Catholics have confession, what do Protestants have if they sin?

[pablope]

1beleevr;7993431:

(name removed by moderator);7988850:

BTW, is there some set number of examples that need to be provided to convince you of a truth? What is the rule on that?

Hence, the pointing out of you using ad hominem in your post, which, in this sense, is a logical fallacy.

Just ran across this event in Numbers 21…

7Upon which they came to Moses, and said: We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and thee: pray that he may take away these serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

8And the Lord said to him: Make brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: whosoever being struck shall look on it, shall live.

9Moses therefore made a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: which when they that were bitten looked upon, they were healed.

 

[Hawkheart]

This may be a simple question but it’s puzzled me recently.

If I was to commit a serious sin, I can go to confession to seek, and receive, forgiveness. But what do Protestants do in such an occasion, if anything at all? How can they be assured of God’s forgiveness for their sins?

Note - I’m not specifically looking for answers from Protestants themselves, but that would be interesting.

Because Confession is stupid and we don’t need some priest telling us God has forgiven us when we can know it in our own hearts that he will, in fact already has.

 

[pablope]

Because Confession is stupid and we don’t need some priest telling us God has forgiven us when we can know it in our own hearts that he will, in fact already has.

Looks like you know how to describe yourself!

 

[CompSciGuy]

I can’t wait till I can confess.

But because of my evangelical protestant background, if something should happen to me where I am at death’s door, I will not be freaking out because I can’t get to a priest.

I know God is able to forgive me of my sins.

This is very good. A short time ago I was in your exact position. It seems that you have a healthy view of confession, not an OCD, mechanical understanding of it.

The first confession is probably the best. Great peace follows afterwards.

 

[JonathonofOhio]

Because Confession is stupid and we don’t need some priest telling us God has forgiven us when we can know it in our own hearts that he will, in fact already has.

Well tell God that, He’s the one that started the whole confessing sins to a priest thing. Maybe he’ll say he’s sorry about the whole thing and tell you that he really didn’t mean all that stuff in the Bible, and you can just do whatever you want because he already done forgave you for whatever you are going to do.

 

[JonNC]

Because Confession is stupid and we don’t need some priest telling us God has forgiven us when we can know it in our own hearts that he will, in fact already has.

Certainly, the reformers did not consider the sacrament of Confession/Absolution to be stupid.

Augsburg Confession

Article XI: Of Confession.

1] Of Confession they teach that Private Absolution ought to be retained in the churches, although in confession 2] an enumeration of all sins is not necessary. For it is impossible according to the Psalm: Who can understand his errors? Ps. 19:12.

The Apology of the Augsburg Confession

It is well known that we have so elucidated and extolled [that we have preached, written, and taught in a, manner so Christian, correct, and pure] the benefit of absolution and the power of the keys that many distressed consciences have derived consolation from our doctrine; after they heard that it is the command of God, nay, rather the very voice of the Gospel, that we should believe the absolution, and regard it as certain that the remission of sins is freely granted us for Christ’s sake; and that we should believe that by this faith we are truly reconciled to God [as though we heard a voice from heaven]. This belief has encouraged many godly minds, and, in the beginning, brought Luther the highest commendation from all good men, since it shows consciences sure and firm consolation; because previously the entire power of absolution [entire necessary doctrine of repentance] had been kept suppressed by doctrines concerning works, since the sophists and monks taught nothing of faith and free remission [but pointed men to their own works, from which nothing but despair enters alarmed consciences].

60] But with respect to the time, certainly most men in our churches use the Sacraments, absolution and the Lord’s Supper, frequently in a year. And those who teach of the worth and fruits of the Sacraments speak in such a manner as to invite the people to use the Sacraments frequently.

Luther’s Small Catechism

How Christians should be taught to confess.

What is Confession?*

Confession embraces two parts: the one is, that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution, or forgiveness, from the confessor, as from God Himself, and in no wise doubt, but firmly believe, that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in heaven.

Jon

 

[Hawkheart]

Looks like you know how to describe yourself!

Lol I only put that in that way because the original thread starter said a Protestants opinion would be interesting. Normally I’d be nicer.

 

[Hawkheart]

Well tell God that, He’s the one that started the whole confessing sins to a priest thing. Maybe he’ll say he’s sorry about the whole thing and tell you that he really didn’t mean all that stuff in the Bible, and you can just do whatever you want because he already done forgave you for whatever you are going to do.

We either do it with ourselves, and/or in church as a whole. We all say a certain scripture and some other things and he ends with “and I forgive you in the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit, Amen” We simply don’t do it individually because we fail to see the point.

 

[Stepson]

We either do it with ourselves, and/or in church as a whole. We all say a certain scripture and some other things and he ends with “and I forgive you in the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit, Amen” We simply don’t do it individually because we fail to see the point.

Individual confession was practiced in the Lutheran church at one point (it is still in our Lutheran Worship Book) as well as the Rosary and making the sign of the cross. I guess the Lutheran church has gotten away from this in an attempt to distance itself from the Catholic church. At least that is what older generations has told me. However, I see a movement to come back to our heritage. As for the point of an individual confession, the way I see it, although it is not needed since Jesus washed all of our sins away, it might be healthy for our psyche. We are in a relationship with God. It’s a relationship we can feel. But since we are physical beings as well as spiritual beings, it simply feels good for us to use our other senses in this relationship. Individual confession, means to me, a deeper relationship with God. You physically say that you are sorry and you physically hear the words of Christ (through his servant), “You are forgiven.” It’s music to the ears.

 

[Hawkheart]

Individual confession was practiced in the Lutheran church at one point (it is still in our Lutheran Worship Book) as well as the Rosary and making the sign of the cross. I guess the Lutheran church has gotten away from this in an attempt to distance itself from the Catholic church. At least that is what older generations has told me. However, I see a movement to come back to our heritage. As for the point of an individual confession, the way I see it, although it is not needed since Jesus washed all of our sins away, it might be healthy for our psyche. We are in a relationship with God. It’s a relationship we can feel. But since we are physical beings as well as spiritual beings, it simply feels good for us to use our other senses in this relationship. Individual confession, means to me, a deeper relationship with God. You physically say that you are sorry and you physically hear the words of Christ (through his servant), “You are forgiven.” It’s music to the ears.

I see, that definately makes sense that originally we did some things that we are now using to distance ourselves.

 

[jlhargus]

So, what is vague about 2sam12:
13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”

 

[JonathonofOhio]

Individual confession was practiced in the Lutheran church at one point (it is still in our Lutheran Worship Book) as well as the Rosary and making the sign of the cross. I guess the Lutheran church has gotten away from this in an attempt to distance itself from the Catholic church. At least that is what older generations has told me. However, I see a movement to come back to our heritage. As for the point of an individual confession, the way I see it, although it is not needed since Jesus washed all of our sins away, it might be healthy for our psyche. We are in a relationship with God. It’s a relationship we can feel. But since we are physical beings as well as spiritual beings, it simply feels good for us to use our other senses in this relationship. Individual confession, means to me, a deeper relationship with God. You physically say that you are sorry and you physically hear the words of Christ (through his servant), “You are forgiven.” It’s music to the ears.

Yeah, I don’t agree with the notion that Jesus washed all our future sins away automatically. If we live in sin we can’t go to heaven, and if we defile ourselves with sin (we are temples of God), God will destroy us. That seems pretty clear in 1 Corinthians 6 and 3. Besides if all our sins are automatically taken care of by Jesus then why is there any need to confess anything or ask for forgiveness? There would be nothing of the sort in the New Testament, why would there be if it’s all taken care of automatically?

We can fall from grace due to sin while we are alive, and so we must have a way to come back to God and turn away from sin. So God gives us the way through confession (which is through Jesus Christ). Just saying a prayer and asking God to forgive your sins is all fine and good, but it does not fulfill your obligation to confess your sins.

 

[jlhargus]

I was pointing out that many catholics leave the faith, and I wonder why; id it is the true church of Jesus Christ!

JL: [2Thes2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, **except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;] Notice that happens to the TRUE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST.

 

[Stepson]

Yeah, I don’t agree with the notion that Jesus washed all our future sins away automatically. If we live in sin we can’t go to heaven, and if we defile ourselves with sin (we are temples of God), God will destroy us. That seems pretty clear in 1 Corinthians 6 and 3. Besides if all our sins are automatically taken care of by Jesus then why is there any need to confess anything or ask for forgiveness? There would be nothing of the sort in the New Testament, why would there be if it’s all taken care of automatically?

We can fall from grace due to sin while we are alive, and so we must have a way to come back to God and turn away from sin. So God gives us the way through confession (which is through Jesus Christ). Just saying a prayer and asking God to forgive your sins is all fine and good, but it does not fulfill your obligation to confess your sins.

Good point. I meant to say that Jesus can wash our sins away if we are sorry and ask. He does not need a man to do it. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[JonathonofOhio]

Good point. I meant to say that Jesus can wash our sins away if we are sorry and ask. He does not need a man to do it. Thanks for pointing that out.

No problem.

I do agree God doesn’t need man for anything, but God often uses men for all sorts of things— He didn’t NEED any of the prophets either if you really want to look at it that way. But God does forgive sins through men even if we don’t like it. I won’t repeat anything here that has already been said…if you haven’t you really should read through this entire thread as there are some very good posts.

I just find it kind of odd that we think we can hide our sins from one another, and keep it private between us and God. I don’t like confessing my sins to a priest either, but I build up the nerve and go do it a couple times a year, because my understanding of the final judgment involves all our deeds, good and bad, being revealed to all (Luke 12:2), and if I confess my sins (James 5:19-20) they are covered up by God and will not be revealed. So wouldn’t it be better to reveal our sins to just one person now, instead of everyone later? Maybe you don’t think so…that’s up to you. I’d prefer not to take the chance no matter how uncomfortable it is or how much I dislike it.

 

[StOwen]

Quoting a post from the first page

I don’t think it should be difficult for a God who knows your heart and every molecule in your DNA, and every neuron in your brain, to know if you are truly sorry or not.

In that case we don’t even have to say a prayer because God already knows that we are sorry. In fact we never have to pray ever because God knows our desires and intentions.

Good point. I meant to say that Jesus can wash our sins away if we are sorry and ask. He does not need a man to do it. Thanks for pointing that out.

Sorry if you answered this already but how do you interpret John 20:21?

(Jesus) said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

 

[Stepson]

Sorry if you answered this already but how do you interpret John 20:21?

The way I interpret this is, I look at it in a literal sense of what happened (obviously). I see it as Jesus giving the marching orders to his Church. But how it applies to me and how I worship, truly, I got nothing.

 

[StOwen]

The way I interpret this is, I look at it in a literal sense of what happened (obviously). I see it as Jesus giving the marching orders to his Church. But how it applies to me and how I worship, truly, I got nothing.

Why do you think Jesus told the disciples

Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.

when

Stepson:

He does not need a man to do it.

Thanks