I understand what you are saying, but for our purposes we all believe that Jesus was raised from the dead.
So our confession would include that. Thank you.
The problem is some do not believe that confession is part of the salvation process, even though Romans 10:9-10 clearly state that it is. TT believes that confession is a work and is therefore not part of the salvation process, but is done after one is saved, contrary to what Paul said in Romans 10:9-10.
So what do you say?
What do I say?
I would say that salvation occured when
Romans 10:9-13
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
So Paul says when we confess the above and believe in our hearts this leads to salvation, we will be saved.
With regards to work
John 6:29
29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” (NLT)
John 6:29
29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (NKJV)
The above rendered differently.
One says it's the work of God, the other is the only work he wants is to believe in Jesus.
Either way the result is the same. Belief in Jesus.
So for me the confession that Pauk talks about and Jesus says is not part of the salvation process it's the start of salvation.
Maybe there is some misunderstanding concerning "Salvation process"
We cannot be initially saved without a genuine confession and belief.
So I'm talking about confessing unbelief in Jesus.
That is a sin which is why Jesus had to go back to the Father so that the Holy Spirit must come, yet he only mentions the sin of unbelief.
John 16:8-11
8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
So the Holy Spirit convicts in the first instance unbelief.
Not sure if the righteousness mentioned in the above verses relate to that in Romans.
So is confession a work after our initial confession that results in our salvation.
I would say yes and no.
The reason I say yes is actually tongue in cheek.
There have been many times where God has had to keep proding me to confess my sin.
Mainly when I carry unforgivness in my heart against others. And infact he has taken it deeper. Like when someone has cut me up on the road and I call them a nasty name.
But overall to me confession should not be a work but a natural process as a result of loving relationship, between us and God and us and those we have offended.
Confession is about relationship.
So taking my tongue out of my cheek confession is not a work.
I would add a caveat though.
Many belivers find it difficult to come before God because they are sin conscious and as a result they are expecting a beating. Their guilt stops them.