Do you wonder why Catholics (and Eastern Orthodox Christians) confess their sins to a priest?God had sent Jesus to forgive sins, but after his resurrection Jesus told the apostles, "‘As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’" (John 20:21-23). This is the establishment of the Sacrament of Penance (Confession). Christ told the apostles: "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you" (John 20:21). Just as the apostles were to carry Christ’s message to the whole world, so they were to carry his forgiveness: "Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matt. 18:18).
2007-10-12 05:32:33 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This power was understood as coming from God: "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18). Indeed, confirms Paul, "So we are ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor. 5:20). Some say that any power given to the apostles died with them. Not so. The powers necessary to maintain the Church as a living, spiritual society had to be passed down from generation to generation.It would take much time. And he promised them assistance: "Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Matt. 28:19-20). The Catholic Bishops (and Eastern Orthodox Bishops) are the direct successors of the Apostles through the laing on of hands. There is an unbroken line of 265 popes going back to Peter himself. In this way, the authority to forgive sins was handed down. But again this power is understood as coming from God: "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation" -2 Cor 5:18
2007-10-12 05:32:52 · update #1
Comments? Questions?
Read these links for more info:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Forgiveness_of_Sins.asp
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt2.htm
2007-10-12 05:33:59 · update #2
I am amazed that Alcoholics are more enlightened and know more about the healing aspects of auricular confession than so called Bible-believin' Christians. A recovering alcoholic who follows the 12 Steps knows what must be done to make amends. The Fifth Step states: "Admitted to God, to myself, and to another human being the exact nature of my wrongs."
While it is possible to confess directly to God and obtain forgiveness, what assurance do we have that we are actually forgiven? What can we do to make amends and restitution for the harms we have done? How do we rid ourselves of the sadness, brokeness, and the shame of our sinfulness? What happens when we are so steeped in sin that we fail to recall, acknowledge, or accept responsibility for our sins?
This is why Jesus appointed the Apostles and their successors to continue His mission of forgiveness and healing. God heals and forgives the contrite sinner, but what about the harm done to the Body of Christ when one of its members commits sins? Paul said that when one part of the body suffers, the entire body suffers. Such is the effect of sin.
2007-10-12 06:41:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
The way I see it, a priest should be more like a spiritual mentor next to Christ and God. That is how it is in the Greek Orthodox Church at least. Confessing one's sins is liberating the weight on one's soul. The priest is not forgiving the sin but rather praying with you to ask Christ to do so.
Isn't it better to share one's problems than bottling it up inside?
2007-10-12 14:40:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. Lots of commentary on this.
DonH: Your premise is flawed. If God wanted mindless sycophants who automatically chose his way without objection, he would have ended creation with Dogs. God did not predispose us of sin, but allowed us the free will to choose. When you are raising a child, you have to let it make decisions for itself, and live by the consequences. Only in this way does the child learn to make correct decisions. What would be the point of free will if we were perfect? You suggest that God's creation cannot be imperfect. This assumes that creation is complete,. which has never been stipulated. It also implies that creation is to be judged by your limited standards. For all we know God considers this perfect, that we have free will.
jonjon: Your statement is false. There is statistically more child abuse and pedophilia per capita in public schools that there is in the Catholic church. It just doesn't get the press coverage ar attention when it's exposed. Do a search for all the teachers who have recently been convicted of sex with a minor.
Just curious: I'm wracking my brains, but I just can't think of once when I've paid for absolution. . . .
paof2: Don't be ignorant. You don't know what you're talking about.
Mookie: The preisthood has an unbroken line of succession from the apostles. Or are you implying that the church should have devolved into anarchy when the last apostle died?
juefawn: Are you trying to be a troll? Then quit trying to make sense, because it isn't working for you. Knowing good and evil is not synonymous with evil. In Mark 2:7, this quote was from the pharisees. Luke 15:18 was spoken by a character in one of Jesus' parables about the prodigal son. Don't take snatches like that out of context in this crowd, we all have bibles, and you will be smacked down when you try.
To the original point: It's all very easy for protestants to say "Lord, I'm sorry!" and then waltz casually on your way, thinking that you are forgiven. How much penitence do you really have? How much anguish has this really caused you? What evidence does God have that you are really sorry?
In the confessional, you are not confessing your sins to the priest, and the priest does not forgive you. He is merely an intermediary, a witness. Are you so sorry for your sin that you are willing to debase yourself before God in public and admit your trespasses in detail, even if that public is a single priest? The priest says the right of absolution, which is a reminder of the of the forgiveness of Christ.
I have done it both ways, and there is nothing that can compare to the lightness you feel coming out of the confessional. Just mentally touching the "Lord, I apologize" base doesn't cut it. I have also had revelation in the confessional. In the counseling that the priest gave me once, I was reminded of the temptation of Christ. Since my own temptation was on the table, it drove home to me that something is not a temptation UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT IT! Think about that the next time you read of Jesus being tempted in the desert.
On the subject of penance, I encourage you to see "The Mission" with Robert deNiro and Liam Neeson. Robert deNiro is killing himself by hauling his armor through the amazon jungle as penance for the sins he commited as a conquistador. When the younger preist asks Liam Neeson how long deNiro will have to haul the weight, Neeson replies "I'm not making him do it. He will stop when he forgives himself."
Finally, there are many accounts from exorcisms. One of the tools the demonic spirit uses is to reveal publicly the sins of those performing the exorcsim, in order to discredit them. The interesting thing is that when queried, the satanic spirit has repeatedly admitted that it cannot see the sins which were absolved in confession. This is one reason that exorcists and their assistants are strongly advised to have a good confession before attempting an exorcism.
2007-10-12 06:22:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Christ was saying that His DISCIPLES then could do it, because Christ had specifically told them to. We have the sacrament in our church, but it's done every sunday, and we don't confess before we have it. We believe most sins can be handled directly between you and the Father. The only time you have to talk to someone higher is if there was an offense or sin that is quite big- murder, abuse, sexual sins, that sort of thing. Other then that, it's between you and the Lord, not between you, a priest and the Lord.
We also believe that guilt is what is really needed for a full repentance. You can say you have sinned, but if you really don't care that you have, it doesn't do you any good. If you are really repentant, you will accept you have done wrong, feel bad about it, and work to make amends with God and whoever else was wronged in the process. Saying twenty hail mary's won't get anything done. You can say them, but Mary doesn't forgive sin. It is only Christ and God that will decide that. Those are just my beliefs, not trying to knock what others believe. Feel free to repent as you see fit. At least you are taking the time to admit you are doing something wrong, and that you do sin.
2007-10-12 05:56:11 · answer #4 · answered by odd duck 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
God did not send his son for sacrifice, so only a few "men" could forgive people of their sins, Jesus died for the sins of the world, that whoever believes in him shall be saved.
I am a firm beiliever in Mark16:16, Ephesians 2:8-9.
Even if you follow the Romans path ; Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9, Romans 10: 10 you need to follow through with Mark 16:15, Mark 16:16. Not because you confess your sins to a priest are you forgiven, Not buy an appointed man, but through Jesus Christ are you forgiven of sin. Thank you for sharing you view of Salvation, I hope you consider what I have said as well, Good luck with your ministry! rwspeaksout@yahoo.com, Preacherman5000 Myspace.com
2007-10-12 06:08:50 · answer #5 · answered by SavedbyGrace 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
sdb deacon said:
"But since I am a member of a royal priesthood, I don't see any need to confess to a priest.(1 Pet 2:9)
Being part of the royal priesthood does not mean that there is no ministerial priesthood. Just look at Exo 19:6 "You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. That is what you must tell the Israelites." This was spoken at a time when a ministerial priesthood was already present in the line of Aaron.
So, just because we are members of a royal priesthood does not mean that there cannot be a ministerial priesthood as well.
God bless
Robin
2007-10-12 06:04:42 · answer #6 · answered by Robin 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Hi Crusader... because I just now becoming Catholic, and you seem to know a lot about the faith, do you know when the sacrement became the way it is now? I mean, back in the apostles days people must not have gone into a little room etc... So, when did that start? if you want to send me a message, that would be fine. i just dont feel like posting a question and getting a bunch of bashing. thanks!
2007-10-12 08:31:34 · answer #7 · answered by Treasa 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
the idea of a confessor isn't a foul idea. i understand quite some Protestant denominations that motivate it. of route God is the single to forgive sins, and it truly is fullyyt mandatory to admit to Him - yet there is something about telling yet another truly man or woman what you've finished that corporations up the repentance. i'm iffy on the completed "clergymen forgiving sins" component, yet i'm certain by using Catholics that they comprehend the forgiveness finally comes from God. On that foundation, i'm superb with it.
2016-10-09 02:24:27 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THE BIBLE ALSO SAYS>
God is evil.
Genesis 3:5
For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
God's love for blood and flesh.
Exodus 29:36
and every day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. Also you shall purify the altar, when you make atonement for it, and shall anoint it to consecrate it.
Exodus 30:10
Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord.”
Aren't animals innocent blood???
Matthew 27:4
saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood....
Cut it out.
Matthew 5:29
If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
Unforgivable sin.
Matthew 12:31
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Mark 2:7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Luke 15:18
I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
Who was Jesus?
Luke 7:34
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
2007-10-12 05:56:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
The Lord's prayer instructs us to forgive those who trespass against us, however there is a huge difference between us forgiving our brothers and sisters and the ability of Christ to not only forgive us our sins but also to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. To be cleansed of sin is what makes us acceptable to God and this ability lies only within the intersession of our one High Priest, Jesus Christ.
2007-10-12 05:53:33 · answer #10 · answered by Mr. E 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋