For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Lynda Hickman
In regards to the Q about public confession, I had a rather obscure thought or two.
Sometimes in our haste to "get it right" we fail to take what GOD said to us by & through His servants, those who listened & recorded what He directed them to write, as simply that...simple!!
There is nothing complicated about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is so simple that folks in far away places with limited vocal language can understand it.
If there was a caveat in regards to any NT verse where confessing with one's mouth is mentioned, I truly believe that our LORD would have made it clear.
Well, I guess I actually had three thoughts & that was the first one.
The second & third are thus:
What about those who have no vocal speech? Even those who use sign language, their "vocal" confession would reach very few ears (or eyes) if any! That person's confession of faith might not be witnessed by anyone. Would that make their salvation less real? Certainly not!
Then the most far fetched but still possible scenario might occur when after some cataclysmic event where only one person has survived, for instance, an earth quake or a plane crash.
How often have we NOT learned of an individual who, when faced with death turned to Christ and having survived for a short time, had no "public" to whom confession could be made.
Out of the ordinary, possibly, but still I look back at the thief on the cross next to our Savior. No public confession, no baptism, just total forgiveness and heaven!
James Kraft
I agree Lynda. Salvation is complete when we received the free gift of salvation by believing that Jesus paid the penalty for all our sin. There are no works involved. That is when the holy spirit of promise joins with our spirit and we are made complete in Him who saved us by grace.
It is the Holy Spirit in us that says I will never leave you or forsake you. We have eternal life given to us the moment we believe Jesus finished work on the cross was done just for us personally. We believe that God raised Him from the dead after three days, and that He was seen of men, and that He is now seated at the right hand of the father making intersession for us.
It is a one time act when we know we are sinners and Jesus is our only savior. We could be saved no other way than through His finished work on the cross. If there was another way then Jesus died in vain. But praise God He did not die in vain and many have been saved and many more will be saved.
He is the one that should always be lifted up and not us. He is the savior and I am only one that He has saved and have nothing to boast in but the cross.
And yes, I always look to that thief as an example of salvation by grace. He did not get baptized, Simonized, or homogenized. He just believed that Jesus was who He said He was. Salvation completely without works. Just by faith alone. Romans 4:5. He was counted righteous before God by faith alone. Justification apart from the law so that we have nothing to boast in.
robert hough
NO! Faith plus NOTHING = Salvation
Shirley H
I think that accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour is a personal decision between yourself, God, The Holy Spirit and Jesus. No one else knows your heart and mind like God does. So it's personal, but then you find yourself talking about Him, and living for Him. Hopefully sharing and witnessing about Him.