did Jesus authorize his apostles to forgive sins?

Question

Or can God be the only one to forgive sins? John 20:21-23
He said, As the father sent me so am i sending you
For those sins you forgive, they are forgiven, for those sins that you retain they are retained. Can humans forgive sins of others?

Answer 1

There is no Scriptural basis for concluding that humans in general have divine authority to forgive sins. Yet, what Jesus said to his disciples at John 20:23, indicates that God granted the apostles special powers in this regard. And Jesus’ statement there may relate to what he said at Matthew 18:18 about heavenly decisions.

Christians can forgive certain offenses, in line with the apostle Paul’s counsel recorded at Ephesians 4:32: “Become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave you.” Paul was here speaking about personal problems between Christians, such as careless talk. They should strive to settle these matters, forgiving one another. Recall Jesus’ words: “If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift.”—Matthew 5:23, 24; 1 Peter 4:8.

However, the context of John 20:23 suggests that Jesus was referring to more serious sins, as indicated by what else he then said to this distinct audience. Let us see why.

On the day that he was resurrected, Jesus appeared to the disciples in a locked room in Jerusalem. The account says: “Jesus, therefore, said to them again: ‘May you have peace. Just as the Father has sent me forth, I also am sending you.’ And after he said this he blew upon them and said to them: ‘Receive holy spirit. If you forgive the sins of any persons, they stand forgiven to them; if you retain those of any persons, they stand retained.’”—John 20:21-23.

Likely, the disciples mentioned were principally the faithful apostles. (Compare verse 24.) By blowing on them and saying, “Receive holy spirit,” Jesus symbolically gave them notice that soon holy spirit would be poured out on them. Jesus went on to say that they would have authority concerning forgiveness of sins. Reasonably, his two statements are linked, one leading to the next.

Fifty days from his resurrection, on the day of Pentecost, Jesus poured out holy spirit. Some recipients gained miraculous powers. By that means some could speak in foreign tongues that they did not know. Others could prophesy. Yet others could heal the sick or raise the dead to life.—1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

Since Jesus’ words at John 20:22 pointed to this outpouring of holy spirit on the disciples, his connected words about forgiving sins seem to mean that the apostles had divinely provided to them through an operation of the spirit a unique authority to forgive or retain sins.

The Bible does not give us a complete account of every time the apostles used such authority, but neither does it record every case when they used a miraculous gift to speak in tongues, to prophesy, or to heal.—2 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 3:5; Hebrews 2:4.

One case that involved apostolic authority to forgive or retain sins involved Ananias and Sapphira, who played false to the spirit. Peter, who heard Jesus utter what we read at John 20:22, 23, exposed Ananias and Sapphira. Peter first addressed Ananias, who died on the spot. When Sapphira later came in and kept up the falsehood, Peter proclaimed her judgment. Peter did not forgive her sin but said: “Look! The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” She too died on the spot.—Acts 5:1-11.

In this instance the apostle Peter used special authority to express a definite retaining of sin, a miraculous knowledge that God would not pardon the sin of Ananias and Sapphira. The apostles also appear to have had superhuman insight into cases where they were sure that sins had been forgiven on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice. So those spirit-empowered apostles could declare the forgiveness or retention of sins.

This is not to say that all spirit-anointed elders back then had such miraculous authority. We can see that from what the apostle Paul said about the man disfellowshipped from the Corinthian congregation. Paul did not say, ‘I forgive that man’s sins’ or even, ‘I know that the man has been forgiven in heaven, so accept him back.’ Rather, Paul urged the entire congregation to forgive this reinstated Christian and show love for him. Paul added: “Anything you kindly forgive anyone, I do too.”—2 Corinthians 2:5-11.

Consequently, what Jesus said, as recorded at John 20:23, is not in conflict with the rest of the Scriptures, but it indicates that the apostles had a special authorization regarding forgiveness, in line with their special role in the infancy of the Christian congregation.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

So we forgive as God forgives, in imitation not only of the quantity but also the quality of His forgiveness. Like God, we forgive, not merely by forgetting, but by loving. It is the heat of God's love that melts the ice of our sin; and so it is the heat of our love that will bring about the forgiveness of those who trespass against us. We don't just remit their debts; we love our enemies into wholeness, as God has done to us. We melt their cold hearts, the ice of their sin. Such forgiveness is an action purely divine, even when it's done by humans. Such forgiveness is possible only by humans who are being divinized.

Answer 3

God can only forgive sins through his mercy but yes he did sent his apostles and those who confessed to them they decided if the sin would be retained if they were actually merciful though the apostle would forgive(absolve) the sin it was more formal rather God is the only one who forgives sins as in makes you free of sin. The apostles passed on there succession and that is why catholics have priest as their confessors.

Answer 4

God is the only one who can forgive sins....priests and others that hear confessions are just the middle man, the instrument, so to speak, in human terms...

Answer 5

We are commanded to forgive one another, but only God, through Jesus Christ, can absolve us totally of the penalty of sins, that we can have entrance into Heaven.

Matthew 6:14,15

14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Answer 6

Yes he authorized his apostles to forgive sins, and he also authorizes us to forgive others in the same way. If anyone hurts you and asks you for forgiveness, you are to forgive them.

Answer 7

only God the Father forgives sin.

Answer 8

We are to forgive one another- when someone has done something that has made us upset- or mad- or angry we are to forgive them...But God is the only one to save us from our sins and from hell. There is a difference.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Luke 17:3
So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.

Answer 9

John 20, 19-23: Soon after the resurrection, Jesus gives the apostles the power to forgive sins.
In the resurrection Jesus overcame death and sin and now he offers forgiveness and peace. If we want to live in love, we have to learn to forgive. Sin brings suffering; forgiveness is a treasure.
Christ gives the power to forgive, because he knows that his followers are going to sin. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is for (baptized) people that are already followers of Christ and have sinned and want to return to God (to return to their baptismal state).
Reconciliation (Penance) (Confession) is a sacrament (a visible sign) of the forgiveness that Christ gives us.
To prepare yourself for Confession: 1--Examine your conscience; 2--Repent, be sorry; 3--Have a purpose of amendment, want to change.
Then you are ready for your Confession with the priest: --say how long it has been since your last Confession; --confess your sins; --hear what your penance will be.
The priest gives you absolution saying, "God the Father of mercies, through the death and the resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the church may God give you pardon and peace. And I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Amen.)
Then the penitent goes and prays privately to give thanks to God and to fulfill the penance. (The penance is not a punishment. It is an opportunity to come closer to Christ after having been separated from him by sin.)
During the confession you can talk with the priest and seek guidance. Instead of just remembering your sins, it's better to try to find out what causes you to sin. (Instead of just counting the times that you hit your little brother, try to find out if you are jealous, or something like that.)
Baptism is received once. Confirmation is received once. The Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist are to be received frequently. Reconciliation is for when we are separated from God by sin. The Eucharist is our constant contact with Christ, an important part of our lives, to be received frequently, not just on special occasions.

Answer 10

Yep his Apostles could forgive sins and it has been passed down through the ages.