most grievous, fraudulent
promulgation he disputed was the one regarding the
perversion of the simple plan of salvation. Quite honestly,
no other subject exists that is more important. We cannot
allow where we will spend eternity to be confused by
extreme complexity. That is exactly the point Paul was
arguing in Romans 10! False teachers were trying to
make the simple Gospel as difficult and complicated
as the Mosaic Law, a law which contained more than
600 commandments which should be adhered. Paul’s
reply was that the Law of Christ neither demanded nor
contained anything like this for justification by faith.
Thus, the only requirements one must fulfill in order to
be saved consists of simple things like, “believe in your
heart and confess with your mouth” (to paraphrase).
We should not conclude from this verse that these
two conditions are all that is required to be saved from
sin. Assuming such is the reason why it is mistakenly
considered complicated. Repentance and baptism play
an extremely important role in God’s plan of redemption.
In order to understand this, all that is necessary is to
look at the context. Repentance and baptism had already
been discussed in great detail just a few chapters before
(Romans 2 and 6) as being absolutely essential. In
chapter 10, Paul was trying to further explain that the way
to salvation, which is only through Jesus Christ (Rom.
5:19-21), is not impeded by some formidable obstacle
like the Old Law. In the five steps to salvation, the first
three are basic inward actions wherein only the repentant
believer and God know what is taking place within the
heart. Confession is the first outward sign of conversion
and provides evidence of one’s faith. Confession is the
declaration that a change is being manifested. Paul goes
on to appeal to the prophet Joel, in verse 13, to reinforce
his statements, “For whosoever shall call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved.” The phrase implies one must
make a declaration of faith. The most direct method to let
it be known that one believes in Christ is simply to say it.
November 2010 CHRISTIAN WORKER
This is, of course, followed by the final outward sign of
baptism. When one has progressed through each of the
five steps, the Bible says we are saved from our sins. It
is that simple. With a little rational reasoning, what some
consider esoteric quickly becomes elementary.
It is interesting, albeit frustrating, that modern man
still has a terrible propensity for turning a simple concept
into something extremely daunting. Almost all erroneous
teaching involves some bewildering commentary or
mental gymnastics in order to “explain it more perfectly.”
No wonder there is so much confusion in the world! If
we simply study the context, we can clearly see what
Paul was trying to convey to the church in Rome, “Stop
trying to make it so complicated!”
CW
Seeking a Preacher
The Southwest church of Christ is searching
for a scripturally sound minister to work with
a congregation of 225+ members with an
average attendance of 300 on Sunday morning.
We are seeking a spirtiually-minded man who
has the ability to work with all ages, along
with preaching, teaching, writing and editing
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have a weekly radio program and train Gospel
preachers. We also host an annual lectureship.
Personal work/visitation duties are required.
Visit our website at www.swcofc.org. Please
send a résumé, along with four CDs or DVDs
of recent sermons to:
Elders
Southwest church of Christ
8900 Manchaca Road
Austin, TX 78748
Page 11
 SOUTHWEST
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Reasons You Should Consider Southwest:

• Southwest offers an outstanding full-time program of college Bible training.
• Southwest course credits are accepted at select Christian universities.
• Southwest is one of the pioneer schools of preaching among churches of Christ.
• Southwest has one of the strongest Bible departments to be found anywhere.
• Southwest is staffed by a well-respected and a well-prepared Bible Faculty.
• Southwest provides verse-by-verse study of every book in the English Bible.
• Southwest provides comprehensive instruction in Preaching Communications.
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• Southwest is fully approved to issue I-20 forms to accepted foreign students.
• Southwest is tuition-free – V.A. Benefits – Financial Assistance Available.
• Southwest is ready to mail you an Information Packet – Call or write today!

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