Is confessing to a priest scriptural and why?

Question

I think it is unscriptural matt - 23-1.-9 -----heb 10-26--
-mark 3-29 ---jerusalem-bible

Answer 1

Yes, it's scriptural. We are told to confess our sins to one another in James 5:16 and several other passages. Also, Christ gave his Apostles the power to forgive sins.

John 20:23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.

That was never revoked. Since Catholic doctrine teaches Apostolic succession, that means that this power is still available to modern people.

Answer 2

Why do people keep asking the same questions?

http://www.scripturecatholic.com/confession.html

John 20:21 - before He grants them the authority to forgive sins, Jesus says to the apostles, "as the Father sent me, so I send you." As Christ was sent by the Father to forgive sins, so Christ sends the apostles and their successors forgive sins.

John 20:22 - the Lord "breathes" on the apostles, and then gives them the power to forgive and retain sins. The only other moment in Scripture where God breathes on man is in Gen. 2:7, when the Lord "breathes" divine life into man. When this happens, a significant transformation takes place.

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. The text makes this very clear.

Matt. 9:8 - this verse shows that God has given the authority to forgive sins to "men." Hence, those Protestants who acknowledge that the apostles had the authority to forgive sins (which this verse demonstrates) must prove that this gift ended with the apostles. Otherwise, the apostles' successors still possess this gift. Where in Scripture is the gift of authority to forgive sins taken away from the apostles or their successors?

Luke 5:24 - Luke points out that Jesus' authority to forgive sins is as a man, not God. The Gospel writers record this to convince us that God has given this authority to men. This authority has been transferred from Christ to the apostles and their successors.

Matt. 18:18 - the apostles are given authority to bind and loose. The authority to bind and loose includes administering and removing the temporal penalties due to sin. The Jews understood this since the birth of the Church.

Answer 3

Pastor Billy says: many answers so far with several bible verses let's look at one in particular,

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. The text makes this very clear.

the key is this, Christ gives his first Apostles the first bishops the authority to also retain sins. Now how many Christians attempting to disprove the authority of NT priests would claim that in forgiving each other everyone also has the authority to "retain" sins of another person? The ability to retain sins of another naturally leads us to understand the ministry of confession where private sins are made public. Many Christians today outside of Catholicism lack the instruction which explains sin having an effect on the entire Body of Christ and not simply on the individual who commits the sin.

Answer 4

nope.....im reminded of this scripture...

."Hbr 7:24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
Hbr 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Hbr 7:26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;
Hbr 7:27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. Hbr 7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

Answer 5

There is nothing anywhere in the Bible that says we have to confess to a priest in order to be forgiven.

However, as a Roman Catholic, I personally find the Sacrament of Reconciliation (which includes confession to a priest) to be very spiritually uplifting and helpful. I certainly don't believe that I won't be forgiven without this sacrament, nor do I go to confession every time I do something wrong; but it helps to make me aware of God's infinite love and mercy; and helps to make me a better person.

Answer 6

Matt 16:19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. 14 Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven

However, you should know that the priest is "in the person of Christ" and it is God who forgives.

Answer 7

in the written word it states that we should confess our faults to one another and pray for one another that we might be healed
Jesus is our mediator
He also said that the gentiles exercise lordship over them but it should not be once named among us because we are all brethren and He is Lord

Answer 8

Partially, it is. But not as practiced today.

Of John the Baptist it is said in Matthew 3: 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. Following the Atonement, Jesus Christ becomes our intermediary to the Father

Confession to a church official is necessary whenever one’s transgression is of a nature for which the Church might impose loss of membership or other disciplinary action. The official cannot and does not forgive sin, but he may judge the matter and waive the penalty that the Church might otherwise impose against the person.

Answer 9

NO.....but... it is good for those of The True Christian Faith to have an accountablity partner... someone who is close and trusted who can be confided in and will hold one accountable for their actions and lapses in faith... this is not to be concidered a "confessor" kind of thing... but a close personal relationship to the spiritual and core faith level... even more than a best buddy thing... but... ALL confessions are to be to God and God alone.... because only God may truly forgive.

Answer 10

Have you ever checked this site?
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0107frs.asp