Correspondence: Eternal Sonship; Confess to God or Christ?; 2 Cor. 13:6

Narrator: Chris Genthree
2 Corinthians 13:6  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
Question: What does the Scripture teach about the eternal Sonship of Christ?
Answer: We believe the truth of the eternal Sonship of Christ is as distinctly taught in Scripture as the truth of the Trinity. The fact that such an expression does not occur, no more militates against the one truth than it does against the other. If the Son is God, He must be eternal. “Unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.” Heb. 1:88But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. (Hebrews 1:8).
It seems to us that the Deity and Eternity of the Son are so indissolubly linked together, that whoso denies the one, denies the other likewise. May God give us all subjection to Scripture.
Question: Should we confess our sins to God or to Christ? Why is confession necessary?
Answer: We believe it is to God our Father we have to confess our sins. This must be evident if you will read 1 John 1:5-105This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5‑10). We do not see any difficulty in the matter. It is true we are in relationship with God— our sins are all forgiven—our guilt atoned for—but yet we are liable to commit sin; and, when we do so, there must be confession ere our communion with God can be restored. This confession and its results are founded upon the atoning work and advocacy of our Lord Jesus Christ. If my child does wrong, he does not cease to be my child; but I cannot allow him to enjoy happy intercourse with me until he fully confesses the wrong.
Question: Please explain “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” 2 Cor. 13:66But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. (2 Corinthians 13:6).
Answer: This is a much misunderstood scripture. The Corinthian saints had been converted through Paul’s ministry. Some among them were calling in question his apostleship. He then challenges them that if he was an imposter and not a genuine apostle, it would look bad for their profession, as they had professed under his ministry. There is an element of irony in his challenge to them to examine themselves whether they be in the faith.