Topical Encyclopedia The term "confessed" in the biblical context primarily refers to the acknowledgment of sin, faith, or truth. It is a significant concept in both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the importance of admitting one's sins before God and others, as well as professing faith in Jesus Christ.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, confession is often associated with repentance and seeking forgiveness from God. The Hebrew word for confess, "yadah," can mean to give thanks, praise, or confess. Confession is a vital part of the sacrificial system, where individuals would confess their sins over a sacrificial animal (Leviticus 5:5). This act symbolized the transfer of sin and the need for atonement. One notable example is found in the account of Achan, who confessed his sin of taking forbidden items after the Israelites' defeat at Ai (Joshua 7:19-20). His confession was a necessary step before justice could be served. New Testament Context In the New Testament, confession takes on a more personal and communal aspect. The Greek word "homologeo" means to agree, admit, or confess. Confession is closely linked with repentance and salvation. In 1 John 1:9, the apostle John writes, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This verse highlights the promise of forgiveness and cleansing that comes with confession. Confession is also a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. In Romans 10:9-10, Paul emphasizes the importance of confessing Jesus as Lord: "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." This confession is both a verbal acknowledgment and a heartfelt belief in the resurrection and lordship of Christ. Role in the Early Church The early church placed a strong emphasis on confession as part of the Christian life. James 5:16 encourages believers to "confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." This practice fostered a sense of community, accountability, and mutual support among believers. Theological Significance Confession is a crucial aspect of the Christian doctrine of salvation. It involves recognizing one's sinfulness and the need for God's grace. Through confession, believers experience the transformative power of God's forgiveness and the assurance of salvation. It is both an individual and communal act, reflecting the believer's relationship with God and the body of Christ. Practical Application In contemporary Christian practice, confession remains an essential spiritual discipline. It is often incorporated into personal prayer, corporate worship, and the sacraments, such as the Eucharist. Confession encourages humility, honesty, and a deeper reliance on God's mercy and grace. In summary, the concept of "confessed" in the Bible encompasses the acknowledgment of sin, the declaration of faith, and the communal practice of repentance and forgiveness. It is a foundational element of the Christian faith, underscoring the believer's relationship with God and the community of faith. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (imp. & p. p.) of Confess.Greek 1843. exomologeo -- to agree, confess ... Word Origin from ek and homologeo Definition to agree, confess NASB Word Usage confess (2), confessed (1), confessing (2), consented (1), give praise (2 ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1843.htm - 8k 3670. homologeo -- to speak the same, to agree Strong's Hebrew 3034. yadah -- to throw, cast... root Definition to throw, cast NASB Word Usage confess (10), confessed (3), confesses (1), confessing (2), gave (1), gave praise (1), give you thanks (5), give ... /hebrew/3034.htm - 6k Library The Hoax Confessed. The Divine Christ Confessed, the Suffering Christ Denied How all the Saints have Confessed with Truth that they were ... Sunday after Ascension Day. These all Confessed that they were ... St. Thomas Also Confessed the Same Faith as Peter after the Lord's ... How Hermes Openly Confessed the Error of his Forefathers, the ... Concerning a Bishop who Removes a Man from Communion who Says He ... They Brought up against Me after Thirty Years an Occurrence I had ... "But as Soon as it is Known and Confessed... "For as Soon as it is Known and Confessed... Thesaurus Confessed (19 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Confessed (19 Occurrences). ... (See NAS). John 1:20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. ... /c/confessed.htm - 12k Acknowledge (61 Occurrences) Confess (65 Occurrences) Denied (34 Occurrences) Affirm (7 Occurrences) Affirmatives Prayed (97 Occurrences) Nero Restrained (51 Occurrences) Confesses (8 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about forgiveness? What does it mean to forgive? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did David ask God to “create in me a clean heart” in Psalm 51:10? | GotQuestions.org Why should I believe in Christ's resurrection? | GotQuestions.org Confessed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Confessed (19 Occurrences)Matthew 3:6 John 1:20 John 9:22 Acts 19:18 1 Timothy 6:12 Hebrews 11:13 Leviticus 5:5 Leviticus 16:21 Leviticus 26:40 Numbers 5:7 1 Samuel 7:6 1 Kings 8:33 1 Kings 8:35 2 Chronicles 6:24 2 Chronicles 6:26 Ezra 10:1 Nehemiah 9:2 Nehemiah 9:3 Daniel 9:4 Subtopics Related Terms |