Confession and Forgiveness of sins

[Metropolitan]

John 20 : 23 says " If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven, if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven"

From this verse it is quite clear that Jesus gave his disciples the power to forgive the sins of others

James 5 : 16 says " Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed .The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective"

I have not always agreed to the Catholic ritual of confessing their sins in front of their priests, as I believe that only God has the power to forgive us our sins...And I also do not believe that the so called 'successors of the apostles' in this case the priests , has the authority to forgive our sins...I feel the above passages have been wrongly interpreted by the RC church to defend their ministerial duties, as I believe the power to absolve sins comes from God and God ONLY!

I wish to get some more insight into these, from my brethren in this forum!

In Christ Jesus

[Sherman]

John 20 : 23 says " If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven, if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven"

From this verse it is quite clear that Jesus gave his disciples the power to forgive the sins of others

James 5 : 16 says " Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed .The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective"

I have not always agreed to the Catholic ritual of confessing their sins in front of their priests, as I believe that only God has the power to forgive us our sins...And I also do not believe that the so called 'successors of the apostles' in this case the priests , has the authority to forgive our sins...I feel the above passages have been wrongly interpreted by the RC church to defend their ministerial duties, as I believe the power to absolve sins comes from God and God ONLY!

I wish to get some more insight into these, from my brethren in this forum!

In Christ Jesus

Hey Metro,

The essence of the Gospel is that Jesus has died for all of our sins, and therefore we are forgiven of all of our sins, all of our sins as in past, present, future, those we repent of and those we will not repent of until judgement day. God has forgiven us all of all of our sins!! Hallelujah!

Thankfully, God has also provided multiple means of grace for us to receive this forgiveness. Baptism in water is a powerful means of grace to receive the forgiveness of sins. Personal prayer for forgiveness of sins is also powerful. Communion, the Eucharist is another powerful means of grace for the forgiveness of sins for the believer. And Confession is another very powerful means of receiving the forgiveness of sins, often more powerful than any other means of grace. Confession often brings healing and cleansing of our consciences like no other means of grace!!!

Frankly, I think we have lost something by not facilitating this in our congregations. And I don't think that the RCC has wrongly interpreted this or that their method of facilitating this is wrong; it's just not the only way that it can be done, and you don't have to be an officially recognized priest to hear another's confession because most evangelicals belief in the priesthood of all believers. The main thing is that we realize that the Gospel is that God has forgiven us of all of our sins because of the death of Jesus! Hallelujah!!

Blessings,

Sherman

[GardenDove]

I am Catholic and use this sacrament. I personally think it's a whole lot healthier that going on Oprah and confessing to the whole world, like everyone does these days. In the sacrament, you are really confessing to God, but there's something very powerful about actually saying your sins out loud to a representative of the Church. I think it's too bad that most Catholics don't take advantage of Confession to a priest, it's really very healing.

There are some arch Catholics that make the whole thing very legalistic, and liberal Catholics who don't take it very seriously, but there is a balanced approach too. Let me tell you, there's nothing so real and cleansing as a good confession, and the anonymity of the confessional is a big plus!

[Thaddaeus]

Metropolitan,

I have not always agreed to the Catholic ritual of confessing their sins in front of their priests, as I believe that only God has the power to forgive us our sins...

Only God does have the power to forgive. But God uses men, bishops and priests, for that purpose in His Body. The Servant of God,does not himself absolve sin as that would be an impossibility.

But, as others have stated is a singularly powerful means and very healing or theraputic.

It is not the only means but is one of the most effective means for a Christian. Part of that verse and the intent is that Christians should confess their sins before men, before the congregation, and this is how it was done for a very short time. But it was abused by some, thus it became personal, rather than public. The Orthodox still do it in front of the Church. There is no private confessional booth as the RCC has developed.

One error is to think that one is automatically forgiven because of Christ's work on the Cross. Christ forgave absolutely no one on the Cross. His death provided for forgiveness and barred the beleiver from having to suffer the second death. But by confession is the ONLY way that God will forgiven sins. You sins remain with you unless and until you submit them in confession to God and seek forgiveness and cleansing.

One additional note, regarding this practice. When John or any other Apostles recorded these words we read in the Bible, they are themselves interpretations of what was already in practice and had been done for quite some time. So when John is writing this, he is recording a set practice of the early Church.

Edited March 7, 2007 by Thaddaeus

[Metropolitan]

Thaddaeus, I see your point...Some churches dont have the confessions with a one-on-one with the priest, but they recite a set prayer, which the congregation says after the priest, just before the communion call...But again, I think untill we specifically confess our guilt, it may not be all that an effective confession!

But did Jesus, actually give the apostles the power to forgive sins?

[Kansasdad]

Thaddaeus, I see your point...Some churches dont have the confessions with a one-on-one with the priest, but they recite a set prayer, which the congregation says after the priest, just before the communion call...But again, I think untill we specifically confess our guilt, it may not be all that an effective confession!

But did Jesus, actually give the apostles the power to forgive sins?

With God working through them. It is Gods use of the men he has put in charge, so to speek. Of worthy note is that this is said to the Apostles only. This was not a general directive to any person.

[GardenDove]

The Catholic Church went through many different phases in how the sacrament of confession was handled. In the post Vatican II period, it because less legalistic. Now it seems to be underused. I think the Church, though, in making confession more tangible has wisely addressed the human psychological factor as well, making it more concrete to us.

It's not that the priest forgives us, but he is a visable intermediary. However, my priest gave a sermon on how we are perfectly able to confess directly to God, and that it isn't easy to break our relationship with God, such as people thought in the past.

I use the sacrament to help further me on my walk with God. It's also a great solace.

[Thaddaeus]

Metropolitan,

But again, I think untill we specifically confess our guilt, it may not be all that an effective confession!

I think you may have misunderstood some of what I was describing. For the Orthodox, it is a very personal, sin by sin confession of pentitent with the Priest. The difference that I was describing between the Orthodox and RCC is that that confession is done in front of the congregation. There is no private booth, nor is it considered impersonal with a wall between the priest and the confessor. It is no longer a public, to the congregation confession, but still done in front of that congregation.

But did Jesus, actually give the apostles the power to forgive sins?

Yes, that is precisely the understanding that was meant, conveyed by the Apostles and taught, established and has been part of the Holy Tradition ever since.

[Thaddaeus]

Kansasdad,

With God working through them. It is Gods use of the men he has put in charge, so to speek. Of worthy note is that this is said to the Apostles only. This was not a general directive to any person.

This is true for this specific authority but the fervent prayers of others is also used and beneficial of other persons praying specifically for the forgiveness of sins of another. See I John 5:15-16.

I should also include, James 5:16. The first Sunday of Lent is also called "Confession Sunday". We still have as either part of the Liturgy or a special service a personal, one on one confession between each congregant present.

[Kansasdad]

Kansasdad,

With God working through them. It is Gods use of the men he has put in charge, so to speek. Of worthy note is that this is said to the Apostles only. This was not a general directive to any person.

This is true for this specific authority but the fervent prayers of others is also used and beneficial of other persons praying specifically for the forgiveness of sins of another. See I John 5:15-16.

Yes very good point, also we see in scripture that through the faith of others one can have sins forgiven. We see this in the servant, a spouse. Sorry don't know the chapter and verse, have to look it up.

I should also include, James 5:16. The first Sunday of Lent is also called "Confession Sunday". We still have as either part of the Liturgy or a special service a personal, one on one confession between each congregant present.