There are two applications of this word, one of which is often overlooked.
(a) The first is the "confession of sin." It was ordered by the law, and if accompanied by sacrifice it led to forgiveness (Lev. 5:5; Num. 5:7).
It is beautiful to see how Ezra, Nehemiah and Daniel confessed the sins of the people as if they had been their own (Ezra 9:1-15; 10:1; Neh. 1:6; 9:2, 3; Dan. 9:4 -twenty).
When John the Baptist was fulfilling his mission, the people “confessed” their sins, and were baptized (Mt. 3:5, 6); Of the Christian it is said: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn. 1:9; cp. Ps. 32:5).
We are exhorted to confess our offenses to each other (James 5:16).
(b) The other application of the term is the "confession of the Lord Jesus." The Jewish rulers provided that if anyone "confessed" that Jesus was the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue (John 9:22).
On the other hand: "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved..." confesses for salvation.
Here we have the profession, as the same word is certainly translated, “homologeõ”: “Let us hold fast to our profession,” “Profession of our hope” (Heb. 5:14; 10:23).
Before Pontius Pilate the Lord Jesus testified to the good profession: he confessed that he was the king of the Jews.
Timothy is reminded that he has professed a good confession (1 Tim. 6:12, 13).
Every tongue will have to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:11).
It is a great grace for the believer to be able to confess from the heart now.
Meaning of CONFESSION
(a) The first is the "confession of sin." It was ordered by the law, and if accompanied by sacrifice it led to forgiveness (Lev. 5:5; Num. 5:7).
