ARE WE TO CONFESS JESUS WITH OUR MOUTH ?

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Doug

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Romans 10:9 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.
10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The above verses are directed to Jews. Salvation for Israel was not in the law but faith in the risen Jesus.

In the following verse the topic is Israel's salvation.

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

While Romans 10:9-10 are verses often used for salvation, in Romans 10:1 it is evident Paul is dealing only with Israel in this chapter and in those verses.

In the verses below Paul is speaking of the righteousness of faith in Jesus Christ:

Romans 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above ).
10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Romans 10:6-8

It can be seen that the above verses are related to the verses below from Deuteronomy, spoken to Israel.

Deuteronomy 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
30:12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

Paul was speaking to Israel from Deuteronomy because Israel was seeking righteousness by the law rather than by faith. Deuteronomy says the word was in their mouth and heart just as Paul does in Romans 10:9-10.

Confession of Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah) and the Son of God for Israel was required following faith and trust in him. This is similar to what we find in Romans 10:10; confession was required of the believing remnant of Israel for salvation in order to enter the prophetic kingdom on earth.

Below is what Jesus said of confession:

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

If believing Israel did not confess Jesus, they would not get the blessing of entrance into the kingdom.

Many Jews believed on Jesus to eternal life (John 20:31 John 3:16-18) but did not publicly confess him as Christ, the Son of God for fear as can be seen below.

John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

John 12:42 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:

In 1 John Israel is to confess Jesus as the Son of God.

1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

In Romans 9 through 11 Paul is speaking of the election of grace and the believing remnant of Israel. It is the believing remnant of Israel that is to confess the Lord Jesus as can be seen from the verses in Romans 9:24-29 and Romans 11:5.

[Gal 3:22 KJV] 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

All we have to do to have eternal life is believe (Romans 1:16).

[Col 2:13 KJV] 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

We don't have to confess our sins seeing they are all forgiven in Christ Jesus.
 

Matthias

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I would teach newbies that they must listen to, believe and obey Jesus. His words are spirit and life (John 6:63).
 

ScottA

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Romans 10:9 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.
10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The above verses are directed to Jews. Salvation for Israel was not in the law but faith in the risen Jesus.

In the following verse the topic is Israel's salvation.

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

While Romans 10:9-10 are verses often used for salvation, in Romans 10:1 it is evident Paul is dealing only with Israel in this chapter and in those verses.

In the verses below Paul is speaking of the righteousness of faith in Jesus Christ:

Romans 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above ).
10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Romans 10:6-8

It can be seen that the above verses are related to the verses below from Deuteronomy, spoken to Israel.

Deuteronomy 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
30:12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

Paul was speaking to Israel from Deuteronomy because Israel was seeking righteousness by the law rather than by faith. Deuteronomy says the word was in their mouth and heart just as Paul does in Romans 10:9-10.

Confession of Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah) and the Son of God for Israel was required following faith and trust in him. This is similar to what we find in Romans 10:10; confession was required of the believing remnant of Israel for salvation in order to enter the prophetic kingdom on earth.

Below is what Jesus said of confession:

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

If believing Israel did not confess Jesus, they would not get the blessing of entrance into the kingdom.

Many Jews believed on Jesus to eternal life (John 20:31 John 3:16-18) but did not publicly confess him as Christ, the Son of God for fear as can be seen below.

John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

John 12:42 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:

In 1 John Israel is to confess Jesus as the Son of God.

1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

In Romans 9 through 11 Paul is speaking of the election of grace and the believing remnant of Israel. It is the believing remnant of Israel that is to confess the Lord Jesus as can be seen from the verses in Romans 9:24-29 and Romans 11:5.

[Gal 3:22 KJV] 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

All we have to do to have eternal life is believe (Romans 1:16).

[Col 2:13 KJV] 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

We don't have to confess our sins seeing they are all forgiven in Christ Jesus.
Like James, Romans 10:9 is Paul's "works" statement, expressing the idea that one who believes will openly confess. Which is a form of evidence, if not for others, for one's own conviction--which God does not require or need. But men on the other hand, may need to walk it out, as if taking a new path, showing themselves as having turned from sin.
 

LoveYeshua

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Doug, In the context you've provided, the misunderstanding stems from a narrow interpretation of Romans 10:9-10 and its application. While it is true that Paul is addressing Israel in Romans 10 and discussing their need for salvation, it is essential to recognize that these verses, although spoken to Israel in that historical context, have a broader application to all people seeking salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:9-10 states, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." These verses are not simply about confession for Israel’s entrance into the prophetic earthly kingdom but are about the fundamental means of salvation itself. Paul is showing that faith in Christ—believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth—is the way to salvation, and this applies universally, not just to Israel. Therefore, it’s not a message exclusively for Jews but for all who believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior.

In Romans 10:1, Paul expresses his heartfelt desire for the salvation of Israel: "Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved." While Paul prays specifically for Israel, Romans 10:9-10 reveals the way to salvation through faith in the risen Christ. This is not limited to an earthly kingdom but speaks to eternal salvation through belief in Jesus, which is offered to all people, both Jew and Gentile.

The idea of confession mentioned in these verses, as well as in Matthew 10:32-33, is not simply about public acknowledgment but reflects a heart commitment—a recognition of Jesus as Lord and Savior. It’s about a deep, internal faith and a willing declaration of that faith, which leads to salvation. While early Jewish believers feared confessing Jesus publicly due to social and religious pressures (such as being excommunicated from the synagogue, as seen in John 9:22 and 12:42), Romans 10:9-10 underscores the necessity of confession as part of salvation. Confession here is not merely about saying the words, but about acknowledging Jesus as the risen Lord and submitting to Him.

Thus, even though Romans 10:1 focuses on the salvation of Israel, the principle of salvation by faith in the risen Jesus in Romans 10:9-10 applies to all believers. The message Paul delivers is universal: faith in Christ, coupled with a confession of Him as Lord, is the way to salvation. This is not confined to Israel’s future kingdom on earth but speaks to eternal life for all who trust in Jesus Christ. Salvation by faith is the consistent biblical message, and Romans 10:9-10 should be understood as a universal principle for salvation that extends beyond Israel to all who would believe in Jesus.

In the broader scope of the New Testament, the need to believe in Jesus Christ for eternal life is emphasized repeatedly (for instance, in John 3:16-18 and 1 John 4:15). The notion that confession in Romans 10:9-10 is limited only to Israel and does not apply to others is a misinterpretation of the broader gospel message. Paul’s teaching throughout his letters confirms that the salvation offered by faith in Christ is available to all people, not just Israel. Therefore, the idea that confession and belief for salvation is a principle applicable only to Israel misses the universal nature of the gospel message Paul is proclaiming.

Peace