Personally, I see a confession and repentance to be one in the same. At least before the scriptures or the good news of the gospel was known world wide.
I do think God the Father could call out, draw , anyone to Christ, even if they didn't know His name or the Gospel.
A surrendered life to the caller would in truth would be a confession ( need for forgiveness ), repentance ( turning of the mind to the direction of the caller ) followed by the first act of Faith or pisteuo ( a personal surrender to Him and a life inspired by such surrender.) That being just the start , no Spirit of Christ given yet.
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
From the time of Noah up to Moses writing the Torah all teachings were given orally by God to His prophets to teach others.
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
When Peter spoke this on the day of Pentecost the Gospels like we have today were not written yet as on the day of Penetecost was the first Christian Church established through Christ. Then came letters written to the churches as the Disciples went about establishing them and it is those letters that make up the Bible we use to study out of.
Confession is acknowledgement that one has been disobedient to God causing them to sin against Him. Repenting is humbling yourself before the Lord and asking for forgiveness as we surrender all to Him when we first believed on His name.
