For us, it is that we know we are baptized, that we receive forgiveness in the Sacrament of the Altar and yes, absolution, too.
Do you distinguish between venial and mortal sin? We believe that all venial sin is washed away by the Eucharist, although we are still obligated to confess it if it comes to mind during our examination of conscience. If we are in mortal sin, however, we would be committing another mortal sin by receiving Christ in the Eucharist before receiving absolution.
I grew up protestant and I would ask for forgiveness for the same sin over and over. I never knew if He forgave me or not, so I would keep asking. In January I had my first confession. WOW is all I have to say. The priest who did it was wonderful. He helped me out a lot. He answered questions and explained things when I didn’t fully understand. Afterwards I felt…lighter. Like a weight had been lifted that I didn’t even realize I had. I honestly feel sorry for those who don’t go or don’t believe it is needed.
Pentecostals don’t have a concept of mortal/venial sins.
We know by the word of God: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). It is not a feeling, and we have no need of a sign. We simply have faith in God’s promise.
I am not as theologically astute as many others on this forum but my understanding is that Lutherans refer to sins as grave [mortal] when one turns away from God in full knowledge of the evil of the act, and full consent of the will. Venial sin is the failure to observe necessary moderation, in lesser matters of moral law, or in grave matters acting without full knowledge or complete consent. I believe we would agree that knowingly taking holy communion after a mortal sin is another mortal sin.
Itwin, I was just curious as to your interpretation of John 20:23.
Yes, we must make an act of contrition and do penance with each confession. Both of those are a necessary part of the sacrament.
Actually, that is the norm in parishes that promote private confessions though some still do confessions on Saturday. Lutherans have fallen away from holy absolution because the clergy don’t emphasize it enough in my opinion. I noticed that the Missouri Synod is urging pastors to go to private confession themselves as a way to restore the sacrament. I guess if there is no other Lutheran pastor nearby that the Lutheran priest would have to seek a confessor in Episcopal or Roman Catholic churches.
John 20:23 (and Matthew 18:18) Pentecostals understand as referring to church discipline. Christ has given his disciples on earth discernment and authority through the Holy Spirit to retain the sins of sinners in the church, to pronounce in the name and by the authority of the Lord that they are unforgiven, unpardoned, or even to be punished. Likewise, there is authority to discern when there is true repentance and in the name of the Lord to declare such are forgiven of all their sins.
Greetings, I am curious about your comment and how Pentecostals relate that with 1 John 5:16-17 “If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one - to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is a sin that is not mortal.” Thanks
How do you make this distinction when in the context Jesus wasn’t speaking to His disciples as a whole but only to those twelve who were to be His Apostles and ministers of His authority?
Does this include the pastors or deacons?
I’d have to do some research to find what actual Pentecostals have written about this verse specifically.Greetings, I am curious about your comment and how Pentecostals relate that with 1 John 5:16-17 “If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one - to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is a sin that is not mortal.” Thanks
That is not established by the context. John 20 talks about the “disciples” were shut up in a house “for fear of the Jews.” He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Gave them authority to remit and to retain. And in verse 24, we are told that Thomas was not even with them when the Lord appeared. So all of the apostles were not even present.
Yes, since pastors and deacons are part of the church.
Neither were these other disciples you assume. This takes place the day of the Resurrection. There was no mass of disciples, they all had abandoned him during His Passion.
Where in the Bible does it say that the congregation has the right to expel its deacons and pastors? I simply can’t find it. And in Matthew again Jesus is speaking about the apostles, not the congregation. In fact throughout Paul’s letters he commanded the churches to obey their pastors as if they were Paul himself speaking.
That is your view, and I respect your right to it. My faith tradition believes this authority was given to the church generally.
I misunderstood what you were asking. I thought you were asking if pastors and deacons shared in the authority to forgive and retain sin. Because they are part of the church they share in this authority. As shepherds to the flock, pastors have a particularly important role in discipline and proclaiming the decrees of God.
I think this is open to debate. The context of this particular passage suggests a more general audience.
Yes. We are to give honor and respect to our pastors and leaders in the faith.
Well, then where in the Bible does it demonstrate that your interpretation is correct? Where does it show that the common laity or congregation officially or collectively forgave sins and that the practice is of Apostolic origin?
Not precisely, no. But a more interesting question is in the event of a problem with doctrine who overrules or who decides what’s true: the congregation, or the pastor?
Yet, where do you find this principle in the Bible? If churches are essentially autonomous, what authority does an outside authority really have in the affair? And why don’t I find any of these principles in the Bible?
That seems rather circular in reading.
But the Bible doesn’t only say “honor and respect”, it says, “obey your leaders and submit to them.”(Heb 13:17).