Why do Catholics confess sins to a priest or bishop?
This is based on three simple Biblical principals:
1) Christ gave this authority to His apostles: "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you....Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’" (John 20:21–23) (Elsewhere the Bible even says that God "had given such authority to men" Matt. 9:8. )
2) This authority was handed down from the apostles to their successors, the bishops, through the laying on of hands: "Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you" 1 Tm 4:14, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ" 2 Corinthians 5:20
2007-09-05
11:10:29
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Religion & Spirituality