Basic Text: Romans 10:8–15
Daily Readings
Monday – Colossians 3:8–17 – Clothed with the New Self
Tuesday – Luke 12:4–9 – Confessing Him Before Men
Wednesday – Romans 10:8–11 – Confessing Him with Our Mouth
Thursday – James 1:21–27 – Putting the Word into Practice
Friday – 2 Corinthians 5:17–21 – A New Creation
Saturday – Matthew 13:1–23 – Sowing to Bear Fruit
Sunday – Ecclesiastes 5:1–5 – Be Careful What You Promise
Introduction
The public profession of faith (and baptism, in the case of those who have not previously been baptized) is the biblical manner by which someone becomes a communicating member of the church. Before receiving baptism, the eunuch evangelized by Philip professed his faith, saying, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:35–38). The Scriptures emphasize the necessity of verbally confessing one’s faith. It was Christ Himself who established this principle: “Whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God.” but whoever denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8–9). The Apostle Paul adds: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9–10).
I. What the person professes or declares
When a person desires to make a public profession of faith, they wish to affirm before the church that they possess a living, biblical faith in Jesus Christ for the salvation of their life. At the same time, they desire to identify themselves with the people of God and actively participate in the ministry of the local church, for the glory of God. Such a person “looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts” (James 1:25).
The negligent hearer of the Word is the person who neither accepts nor seeks to practice God’s will as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. In contrast, the diligent practitioner of the Word is the person who, from the heart, strives to conform their life to what is written in the Bible.
No one can be a true believer without manifesting transformation in their life. They must be like the “new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Colossians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Furthermore, they must bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). The Westminster Confession of Faith describes the unity of the Christian faith in this manner: “Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and His righteousness (His perfect righteousness), is the sole instrument of justification (by which sins are forgiven and our person accepted before God, a decision based on the sufficiency of Christ’s redemptive and substitutionary work on the cross of Calvary); however, it is not alone in the justified person, but always accompanied by all other saving graces; it is not a dead faith, but the faith that works through love” (Westminster Confession of Faith, XI.II).
II. Admission to the Local Church
Before making or publicly affirming their faith, the candidate will be examined by the Church Council. In this examination, the pastor and the elders of the church will address three matters:
A. Their Faith in Christ
It is the responsibility of the church officers to discern the reality of the candidate’s faith. The Council’s decision will be based on their knowledge, regular attendance at worship services, testimony within and outside the church, Christian conduct, and conviction regarding their faith in the substitutionary work of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross of Calvary. The result of the examination cannot be considered an absolute answer (God is the final Judge); men see only the outward appearance. Therefore, the public profession of faith cannot be viewed as a guarantee of entry into heaven.
B. Their Knowledge of the Bible
The true believer is a person devoted to the Holy Scriptures. They have learned that man does not live by bread alone (material things), but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3). Those who desire to declare their faith before the church engage in a systematic, daily, and consecutive reading of the Bible. It is very important for the believer to set aside regular time for Bible reading and prayer. With this well-developed habit and consistent attendance at church meetings—namely, Sunday School, public worship services, midweek Bible studies, and prayer meetings—the sincere believer will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
C. Their Religious Experience
Before publicly declaring their faith, the candidate needs some Christian experience, a period of time to confirm the reality of their experience with Christ. New converts, without sufficient time to develop spiritual roots, and young children cannot make a public profession of faith because they lack the necessary understanding. Many demonstrate “goodwill” to become believers, but when persecutions or temptations arise, they end up leaving Christ aside, giving preference to other interests. The person who has religious experience has already faced temptations and, by the grace of God, has overcome them or repented after a fall, committing themselves not to fall into that sin again, with God’s help. Because of this experience, she has “her senses trained to discern not only good but also evil” (Hebrews 5:14). Whoever desires to formally declare their faith before the church manifests all the evidence of a life rooted in Christ Jesus (Matthew 13:1–23).
III. The main duties of church members are as follows:
When a person declares their faith before the church, they not only confess Christ as their sole and sufficient Savior but also promise to fulfill the responsibilities related to the Christian life. This promise constitutes a solemn vow in the presence of God and is, therefore, very serious. One does not trifle with sacred things. The Bible warns: “It is better not to vow than to vow and not fulfill it” (Ecclesiastes 5:1–5).
A. To live according to the doctrine and practice of the Holy Scriptures
This is the essence of James 1:25.
B. To honor and propagate the gospel through life and word
Our testimony is always twofold: we speak of Christ and live out His gospel (Ephesians 4:1).
C. To support the church and its institutions, morally and financially
These institutions include, among others, seminaries and biblical institutes. The maintenance of both the local and national church is made possible by the faithful contributions of its members. The standard for contribution is the tithe (one-tenth of our financial income). Each believer should pray to God for guidance regarding this important aspect of the Christian life. The Apostle Paul said that we demonstrate the sincerity of our love for Christ through generous contributions (2 Corinthians 8:1–8).
D. To obey the authorities of the church (its councils, pastors, elders, and deacons), as long as they remain faithful to the Holy Scriptures.
It is important to recognize that church officers are also subject to the authority of the Scriptures (Hebrews 13:7, 17).
E. To participate in the meetings of their church, including assemblies
We must remember that the church was instituted by Jesus Christ so that we may be mutually edified and helped. Through it, God accomplishes the edification of His people as well as the evangelization of the world (Hebrews 10:24–25; Matthew 28:19–20).
Conclusion
By formally declaring our faith before the church, we assume the responsibility to truly live in a Christian manner. Speaking about the ministers of Christ, the stewards of the mysteries of God, the Bible says: “What is required of stewards is that each one be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2). This also applies to all other servants of God and, therefore, applies to us. Let us live a Christian life, awaiting that word of approval: “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). Jesus also warns us: “But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13); that is, their faith in Christ will be confirmed. The public profession of faith, therefore, is the beginning of a life faithful to Jesus Christ, putting the teachings of Scripture into practice and obeying God every day. May it be so.
Application
Are you truly ready for a committed life, a life characterized by faithfulness to Christ Jesus? Read Luke 14:27–30, which speaks about undertaking the Christian life with awareness of what one is doing, and pray asking God to guide you so that you may be a faithful servant and live as an authentic Christian.