IS CONFESSION/ABSOLUTION NECESSARY?

[nami]

Some material I read explained how God's Word declares that confession 'one to another' is necessary. Also that the Church itself was given the authority from Jesus,to the Apostles to 'do' the work of God. Is it so then, that the Church 'must' declare one forgiven?

 

[Reformationist]

Some material I read explained how God's Word declares that confession 'one to another' is necessary.

Necessary for what?

Also that the Church itself was given the authority from Jesus,to the Apostles to 'do' the work of God.

God's Church, His body of believers, were tasked with spreading the good news of God. I'm not sure what you mean by "the work of God" but if that's what you mean then, yes, the Church was given that authority.

Is it so then, that the Church 'must' declare one forgiven?

For what, them to be forgiven? No. We are not forgiven because of the decree of man. We are forgiven because of the sacrificial death of the spotless Lamb. The Church's job is to encourage and edify, rebuke and chasten the people of God who fall into sin and continue to spread the Word of God that all of God's chosen will be gathered into His fold.

God bless

 

[Rafael]

Some material I read explained how God's Word declares that confession 'one to another' is necessary. Also that the Church itself was given the authority from Jesus,to the Apostles to 'do' the work of God. Is it so then, that the Church 'must' declare one forgiven?

I've heard it said that confession our sins to one another is admitting to others that we are sinners - acknowledging the fact, but placing that burden on another man, without discrimination, might not be practical or wise. They may not have the strength to bear it and then retain some prejudice in their hearts against you which would not be good for them. You would not want someone too weak to struggle in judgment of you over your own sin. Jesus is the only one that really is able to bear our sins and burdens without danger of Him remembering or stuggling in judgment. He has the ability to forget our sins, unlike men who might struggle to forget.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I believe we can pray for others and forgive their sins, in proxy, to a point - binding and loosing, but God's will and praying according to it takes precedence. An example is me praying for my relatives. I pray for their forgiveness of sins that they don't see in their lives, and I hope for and pray for God's intervention to open their eyes so they can do their own prayers.

Love covers a multitude of sins, and I love people and cover them best I can when I pray to God.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Some material I read explained how God's Word declares that confession 'one to another' is necessary. Also that the Church itself was given the authority from Jesus,to the Apostles to 'do' the work of God. Is it so then, that the Church 'must' declare one forgiven?

This is what the Catholic Church teaches. If you commit a mortal sin, that breaks your relationship with God and you must confess your sins to a priest.

I think the verse you are thing of is James 5:16, here St. James clearly teaches us that we must confess our sins to one another (to our confessors), not just privately to God.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.

Here is what the Church fathers had to say:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Confession.asp

And here is an article that tells what the historic Catholic view is:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Forgiveness_of_Sins.asp


Remember this is not a place for debate. I am just answering the question from a Catholic perspective. Eastern Orthodox hold very similar beliefs as well.

Cheers!
Jeff

 

[RaptureTicketHolder]

James 5

13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

I would be happy to discuss this with you via pm if you'd like. Additional thought to what is currently listed in reply will most likely be very helpful to you.

 

[Serapha]

Some material I read explained how God's Word declares that confession 'one to another' is necessary. Also that the Church itself was given the authority from Jesus,to the Apostles to 'do' the work of God. Is it so then, that the Church 'must' declare one forgiven?

Hi there!



This is the passage which is the reference of your posting.

James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

The term for "confess" and for "pray" is the imperative mood of the verb which has no first person. That means that instead of saying "I confess", but rather "let him/them confess" or "let him/them pray"

The key to the passage is the addition of the phrase "that ye may be healed" You don't need "healing" between two people unless there is a "fault" between the two people. You don't need "healing" for your sins against God with any man on earth. That "healing" can only occur by the reconciation between you and God for the faults (tresspasses) against God.

The word "fault" is the same word use in Matthew 6:14 which also gives you instructions for dealing with other men. Even if there is no "healing" with the person, you still have to forgive them.

Matthew 6:14
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

I hope this has helped you in your understanding.


~malaka~

 

[Tracie]

This is if you want to base your belief on the only true word of God - the Bible.

#1. - It doesn't have to be a priest that you confess your sin to. I don't see that in scripture anywhere.

#2. - No church or human being has any power to forgive you or tell you that you are forgiven. God is the only one with that power. Only He can forgive you. I can tell you right now that you are forgiven for something you confess to me, but unless you truly in your heart repent to God, you aren't forgiven. That's all that really matters.

Tracie

 

[thereselittleflower]

Some material I read explained how God's Word declares that confession 'one to another' is necessary. Also that the Church itself was given the authority from Jesus,to the Apostles to 'do' the work of God. Is it so then, that the Church 'must' declare one forgiven?

A passage in scripture that may help you with this is

Joh 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Here the Apostles were given the power to forgive sins, this power is passed on through the authority of Apostolic succession . ..

This is a promise from Christ that when one so empowered forgives another their sins, then that other person can trust that their sins are truly forgiven. .


The Catholic Church sees confession in two ways . . one is a perfect act of contrition, the other an imperfect act . .

An imperfect act of contrition, when you repent and ask for forgiveness, is one where your motivation is self-centered . .where you are motivated from a desire to avoid hell, or to obtain heaven . . so there is selfishness involved to a degree . . As such, you are not sure if you are truly sorry for your sins, or if you are trying to get something . .

A Perfect Act of Contrition on the other hand is one where your only motivation is other-oriented . . what you have done to another, in this case God . . and have true and deep sorrow for how you have offended God .. you may even not care at all if God would throw you into hell, as your motivation would not be to avoid it . .

When you experience a Perfect Act of Contrition, you know it .. there is absolutely no doubt in your mind that you have been forgiven . . But this is rare, very rare, as we are selfish people motiviated by selfish desires . it can only come as a gift from God . .

All other repentence is imperfect to some degree and not true, pure repentance . . this is where doubt creeps in and people find themselves repenting of the same sins over and over again . . here is where a priest comes in and the promise of Christ can be held to and casts away all doubt . .

When you go to a priest, one who is through apostolic succession and consecration, to confess your sins, and he tells you your sins are forgiven, you have the promise of God to hold to .. even if there were selfish motivations in your heart . .. so the enemy cannot assail you and you can say to him . "Be gone Satan, IT IS WRIITEN! . .. "

I have understood this, but I have not yet experienced this, but I was present when children were going to the priest to confess the other day . .as I sat there and watched, the most incredible thing happened . . the Holy Spirit sweetly filled the place . . the presence of a spirit of forgiveness permeated the place and I began to feel true repentance and sorrow for my sins and an incredible desire to confess everything .. I have to wait as I am not yet Catholic . .but this sacrament is real .. this empowerment is real, and I experienced the reality of it that afternoon watching our priest administer this holy sacrament Christ promised His Church .


Peace in Him!

 

[WarEagle]

Some material I read explained how God's Word declares that confession 'one to another' is necessary. Also that the Church itself was given the authority from Jesus,to the Apostles to 'do' the work of God. Is it so then, that the Church 'must' declare one forgiven?

No. You don't need to go to confession or be forgiven by a man who's just as sinful as you are in order to be saved.

In fact, the Bible says that only God has the authority to forgive, not man, not priests, not any church, just God.

That's why Jesus didn't tell us to confess our sins to a priest, but to repent.

Go to God, repent from your sins and place your faith in Christ and His atonement on the cross to forgive you. That's how the Bible says we're saved.

 

[tapero]

Some material I read explained how God's Word declares that confession 'one to another' is necessary. Also that the Church itself was given the authority from Jesus,to the Apostles to 'do' the work of God. Is it so then, that the Church 'must' declare one forgiven?

Hi, Some denominations believe the bit about apostles in todays time. No such thing.

But to clear up things here.

Where the bible says confess your sins to one another, no, it is not required.

I do call a friend and tell her certain things as I feel need to as she encourages me and there is no lecture or judgement, just we talk about God and other things.

Here's the thing. If we do something wrong, a sin, some times in our head, it grows very big, and kepts getting fed, and becomes a monster.

So, to go to God with it, tho again that's not required either, even tho bible says to confess our sins to God, it is told us, and we in no way, no one confesses all their sin, to begin with.

As we sin have many sins and commit many sins.

But God loves us, and does not want us to be held captive by garbage such as condemnation, which is not from God, but from our own selves speaking to ourselves, from others, or from satan, demons etc.

So, what I do, is per that verse, is I do bring my sins to God, not all, but ones I think to do, and if I think of it; in other words if it's troubling me.

We're forgiven all our sins upon belief in Christ.

But to keep that monster from growing in our head, we can tell God and we can also tell a friend...so you see it's God's love that gives us that scripture in 1 John I believe you are referencing so that things already forgiven don't grow into other things.

Many times, due to condemnation from ourselves, others, or demons, you'll see as you read chrisitan forums, that then people start to doubt if they are even saved, or if they can trust God and on and on, because of the monster in our head grows, lies are added to it, and so, the best thing to do is go to God, give it to Him, and if you feel a need to and have someone you can trust who is not judgemental and will not lecture you; you can tell them.

When I tell my friend or she tells me, we just remind each other that the sin is forgiven, and God loves you...and tell them a zillion times if they need to hear it.. which sometimes we do, cause we feel so bad about something we've done.

Same I bring to God a zillion times if I feel so bad, till it gets in my head, that it's okay..He loves me, will never stop loving me, and yes I did wrong and it's over..

God help us through all these things.

Back to the church...there is no need for any churhes forgiveness, again all sin is forgiven upon belief.

If you wrong a brother, then for his sake and for yours he needs forgive you. It doesn't mean your not forgiven by God, and the brother need not voice such to you, but for his own sake, so bitterness doens't take root, he needs forgive you.

Sometimes, we do need to hear from our brother we're forgiven. Often times, we don't even know we've hurt someone, as they took it wrong.

There are some churches which do church discipline.

This is a good thing..

If a brother does a sin and repents and wants to confess to the church body (meaning the members) then he can do so. If any held something against him, they need to find a way in their heart to forgive him.

Some churches may require such, a public confession.

Some denominations hold to different beliefs.

But again, all our sin is forgiven by God already once we come to Christ, and we never lose our salvation.

Also, every one of us sins, and in the church are many who would never ever reveal such...they may be considered the kindest, humble, gentle man by members of the church and beat their wives, and no one ever know or find out.

I would never confess my sins to a church, and again do occasionally tell a friend, and God.

But I might go to a pastor if is a good pastor, if need counseling (help) as regards a sin. Such as if I had done something, and can't get it out of my head, but can do same thing with a friend.

For many years after I came to Christ, something I did 13 years before coming to Christ haunted me.

It didn't trouble me at first, but some 10 years later I think, and lasted a long time. It's because in my mind what I had done was heinous, and indeed it was.

God had forgiven me, but I couldn't forgive myself.

It took a very long time of talking to God, bringing it to God, to finally let it go, and I also told a friend. And this is not something anyone would want to trust with any human being but I did, and it helped me greatly. Again the friend is trustworthy.

So, please know, no offense to denominations that believe differerently on these matters, but there is no need to go to a church, pastor, priest or anyone to confess sin. Go to God, it always helps and if desire a friend..

He forgave us long ago when we believed but telling God what we do is saying wow, I messed up here, and so telling God is like telling the truth to a friend, who is God.

With God you can be fully honest about all your ways.

There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

Sorry, sometimes I write long posts,

blessings
tapero

 

[Lukaris]

The passage in James clearly shows confession is necessary. In the Eastern Orthodox church we approach the icon of our Saviour with our priest who witnesses on our behalf but only Jesus Christ can forgive the sin. None of this is preceded or temporarily concluded as an end all but as a process of working out our salvation with fear and trembling as St. Paul attests in Phillipians. In our individual prayers we should also include confession (for example reading Psalm 51). Of course, circumstances vary and an individual such as the thief on the cross had only the last moments of his life to confess & repent.

 

[ThePreacherman]

Some material I read explained how God's Word declares that confession 'one to another' is necessary. Also that the Church itself was given the authority from Jesus,to the Apostles to 'do' the work of God. Is it so then, that the Church 'must' declare one forgiven?

St.John Chrysostom is recognised as one of the great early church fathers . He was a Bishop. the following is his view.




Chrysostom, in his homily, De Paenitentia, vol. IV., col. 901, has the following: "You need no witnesses of your confession. Secretly acknowledge your sins, and let God alone hear you."

 

[Emmy]

Dear nami. Jesus died for us all, He paid the price for our sins, which God`s Holy Law demanded. Now we are reconciled to God, and we can repay Jesus, our Saviour, by repenting of all we did and trying to become as God wants us to be. 1) Love God with all our hearts, all our souls, and with all our minds. 2) Love each other as we love ourselves. in other words, treat others, as we would like to be treated ourselves, with kindness and considerration, with loving hearts and loving hands. Jesus will help us and guide us, and it is not easy, nami, but once we start to become as Jesus taught us, it will become easier and easier, and we will have the Lord`s Love and Joy to share with all. And if we do fall short, if we do sin, Jesus taught us to pray to God, " forgive us our sins, as we forgive others." God is a loving God, and He can see our hearts, He knows our thoughts and wishers, and if we are sincere, God will forgive us again and again. Jesus is patiently waiting to lead us back to God, and we have years to become perfect in loving, as God is perfect. Unless we try, we will never know how great and forgiving God`s Love for us is. I say this humbly and with assurance, nami, and send greetings. Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[zaksmummy]

The first christians were Jews, they were used to having a month every years called Elul to repent before God of their sins. In this time they would repent before God then go to the person they had sinned against and ask for forgiveness and try to make things right in the relationship.

I think that this is what the bible means when it talks about confessing to one another.

Only God can forgive sins, no-one else can because every person on this earth has committed sins at some point. God wants people to repent and turn from their sins to be free from the sin.

Catrin xx

 

[Criada]

1 John1:
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.


This is in the context of fellowship with God... we need only confess to Him, and only He can forgive us.
Confessing to one another can be powerful, especially if one is struggling with habitual sin, because this can give accountability.
But it is not necessary for forgiveness, that is between you and God.

 

[Angel4Truth]

[bible]Romans 10:9-10[/bible]

 

[orthros]

Peace.....Yes, scripture does mention that we are to confess our sins to one another. Scripture also says, "whosever sins you retain are retained; whosever sins are forgiven are forgiven" and also Scripture says, "what is bound on earth is bound in Heaven" - this gave authority to the Church to set up a Sacrament for Confession/Confessors as well as other Sacraments. Blessings, "orthros"

 

[seashale76]

Communion is important. Priests have an obligation to guard the chalice. For a priest to knowingly allow people to approach the chalice who aren't repentant is a sin for them. In order for this to happen, communicants must go to regular confession, fast, pray, etc. The proper way to look at confession is that people confess to Christ in the presence of their spiritual father. If one isn't willing to confess and repent of their sins, then they don't want to be in communion with the Church. It's a very simple concept. We aren't saved alone.

 

[Angel4Truth]

Closed for staff review - debating isnt allowed in Questions by Non Christians

Thread has been cleaned up and is now reopened - please remember that the questions can only be answered by nicene agreeing christians - also there is no debate allowed - you may not debate other members answers. See guidelines for this forum here : http://christianforums.com/t5775588-questions-by-non-christian-forum-rules-as-of-26-july-2007.html

Thank you

 

[Edial]

Lutheran here ...

Some material I read explained how God's Word declares that confession 'one to another' is necessary.

Before we confess our sins to each other, we need to confess them to God.

After that "yes", it is necassary, since it is plainly stated to do so.

JAS 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

I should note however, look for a decent (righteous) Christian to confess to. Not just "any" Christian.

1. According to this verse, his prayers "count" more than the ones of others. No wonder people often appreciate sincere prayers of children. However, I am not saying to confess to children.
2. Confession to just anyone could result in rumors or a judgemental attitude.
3. Many experience illnesses that are due to sins that are kept secret over some periods of time. One should try to share them with someone special.

Also that the Church itself was given the authority from Jesus,to the Apostles to 'do' the work of God.

The Church was given the authority to implement the word of God and to share the Gospel that can save a person.

Is it so then, that the Church 'must' declare one forgiven?

The Lutheran Church declares that what already happened. God forgives.
During the liturgy people read the confessional part from a book. Then a pastor declares that based on their confession God forgives their sins.
And that is also Biblical.
(Also note verses 8 and 10).

1JN 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Now, what if a person did not mean that what he read aloud? God knows peoples' hearts and differentiates true words from insincerity.
The pastor declares forgiveness for the ones that are sincere in their confession.
He himself does not forgive, since he can be fooled by empty words.

Thanks,
Ed