CONFESSION - Whats The Deal?

CONFESSION WITH A PRIEST- OR DIRECT TO GOD ? WHAT SCRIPTURE SAYS.

Non-Catholic Christians today are very hung-up on one particular dilemma*:

 “Why should I confess to a priest, when I can talk directly to God?” 

It’s a sincere question among them, because they’ve been taught for over 5 centuries that they are their OWN priest. Now, this isn't what Jesus taught, nor did His apostles adopt that idea or teach it after him — 

Rather, it took root in the Protestant revolution and its drive to Nominalism. It is essentially hereditary among non-Catholic sects, at this point. 

So, it deserves a biblical response, one rooted in the original purpose of the sacrament.

While it’s always true that God alone forgives sins, the way He chooses to ADMINISTER that forgiveness is what is at the heart of the matter. Fortunately, that is clearly shown in Scripture—and it includes the Sacrament of Confession.

1. Jesus Gave the Apostles the Power to Forgive Sins

In John 20:21–23, the resurrected Jesus appears to His apostles and says:

“As the Father has sent me, even so I send you… Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

This is key. Jesus didn’t say, “Tell people to confess to GGodin their car or bedroom, privately.” Instead, He gave His apostles the divine authority to forgive or retain sins. This means a confession must be made, so the sin can be known — how else could they know what to forgive or retain?

This was the beginning of what Catholics call the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession—a sacrament instituted by Christ himself, and entrusted to those who would form The Church.

(Many of the non-Catholic sects downplay sin, itself. The devil, evil, and sin are seen as more of an abstract element of religion, more than a reality in fact. This plays into the idea that you don't really need to confess to another - just tell God you're sorry, soyou can get back to whatever, "good news" your Church is teaching you.)

2. Confession Has Always Been Practiced

In James 5:16, Scripture says:

“Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

Early Christians understood confession as both a spiritual and communal act. Confession was not hidden or secret. 

In fact, historical records show that confession was practiced publicly in the early Church, before evolving into the private sacramental form we know today.

3. Forgiveness Still Comes from God—Through His Church

When a Catholic confesses to a priest, they are not asking the priest to forgive on his own authority. No...thats the first mistake people make.  

Rather, the priest acts "in persona Christi" — in the person of Christ. It is Jesus who forgives through the priest, using the same authority He handed on to His Apostles and The Church they established. Well see momentarily how that authority continues to be valid, now.

Think of it like this: God is using human instruments to give His grace to humans. He uses water in Baptism, bread and wine in the Eucharist, and the words amd actions of the priest in Confession. 

These are not man-made rituals, in fact, but divine channels of mercy instituted by Christ from the beginning.

4. Private Prayer Is Good—But Not a Replacement

Of course, we should speak to God directly, every  day, and ask for guidance in doi g His will, and for His mercy when we go astray. But when it comes to sin, itself, especially mortal sin, the ordinary means Christ gave to humanity through His one and only Church is that of sacramental confession.

So just keep calm, understand this, and open up enough to ask yourself this question:

"If Jesus gave us The Rite of Confession and Reconciliation as a gift of merciful forgiveness for our hurtful sins, why avoid it? Why NOT use it?

- edited from an original by Clive Fernandez

* There are few other issues that lock them down, as well. For example, the concept of spiritual imagery really bothers them. But worse, anything to do with Mary, the Mother Of God As Christ, is a major stumbling block for them. It seems at times that they hate HER more than satan, himself.