There are many proclaimed "believers" in Jesus in this present age. Probably more now than there has ever been. However, the number of followers seems to be considerably less. The question is, why? Would these so-called "believers" in Jesus admit to not following Him? If the answer is no, then what is the cause for a believer not following the logical steps to becoming a Christian? The answer is that many do not go any further than just belief. God asks much more of us than simply believing that Jesus is His Son. Jesus is deity, and there must be a confession of that precious fact (Romans 10:17). The word deity meaning that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus himself was asked directly about His deity when he was on trial toward the end of his life.
Notice the simple understated response that Jesus gave, "Thou hast said". His own confirmation of deity in Matthew 26 removes all doubt as to His namesake. Many others who had seen Jesus also pronounced Him the Son of God (Matthew 16:16; John 9:33, 22, 34; Acts 7:55-56). The only claim we can have regarding Jesus is that He was and is the only Son of our only God (Matthew 16:16-18).
Individuals who have become Christians already understand the importance of this confession. Jesus has commanded public admittance of the fact that He is the Son of God. Notice what He says in Matthew 10:32:
Jesus is asking for our complete allegiance and loyalty. He also wants us to know that if we confess Him before others, He will confess us before the Father. We should never have doubt about the second half of verse 32 "him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven."
Following Jesus' crucifixion, He arose from His grave and ascended into Heaven. As prophecy continued to be fulfilled, the Church of our Lord was established on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. As the faithful apostles and new followers of Christ preached, many people responded and wanted to know how to become a Christian.
This passage points out two very important actions the sinner must take before becoming a Christian. The first action is believing from the heart that Jesus is the Son of God. If the first action is a necessity, and through the verification of other scriptures we know that it is, the second action is also a necessity ("; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.") One desiring to become a Christian must admit with his mouth that Jesus is the Son of God.
Let's look at an example of a conversion that illustrates this commandment in Acts 8.
Philip preached the Gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch, and the eunuch immediately desired to become not just a believer. He wanted to be a follower. Philip had instructed him according to God's commandments. Why else would the eunuch make this unmistakable confession? Following this passage, the eunuch continued in the rest of the God's commands and was baptized for the remission of his sins.
There is a final warning in the New Testament that is issued to every single person. The following scripture from God does not give notice to whether you are a non-believer, believer, or follower.
Every single one of us will confess Jesus Christ as Lord in the last day. Then, however, it will be too late to do so and still receive the blessing of eternal life. Confession that Jesus Christ is Lord to become a follower is an essential step to becoming not just a believer, but a Christian.