Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1031
Question On Confessing Christ
by Larry Ray Hafley
Brother Hafley, I am a young preacher. I have a question regarding the confession that the Eunuch made in the books of Acts. In Acts 8:37, "Then Philip said, ’If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ’I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’"
My question is this: When I was going to be baptized my preacher asked me if I believed that Jesus is the Son of God, and I simply said "yes." Does one need to make the same exact confession in the same words as the Eunuch made? Or, was my "yes" enough? Or, should I be rebaptized? Could you please respond to me?
Reply: I am thankful for your conscientious desire to be right before God. However, I think your fears are not necessary. Below are my reasons for saying so.
Your confession was complete. Here is how I know. First, to what were you responding when you said, "Yes?" You were responding to the question, "Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" When you said, "Yes," that meant, "Yes, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." You did believe. You acknowledged that you believed. In essence, you confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (Rom. 10:9, 10). That is all you needed to do. You do not need to be baptized again.
Second, turn it around. Suppose a Christian is leaving the faith and being joined to a band of infidels. He tells them he wants to be enrolled among them. They say, "Do you deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" and he says, "Yes," meaning that he denies that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Has that brother denied the faith at that point? By answering, "yes," to the question, "Do you deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" has he denied his faith? I believe he has.
So, likewise, when you confessed yours with a simple, "yes," you were affirming it as surely as the example above was denying it.
I hope this helps you in your concern about your obedience to the gospel. I would not worry about it. "Holler back" if you need to do so. Take care. Larry
