THE CHRISTIAN CONFESSION

1) A sincere Christian confession of faith is expected for eternal life.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
 
2) True Christians will continue to make the Christian confession.
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
 
3) The sincere confession and sincere belief will go hand in hand.
Romans 10:8-11 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 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. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
 
4) The sincere confession is your testimony of Jesus Christ.
1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
 
5) Whoever confesses Jesus Christ will be remembered by God.
Matthew 10:32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven."
 
6) Biblical example of the Christian confession.
Matthew 16:16-18 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock (confession) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."
 
7) Historical example of the Christian confession.
The New Foxe's Book of Martyrs, pages 16-17. Polycarp, who was a student of the Apostle John and the bishop of the church in Smyrna, heard that soldiers were looking for him and tried to escape but was discovered by a child. After feeding the guards who captured him, he asked for an hour in prayer, which they gave him. He prayed with such fervency, that his guards said they were sorry that they were the ones who captured him. Nevertheless, he was taken before the governor and condemned to be burned in the market place. After his sentence was given, the governor said to him, "Reproach Christ and I will release you." Polycarp answered, "Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never once wronged me. How then shall I blaspheme my King who has saved me?" In the market place, he was tied to the stake rather than nailed, as was the usual custom, because he assured them he would stand immovable in the flames and not fight them. As the dry sticks placed around him were lit, the flames rose up and circled his body without touching him. The executioner was then ordered to pierce him with a sword. When he did, a great quantity of blood gushed out and put out the fire. Although his Christian friends asked to be given his body as it was so they could bury him, the enemies of the Gospel insisted that it be burned in the fire, which was done.