Why do some religions believe Jesus never forgives someone except through sisters & brothers in faith?

Question

I don't believe this. Is there any bible scripture that would support this belief?

My mother-n-law believes this & she comes from a Lutheran denomination. She is quite stubborn in this belief.

Answer 1

I'm a little bit confused by your question, are you referring to the Catholic practice of confessing one's sins to a priest?

Scripturally speaking there is only one mediator between man and God and that is Christ Jesus.

While the book of James does tell us to confess our sins to one another- the purpose of that is so that we may have prayer. We confess our sins to our brothers and sisters in the Lord- to receive encouragement, support, and prayer, but not for the purpose of forgiveness.

The belief that Jesus never forgives soemone except through those in the faith is completely unScriptural.

Hope that helps,

Nickster

Answer 2

Catholics believe that Jesus forgives them not a priest, silly. Confession is a really helpful way to have someone help you examine yourself, admit sins you might not want to, and approach God about it to ask him for forgiveness. The offering of absolution afterward is symbolic, and isn't any different from what a lot of protestant ministers do during worship service.

I belong to a protestant denomination, and I've always wished we had a more formalized form of confession. It's good for the soul.

Answer 3

I'm not sure I understand the question, entirely.
Some salvation scriptures.
Ro 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Lu 13:3 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Lu 12:8 "And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God;
9 but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
1Pe 3:21 ¶ Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Re 2:10 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

There are others that add more credibility to these, so please look into this for yourself. Of course, not everyone agrees with this, but is is scriptural and contexturally sound.

God bless

Answer 4

Jesus in the bible does say more then once, go you have been forgiving. all religions are off on one thing or another, and there is a reason for that, since the time when Jesus died for us, there was a time when everything came to a stop. That's when these splits of religion started.... that's part of one reason.

Answer 5

I'm a Christian and I don't believe confessing your sins to your brothers and sisters in faith will result in forgiveness of sins. Saying a few hail Marys and such have nothing to do with forgiveness. The bible teaches that when you repent of your sins, that means to acknowledge them and admit them to God, then you must turn away from that sin and ask God for forgiveness. Then and only then will God forgive you. Your forgiveness is between you and God. We have to remember that as long as we are alive and walking the earth we are subject to sin. No one, not even "The Pope" himself is immune to sin. But God judges the heart and not the flesh. Your forgiveness comes with your desire, willingness and effort to change.

Answer 6

I have never heard this. I used to be a good Bible believing Protestant before I converted to Catholic, and this is neither Catholic nor Protestant.

While a Catholic will follow the scripture's command to "confess ours sins one to another" Catholics also believe that sins are only forgiven by God (not the priest himself), and that we can confess our many of our sins directly to God through prayer.

I would have to say that whoever told you that was confused on his beliefs about Christians.

Answer 7

I have never heard this before. But it sounds like a power trip to me. Are you sure that this is not a cult that you are encountering? According to Acts 13:38, "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you." All you need is Jesus!

Answer 8

Not that I am aware of. I have no idea why someone would believe this. 1st John 1:9 says if we confess ours sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. (this is 'we' as in you and I as individuals' and not 'we' as a group) maybe this is where they get it from. Many will take one verse and 'run with it'

Other thant that,I can't find anything about being forgiven with brothers and sisters in Christ and not on your own.

We BECOME brothers and sisters in Christ when we are forgiven, but that's all I can come up with. But if you ever get what you are looking for, please let me know.

Answer 9

There is only one who can forgive sin and that is God, but He will only do so through His Son, Jesus. Jesus told the disciples the only way to the Father is through Me.

Answer 10

Because human beings tend to group, or "click up", for a sense of belonging and for protection,...right down to "religions". It is unfortunate that the fact we are ALL brothers and sisters is so often denied.