All can hear confession?

[Montie_Claunch]

I was talking to my aunt some time ago and the conversation was over cofession. I gave the ussual scripture where Jesus breaths the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and tells them what ever you bind on… and so forth. She tells me, well it doesn’t say that it was to them only, it could be to all beleivers. How should I respond? Thanks and God bless.

 

[mosher]

I was talking to my aunt some time ago and the conversation was over cofession. I gave the ussual scripture where Jesus breaths the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and tells them what ever you bind on… and so forth. She tells me, well it doesn’t say that it was to them only, it could be to all beleivers. How should I respond? Thanks and God bless.

If it were given to all it would have been to all the disciples and not just the Apostles.

 

[Brain]

well, anyone can hear a confession, true.
But only a priest can do somthing about what he heard…
…Sorry, couldnt resist

 

[simbagizmo]

James 5:16

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

If it were given to all it would have been to all the disciples and not just the Apostles.

IT says that He breathed on them. Who is indicated by “Them”, Those that were there. Who’s that? One has to go back to the beginning of the passage to see where they were and who was there.

 

[Montie_Claunch]

IT says that He breathed on them. Who is indicated by “Them”, Those that were there. Who’s that? One has to go back to the beginning of the passage to see where they were and who was there.

I know that the Apostles where the “Them” but, how do I prove that it was an exclusive “Them” only to the apostles and not a genaric “Them” meant for a wider group,Christians in general, which they were also a part of.

 

[vince2paul]

James 5:16

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

I believe it should be read from verse 14;

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.

 

[simbagizmo]

I believe it should be read from verse 14;

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.

Yes, you can start from 14-16 also. I agree that 14 specifically states the elders, but 16 states specifically to “each other”. If you substitute “elders” for “each other”, it does not make sense,.

“Therefore confess your sins to elders and pray for elders so that you may be healed.” This makes no sense. God’s word here is pretty clear and should be taken at face value.

 

[scylla]

It certainly can be interpreted to be anything you want as looking at it from a Bible only perspective would allow you to interpret the Bible to any personal perception.

As it does state there it shows that Jesus gave His disciples the power to forgive sins. Were these the Apostles or those who were part of the Church He formed. If we look at James it indicates that the Elders of the Church are to be called to minister to people and that they are involved when we confess our sins to one another.

Now if she isn’t part of the exact same Church that Jesus founded and can prove it then she must seek the Church that traces itself back to those Apostles who can forgive sins.
Or else anyone can and it doesn’t matter what you believe, and God was not able to keep the gates of hell from prevailing over His Church.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[Liberian]

Montie,

I don’t think you can prove it, not to your aunt’s satisfaction at least, but on the other hand she can’t prove her side to you either. There are places where Jesus tells things to ALL the disciples and other places where He tells things just to the Twelve, but you cannot prove exclusivity or inclusivity from that.

It’s one of those things that the text doesn’t give a proof–although it certainly does lean towards it being just the Apostles (Thomas wasn’t there, though)–and your belief comes from somewhere else. Your belief comes from the teachings of your Church; your aunt’s belief comes from the teachings of her church. Neither teaching is based solely on the Bible, no matter what anybody may say.

• Liberian

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I know that the Apostles where the “Them” but, how do I prove that it was an exclusive “Them” only to the apostles and not a genaric “Them” meant for a wider group,Christians in general, which they were also a part of.

He also says “You are Peter, and on this Rock I will build My Church.” If i’m reading this then I am the “You” right.

He is talking to me, I’m Peter, I lead the Church!!

I don’t think so.