What is a profession of faith?

what does the bible say?

To profess something is to declare it openly. Usually the term “profession of faith” refers to a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. This profession reveals a person’s intention to follow Christ in all their ways. Romans 10:9–10 says: “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.” A public declaration, or confession, of faith is an excellent way to demonstrate the intention of one’s heart. Walking out that faith always requires concrete action steps. One common way to publicly profess faith in Christ is through water baptism. Baptism in and of itself is not a ritual which guarantees salvation (John 6:63). Rather, baptism showcases outwardly the work of the Holy Spirit inwardly. It is a way to profess our faith in and allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord.

from the old testament

• Moses declared his trust in God to Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1).
• Joshua professed his faith to the people of Israel (Joshua 24:15).
• David declared his trust in God above all other things (Psalm 20:7).
• Israel was instructed to profess their trust in God (1 Chronicles 16:24).
• Daniel and his three friends declared their trust in God (Daniel 3:16-18; 6:21-22).

from the new testament

• Peter confessed his belief in Jesus as the Messiah (John 6:68-69).
• Confession is an outward sign of an inward change (Romans 10:9-10).
• Confession of Christ as Lord is impossible for unbelievers (1 Corinthians 12:3).

implications for today

Faith in the heart always needs to be accompanied by action. The apostle James says that faith is dead unless it is accompanied by works (James 2:17, 26). You can say you believe in something, but those are just words until you back them up with your actions. Even demons acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, but that doesn’t save them or make them surrendered to Him (James 2:19). Early church Christians in Rome were persecuted when they professed faith in Christ. Their profession was met with the need for extreme action, requiring faithfulness to Christ sometimes to the point of death (Acts 2:1–41; 4:1–4; 8:1–3.Abraham’s faith was put to the test: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:21–24). The entirety of Hebrews 11 details multiple examples of believers whose faith required action. While an outward profession of faith and actions accompanying faith are important, these are not what save us (Matthew 7:21–23). We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). We must repent of our sins (Mark 6:12; Acts 2:38; 26:20) and be born again (John 3:3). When we confess our sins and place our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells us and transforms our hearts (Ephesians 1:13–14; Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:29–30). As we submit to the Holy Spirit’s work in us, our own desires and perspectives begin to shift into alignment with the Word of God. We lay down our fleshly self daily for the sake of Christ (Luke 9:23; Galatians 2:20).

Recap

understand

• A profession of faith is a public declaration of belief in Jesus.
• Faith is shown through both professing our faith and by accompanying actions.
• Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works like a profession of faith.

reflect

• How does your own declaration of faith in Jesus shape your daily actions and decisions?
• In what areas of your life do your actions need to align more with the faith you profess?
• What connection does your profession of faith have with tangible actions that reflect Christ’s character?

engage

• What is the significance of a profession of faith since it does not save us?
• How can a profession of faith be more than just words, and what are some practical ways to demonstrate it?
• Why is it important for our faith to be accompanied by action, according to James 2:17, 26?