How does a Protestant repent after Baptism and after being "saved"?

[WhatIf]

djrakowski:

Our pastor encourages us, nearly every time he preaches, that we need to confess our sins directly to the Lord and ask for strength for repentance, which is a turning away from sin and ridding yourself of the things in your life that tempt you to commit that sin. Perhaps many Protestants keep their sins to themselves out of delusion, but I know a good number of Catholics who’ve never set foot in a confessional since their first confession, and yet they go to Mass every Sunday and receive the eucharist. Neither side is any better than the other in this regard. …

…Let me put it this way: the person who knowingly sins has already paid for it, and needn’t heap insult upon injury in the form of further paying for it with an act of penance (if he hadn’t paid for it in some way, spiritually, relationally or physically, it is hardly likely that he would seek repentance). My outward actions don’t speak to the inward condition of my heart, which could be hardened. In other words, one could easily go through the motions of public or private confession with absolutely no sincerity (which applies to all acts of piety, really). Romans 2:29 speaks to the issue of circumcision of the heart, and I think it addresses this matter rather well.

How does every sin damage the church? It may damage individuals within the church, for which we all have concern and a responsibility to hold the person accountable, but I don’t see how it damages the whole fellowship of believers.

The basic idea is this: no person can determine with absolute certainty, by evidence of penitent or other pious acts, the condition of another believer’s heart. That is between the believer and God, since He is the one who knows our hearts, thoughts, and intentions.

You also ask what is “common” for a Protestant. That’s an impossible question to answer, since there are so many views within Protestantism. In my tradition (evangelical, non-denominational Baptist), the primacy is placed on the relationship between our Lord and the believer. It is easy to trick everyday folks into believing that you’re sincere by committing pious acts, but only God knows the motivations that lead a person to those acts.

I appreciate this discussion, and the respectful manner in which you’ve conducted it, and look forward to further exchanges.

God Bless!

I had to shorten your quote so that I could fit my response.

I just wanted to say that I agree with you on most of your main points. I know that confession with a priest is helpful for me. I know that it is human to want to hide from our sins and not face the things that we do against God. For me, since I will not receive the Eucharist when if I am in a state of mortal sin, as the Church teaches, I have something that makes me examine my conscience and change my ways. I was curious about the type of support or encouragement that a Protestant has for even facing up to their sins, so they can confess them to God.

I agree that small groups such as a Bible Study group is also of benefit. It helps up keep our actions to the fore front of our minds and it helps to know that others are in the same struggle with us. The media often sends such a different message and it helps to see other going against our current culture on certain issues.

The Church is damaged when we sin because of the ways that it causes others to stumble. I think this is one of the big problems. The example that you gave is a good one. When a Catholic never goes to confession, yet receives the Eucharist, this harms the Church. If the Catholic person himself isn’t reverent about the Eucharist and doesn’t respect the teachings of the Church, then why should you? Also, we are less likely to speak out against sinfulness within our communities when we ourselves are in a poor state or a sinful state ourselves. If we have confessed our sins however and repented, we are more likely to do the right thing within our community to help others turn away from it, so sin weakens the members of the Church and therefore weakens the Church. That is how I see it anyhow.

Thank you for your response. I agree with all your comments. We must confess our sins directly to God. No one knows if we are truly sorry except God and pious acts mean nothing without sincere contrition. Going to confesssion and receiving the Eucharist though is quite beneficial to me as far as avoiding sin. There is something about saying your sins OUT LOUD that makes you really face it when you repeatedly do the same thing wrong. Thankfully, they are kept private under the seal of confession. I suppose a Protestant is equally aware of their tendency to repeat the same sinful acts time after time and work on it through prayer and repentance. It has just been my experience that my strength in avoiding sin is related to my willingness to confess my sins.

 

[NamedforHer]

WhatIf:

There is something about saying your sins OUT LOUD that makes you really face it when you repeatedly do the same thing wrong…It has just been my experience that my strength in avoiding sin is related to my willingness to confess my sins.

My little protestant :twocents:…As a lifelong protestant now exploring Catholicism, and also being of wide denominational exposure, this has increasingly become one of the leading draws of Catholicism for me—the concept of being able to hear myself confess to God my own private, specific worrisome sins in the presence of another human witness, and then demonstrate in some tangible, and possibly ongoing way(s) to myself and to God my full intention of repentance. Many a time have I stood in group church confession, let alone unworthily approaching Holy Communion, when I have despaired of my own lack of discipline and concrete action to avoid repeated sins, and wished for a better structure for myself in this regard. For those like me who thrive on discipline and consistency (because we have none ourselves?!?), it can be a terrible burden to wonder if our confession carried any personal weight or serious intention. Not questioning God’s forgiveness, mind you, just my own exasperating tendency to repeat sins that I know I could dispense with, given more focus on them (in order to focus on even worse ones!?!).

I suppose a Protestant is equally aware of their tendency to repeat the same sinful acts time after time and work on it through prayer and repentance.
So, aware, yes; work on it…? Not so much sometimes. The more I understand the necessity of Church authority, the more I see how my confessional life could spring into better Christian action with this sacrament.

Blessings
M

PS–I will REJOICE the moment I figure out how to edit these posts properly!!

 

[djrakowski]

I’ve shortened your post, as well.

WhatIf:

I just wanted to say that I agree with you on most of your main points. I know that confession with a priest is helpful for me. I know that it is human to want to hide from our sins and not face the things that we do against God. For me, since I will not receive the Eucharist when if I am in a state of mortal sin, as the Church teaches, I have something that makes me examine my conscience and change my ways. I was curious about the type of support or encouragement that a Protestant has for even facing up to their sins, so they can confess them to God.

Obviously, as an evangelical Protestant, I don’t regard communion in the same manner as a Catholic. But, I respect those who consider it a sacrament and take it seriously enough to go through an examination of conscience and subsequent confession. When our pastor encourages us toward repentance on Sunday, he’s really telling us to examine our conscience, and it is helpful to hear a reminder of this necessity from one who is in authority over me. Otherwise, that sinful human tendency to avoid admitting one’s faults could more easily predominate.

At risk of going a bit off-topic: why does it seem that so few Catholics (at least the ones around whom I work and live) take these sacraments as seriously as the folks I meet on these forums? If I understood the eucharist in the same manner as Catholics, I would be extra-careful to examine my conscience go to confession!

WhatIf:

I agree that small groups such as a Bible Study group is also of benefit. It helps up keep our actions to the fore front of our minds and it helps to know that others are in the same struggle with us. The media often sends such a different message and it helps to see other going against our current culture on certain issues.

I’ve never met a Catholic who has participated in such a group. Do they exist, and if so, are they common? I suspect that many around here would regard them as too Protestant.

WhatIf:

The Church is damaged when we sin because of the ways that it causes others to stumble. I think this is one of the big problems. The example that you gave is a good one. When a Catholic never goes to confession, yet receives the Eucharist, this harms the Church. If the Catholic person himself isn’t reverent about the Eucharist and doesn’t respect the teachings of the Church, then why should you?

That has always been a serious stumbling-block in my understanding of the teachings of Catholicism. I know so few Catholics who take them seriously, choosing instead to pick and choose the elements they like, and disregarding the rest. Confession seems to be one of the most commonly rejected teachings. Why do you think this is?

WhatIf:

Also, we are less likely to speak out against sinfulness within our communities when we ourselves are in a poor state or a sinful state ourselves. If we have confessed our sins however and repented, we are more likely to do the right thing within our community to help others turn away from it, so sin weakens the members of the Church and therefore weakens the Church. That is how I see it anyhow.

Now that you’ve explained it this way, I see where you’re coming from. But, how does a Catholic gain public accountability from a private confessional, especially since the seal of the confessional cannot be broken? If the confessed sin has a victim, do priests ever give a penance that consists of making restitution, or coming clean? I’ve only ever heard of certain prayeres being given as penance (which is another topic entirely - I don’t understand how engaging in conversation with God could be considered penance, since we’re supposed to enter in to this relationship joyfully).

WhatIf:

I suppose a Protestant is equally aware of their tendency to repeat the same sinful acts time after time and work on it through prayer and repentance. It has just been my experience that my strength in avoiding sin is related to my willingness to confess my sins.

It seems that we’re just talking about differences in the mode of confession. Having said that, it seems that we substantially agree

Let me know if you’d like to take this conversation to PM or email. I think I’m in danger of hi-jacking the thread :0

 

[djrakowski]

I’ve shortened your post, as well.

WhatIf:

I just wanted to say that I agree with you on most of your main points. I know that confession with a priest is helpful for me. I know that it is human to want to hide from our sins and not face the things that we do against God. For me, since I will not receive the Eucharist when if I am in a state of mortal sin, as the Church teaches, I have something that makes me examine my conscience and change my ways. I was curious about the type of support or encouragement that a Protestant has for even facing up to their sins, so they can confess them to God.

Obviously, as an evangelical Protestant, I don’t regard communion in the same manner as a Catholic. But, I respect those who consider it a sacrament and take it seriously enough to go through an examination of conscience and subsequent confession. When our pastor encourages us toward repentance on Sunday, he’s really telling us to examine our conscience, and it is helpful to hear a reminder of this necessity from one who is in authority over me. Otherwise, that sinful human tendency to avoid admitting one’s faults could more easily predominate.

At risk of going a bit off-topic: why does it seem that so few Catholics (at least the ones around whom I work and live) take these sacraments as seriously as the folks I meet on these forums? If I understood the eucharist in the same manner as Catholics, I would be extra-careful to examine my conscience go to confession!

WhatIf:

I agree that small groups such as a Bible Study group is also of benefit. It helps up keep our actions to the fore front of our minds and it helps to know that others are in the same struggle with us. The media often sends such a different message and it helps to see other going against our current culture on certain issues.

I’ve never met a Catholic who has participated in such a group. Do they exist, and if so, are they common? I suspect that many around here would regard them as too Protestant.

WhatIf:

The Church is damaged when we sin because of the ways that it causes others to stumble. I think this is one of the big problems. The example that you gave is a good one. When a Catholic never goes to confession, yet receives the Eucharist, this harms the Church. If the Catholic person himself isn’t reverent about the Eucharist and doesn’t respect the teachings of the Church, then why should you?

That has always been a serious stumbling-block in my understanding of the teachings of Catholicism. I know so few Catholics who take them seriously, choosing instead to pick and choose the elements they like, and disregarding the rest. Confession seems to be one of the most commonly rejected teachings. Why do you think this is?

WhatIf:

Also, we are less likely to speak out against sinfulness within our communities when we ourselves are in a poor state or a sinful state ourselves. If we have confessed our sins however and repented, we are more likely to do the right thing within our community to help others turn away from it, so sin weakens the members of the Church and therefore weakens the Church. That is how I see it anyhow.

Now that you’ve explained it this way, I see where you’re coming from. But, how does a Catholic gain public accountability from a private confessional, especially since the seal of the confessional cannot be broken? If the confessed sin has a victim, do priests ever give a penance that consists of making restitution, or coming clean? I’ve only ever heard of certain prayeres being given as penance (which is another topic entirely - I don’t understand how engaging in conversation with God could be considered penance, since we’re supposed to enter in to this relationship joyfully).

WhatIf:

I suppose a Protestant is equally aware of their tendency to repeat the same sinful acts time after time and work on it through prayer and repentance. It has just been my experience that my strength in avoiding sin is related to my willingness to confess my sins.

It seems that we’re just talking about differences in the mode of confession. Having said that, it seems that we substantially agree

Let me know if you’d like to take this conversation to PM or email. I think I’m in danger of hi-jacking the thread

 

[StJeanneDArc]

I’m new to this conversation, so I hope you don’t mind if I intrude.

djrakowski:

I’ve shortened your post, as well.
Obviously, as an evangelical Protestant, I don’t regard communion in the same manner as a Catholic. But, I respect those who consider it a sacrament and take it seriously enough to go through an examination of conscience and subsequent confession. When our pastor encourages us toward repentance on Sunday, he’s really telling us to examine our conscience, and it is helpful to hear a reminder of this necessity from one who is in authority over me. Otherwise, that sinful human tendency to avoid admitting one’s faults could more easily predominate.

Ideally, priests should be frequently exhorting the faithful to go to confession. I frequently go to confession (about semi-monthly) and find that besides being healing, it is excellent preventative medecine.

djrakowski:

At risk of going a bit off-topic: why does it seem that so few Catholics (at least the ones around whom I work and live) take these sacraments as seriously as the folks I meet on these forums? If I understood the eucharist in the same manner as Catholics, I would be extra-careful to examine my conscience go to confession!

Sadly, you are right that many take the sacraments lightly. At one time I was in that camp and can chalk it up to willful disobedience of Church teachings and infrequent prayer and reception of the sacraments.

djrakowski:

I’ve never met a Catholic who has participated in such a group. Do they exist, and if so, are they common? I suspect that many around here would regard them as too Protestant.

They exist. While it is not Catholic practice to specify one’s sins outside of confession, we do meet for fellowship and accountability. As you know, it’s extremely helpful to associate with like-minded people who help in the daily struggle for sanctification.

djrakowski:

That has always been a serious stumbling-block in my understanding of the teachings of Catholicism. I know so few Catholics who take them seriously, choosing instead to pick and choose the elements they like, and disregarding the rest. Confession seems to be one of the most commonly rejected teachings. Why do you think this is?

There are a great many “cultural Catholics” who reject those teachings they don’t like. Confession takes a great deal of humility, which most of us need to cultivate. It’s also a vicious cycle–I haven’t been to confession in years so I have too much to confess and therefore I can’t go.

djrakowski:

Now that you’ve explained it this way, I see where you’re coming from. But, how does a Catholic gain public accountability from a private confessional, especially since the seal of the confessional cannot be broken? If the confessed sin has a victim, do priests ever give a penance that consists of making restitution, or coming clean? I’ve only ever heard of certain prayeres being given as penance (which is another topic entirely - I don’t understand how engaging in conversation with God could be considered penance, since we’re supposed to enter in to this relationship joyfully).

A good confessor will give an appropriate penance, which often involves making restitution for the wrong-doing or confessing a crime to the proper authorities.

Penance most frequently consists of prayer, which I do joyfully, resting in the sure knowledge that my sins are forgiven. The purpose of penance is healing, not suffering, although many have this misperception.

djrakowski:

It seems that we’re just talking about differences in the mode of confession. Having said that, it seems that we substantially agree

I agree, although nothing beats a sacramental confession!

 

[WhatIf]

djrakowski:

I’ve never met a Catholic who has participated in such a group. Do they exist, and if so, are they common? I suspect that many around here would regard them as too Protestant.

I don’t know how common, but I live in a small rural community and know of several groups. I assume it is common because I know of “programs” that the Church has that encourages reading the Bible in groups and learning more about our Faith.

djrakowski:

That has always been a serious stumbling-block in my understanding of the teachings of Catholicism. I know so few Catholics who take them seriously, choosing instead to pick and choose the elements they like, and disregarding the rest. Confession seems to be one of the most commonly rejected teachings. Why do you think this is?

Are you asking why confession seems to be skipped a lot or why Catholics pick and choose? If it is why Catholics pick and choose, I would say that it is a problem, but I think Protestants share the problem. If you think about it, you could probably think of several in your congregation that wouldn’t represent your beliefs very well. What would I think of your Church, if I spent a lot of time with them. I think because of weakness, I think we all have people who would not adequately represent our beliefs and each of us at times fail miserable to behave as we should, don’t we? As far as confession goes. Pride gets in the way. Sin causes us to not want to confess our sin. The devil has his ways to cause Christians to turn away, don’t you think?

Now that you’ve explained it this way, I see where you’re coming from. But, how does a Catholic gain public accountability from a private confessional, especially since the seal of the confessional cannot be broken? If the confessed sin has a victim, do priests ever give a penance that consists of making restitution, or coming clean? I’ve only ever heard of certain prayeres being given as penance (which is another topic entirely - I don’t understand how engaging in conversation with God could be considered penance, since we’re supposed to enter in to this relationship joyfully).\QUOTE]
Confessions are so private that I have a hard time answering this one. My own experience has been more of one that involves council by the Priest than it does of making restitution with a victim. One point that I was making is that as Christians we need to avoid being stumbling blocks for non-believers etc. through our actions. When we do cause stumbling blocks, we’ve damaged the Church.

I will try not to go off topic anymore. PM me if you’d like.

 

[Reformed_Rob]

WhatIf:

Matthew Chapter 11 - "Woe to you, Chora’zin! woe to you, Beth-sa’ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have** repent**ed long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

I just wonder how a Protestant repents if he is already baptized and saved. Would a Protestant like to comment? If so, please tell me if you method of repenting helps you stay on the narrow path or do you fall into the same sin easily even after repentance?

Well,

This may not be right on your question, but the Protestant, or at least, my denomination’s way of answering the question of why we need to confess/repent/be forgiven of sins after our initial salvation is:

 The same Holy Spirit that fills us and seals us as a token of God's pledge to us, our salvation, is the same Spirit that leads us confess our sins and repent.  So, if we've got the Spirit, we sin, and we confess and repent.  But, that still doesn't address the necessity of confessing our sins, if indeed they have all (even the future sins) been forgiven at our one time point in history when we were saved.

But I think that’s a simple answer to an aspect of your question.

 

[Malachi4U]

Reformed Rob:

…This may not be right on your question, but the Protestant, or at least, my denomination’s way of answering the question of why we need to confess/repent/be forgiven of sins after our initial salvation…

There is the problem, every protestant sect has a different opinion. It would be better to ask why each sect or person believes what they do. As soon as you say they believe one thing somebody will schism further and believe something new. Even some Baptists (very few too right now) now question the divinity of Christ. In how many sects has Jesus gone from God to human? Human and then back to a god? (“a” meaning just another god.) LDS? JW?

 

[djrakowski]

Malachi4U:

There is the problem, every protestant sect has a different opinion. It would be better to ask why each sect or person believes what they do. As soon as you say they believe one thing somebody will schism further and believe something new. Even some Baptists (very few too right now) now question the divinity of Christ. In how many sects has Jesus gone from God to human? Human and then back to a god? (“a” meaning just another god.) LDS? JW?

First, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who considers LDS and JW legitimate Christian churches other than LDS and JW.

Second, I’ve discovered, through these forums and Catholics I know at my office and in my neighborhood, that there’s a significant degree of confusion about what makes one distinctly Catholic. So, to answer the first line of this post, nearly every Catholic parish has a different opinion. Some priests only offer general absolution, while others, like an examplary parish near my home, have regularly scheduled times for confession (they even brought in 21!!! priests for confession on the Monday before Christmas). And yet, those who loosely interpret the teachings of the church, changing the words of the creeds to avoid offfending anyone, are every bit as Catholic as the traditionalists. I’d submit that at least as much confusion exists within the Catholic church as in Protestant churches.

Now that I’ve taken this thread completely off-topic, I’ll stop here

 

[cyprian]

Darrel:

I was born into a protestant family and have spanned the various denominations from the quite liberal to the ultra-fundamentalist. What I was always told and practiced is that repentance is the inward act towards God of turning away from sin and choosing to sin no more.

This in combination with truly apologizing from the heart is what I have always considered repentance. The act is all conducted internally without need of confession simply calling on Christ’s sacrifice for redemption.

With regards to staying on the path, being forgiven is a help but the moment by moment walk in the Lord is a better method for staying on course.
Stay with it brother! repent does mean what you say. It’s a turning away and a turning to.
peace
keep visiting Him

I am curious about confession at this point and am leaning towards the Catholic faith. I have literally spent the better part of my Christian life under the assumption that the Catholic faith is incorrect in its teachings. I have also openly slammed the Catholic Church a thousand times.

I recently visited a chapel of adoration and I had a massive revelation in regards to God’s ‘literal’ presence in the Eucharist. I have felt the Lord on every occasion I have been exposed to Christ in the Eucharist and will certainly trust that confession is right after what I have been shown by God in the Catholic Church.

I must say that I have experienced Christ without being Catholic. The thing I find amazing in the Catholic Church is that you don’t need to merely search internally for Christ through meditation and prayer. You can simply go to him at any time and he is there without a doubt.

I feel that protestants myself included (until recently) are missing out on a great gift and resource from the lord by not understanding his literal presence in the Eucharist. It’s like going to the to an atomic reactor to fuel up in stead of running on spiritual fumes.

(sorry for going off topic)

-D

 

[WhatIf]

cyprian:
Please, never be sorry for sharing your experiences in adoration. Everyone needs to be aware of this gift that we’ve been given. I was in RCIA when I first had an experience while at Eucharistic Adoration. I prayed for my faith to grow and it was as if a beam was replacing my doubts with faith. Might not make sense to anyone, but I was feeling ready to face the world and all its attacks.

Besides, you did explain repenting etc.

 

[Catholic4aReasn]

djrakowski:

I can ask any Christian to pray for me, as well…

Hi djrakowski!

Why do that when you can go directly to Jesus?? <~~~~ (wink)

In Christ,
Nancy

 

[djrakowski]

Catholic4aReasn:

Hi djrakowski!

Why do that when you can go directly to Jesus?? <~~~~ (wink)

In Christ,
Nancy

“Therefore 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.” - James 5:16

 

[Catholic4aReasn]

djrakowski:

I’ve never met a Catholic who has participated in such a group. Do they exist, and if so, are they common?

Hi djrakowski!

I think it depends on the parish. At mine we have around 25 bible study/prayer groups going on.

In Christ,
Nancy

 

[Catholic4aReasn]

“Therefore 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.” - James 5:16

Hi djrakowski!

I think you may have missed the tongue- in- cheek aspect of my post.

To whom should we be confessing our sins? To me it seems that we should be confessing to those who have been given the authority to forgive sins.

Matthew 9:6-7 * 6 But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" --then He told the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 7 And he got up and went home.* 8 When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and gave glory to God who had given such authority to men.* ******** ****

John 20:23

23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
What do you think?

In Christ,
Nancy

 

[Catholic4aReasn]

I’d like to rephrase the question a bit.

To a Protestant, is it necessary to repent after he has been saved?

In Christ,
Nancy

 

[djrakowski]

Catholic4aReasn:

Hi djrakowski!

I think you may have missed the tongue- in- cheek aspect of my post.

Nope, sure didn’t, but I wanted to respond anyway, and I liked the tongue-in-cheekiness of it. Very respectfully done, my friend!

Catholic4aReasn:

To whom should we be confessing our sins? To me it seems that we should be confessing to those who have been given the authority to forgive sins.

Matthew 9:6-7 * 6 But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" --then He told the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 7 And he got up and went home.* 8 When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and gave glory to God who had given such authority to men.** ******** ****

John 20:23

23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

What do you think?

In Christ,
Nancy

This is one of the fundamental divides, related to how Protestants view apostolic authority versus how Catholics do. Indeed, we believe the authority was given directly to those apostles only, whereas it appears that Catholicism assumes that authority in apostolic succession. To be honest, I’m still studying the issue.

To answer your question, however, I don’t confess my sins to my Christian brothers for forgiveness, as that can only be done by God. I confess to them for accountability, and to God for forgiveness.

Dan

 

[djrakowski]

Catholic4aReasn:

I’d like to rephrase the question a bit.

To a Protestant, is it necessary to repent after he has been saved?

In Christ,
Nancy

Well, Catholics believe that baptism imparts saving grace, and yet they believe that they still have to confess their sins through the sacrament of reconciliation. Why would a Protestant have any less reason to confess after salvation? Well, here are some good reasons for confession: unconfessed sin

1. upsets the relationship between the believer and God,
2. causes scandal and disunity among the community of believers,
3. upsets the relationship between the sinner and any victims of his sin

So, of course it is necessary to confess sin after receiving the gift of salvation!

Dan

 

[Des]

non catholic repents the same way a catholic does,the difference being we have a direct line and not an operator,thus the conversation is not interrupted.

If a non Catholic refuses the Graces from God to bring him to understanding about true confession through a Priest, then the only direct line he will have to God, is a direct line of disobedience. Another thing is we are not interrupted during confession. The Priest with my experience always remains quite untill i have finished telling my sins.

You must be humble to actually confess your sins to a fellow man. To humble oneself in the Sacrament of Confession in such a manner, brings about a deep contrition of the heart. God is not stupid. He knew full well of the positives in confessing to a Priest.

So, to answer the first line of this post, nearly every Catholic parish has a different opinion. Some priests only offer general absolution, while others, like an examplary parish near my home, have regularly scheduled times for confession (they even brought in 21!!! priests for confession on the Monday before Christmas)

The Code of Canon Law states that general absolution should be used when:
*“The danger of death is imminent and there is not time for the priest or priests to hear the confession of individual penitents” (such as soldiers going into battle) or when “in the light of the number of penitents a supply of confessors is not readily available rightly to hear the confessions of individuals within a suitable time so that the penitents are forced to be deprived of sacramental grace of Holy Communion for a long time through no fault of their own.” *

We must note that general absolution when used as indicated in the Code of Canon Law requires that the recipients must be sorry for their sins and make an Act of Contrition prior to the general absolution. They must also meet with a priest to confess individually serious sins “as soon as there is an opportunity to do so before receiving another general absolution unless a just cause intervenes” (Canon 963).

If a bishop gives a priest permission to use general absolution, the priest must inform those receiving the absolution of the conditions as stated in the paragraph above.

 

[Catholic4aReasn]

djrakowski:

Well, Catholics believe that baptism imparts saving grace, and yet they believe that they still have to confess their sins through the sacrament of reconciliation. Why would a Protestant have any less reason to confess after salvation? Well, here are some good reasons for confession: unconfessed sin

1. upsets the relationship between the believer and God,
2. causes scandal and disunity among the community of believers,
3. upsets the relationship between the sinner and any victims of his sin

So, of course it is necessary to confess sin after receiving the gift of salvation!

Dan

Hi Dan!

Repenting and confessing is not the same thing though. Is repentence necessary for the Protestant after salvation?

I think that this is an area of disagreement for Protestants, but please correct me if I’m misunderstanding something:

Some Protestants would claim that if one does not repent after one is saved that that is proof that that person was never saved to begin with. So, strictly speaking repentence is not “necessary” but if he does not he was never saved.

In Christ,
Nancy