This "good confession" is prominently brought out in a conversation between Christ and his disciples near the coast of Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16:13-18); "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Several answers were given; "Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias: and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." But notice Christ’s still more pointed question and Simon Peter’s reply: "But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God."

No greater answer could have been given, for this mounts up to the very climax of possible confession and at one bound leaps to the very highest ground regarding Christ’s personality and immediately places him on the God level. Notice Christ’s reception of the answer: "Blessed art thou, Simon, son of Jona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." By this we know it was the true answer for Jesus even pronounced a blessing upon the one who uttered it, thus testifying to its greatness. "And I also say unto thee, That thou art Peter (Petros), and upon this rock (Petra) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

From this it is evident that it was the purpose of Christ to build his church on the fundamental truth, that he himself is the promised Messiah, the Son of the living God, by requiring all who would become members of his church to confess this truth as did Peter. If so, the "good confession of Peter is really the "good confession" of the church, the same that was made by Timothy "before many witnesses" (I Tim. 6:12).

All early Christians recognized this confession as a prerequisite to baptism, for Philip required the eunuch to make it before he would baptize him (Acts 8:36-38): "Then said Philip, if thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest." In response to his inquiry the eunuch replied, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Thus, upon this confession, "Both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and he baptized him." He evidently made this confession, audibly, and not by merely nodding his head for Paul says, "With the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:10). Immediately after the eunuch was baptized, he "went on his way rejoicing." Why? Because, "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Rom. 10:9).

The pleadings of our Savior should serve as a strong incentive to cause one to confess Christ. "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 10:32). Without making this confession no sinner can become a Christian; and without living in accordance with what is included afterwards, no man can be saved in heaven. Like the planets in the realm of space revolve around the sun, so do all the great principles of the Bible cluster around this "good confession." Yet, I have heard men professing to be ministers of the gospel belittle this "good confession" and substitute in its stead the telling of curious feelings, funny experiences, grave-yard yarns, and "ghost stories." Oh, thou eternal and righteous God! How long wilt thou withhold the exhibition of thy wrath against the "doctrines and commandments of men ?" "Be not deceived, God is not mocked."

Many great men have confessed that Jesus is the Son of God. John the Baptist said, "Behold, the Lamb of Cod that taketh away the sin of the world" (Jno. 1:29). Peter said, "Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16). The eunuch said "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37). Timothy confessed Christ, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses" (R. V.) I Tim. 6:12). Christ confessed Himself to be the Son of God (I Tim. 6:13). Finally, God placed his own seal of approval on his Son, when his voice thundered from the portals of glory, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matt. 3:17.

In the light of such scriptures all should confess the name of Christ. For it is written, "As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to God" (Rom. 14:11).

There is no better way to entrench the soul in righteousness than by an open avowal that commits the individual to a right line of action. When crises come to try the soul, he who has committed himself to God in open confession before men has an immense advantage. Many a man, just for the want of this, has gone down in everlasting shame and ruin. While on the other hand many by reason of this confession have risen a triumphant conqueror over the forces of hell and have been able to say with Paul, "Thanks be unto God who I giveth us the victory through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Then let every one be admonished by the pleadings of God, by the wooings of the Holy Spirit, by the admonition of Christ, by the examples of the apostles and martyrs, by his obligation to the church, by the gratitude he owes the Saviour, by the debt he owes the world, by the duty he owes himself, and let him without fear, and without hesitation, and in the consciousness that he will never do a nobler deed, stand up before the Lord and declare, "I believe with all my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

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