Why are there priests today?

Question

If the Bible states that there is only one mediator between God and man and that man is Jesus, why are priests necessary? Isn't it true that there is only one priest...Jesus Christ? Why does the catholic church require that its members confess to a priest, rather than talking to God directly? Don't misunderstand me, I think it is important for us to outwardly confess our sins (such as a friend, family member, accountablity partner, etc.) so that we can be held accountable. But if we only confess to God, do Catholics believe that we are forgiven for our sins? I just don't see how catholics can defend the church's practices (priests, the pope, statues of Mary, etc.) and say that it is biblical. Please help me to understand.

Just a quick question for arily666:

Don't you know that Christ is alive?? Yes, he died, but he rose from the dead and he is ALIVE!!!

And just to clarify so there isn't any misunderstanding...I don't question that we need a teacher in the church (such as a pastor, preacher, even a priest). What I do question is whether that person should be taking the job of something that is meant only for Jesus to do.

Answer 1

because the Catholic church has been under the traditions of man!

Answer 2

There are priests (deacons & bishops) in the Catholic & Orthodox churches, & most of the mainline Protestant too.
Because this was the ordained ministry established by the Apostles.
Priests are Presbyters or preachers.
Deacons are Diaconia or servants.
Bishops are Episcopos or over-seers.
All of this is very Biblical, in the Acts of the Apostles.
Paul gives many instructions about them in his letters.

Catholics, Orthodox, & many Protestants confess to priests;
because the priest is standing 'in persona christi'.
That means, he represents the person of Christ.
People find it helpful to have someone actually present.
They may also recieve some counselling about their sin.
The priest only pronounces the forgiveness of Christ.
His last words are: "Go in peace & pray for me, a sinner."

The Pope is the first among the 'descendents' of the Apostles.
He sits in the chair of Peter.
Statues of Mary & other Saints were introduced by the Greeks.
They are reminders of all those who have gone to heaven.
We don't worship them, but we can address requests for their prayers.

Answer 3

Priests are not mediators. They are ministers. The work of mediation was finished once and for all time on the Cross; but the work of ministry will continue until the end of time. We confess to God through the priest because that is how Jesus Christ set it up. Haven't you read the Bible? He told His first priests, and no-one else, "Whose sins YOU forgive, they are forgiven them". Pretty straightforward! Jesus gave priests the power to minister His forgiveness; but He didn't give them the power to read minds. Which is why the Christian Church has offered the Sacrament of Confession from apostolic times. The real question that needs to be answered is - by what authority did the human founders of your manmade tradition reject core teachings of Christianity that every Christian on earth had accepted and lived by for the previous 1,500 years??

Answer 4

Jesus remains our heavenly high priest and perfect mediator.

This does not eliminate the need for others who act in his name, and on his behalf, for the benefit of the whole church ... and it's not limited to merely forgiving sins.

According to your logic, Jesus was fooliish to select apostles and found a church, because he alone is all that is necessary.

The church was also obviously foolish to write and compile the bible, because Jesus is all that's necessary.

You fail to understand that the Catholic Church had already converted most of the known world for Christ about a thousand years before the first protestant ever thumped a bible.

Evidently, Jesus knows something that you do not ... and he shared that revelation with his authentic (Catholic) church.

You should look into it further.

Answer 5

It is hard to understand when you are already pre-disposed to another understanding. I was raised Methodist and now am Catholic.

Priests are part of our relationship with God. They do not replace him but elevate him.

The Pope stands as the Vicar of Christ. This is an office and not a personal elevation. He is the spiritual descendant of Peter, who was given the keys to heaven.

Yes, Catholics believe that we are forgiven for our sins. We do not think that the priest forgives us but that he has the authority to provide us with absolution through Christ. Without Christ, the priest could no offer absolution. Just as a priest has the authority to baptize or marry...so he has the authority to provide absolution.

We do not worship Mary, but venerate her as the Mother of God. As Jesus surely would have kept all the commandments, we keep the 5th commandment concerning God the Father and concerning her. Honor thy Father and thye Mother. Certainly Jesus would have kept this commandment.

The Saints are honored and vernerated as holy people. They are not and could not ever be worshipped.

Answer 6

don't know if you realize it or not but Christ died . Priests and others pick up the banner and teach just as Jesus has been depicted as doing . the Catholic church suggests that those priests are the mediators representing Christ . It's a good start then maybe you can learn to mediate for your self just they do so many others . And as Christ said some may do greater things or teach better who knows . I for one have left from the ways of the narrow minded censure of one formal religion and studied things they may never have made available which have helped my understanding and appreciation of life . Each to their own.

Answer 7

This must be Anti-Catholic Night.

There is a biblical basis for everything the Church teaches. If you are truly interested in understanding, do take a look at the Catechism. It's all there, including specific Bible references.

Answer 8

Conceptulalize if you will the MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST. Being ONE BODY with a HEAD which is JESUS CHRIST THE HIGH PRIEST THE ONE MEDIATOR between GOD and man. Knowing this the priest becomes as servants of GOD in the body part of CHRIST like the nervous system in the human body is part of the mind of the body in service to the body. Therefore the priest acting "in persona CHRISTi" dies to himself to do the work of CHRIST THE LORD. This is the reason a priest wears black. We all have a function withint the BODY OF CHRIST. Just like all the parts of the human body has a purpose within the body. And the members of the human body do what the head wants, so too the members of the BODY OF CHRIST do what the HEAD wants and so acts within the world as a single body, a priest among the nations leading to CHRIST . ..

Thus the priest has the mind of CHRIST and the CATHOLIC CHURCH (by virtue of the fullness of the TRUTH) can TRULY be said to be THE BODY OF CHRIST . .. in the UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT . ..

LOVE your neighbor as yourself.
Amen.

:responsorial edit: The Bible says confess your sins to "one another" that they may pray for you. Now why confess to "one another"? if you can go right to GOD . .. but if you have sinned you have turned your back on GOD and need a righteous man to pray for you, and by the continual prayer of the righteous you are forgiven. The Priest acting in persona CHRISTi in the sacrement of confession serves this purpose with the HEAD JESUS CHRIST . .. James 5:16  Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much.

:further responsorial edit: In perfect contrition we may receive general absolution by prayer such as confession at mass. This means being sorry to GOD for LOVE OF GOD that we offended GOD. imperfect contrition is being sorry because you don't want to go to hell, so confess, and repent, out of fear of punishment.

Answer 9

Because the people still belive the old ideals and want a community and a person to go to when they're not quite understanding something. Priests are guides in the religion, and teachers as well. Still, many of the ways of the catholic church are obsolete and need change badly.

Answer 10

I sincerely disagree with the practices of the Roman Catholic Church.
However,
I will NEVER say anything against those appointed by God to be the guardians of His word for 1500 years.

Answer 11

My thoughts exactly. I know that the bible tells us that Jesus is the mediator between us and God. The bible tells us we are to confess our sins to God and that He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.