Two Confessions

What do Christians confess? Two things! Let’s find out what they are in the context of what Jesus said when He appeared after His resurrection in John 20:19-31.

John 20:19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Why did Jesus say, “peace be with you,” on resurrection Sunday and the following Sunday. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines it as "the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is."

The apostles began their letters with peace. Christians offer peace to friend and foe. Some churches offer peace before communion. Jesus came to the disciples in their fears and brought them peace from heaven. They were then sent with the message of peace, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

1. We Confess Sin

John 20:23 “If you [plural, not singular] forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you [plural] retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”

The disciples could only confirm heaven’s decision — “their sins have [already] been forgiven.” The Gospel message includes repentance, confession of sins and forgiveness. Those refusing, remain unforgiven. We openly confess we are sinners, leaving the details to private prayer. Confessing to a priest was not popular until the 7th-11th centuries.

John 20:24-25 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Before confessing Christ, Thomas first confessed his lack of faith to the disciples. To whom do we confess?

I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. (Psalm 32:5).

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:16)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).

2. We Confess Jesus

The second thing Christians confess is Jesus. Thomas’ faith was initially quite weak (Hebrews 11:1). But, then he confessed something remarkable, and Jesus answered something also remarkable.

John 20:28-29 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

All the disciples abandoned Jesus, but He offered His peace. Thomas confessed personally, “My Lord and my God!” Not “our” but “my” God. This legitimizes having a “personal relationship” with God. We, who believe though we have not seen, receive a special blessing. We confess though we have not seen.

Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32)

if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9)

Jesus stands ready as He stood among them, to grant us the peace which surpasses all understanding. Let’s openly confess that we have all sinned and let’s openly confess our faith in our risen Lord, Jesus.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

References: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon; The Early Church Fathers on Confession; The Early Church Fathers on Confession/Reconciliation

Readings

Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Peter confesses Christ

Psalm 16 David confesses the one true God

1 Peter 1:3-9 the outcome of our faith is the salvation of our souls

John 20:19-31 in Rhyme

Sunday evening the doors were locked

Fearing what the Jews might concoct

Jesus came and stood in their midst

Saying, May peace with you exist

Then He showed them His hands and side

And then they rejoiced with delight

And Jesus said, “Peace be with you

The Father sent Me. I send you.

And when He had said this He breathed

The Holy Spirit they received

And any sins that you remit

Forgiveness was already writ

And any sins that you retain

Their unforgiveness will remain

Thomas was away, they record

And so they said, “We’ve seen the Lord!”