No, an unbeliever cannot truly claim Jesus as Lord.
While an unbeliever may verbally say the words, such a claim has no truth or sincerity because genuine acknowledgment requires the Holy Spirit's work. Only a believer, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, can sincerely confess Jesus as Lord, as the Spirit enables that confession. Scripture itself indicates that no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:3 — This verse directly states that no one can say 'Jesus is the Lord' except by the Holy Spirit, establishing the principle that genuine confession is Spirit-empowered and thus impossible for an unbeliever.
The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:3 asserts, 'no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.' This indicates that a sincere confession of Jesus as Lord is not a mere human utterance but a confession made possible only through the Holy Spirit's operation in a person. Moreover, Romans 10:9-10 connects confession with salvation: 'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.' This suggests that true confession arises from a heart of faith, which an unbeliever lacks. Additionally, Deuteronomy 21:23 declares that one hanged on a tree is accursed of God. This Law was used by some Jewish unbelievers to conclude that Jesus, crucified, was accursed. However, such a conclusion came from unbelief, not from the Holy Spirit.
Les Feldick teaches that an unbeliever may say 'Jesus is Lord,' but such a claim is meaningless because it lacks the truth and sincerity that only the Holy Spirit can give. The genuine confession of Jesus as Lord is reserved for believers who have been born again and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Les also contrasts this with the Jewish unbelievers of Paul's day who, based on Deuteronomy 21:23, called Jesus accursed because He was crucified—a conclusion born of unbelief. He emphasizes that after the resurrection, Jesus becomes Lord of the believer's life, and so we appropriately refer to Him as the Lord Jesus Christ. Les clarifies that he does not endorse Lordship Salvation, as that smacks of works, but rather that when a person enters by faith and experiences the new birth, Christ becomes Lord of their life as a result.
Because genuine confession comes from the Holy Spirit. An unbeliever may mouth the words, but there is no truth in it. Only a believer, born again and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, can sincerely declare Jesus as Lord.
Les explains that Jewish unbelievers used Deuteronomy 21:23, which says one hanged on a tree is accursed of God, to accuse Jesus because He was crucified. They concluded He was cursed. This was a conclusion of unbelief, not of the Holy Spirit.
Confessing Jesus as Lord means acknowledging that He is in control of your life. For a believer, this is a genuine confession made possible by the Holy Spirit. It goes beyond a mere verbal claim and reflects a heartfelt surrender to His lordship.
Jewish Unbelief and the Curse of the Cross
Les explains how Jewish unbelievers used Deuteronomy 21:23 to accuse Jesus of being accursed because of His crucifixion, illustrating the kind of false claims unbelief can produce.
Unbeliever's Claim is Meaningless
Les directly answers that an unbeliever may say Jesus is Lord, but it doesn't amount to anything because there's no truth in it; only a believer can genuinely claim Christ as Lord.
Believer's Confession of Lordship
Les teaches that only a true believer can sincerely confess Jesus as Lord, and the Holy Spirit is the evidence that indeed Jesus is Lord.
How Can You Know You're Saved? The Plan of Salvation in Scripture
And He becomes not just Jesus, but He becomes Jesus Christ the Lord, or the Lord Jesus Christ. And I think it is only proper to approach Him on those terms. So if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt believe, and believe is not something that you do with your hands or your feet. Believing is an attitude of the heart.
Christ Becomes Lord of the Believer's Life
Les clarifies that while he doesn't agree with Lordship Salvation, when a person is saved and experiences the new birth, Christ becomes Lord of their life as a natural outcome.
How Can You Know You're Saved? The Plan of Salvation in Scripture
I'm a child of Adam, and I have no reason to expect you to take me into your heaven." Because that's what your Book tells me. Verbalize it, and say it out loud, in the same way when we call on Him for salvation. Don't just assume that God reads your heart, although He certainly can. But He wants us to actually audibly say it out loud, and say, "...Lord, I want you to save me.
Unbelievers Not Part of the Body
Les notes that not all church members are true believers, and unbelievers are not members of the body of Christ, reinforcing the distinction between the saved and the unsaved.
The Lord Jesus Christ: Inclusive Term
Les emphasizes that the full title 'The Lord Jesus Christ' encompasses everything He is to believers, and it is appropriate to include the word Lord when referring to Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:3: Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
This verse directly underpins the teaching that a genuine confession of Jesus as Lord is only possible through the Holy Spirit.
Romans 10:9: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
This verse connects the confession of Jesus as Lord with heartfelt belief and salvation, emphasizing the inward reality required.
Deuteronomy 21:23: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
This verse was used by Jewish unbelievers to justify calling Jesus accursed because He was crucified on a tree.
Yes, they can say the words, but the claim is insincere and meaningless because it lacks the truth that the Holy Spirit imparts. Only a true believer can genuinely confess Jesus as Lord.
Because Jesus was crucified, they applied Deuteronomy 21:23, which says one hanged on a tree is accursed of God. They concluded He was cursed, but this was a conclusion of unbelief.
No, he explicitly does not agree with Lordship Salvation, as he feels it smacks of works. Instead, he teaches that when a person is saved by faith, Christ becomes Lord of their life as a result.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Jews Called Jesus Accursed — 1 Corinthians 12:3 Explained