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1beleevr
Guest
Ther is also a direct line to Our Heavenly Father, as 1 John 1:9 points out! Or you can confess your sins one to another, as James 5:16 says. And speaking of comprehensive explanations about events, catholics tend to gloss over 1John 1:9. Can a priest cleanse you of all unrighteousness, and wickedness?John 20:21-22
21So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23“If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”
I have yet to hear a comprehensive answer by protestants to explain this event.
Confession was historically practiced since the time of Christ’s ministry. sinners came to Christ in person in order to confess their sinfulness to Him where he would forgive them of their sins. The pharisees were livid over this. And when Christ had ascended into Heaven, His followers would act in his stead or in persona Christi, in the person of Christ; a representative on His behalf acting with His power not any power of their own.
“Confess your sins in church, and do not go up to your prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life. . . . On the Lord’s Day gather together, break bread, and give thanks, after confessing your transgressions so that your sacrifice may be pure” (Didache 4:14, 14:1 [A.D. 70]).
“You shall judge righteously. You shall not make a schism, but you shall pacify those that contend by bringing them together. You shall confess your sins. You shall not go to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of light” (Letter of Barnabas 19 [A.D. 74]).
Confession was the way this was done from the time of the apostles up to the present day. Whether you agree with this theologically speaking is your own choice, but historically speaking this is a fact.