CONFESS THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD

CONFESSION

Any person who truly believes that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God will never be ashamed to confess this fact before others. If we sincerely believe, we will be eager to share this wonderful news with others everywhere. It was upon this fact that Jesus called a rock foundation, that He said, "I will build my church."

1. Matthew 10:32 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

A. Who makes this promise?
B. How certain is this promise to be kept?
C. What does he promise to do?

2. 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."

A. Is this a confession of sins, as for example in the Catholic "confessional"?
B. What is confessed?
C. Upon what two facts is this confession based?
D. What is the result of such a confession?

3. Matthew 16:16 In what words did Peter state his faith?

A. What portion of the above scripture is proof of the fact Peter confessed?

4. Matthew 16:17 From whom did Jesus say that Peter got this knowledge?

A. How do we know it did not come from men?

5. Matthew 16:18 What did Jesus say would be built on this fact?

A. "My Church"
B. How do we know he did not mean Peter? (By the meaning of word he used for rock.)
C. How safe is His church from destruction? ("The gates of hell shall not prevail against it ")

6. John 12:43 What reason is given for men not confessing their faith in Christ?

A. Which "men" are spoken of here? (Chief rulers of the synagogue) v-42
B. Of whom were they afraid? v-42
C. What could these men do to them? v-42
D. Whose "praise" did they love? v-43
E. What was wrong with this decision?

7. 1 Peter 3:15 "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

A. What are we to be ready togive an answer to? (A reason for our hope.)
B. What modern-day word woulddescribe this reason? (A testimony)
C. Why should we do this "withmeekness" ? ( Because it is not something we take pride in that we havedone. It is God's to be praised.)
D. Why "fear" ? Both the NIV& the GN versions say, "gentleness and respect", probably a bettertranslation.

8. Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone that saith unto me,Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeththe will of my Father which is in heaven."
A. Is salvation only a matter ofwords?
B. What else is requiredaccording to this verse?

9. Matthew 10:33 "But whosoever shall deny me beforemen, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."

A. Is it possible to "deny" Jesus other than with words? (Discussion)

10. 1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowshipwith him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"

A. Why can't we have fellowshipwith God and walk in darkness?
B. If we walk in the light as heis in the light, what additional blessings are ours? v-7
C. Why can't we claim to have nosins, even without Jesus? "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."

11. 1 John 2:4 "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

A. What is meant here by "I know him," ? (To claim to be a Christian.)
B. Does this not also include to repent and be baptized? "Teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Matthew 28:19 (Jesus' own words.)
C. How serious is it to be called a liar in whom there is no truth? (Revelation 21:8, note: "all liars,shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone;" (Note: Matthew 7:21, question # 9 in this connection.)

13. 1 John 4:15 "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God."