Confession?

[Reader Antonius]

I read somewhere that the Salvation Army practices general confession.

Is this true?

 

[Rebirth In Flames]

We believe that each Christian can go directly to God and confess their sins through prayer, and that confessing through a different mediator other than Jesus Christ isn't biblical.

Never heard of "general confession."

 

[Reader Antonius]

We believe that each Christian can go directly to God and confess their sins through prayer, and that confessing through a different mediator other than Jesus Christ isn't biblical.

Never heard of "general confession."

No I understand what you believe (I used to be an Fundamentalist Baptist, LOL).

I am simply wondering if there is any practice of Confession in the Salvation Army, not for the forgiveness of sin, but rather in order to find healing [although the question of what exactly that "healing" is is still up for debate] amongst ourselves (something the Bible explicitly states).

 

[Sphinx777]

I was able to find this...

http://www.salvationist.ca/2008/confession-is-it-really-good-for-the-soul/

 

[Evangelina]

In Australia, there seems to be a move toward 'accountability partners' or 'mentor relationships' which are partially informal confessions, I guess. Does that help?

 

[Rebirth In Flames]

I was able to find this...

http://www.salvationist.ca/2008/confession-is-it-really-good-for-the-soul/

Great article!

 

[TheDag]

We believe that each Christian can go directly to God and confess their sins through prayer, and that confessing through a different mediator other than Jesus Christ isn't biblical.

Can you clarify what you mean by isn't biblical. Do you mean it is wrong or do you mean the bible is silent on the issue?

 

[Reader Antonius]

Can you clarify what you mean by isn't biblical. Do you mean it is wrong or do you mean the bible is silent on the issue?

A good question.

 

[Rebirth In Flames]

Can you clarify what you mean by isn't biblical. Do you mean it is wrong or do you mean the bible is silent on the issue?

Meaning that there's no solid Scriptural support saying that a true believer must use a mediator other than Jesus Christ in order to ask God for forgiveness. Quite the contrary: Jesus Christ is sufficient; if not, then we deny His power.

 

[TheDag]

Meaning that there's no solid Scriptural support saying that a true believer must use a mediator other than Jesus Christ in order to ask God for forgiveness. Quite the contrary: Jesus Christ is sufficient; if not, then we deny His power.

There is only one denomination as far as I'm aware that insists confession should be heard by another. Knightwolflord can correct me if I'm wrong but that is what catholics believe as far as I'm aware. Confession should be heard by someone. It is not actually a belief that you need a mediator. Other denominations that have general confession do not believe you need a mediator. Examples include lutherans and anglicans. Baptists and uniting churches also do this but not each service like others.


Another way of looking at this is to say yes your right we don't need a mediator. However the Salvos have as a big part of their services generally mediation. Where? Its called the mercy seat. When you go to the mercy seat for prayer you are getting others to pray for you which is mediating in the same way as confession to a priest would be. So while there may be no biblical support for such a stance it does not make it wrong. I think you will find general confession means like a group confession and is generally used in liturgical services and will be in a book. the trick is to make sure the words mean something as you read them.

 

[Reader Antonius]

Thank you all for your responses.

When I was still a Baptist I would have jumped a Catholic who wandered into a Protestant forum and talking about Confession.

The charity and respect interdenominationally I have seen here is nice.

I can learn alot from my brothers and sisters here.


Thanks again.