How do Protestants interpret 2 Corinthians 5:18?

[m8g8]

Hello,

The verse is:

** 2 Corinthians 5:18:**

But all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Christ; and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

 

[Richard_Kastner]

Hello,

The verse is:

** 2 Corinthians 5:18:**

I think you need to expand a little 2Cor.5
17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The first thing we have to establish here is that Paul is talking to all Corinthian believers and he is saying that God has reconciled the world to Himself through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, but not only this. He has also given us a ministry. A ministry of reconciliation. In other words God has made us ambassadors to the world. To tell the world about the reconciliation that Jesus has bought for us on the cross. Pretty neat huh?

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

That’s nice but it does not complete the fullness of Truth it appears to lack substance of action of a member in the body of Christ, who was given authority by God to engage in a ministry handed to the Church, that deals with the mysteries of God. God gave this ministry of reconciliation and to administer the mysteries of God to the STEWARDS of God.

1Corinthians 4:1
Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

God has sent these stewards (apostles not all the Corinthian members of the body) to administer their God given ministry of reconciliation and forgiving of sins;

Tell me Richard did all the Corinthians have the God given power from heaven to act in the ministry of reconciliation so that, they can forgiven an other’s sins let alone retain an other’s sin?

The ministry of reconciliation involves forgiving others sin and or retaining others sin. Jesus taught “all” to forgive sin as you would ask God to forgive you". Jesus did not teach everybody and anybody to retain an other’s sin? This “ministry” alone belongs to the servants of Christ and the stewards of the mysteries of God.

If one does not have the God given power to practice this biblical ministry of reconciliation to forgive sin and retain sin, lacks the full Truth of this ministry of reconciliation from a total biblical point of view.

Paul is clear in distinguishing between those (Corinthians) “should one regard” (the apostles )** US** as **servants **of Christ and **stewards of the mysteries **of God…

Can you explain one biblical mystery that Paul is referencing as being a steward of the mysteries of God who serve Christ?

John 20:21
14 (Jesus) said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, **so I send you.” **22
15 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.
23
16 **Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” **

Matthew 28:18
11 Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19
Go, therefore, 12 and make disciples of all nations, **baptizing them **in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,
20
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 13 And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Peace be with you

Richard Kastner;7599127]I think you need to expand a little 2Cor.5
17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The first thing we have to establish here is that Paul is talking to all Corinthian believers and he is saying that God has reconciled the world to Himself through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, but not only this. He has also given us a ministry. A ministry of reconciliation. In other words God has made us ambassadors to the world. To tell the world about the reconciliation that Jesus has bought for us on the cross. Pretty neat huh?

 

[Third_Day]

The first thing we have to establish here is that Paul is talking to all Corinthian believers and he is saying that God has reconciled the world to Himself through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, but not only this. He has also given us a ministry. A ministry of reconciliation. In other words **God has made us ambassadors **to the world. To tell the world about the reconciliation that Jesus has bought for us on the cross. Pretty neat huh?

As Gabriel of 12 has pointed out ambassador doesn’t refer to the everyday Corinthian Christian. Paul is talking about himself and Timothy as ordained ministers.

The Greek word for ambassador is Presbeuo which is from the Greek presbuteros where the English word for priest comes from

Paul uses that same Greek word here: " To that end keep alert with all perservance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador ( presbeuo) in chains that I may proclaim it boldly." Eph 6:19-20

Only an ordained presbyter had the authority to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.

When Paul says in 2 Cor 5:20 "So we (Paul and Timothy) are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us ( Paul and Timothy). The Corinthians would make their appeal, their confession, through the ministry of reconciliation administered by Paul and Timothy.

 

[m8g8]

Richard, Gabriel and Third Day,

Thank you for your replies, they are really interesting, and Third Day, I didn’t know that they are calling themselves priests. It would be nice to see how Richard (or other Protestants) view this though.

Sorry, my posts won’t have much (name removed by moderator)ut. I’m not experienced in Christianity like everyone else on this site is

 

[Third_Day]

Richard, Gabriel and Third Day,

Thank you for your replies, they are really interesting, and Third Day, I didn’t know that they are calling themselves priests. It would be nice to see how Richard (or other Protestants) view this though.

Sorry, my posts won’t have much (name removed by moderator)ut. I’m not experienced in Christianity like everyone else on this site is

I heard Father Pacwa in a debate with a Protestant on the priesthood say that the reason the apostles didn’t use the Jewish word for priest, which I believe is cohen, is because they were not Levites and because they wanted to distinguish the New Covenant priesthood from the Old Covenant priesthood. The only other word for priest was a Greek word that meant pagan priest and they didn’t want to use that one obviously, so they used the Greek word presbuteros which over time became the Latin word presbyter and the English word for priest but is translated in the bible as elder.

So when the book of James says “If anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders (presbuteros) of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5) it is saying call the priests of the Church. That Greek word presbuteros was interchangable with Bishop because all Bishops were priests but not all priests were Bishops.

From Dictionary.com Priest
before 900; Middle English prest ( e ), priest, Old English prēost, ultimately < Late Latin presbyter

 

[m8g8]

I heard Father Pacwa in a debate with a Protestant on the priesthood say that the reason the apostles didn’t use the Jewish word for priest, which I believe is cohen, is because they were not Levites and because they wanted to distinguish the New Covenant priesthood from the Old Covenant priesthood. The only other word for priest was a Greek word that meant pagan priest and they didn’t want to use that one obviously, so they used the Greek word presbuteros which over time became the Latin word presbyter and the English word for priest but is translated in the bible as elder.

So when the book of James says “If anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders (presbuteros) of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5) it is saying call the priests of the Church. That Greek word presbuteros was interchangable with Bishop because all Bishops were priests but not all priests were Bishops.

From Dictionary.com Priest
before 900; Middle English prest ( e ), priest, Old English prēost, ultimately < Late Latin presbyter

Wow, that’s really interesting and thanks for sharing that. It’s a shame that not many people know things like this though.

 

[Esdra]

Hello,

The verse is:

** 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (2 Cor 5:18): **

2 Corinthian 5 is about the new life in Christ.

I think it links to Mattew 5:23+24: "23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. "

Everyone, as a child of God, is asked to forgive his neighbour.

God has reconciled us to himself and thus we can have a relationship to our (and His) Father. The gap between God and humans which arose because of Adam’s fall, was closed by Jesus death on the cross. (1 Cor 15:22)

And this verse here, "25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.(Matthew 5:25) " also shows that the asked verse 2 Cor 5:18 means that we should reconcile with our brothers or neighbours.

The German *Einheitsuebersetzung *(which is a Catholic Bible btw) writes: “18 Aber das alles kommt von Gott, der uns durch Christus mit sich versoehnt **und uns den Dienst der Versoehnung aufgetragen hat. **” (the bold means in English: And He has given us the duty of reconciliation)

And IMO, this duty, refers to every child of God (every reborn Christian). And as RichardKastner already has pointed out, we are also asked to spread this reconciliation around the world. “God has reconciled us with Him through His Son’s death on the cross!” That’s the good news. It’s wonderful news!

Actually, I don’t see something particular Catholic about this verse, looking at the Title: “How do Protestants interpret 2 Corinthians 5:18?”
IMO, this verse is quite simple - and, no, dear Catholics, the Sacrament of Confession, if you want to say that, dear OP, isn’t meant by that.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

Hi Esdra, what you are forcing in the context here takes away for whole subject matter of Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians, which Paul has already addressed to the Corinthians.

The Corinthians believers already know the difference between the "co-workers of God and the field of God, God’s building. The Corinthians cannot Judge Paul because God made him an ambassador, not the Corinthians. Paul differentiates between those called by God in the ministry and those receiving the Life from the ministry of reconciliation.

1Corinthians 3:5
4 5 What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul?** Ministers through whom you became believers,** just as the Lord assigned each one.
6
I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth.
7
Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth.
8
The one who plants and the one who waters are equal, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor.
9
**For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. **

Taking Pauls teaching in the whole context from his Letters to the Corinthians clearly distinguishes the differences between the “ambassadors of Christ” and those who have recieved life in Christ;

2 Corinthian 4:8
7 We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
9
persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed;
10
8 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
11
**For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12
9 So death is at work in us, but life in you. **

Not all the Corinthians “sent” by God;

Romans 10:15
And **how can people preach **unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring (the) good news!”

What you speak of is the “result” of the community from what the Ambassadors in their God given ministry of reconciliation (which includes both baptism and repentance of sins) who are the co-workers in Christ administer to the populace.

Paul is making a distinction between those who God alone have appointed to be stewards of the mysteries of God, and those recieving the mysteries of God.

Not all members of the body are the same Paul makes it clear to the Ephesian Church community, the difference between those who recieved the ministry (of reconciliation) in order to build up the body (believers) of Christ;

Ephesians 4:11
4 **And he gave some as apostles, **others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
12
to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, 5 **for building up the body of Christ, **

Peace be with you

2 Corinthian 5 is about the new life in Christ.

I think it links to Mattew 5:23+24: "23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. "

Everyone, as a child of God, is asked to forgive his neighbour.

God has reconciled us to himself and thus we can have a relationship to our (and His) Father. The gap between God and humans which arose because of Adam’s fall, was closed by Jesus death on the cross. (1 Cor 15:22)

And this verse here, "25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.(Matthew 5:25) " also shows that the asked verse 2 Cor 5:18 means that we should reconcile with our brothers or neighbours.

The German *Einheitsuebersetzung *(which is a Catholic Bible btw) writes: “18 Aber das alles kommt von Gott, der uns durch Christus mit sich versoehnt **und uns den Dienst der Versoehnung aufgetragen hat. **” (the bold means in English: And He has given us the duty of reconciliation)

And IMO, this duty, refers to every child of God (every reborn Christian). And as RichardKastner already has pointed out, we are also asked to spread this reconciliation around the world. “God has reconciled us with Him through His Son’s death on the cross!” That’s the good news. It’s wonderful news!

Actually, I don’t see something particular Catholic about this verse, looking at the Title: “**How do Protestants **interpret 2 Corinthians 5:18?”
IMO, this verse is quite simple - and, no, dear Catholics, the Sacrament of Confession, if you want to say that, dear OP, isn’t meant by that.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

If you deny an authoritative position through 2 Corinthians 5:18, how would you interpret Hebrews 13:17?

**Heb 13:17 Obey your prelates and be subject to them. For they watch as being to render an account of your souls: that they may do this with joy and not with grief. For this is not expedient for you. **

 

[jericho777]

There seems to be some confusion over the definition of elder/priest and their proper NT rolls. I researched the words in question and here are the words and their definitions. The position of priest in the NT is limited to Jesus as High Priest, the priesthood of all believers or the Jewish priesthood. Jesus appointed the position of pastor/shepherd Eph 4:11 for the church.

Priest Strongs 2409. Hiereus a priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.).

Ambassador Strongs 4243. presbeuó (“act as an ambassador”) means to act as an established statesman (diplomat) – a trusted, respected ambassador who is authorized to speak as God’s emissary (represent His kingdom).

Elder Strongs 4245 presbýteros – properly, a mature man having seasoned judgment (experience); an elder.

Pastor/Shepherd 4166 poimḗn – properly, a shepherd (“pastor” in Latin); (figuratively) someone who the Lord raises up to care for the total well-being of His flock (the people of the Lord).

 

[Zenas]

Occasionally I run across a thread on this forum that reaches out, grabs me and shows that I have misunderstood something all these many years. As a youth I belonged to a Southern Baptist organization for boys called Royal Ambassadors. Our watchword was from 2 Corinthians 5:20, “We are ambassadors for Christ.” Because of this and other teachings, I have always assumed that the pronouns “I”, “we” and “us” were inclusive, i.e., referring to all Christians everywhere. But maybe not.

As Gabriel of 12 and Third Day have pointed out, Paul seems to be referring to himself and other ordained individuals by the use of these pronouns. This is apparent from an examination of the pronouns, many of which draw a distinction between “I/we/us” and “you.” Admittedly, some of them do not make such a distinction but many of them do.

11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord,** we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
12We** are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving** you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.
13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you**.
14For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
15and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
16Therefore from now on** we **recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now **we know Him in this way no longer.
17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
18Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us **the ministry of reconciliation,
19namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to **us **the word of reconciliation.
20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Check out the bolded pronouns in this passage. In nearly every case (verse 21 excepted) the “I/we/us” pronouns are referring to Paul and his other ministers, probably Timothy and Titus.

However, I must take issue with those who say verse 18 is referring to the sacrament of reconciliation. The entire context of the passage just doesn’t fit with this. By the ministry of reconciliation, Paul is speaking here of the new life in Christ, just like Esdra said. Remember, the Corinthians did not grow up in Christian homes. They were pagans until Paul brought then the gospel of Christ. So being reconciled to God is Paul’s way of saying they have been made a part of the family of God. And when Paul claims the ministry of reconciliation he is talking about the ministry of proclaiming the gospel.

Paul’s use of the term “reconciliation” may have you jumping to conclusions that not inferable from the context. So far as I can tell “reconciliation” is a relatively recent nomenclature for the sacrament of penance or confession. This name for this sacrament doesn’t appear to have been used in ancient times.

I’m not arguing against any of the sacraments, the sacrament of reconciliation included. I just don’t think 2 Corinthians 5:18 has anything to do with it. A more appropriate Pauline source for demonstrating this sacrament would be 2 Corinthians 2:10.

 

[Third_Day]

=jericho777;7602027]There seems to be some confusion over the definition of elder/priest and their proper NT rolls. I researched the words in question and here are the words and their definitions. The position of priest in the NT is limited to Jesus as High Priest, the priesthood of all believers or the Jewish priesthood. Jesus appointed the position of pastor/shepherd Eph 4:11 for the church.

Priest Strongs 2409. Hiereus a priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.).

Hiereus is Greek and was used for pagan priests not Jewish priests.

Ambassador Strongs 4243. presbeuó (“act as an ambassador”) means to act as an established statesman (diplomat) – a trusted, respected ambassador who is authorized to speak as God’s emissary (represent His kingdom).

Elder Strongs 4245 presbýteros – properly, a mature man having seasoned judgment (experience); an elder.

Pastor/Shepherd 4166 poimḗn – properly, a shepherd (“pastor” in Latin); (figuratively) someone who the Lord raises up to care for the total well-being of His flock (the people of the Lord).

From Word-Origins.com
word-origins.com/definition/priest.html
Priest goes back ultimately to the Greek noun presbúteros, which meant literally ‘elder’ (it was formed from the comparative of the adjective présbus ‘old’). It was used in the Greek translation of the New Testament for ‘elder of the church,** priest’.** It was borrowed into Latin as presbyter (source of English presbyterian (17th c.)). This subsequently became reduced to *prēster (as in Prester John), which was taken over by Old English as prēost, ancestor of modern English priest.

The Greek word presbuteros has many meanings.
4245 presbuteros {pres-boo’-ter-os} comparative of presbus (elderly); TDNT - 6:651,931; adj 1) elder, of age, 1a) the elder of two people 1b) advanced in life, an elder, a senior 1b1) forefathers 2) a term of rank or office 2a) among the Jews 2a1) members of the great council or Sanhedrin among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably 2c) the twenty four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court seated on thrones around the throne of God

It would be wrong to say that it can only and always refer to a mature experienced man. That wouldn’t make sense in scripture. For example:
Acts 15:2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and **the elders **(presbuteros) about this question

Why would mature men be involved with the apostles in a council that proclaimed the dogma that the Gentiles could be received in the Church without circumcision? In context presbuteros would refer to Bishops of the Church.

Titus 1:5 This is why I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you,

Why would Paul tell Titus , a Bishop, to appoint “mature” men to amend what was defective?

1 Peter 5: 1 So I exhort **the elders **among you, as a **fellow elder **and a witness of the sufferings of Christ

Is Peter simply saying that he exhorts the mature men and he is also a mature man? The only thing that makes sense is to read Peter saying that he exhorts the Bishops/priest as a fellow bishop/priest.

James 5: 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for **the elders of the church **and let them **pray over **him **anointing him with oil **in the name of the Lord and the prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up and if he has committed sins he will be forgiven.

Those are all the functions of a priest not just an ordinary mature experienced man.

Rev. 4:10 the twenty-four **elders **fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever
Simply 24 mature men? Clearly 24 men of authority.

Hebrews 13:10 tells us that the Christians had “an altar”. The only thing an altar is used for is a sacrifice and one needs a priest for a sacrifice. The early Christians had the New Covenant sacrifice, the Eucharist.

Also please consider the writings of the first Christians. It is clear that the Christian ministry consisted of Bishops, presbyters and deacons.

Ignatius Epistle to the Magnesians AD 107CHAPTER II.–I REJOICE IN YOUR MESSENGERS.
Since, then, I have had the privilege of seeing you, through Damas your most worthy bishop, and through your worthy **presbyters **Bassus and Apollonius, and through my fellow-servant the **deacon **Sotio, whose friendship may I ever enjoy, inasmuch as he is subject to the bishop as to the grace of God, and to the presbytery as to the law of Jesus Christ

CHAPTER VII.–DO NOTHING WITHOUT THE BISHOP AND PRESBYTERS.
As therefore the Lord did nothing without the Father, being united to Him, neither by Himself nor by the apostles, so neither do ye anything without the **bishop and presbyters…… **There is one Jesus Christ, than whom nothing is more excellent. Do ye therefore all run together as into **one temple **of God, as to one altar, as to one Jesus Christ, who came forth from one Father.

Ignatius of Antioch (Letter to the Philadelphians 4 [A.D. 110 )
Make certain, therefore, that you all observe one common Eucharist; for there is but one body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and but one cup of union with his blood, and one single **altar of sacrifice **even as there is also but one bishop, with his clergy and my own fellow servitors, the deacons. This will ensure that all your doings are in full accord with the will of God “

 

[Third_Day]

=Esdra;7601410]
Everyone, as a child of God, is asked to forgive his neighbour.

If your neighbor commits adultery with your spouse can you forgive him of that adultery and that means he is also forgiven by God?

Actually, I don’t see something particular Catholic about this verse, looking at the Title: “**How do Protestants **interpret 2 Corinthians 5:18?”
IMO, this verse is quite simple - and, no, dear Catholics, the Sacrament of Confession, if you want to say that, dear OP, isn’t meant by that.

Jesus told the apostles “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive the sins of any they are not forgiven.” John 19:23

Does that verse apply to every Christian?

 

[MartinJordan]

If your neighbor commits adultery with your spouse can you forgive him of that adultery and that means he is also forgiven by God?

Jesus told the apostles “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive the sins of any they are not forgiven.” John 19:23

Does that verse apply to every Christian?

That should be John 20:23.

MJ

 

[Third_Day]

=Zenas;7602502]As Gabriel of 12 and Third Day have pointed out, Paul seems to be referring to himself and other ordained individuals by the use of these pronouns

.
Agree

However, I must take issue with those who say verse 18 is referring to the sacrament of reconciliation. The entire context of the passage just doesn’t fit with this. By the ministry of reconciliation, Paul is speaking here of the new life in Christ, just like Esdra said.

The ministry of reconciliation would include baptism,confession prayer and repentance by which we are reconcilled to God. I don’t think Paul is limiting it solely to confession but it would include an ordained apostolic minister forgiving one’s sins.

Remember, the Corinthians did not grow up in Christian homes. They were pagans until Paul brought then the gospel of Christ. So being reconciled to God is Paul’s way of saying they have been made a part of the family of God. And when Paul claims the ministry of reconciliation he is talking about the ministry of proclaiming the gospel.

I wouldn’t say that Paul is stating that the ministery of reconcillation is the same as proclaiming the gospel. Reconcillation is part of the gospel message.

Paul’s use of the term “reconciliation” may have you jumping to conclusions that not inferable from the context. So far as I can tell “reconciliation” is a relatively recent nomenclature for the sacrament of penance or confession. This name for this sacrament doesn’t appear to have been used in ancient times.

The name Trinity isn’t in scripture but the concept is. We know that the apostles had the authority to forgive sin and this authority was passed on to Paul, who was not one of the 12 apostle but was ordained by them.

I’m not arguing against any of the sacraments, the sacrament of reconciliation included. I just don’t think 2 Corinthians 5:18 has anything to do with it. A more appropriate Pauline source for demonstrating this sacrament would be 2 Corinthians 2:10.

2 Cor. 2: 10 is an interesting passage. In 1 Cor 5:1-5 Paul excommunicates a man for immorality and it is possible that in 2 Cor. 2:,that you sited, beginning in verse 5 that Paul is speaking about this same man and Paul forgave his sin of immorality and he was reconciled to the Church. Clearly Paul had the authority to NOT forgive the man but excommunicate him in the hope that the man would come to his senses and confess and repent.

I find it interesting that in the Greek Paul says that he forgave the man in the prosopon of Christ.

That is where the word “person” comes from. Paul forgave the man in the “person” of Christ which is exactly what a Catholic priest does. He fogives in personna Christi.

Zenas since you are a “Baptist with some Catholic beliefs” could a Baptist Minister ever say that he forgave your sins in the person of Christ? Could a Baptist Minister ever say, “Repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of repentance?”

 

[Third_Day]

That should be John 20:23.

MJ

Thanks. Hopefully Esdras will find the right chapter.

 

[SyCarl]

Hiereus is Greek and was used for pagan priests not Jewish priests.

So then, was Zacharias a pagan priest because he is described as hiereus in Luke 1? Or what about Jesus himself who is refered to as archiereus in Hebrews? Then when 1 Peter 2 calls us a royal priesthood it uses hieratuma. Are all these referring to pagan priesthoods?

 

[Zenas]

.
Zenas since you are a “Baptist with some Catholic beliefs” could a Baptist Minister ever say that he forgave your sins in the person of Christ?

No, he would consider that above his pay grade.

Could a Baptist Minister ever say, “Repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of repentance?”

Yes but he probably would not. Baptists don’t go in for penance. Baptists believe once a sin is forgiven, there is nothing else to be done–no works, no penance–because it’s not necessary. He more likely would advise the person refrain from further sinning.

 

[SyCarl]

The ministry of reconciliation is not limited to those who have been formally ordained. Are we not all called upon to evangelize? By telling others of Jesus, through whom reconcilation takes place, we are performing a ministry of reconciliation.

There is nothing to indicate that Paul is referring to two different groups when he says God reconciled us to Himself (this clearly is not limited to those ordained) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.