2 Corinthians 2:10
King James Version (KJV 1611)
10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
Paul is addressing not the elders of the Church at Corinth but the entire Church at Corinth. He is addressing their reconciliation with a brother gone astray and married his father’s wife.The man obviously repented and turned from his evil ways. Paul added his reconciliation for the in earlier epistles he was wroth. Though it reviled him, he submitted himself to forgive, and as he fellowships with God he is saying he is doing so in the ‘presence of Christ’. He is not taking a confession, he is not dispensing penance. He is forgiving. You too, (I don’t believe you are a priest) can and should be forgiving.
2 Corinthians 2:10
New King James Version (NKJV 1979-1982)
10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one[a] for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
The 1611 KJV is exactly as Jerome translated from the oldest manuscripts available in the late 300s. What has changed since then: the truth, or scripture translations and teachings? Take a look at Nehemaih 9 - Public confession was the norm. And, have you ever wondered why Jesus gave the twelve power over sin? Binding and loosing. It’s all in there, but you must have a heart that is open to it. Remember that Paul wrote that he and the others on whom he had laid hands were “ambassadors of Christ”
‘Public Confession’ my friend is the declaration of your faith in Jesus’ name. For Jesus said, whomsoever confesses me before men, I shall confess him before the Father. Tell me, what are the sins confessed of the Apostles? Paul confessed his sins not only to the High Priest, but to the King and to the Apostles and to the Gentiles, and … His confession was a witness and a declaration of the saving grace that found him on the road to Damascus.
On the issue of ‘Binding and Loosing’. This is the power we have as believers. If any two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. ALL sin under Christ is forgiven and reconciled, and debt paid in full. There is no other debt to pay. You, nor any man, nor the devil himself may stand in between me and the Grace of God.
Yes, we are Ambassadors, you and I both and all who believe on the Name of Jesus. We are Ambassadors if we proclaim the truth of God’s word otherwise we are traitors of the Kingdom, would you not agree? The word of Grace is this. Come all ye who are heavy ladden and I will give you rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light. Come believe on the name of Jesus and you shall be saved. There is nothing that separates you from the Love of God…
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
2 Corinthians 5:20
New King James Version (NKJV)
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
Now, how are you reconciled to God? Through the forgiveness of sins, which Paul offered in the person of Christ - as Christ’s ambassador. They represent Christ with full authority, just as all ambassadors do. But, their job is on earth, while His is in heaven.
Tell me this: what sort of spiritual advice has God given you when you secretly confess to Him? Do you ever hear anything?
Have you ever heard “Your sins are forgiven”? If not, ask yourself why, since Jesus made sure that those whose sins were forgiven knew it (Matthew 9:2, Mark 2:5, Luke 5:20). And, if you confess directly to God, are you not back-dooring Jesus? I thought He was your sole mediator?
My friend, not only do I know my sins are forgiven. But I know that it is only by Grace and if by Grace if I paid anything or did anything of my own accord, it would not be called Grace. I confessed my sins before God and received reconciliation with God through the blood of Jesus, the mediator between God and I. Justified not by penance, but only through the grace of my Lord Jesus. This is not the back door, but the front.
Does God speak to me? Does he not speak to you? I daily dwell in his presence. This is his wish for all his creation. God longs once again to for man to hear the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.
What you believe is a recent innovation in Christian history, and was a teaching that became necessary among those who rejected the Priesthood that Christ founded upon the Twelve and Paul, and which the twelve and Paul passed on to their successors.
