“Given that, what did they actually admit about Jesus. They knew who he was, but they didn’t or couldn’t actually say he was “their” Lord and Savior...or what did they say?”
Rooster, I’m going to go out on a limb here ...
I believe they knew and understood that Jesus the Christ is, was, and will be forever, Lord and God over all, including them. They certainly knew their fate. They were/are spirit and God is THE Great Spirit, so I think they’re not unintelligent beings and are not to be fooled with. I think they are more intelligent than we are given that they have access to realms we don’t.
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
The story sounds made up. Just the mention of Jesus would have terrified them