Riff's Christian Journal

Actually, both words “accepting” and “confessing” each have different meanings and only one is biblically correct.

I am sure you have heard it said many times, “If you just accept Jesus as your Savior you will be saved.”Well, you will not find that phrase anywhere in the Bible. Only once in the New Testament is the word “accept” used and it is not in connection with Jesus at all.

However, confessing that Jesus is Lord is written and it is stated in connection with being saved. In Romans 10: 9 we read:

Rom 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.

And in Philippians 2: 10, 11 we read this:

Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 

Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confessthat Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Accepting anyone for any reason does not mean that you are subject to them. 

Jesus stated the following in giving a good example. In Luke 9: 12, 13, 14 we read these words by Jesus in a parable He was giving:

Luk 19:12  He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 

Luk 19:13  And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 

Luk 19:14  But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 

These servants “accepted” this man to be a nobleman, and King, but they hated him and stated as such and even said that they would not have him to reign oven them. They accepted him but they did not confess him to be their lord and master, and accepting Jesus as Savior does not automatically get you saved.

However, when you “confess” that someone is Lord you are also saying that you are subject to him, will obey him and will follow him no matter what.Confessing Him to be your Lord is proof that you are saved. As it is written in Romans 10: 8 – 13:

Rom 10:8  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 

Rom 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. 

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

Rom 10:11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 

Rom 10:12  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

So, which would you do, which have you done – accept Jesus as Savior or confess Him to be your Lord?