Confession

Hello all

I am attempting to learn more about the Baptist faith because my wife is of the Baptist faith, unfortunately being in Iraq, I can't ask her every question I think of. So I am curious as to Baptists have confession and if not, how is this justified. The reason I ask is because I was raised Catholic and baptized Orthodox 3 years ago, so the possibility of not confessing to a priest seems foriegn to me. I intend no offense and apologize if I did offend anyone with my ignorance.

Thank you in advance.

In a general sense, Baptists usually confess their sins directly to the Lord, since we recognize Christ as our only mediator [1 Tim. 2:5]. Some Baptists also practice mutual accountability, confessing their sins one to another [Jms. 5:16]. Since Baptists recognize no Pope and espouse the belief that all Christians are priests before God, we do not practice the sacrament of confession. Indeed, Baptist theology is completely nonsacramental.

Hi there,

I would like to mention something, I notice you are interested in the Baptist church and feel that you should obey certain traditions like you did in RCC. I do believe that most Baptist churches are Bible based, so all you need to do is to live by the example Jesus Christ gave us in the Gospels.
IMO I really do not think that God wants to divide His people into different churches, but rather have them unite in the Church of Christ, the bride, meaning that the one church should not judge another, but rather be in fellowship.

So if you want to know what you should do, just read the New Testament and then the OT to give you some idea who God the Father is.
Most Bible based Churches would accept you with open arms, no matter where you from, for the Lord accepts all with open arms, so don't stress at all my good friend, keep your relationship with Jesus strong and He will lead you through the Holy Spirit to stay on the path!

It will be all good!

Though Baptists claim to not have confessions they do practice something awfully similar. In the RCC you go into a booth and confess your sins to a priest. He then gives you a prayer to say and absolves you of your sin. In the Baptist church you walk down an aisle and at an alter confess your sin to a preacher. He gives you a prayer to say and then absolves you of your sin.

I did not know that, is it Biblical? As far as I know only God/Jesus can forgive sins, if you have Scriptures that can support other ideas I will be glad to have them.

Thx

Originally Posted by mlqurgw

Though Baptists claim to not have confessions they do practice something awfully similar. In the RCC you go into a booth and confess your sins to a priest. He then gives you a prayer to say and absolves you of your sin. In the Baptist church you walk down an aisle and at an alter confess your sin to a preacher. He gives you a prayer to say and then absolves you of your sin.

Where on earth did you get that from?

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"We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours." John of Salisbury, 1159

As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.

I claim the responsibility of it. Though, since I actually have few original thoughts, I may have read something similar somewhere that I can't recall who or where. So I won't blame anyone for it but myself but recognize that I just ain't smart enough to come up with it altogether on my own.

The whole of Scriptures actually support other ideas. So-called alter calls are not only unscriptural but downright deceiving. That is why I made the comparison.

So-called alter calls are not only unscriptural but downright deceiving. That is why I made the comparison. mlrqugw.! I just don't see How the concept of Alter calls are Deceiving!?! care to comment? as if You wouldn't......God Bless You Brother....Dave

Do you mind giving any Scripture to support your statements please?

I believe the Lord wants the elders to lay hands on those in the congregation who is in need of healing(James 5:14), it does not mean their sins are forgiven by the church leaders, but rather that they are obeying the Word of God. So to make it work more efficiently it is better to have the people in front rather than standing at their chairs....

The altar call was not used until the late 1800's, but I cannot see why it could be negative. If you look at Matthew 10:32-33 it looks like alter calls can be quite in line with those Scripture.

Altar call is not a necessity in churches to identify them as authentic, but rather an understanding accepted by the congregation(a way for the pastor to get to those who needs praying for). How is it deceiving?