He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."

His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that he was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.

For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his mouth and so is saved.

By this you know the Spirit of God: every Spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.