do we need a middle man?

Question

Why do we confess to the priest? Isn't that defeating the purpose of the Christ coming and dying on the cross? can't we not pray and confess our sin to Him?

Answer 1

Matthew 9: 2-8
Jn 20:22-23
2 Cor 5:17-20 Given us the ministry of reconciliation
James 5:13-15 prayers of the presbyters (priests) forgives sins
James 5:16
Matthew 18:18
1 Jn 5:16

Answer 2

Your desire to please God / be a good person should be enough to prevent you from repeating errors, but everyone is human, so a priest is there to give you the Godly Kick In The Butt when you need it.

If you are hurting yourself, admit you are and find out why.
If you are hurting others, confess to them and make amends.

If confession to the person you hurt will endanger your life or others or will do more harm, then don't do it. Make amends anonymously. You can't take away negativity you have put nto the world, you can only balance it.

Lather Rinse Repeat for the rest of your life.

Answer 3

Good question. But I've never believed in confessing or anything of that sort. If one is going to commit a so-called sin and confess later, then why do it in the first place?

Answer 4

I am Orthodox. We do not confess to the priest but in front of the priest as a witness to the confession. He makes a good counselor to discuss your confession beforehand. I was a Baptist before and at first I found confession uncomfortable and strange. When we vocalize our confession we take ownership of our sins and it makes it easier to try to avoid the same mistakes later.

Answer 5

Bravo! You should receive an award. Jesus Christ says no man comes to the Father but by me. He did NOT say, "uh, unless ya think I'm busy and then catch a priest, or pray to Mary or some "saint". When Christ was nailed to the cross, the veil that hid the Holy of Holies (where God abides) was rent (that mean torn) from top to bottom, which meant that since that time, man could approach (spiritually while in the flesh) his God directly with no need for any middleman whatsoever. Unfortunately, most church systems do not teach the true Word,
they teach their own church rules and their own made-up traditions, which God states that he Hates.

Answer 6

According to scripture we are to confess our sins through prayer to the heavenly father through his son Christ Jesus. He tells us that no one comes to the Father except through him. Christ is our mediator and forgiveness of sins is through him. We can confess our sins to anyone with the hope that they can help us in some way. But as far as forgiveness, only God our creator can do that. Reading the Bible can help reinforce our determination to not make a practice of sin. Search for these scriptures in the new testament.

Answer 7

i do not think it is necessary to confess your sins to a priest. As long as you have confessed to God and have asked him for forgiveness, i do not think that you have to go to a priest. then again, i am just the idiotic Christian that everyone hates that doesnt go to church.

Answer 8

Yes. We don't need a priest. The New Testament teaches we can pray to the Father and confess our sins to Him.

Answer 9

Not all christians confess.. Greek orthodox do not confess to teh priest.. and alot of other chrisian groups don't. I do agree with u .. i have never confessted to a priest. As i believe that you can ask for your own forgiveness. However some christians believe that confessing to a priest will bring you one more step closer to god. As he is teh link between mankind and god. "A higher level than you are"- And closer to god than you are. O well.

Answer 10

Years and years ago, the Catholic Church established a service for General Absolution....negating the requirement for confession in the confessional. But some of the 'old schoolers' still feel better about going to a priest. To each his own...