Jesus never forgives except through brothers & sisters in faith?

Question

My mom-n-law told me. I read in their church letter. 'When sin attaches, we can believe it forgiven in the name & blood of Jesus as proclaimed from God's children here on earth...Thus, we are also made holy before God through His forgiveness.' One has to confess sins to brother & brother says, "Your sins are forgiven in the name & blood of Jesus Christ." Then God forgives you. Plus, in their catacism, one needs to confess to the confessor (priest) as if the confessor (priest) is God. (All children in faith are part of the priesthood.) Then the congregation is considered the mother's love. Biblically the mother is the New Heavenly Jerusalem.

What do you think of this Lutheran belief?

According to my bible, Jesus is the middle man.

Answer 1

1 Timothy 2:5 "There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for many." So no that is un-biblical you just have to pray and ask God to forgive not a person

Answer 2

There are sins against God and sins against other people. Forgiveness comes from those you have offended. Apology to someone you have offended is appropriate. Confession to God for ANY sin - against him or others - is appropriate.

Confession before others is ok if it is them you have offended..... but it would not make sense to confess a sin to them that have nothing to do with the offense....you cannot be forgiven by people who have nothing to do with the situation. The offended party is the one who forgives.

You do not have to confess to a priest, but if there is comfort in discussing the sin privately with someone, then there is benefit in doing this, as long as you realize that it is God that is forgiving you and not the priest.

Answer 3

They think you have to be submersed in water to be saved also. I believe you should be baptized to show that you have died of your old life and have been born again, but Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would see him in Heaven and he wasn't baptized.
Jesus forgives us of our sins if we REPENT against them (ask HIM for forgiveness and stop doing the sin) not if we confess to other living people.
God bless you.
So many denominations put such a spin on such an amazingly simple thing. Children understand the love of God. It is the adults that try to read into every little thing. Love the Lord thy God with all you heart, spirit and strength. Pray and listen to Him.

Answer 4

Tamil,

I have a problem, with any human taking God's place, or assuming His authority to forgive. I believe that if you have sinned against a human, then you need to correct the situation personally. Repay what is owed, and ask the person to forgive you, and repent of ever doing it again, to anyone. If they will not forgive, you have done what is required, and cannot be held spiritually accountable. If you have sinned against God, then He is the One you need to be talking to. It is absurd, to think that God, who knows the thoughts of every person alive and dead, cannot receive your plea for His mercy, Himself. There are certain situations, where the religions of men, overstep their bounds. Jesus taught, that unless the Spirit of God, dwells inside your heart, that you will not enter the Kingdom of God. If His Spirit is living within you, how can God, not hear? If His Spirit is not living within you, you have a much bigger problem than seeking forgiveness for sins.

Answer 5

I don't subscribe to Organized Religion. Over the centuries it has been corrupted by politics and mans own personal gain. Look back in history and even in present day and you will see how wars have been waged and millions have died all in the name of who's religion was more superior. Not something I imagine the Creator of the Universe would be particularly proud of or condone. They created us and know us better than any person ever could, why then should we need to confess to another human being what we ourselves can say to them.

Answer 6

Its bogus. You repent your sins only to Jesus, and it is He who has the authority to forgive you of your sins. God will not look upon sin or the sinner. You must be cleansed by forgivness through repentance to Jesus after you have been born again through your acceptance of Jesus as your savior. To a lost person, the only prayer Jesus will hear from them is the invitation for Jesus to enter into their hearts, after they admit to Jesus that they are a sinner and repent of thier sins, and change their sinful lifestyle, and then they become born again. Jesus is the only one who can forgive you of your sins, not a church brother or sister.

Answer 7

Catholics have self assurance that Jesus forgives them no longer a clergyman, stupid. Confession is an rather effective thank you to have somebody help you learn your self, admit sins you may desire to no longer choose to, and attitude God approximately it to ask him for forgiveness. The offering of absolution later on is symbolic, and is not any longer any diverse from what a lot of protestant ministers do throughout the time of worship service. I belong to a protestant denomination, and that i've got continually needed we had a greater formalized variety of confession. it rather is sturdy for the soul.

Answer 8

When I need forgiveness, I go straight to God. I avoid the middle man

Answer 9

If you kill someone intentionally, can their family ever forgive you? This is a problem..somethings cannot be forgiven...when people create hell on earth for others. It is great to have believes and morals, but about being forgiven, people should not think of themselves but others first.

Answer 10

The concept of confessing sins to eachother is for accountability reason not for forgiveness.
The catholic church as monopolized that idea.
Jesus is our sole source for forgiveness going to anyone else is idolatry.