2007-03-25 15:50:33 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
+ Reconciliation +
The Catholic Church believes that "Only God forgives sin."
When a penitent person asks God for forgiveness, his (or her) sins are immediately forgiven.
Catholics also believe that when someone sins they not only hurt their relationship with God, they also injure the entire church, the body of Christ.
Jesus said, "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19)
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,"Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (Luke 20:22-23)
The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation with a priest ordained in the name of Jesus Christ not only reconciles the sinner to God but with the entire church, including you and me.
+ Orally confessing sins is recommended in the Bible:
James 5:16 - Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.
Acts 19:18 - Many of those who had become believers came forward and openly acknowledged their former practices.
Matthew 3:5-6 - At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him (John the Baptist) and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
Mark 1:5 - People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him (John the Baptist) and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
1 Timothy 6:12 - Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 John 1:9 - If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
Numbers 5:6-7 - "Tell the Israelites: If a man (or a woman) commits a fault against his fellow man and wrongs him, thus breaking faith with the LORD, he shall confess the wrong he has done, restore his ill-gotten goods in full, and in addition give one fifth of their value to the one he has wronged."
Nehemiah 9:2 - Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all who were of foreign extraction, then stood forward and confessed their sins and the guilty deeds of their fathers.
Sirach 4:26 - Be not ashamed to acknowledge your guilt, but of your ignorance rather be ashamed.
+ With love in Christ.
2007-03-27 18:11:47 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The bible is not everything. Holy Tradition is also important. The idea of confessing to a priest comes from the ancient custom in the early church of people standing up in church and confessing their sins against God and the community. Now days the priest stands in for the community. He can also provide counsel which can be very helpful in many cases. And in the Liturgical churches that are in line of Apostolic Succession the Priest has the power give by Jesus to the Apostles to forgive sin.
2007-03-25 22:59:49 · answer #2 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It doesn't ..It is a custom the popes made up in the 11th century as with other customs , no meat on Fridays etc 1 Timothy 4:1-4. 1 John 1:9 " If we confess our sins, he is faith full and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness ". A priest is a sinner just like we all are .
2007-03-25 22:58:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
it's not in the bible as 'confession', as there weren't any catholic priests around at the time.
John 20:23 - Jesus says, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained." In order for the apostles to exercise this gift of forgiving sins, the penitents must orally confess their sins to them because the apostles are not mind readers. (thanks Father K)
Catholics use that scripture as their basis for confession.
Where in the bible does it say anything about the Trinity?
2007-03-25 22:56:25 · answer #4 · answered by mesquitemachine 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No you dont confess your sins to a priest. A priest is not over eligion is he is over a catholic belief. You must confess your sins to God alone. The bible says it is clear for the wages of Sin is death. But he whoever beliefs in him shall not perish but have everlasting--eternal life. You do not worship a priest you worship a God--Jesus in the Flesh Who controlls EVERYTHING!
2007-03-25 22:56:53 · answer #5 · answered by Basketballfan11 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It is a Catholic tradition - not a biblical command - used by priests as a tool of manipulative authority and power; (i.e. the Spanish Inquisition) to keep everybody under control - especially all those cute little altar boys!
We ALL have the power of forgiveness within ourselves; not just priests. The Lord's prayer says "...as we forgive those who trespass against us." It is for our own healing and well-being, not necessarily that of the trespasser.
Let your own relationship with God guide you, never ever any man made religion. Never be afraid to question or doubt - He is not a god of fear, but of love.
2007-03-25 23:17:00 · answer #6 · answered by Helen the Hellion 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
confessing your sins to a priest is non scriptural the Bible says that there is only one mediator between God and man and that is Jesus Christ a priest has nor right , power or authority to forgive sins as that power is reserved for God alone the only thing he can forgive if you bump into him and say excuse me or forgive me then he can do it personally what I do or dont do is not any of his buisness !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gorbalizer
2007-03-25 23:04:13 · answer #7 · answered by gorbalizer 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It doesnt, it also says that priests should be allowed to marry, and eat whatever you feel like.
It says I urge you brothers, confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed.
2007-03-25 23:01:01 · answer #8 · answered by ♫O Praise Him♫ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not one place.
No where.
We confess TO GOD, OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, IN JESUS NAME and ask for forgiveness from our Father, Yahweh God in Jesus name.
The old way, when the Law was still in effect, required people to go before a priest so that he would intercede on their behalf before God.
After Christ came to earth to die for us there was no longer a Law or priestly intercession needed because the Law was nailed to the stake with Christ. Now we can go before God in prayer in secret and confess directly to Him in Jesus' name. God surely is merciful.
This is the truth.
2007-03-25 23:12:56 · answer #9 · answered by avaddohn-Apollyon 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the OT you had to along with some sort of sin offering, where the priest applied the blood to the mercy seat. Jesus' death on the cross took care of that, the veil in the temple was ripped in two, and those veils were heavy, thick babies, which signified that we no longer need someone to go between us and God, as we can talk directly to Jesus and God and not pass go so to speak. Cool, huh?
2007-03-25 22:54:45 · answer #10 · answered by the pink baker 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋