Protestants, can a Catholic Priest forgive sins?

[OneTrueCathApos]

I don’t understand the protestant position!!!
The Catholic way of interpretation
has over a billion people united in teaching.
The protestant way of interpretation has thousands of churches in disagreement, also the protestant view has opend the way
for any crazed mad man to start a cult and do great harm to people.

to answer the question just look at what the first Church taught. Not at what any tom **** or harry says that sounds good.

Can any protestant even find the true church in protestantism? no…because its not even possible to examine them all.

Excellent post

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

We agree!

Protestants go to the person we wronged and ask forgiveness - that is a lot more humbling then standing behind a screen where your identity is secret and cofessing to a priest.

Since we don’t know how the person we wronged will react. Face to face is humbling - then liberating.

The point is the priest can’t tell who is sincerely repentant and who is just going thru the motions because he thinks he gets a free pass for sinning.

Analogy:
Some Protestants think OSAS gives them a free pass to sin.
Some Catholics think the confessional gives them a free pass to sin.

The priest cannot see into the person’s heart. When the person confesses the priest assumes that person is sincere and “forgives his sins”.

But those sins are not forgiven. The confessor, in this instance, is being misled because he has placed his faith in a false doctrine instead of God’s Word:

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

A priest cannot see into someone’s heart, that is why Jesus Christ is right there when the priest gives you Absolution. A priest is there for Christ, just like having Christ right in front of you. Your Protestant religion is to “easy”. That is why I love my Catholic faith. Jesus said himself it wouldn’t be easy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thank you Lord for planting me in your church.

 

[Ginger2]

Your Protestant religion is to “easy”.

So you think it is easier to go face to face with the person you have wronged to ask for forgiveness and repair the damage done, then it is to sit anonymously behind a screen?

Interesting…

A priest cannot see into someone’s heart, that is why Jesus Christ is right there when the priest gives you Absolution.

I knew a person who for years mistakenly thought he could commit venial sins because they could be forgiven by a priest at confession.

The priest always told him he was forgiven, and the man believed it.

Then another man (a Protestant) explained the word “repent”. The 1st man stopped committing premeditated venial sins and asked God for forgiveness. Afterward, I witnessed a striking change in this man’s behavior.

So when do you think this man actually received forgiveness from his sins?

 

[excaliber]

So you think it is easier to go face to face with the person you have wronged to ask for forgiveness and repair the damage done, then it is to sit anonymously behind a screen?

Interesting…

I knew a person who for years mistakenly thought he could commit venial sins because they could be forgiven by a priest at confession.

The priest always told him he was forgiven, and the man believed it.

Then another man (a Protestant) explained the word “repent”. The 1st man stopped committing premeditated venial sins and asked God for forgiveness. Afterward, I witnessed a striking change in this man’s behavior.

So when do you think this man actually received forgiveness from his sins?

Is that all??? is false information the only reason you have a problem with The Catholic church?

I had the same problem as you once, today I am still learning.

You are correct but you are wrong.

A priest canot read hearts…this is correct. Therefore he canot be used by God to forgive or retain…that is where you are not correct.

It would be the same if I said, Water canot wash away sins…so baptising in water for forgivness of sins is wrong.And I went around saying Catholics think water washes away sins…you are using the same logic.

If something dose not make sense,it dose not mean its not true.

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

So you think it is easier to go face to face with the person you have wronged to ask for forgiveness and repair the damage done, then it is to sit anonymously behind a screen?

Interesting…

I knew a person who for years mistakenly thought he could commit venial sins because they could be forgiven by a priest at confession.

The priest always told him he was forgiven, and the man believed it.

Then another man (a Protestant) explained the word “repent”. The 1st man stopped committing premeditated venial sins and asked God for forgiveness. Afterward, I witnessed a striking change in this man’s behavior.

So when do you think this man actually received forgiveness from his sins?

It doesn’t matter to me whether it is face to face or behind a screen or I’m standing on my head. If Christ told his Apostle’s to forgive the sins of man, then I will listen to Christ and not your man made religion.
Second, the man who listened to this Protestant man who was misleading him away from the truth is his problem. He was weak and figured out how easy it was to do what he was told. Only a priest has the power to forgive sin, just as Jesus said so.

 

[Cinette]

Oh please…Jesus Christ told his Apostle’s to do this, not anyone else. Obey your Creator.

God can see into our hearts and the Priest cannot. However, we know our hearts and we know if we are truly sincere and repentant. The Priest listens, advises, may ask a question or two and then asks us to make an Act of Contrition. He will then give us absolution. But we know that if we are not truly repentant we will not be forgiven. Why do Protestants have such a problem in understanding this? Never mind understand, why do they have a problem accepting Jesus’ teachings?

We accept Jesus’ teachings even though sometimes we cannot understand them but that is what Faith is all about.

Faith is not a matter of opinion so we don’t say “Lord what you say makes no sense, how can we accept that?” And Jesus will say “Well then do what the Disciples did when they turned their backs on me when I taught about the Eucharist. They thought that eating my fresh and drinking my blood was a strange teaching and left!” So if you cannot accept Jesus’ teaching on Confession then turn your back and go away… It would be a great pity and we would lament your decision but you are free to believe or disbelieve.

One thing is for sure - Faith is never a matter of opinion.

 

[Ginger2]

Is that all??? is false information the only reason you have a problem with The Catholic church?

I had the same problem as you once, today I am still learning.

You are correct but you are wrong.

A priest canot read hearts…this is correct. Therefore he canot be used by God to forgive or retain…that is where you are not correct.

It would be the same if I said, Water canot wash away sins…so baptising in water for forgivness of sins is wrong.And I went around saying Catholics think water washes away sins…you are using the same logic.

It is not the same thing.

Matt 3: 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. …”

Some may mistakenly think water Baptism washes away our sins, but Scriptures are clear, water Baptism is for repentance which leads to the remission of sins.

Your “priests can forgive sins” doctrine is not Scriptural. The Bible says only God can forgive sins. Scriptures do not contradict one another.

 

[celticcrusader]

Please if you know a priest who can forgive sin, tell me where to find him, I would like to meet him! God is the only one who can forgive sin… now that said , is it not Christ who is sitting in the confessional listening to our failings working through the priest personna christi] ? why was confession the norm for 1500 years? and in days of old it was public confession! how scary is that? except that we are all sinners and fall short. I remember reading a survey years ago about how many protestants went to see a psych. and Catholics were drasticly less , maybe confession helps keep your mind and soul straight?

 

[Cinette]

It is not the same thing.

Matt 3: 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. …”

Some may mistakenly think water Baptism washes away our sins, but Scriptures are clear, water Baptism is for repentance which leads to the remission of sins.

Your “priests can forgive sins” doctrine is not Scriptural. The Bible says only God can forgive sins. Scriptures do not contradict one another.

Hi Ginger -

You are obviously a Protestant.

Tell me, are the following verses in your Bible?

John 20: 21-23
He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. 23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

If so, what do you understand verse 23 to mean?

I await your response
Cinette

 

[Ginger2]

…maybe confession helps keep your mind and soul straight?

Confession is definitely beneficial and good for the soul:

I have confessed and apologized for the wrongs done to others face to face. Sometimes it brings immediate reconciliation with my Christian brother and sometimes scorn. It can be difficult but it is a blessing regardless of the other person’s reaction.

I have been moved to confessed past sins that were already forgiven for the edification of others. It is a blessing that helps others to seek forgiveness and reconciliation and also helps them repent and grow spiritually.

why was confession the norm for 1500 years?

James 5:16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

This doesn’t say confess your sins to a priest. It says confess to one another - like I described above. That’s how Protestants do it. That’s how the Scriptures tell us to do it.

Show me one instance where Christians went to an Apostle to confess rather than going directly to the injured party?

One instance where an Apostle said he was coming to a church to hear confessions?

Confessing to a priest is not a bad thing, but it is lacking in the the blessings that come when we go to our brother to make amends. It lacks the humbling that goes along with a face to face encounter with the person you have wronged. etc.

All the years I was Catholic, I never once was told to go to the person effected by my transgression and make amends.

“Confessing to one another” opens a door for God to do wonderful things thru us, for us and for the listeners. It really is a beautiful gift.

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

Please if you know a priest who can forgive sin, tell me where to find him, I would like to meet him! God is the only one who can forgive sin… now that said , is it not Christ who is sitting in the confessional listening to our failings working through the priest personna christi] ? why was confession the norm for 1500 years? and in days of old it was public confession! how scary is that? except that we are all sinners and fall short. I remember reading a survey years ago about how many protestants went to see a psych. and Catholics were drasticly less , maybe confession helps keep your mind and soul straight?

Only God can forgive sins through a Catholic priest. And yes, God IS IN THE CONFESSIONAL BECAUSE HE IS EVERYWHERE.

**Jesus gave his Apostle’s power and authority to reconcile us to the Father. They received Jesus’ own power to forgive sins when he breathed on them and said, “RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHOSE SINS YOU FORGIVE ARE FORGIVEN THEM, WHOSE SINS YOU RETAIN ARE RETAINED”. (John 20:22-23).

Paul notes that “all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation…So, we are ambassador’s for Christ, as if God were appealing through us” (2 Cor 5:18-20). Through confession through a priest, God’s minister, we have our sins forgiven, and we receive grace to help us resist future temptations.**

 

[Ginger2]

Hi Ginger -

If so, what do you understand verse 23 to mean?
Cinette

I see your problem… you are focusing on one verse to support what you already believe. Below are some points to consider:

1. Scriptures do not contradict themselves. Therefore, your understanding is incorrect, because it directly contradicts other Scriptures - only God can forgive sins.
2. 20:21, He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. Jesus is giving a specific mission to the all the disciples present at this encounter. It is not just Peter. It is not all Christians.- just these specific disciples.
3. Jhn 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: This is before Pentecost. Jesus told the disciples to wait for the helper before going out to preach, so obviously this is a different gift/mission from that at Pentecost.
4. Jhn 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained. Again, the meaning of this verse has to be consistent with the other Scripture and fit the content of the rest of the text.
5. The English words translated from Hebrew or Greek may not have the exact same meaning. remit/retain The question is what did these words mean to the disciples? Not what do they mean to me?

 

[Cinette]

I see your problem… you are focusing on one verse to support what you already believe. Below are some points to consider:

1. Scriptures do not contradict themselves. Therefore, your understanding is incorrect, because it directly contradicts other Scriptures - only God can forgive sins.
2. 20:21, He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. Jesus is giving a specific mission to the all the disciples present at this encounter. It is not just Peter. It is not all Christians.- just these specific disciples.
3. Jhn 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: This is before Pentecost. Jesus told the disciples to wait for the helper before going out to preach, so obviously this is a different gift/mission from that at Pentecost.
4. Jhn 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained. Again, the meaning of this verse has to be consistent with the other Scripture and fit the content of the rest of the text.
5. The English words translated from Hebrew or Greek may not have the exact same meaning. remit/retain The question is what did these words mean to the disciples? Not what do they mean to me?

Your interpretation is as clear as MUD! I can’t believe this. I am going to post it in my “funny” (funny peculiar) scrap book!! Unbelievable!

 

[John1]

There is a lot of good points on both sides. I wonder how each person would answer the question “Are you a protestant, a catholic, or a Christian?”. The first followers of Jesus were called Christians. The greek term “catholic” means universal and the first known use of this term was in the second century in a letter written by Ignatius. The term “protestant”, as far as relating to Christians other than the Christians in the Roman Catholic church began being used in the fourteenth or fifteenth century. Why can’t we come together in a repectful, dignified way istead of constant insults and demeaning remarks? The Body of Christ is alive and well, but it is not made up of murderers. Remember Jesus said if you hate your brother then you are a murderer. If we love each other, thats how people will know we are Christians. The original question asked “protestants” if a “catholic” Priest could forgive sins. Obviously the "protestant response would be “no”. Do you really think that stirring up disputes is a good way to bring Christians together. Why not focus on the things that all Christians agree on, namely that Jesus will forgive our sins if we truely are repentant.

Blessings

 

[Crazy_Diamond]

Why can’t we come together in a repectful, dignified way istead of constant insults and demeaning remarks?

You bring up a good general point. However, the post was set up in an overbearing, mocking way. It’s natural for the challenged to respond in the same spirit as the challenger. Unfortunate, but natural.

 

[Crazy_Diamond]

This subject puzzles me, or more correctly people’s understanding of it puzzles me. As Christians we agree that Jesus established His church here on earth. No argument?

My question is then did Jesus intend for His church to continue? I say ‘yes’ because he told us to go make disciples of all nations. With the limitations of the day I have my doubts that Jesus intended this to be done in one lifetime.

Then if He intended to have His church continue what then was the mechanism for His church to continue? Surely something, some method was intended to act in sustaining His church. I cannot accept that my Lord and Savior the Son of God, one of the Trinity, would over look this critical detail. I cannot see Jesus up in heaven saying, “Doh! I should have told them to write “successor” in the New Testament.”; or “Well, I can just wait for Luther.” There had to be some action and purpose through lo these many generations.

We all agree on this. The lens of interpretation that differs is the picture of The Church. For Orthodox, the true church is composed of those believers in Christ who submit to the authority of Orthodox bishops. For Catholics, it is composed of believers who submit to the authority of the bishop of Rome. For some Protestants, it is those who confess their particular creed, whatever their location, denominational affiliation, or historical time period. For many other Protestants, including me, the True Church is composed of everyone who trusts Jesus to save them from sin, again notwithstanding geography, denomination, history, or other credal differences.

Each system has different requirements for its continuance.

From a Catholic prospective there are no “gaps”. Nearly 2,000 years of succession have happened.

The gaps I was talking about are questions Scripture does not answer.

If the apostles did receive a special charism to forgive sins would you find that irrelevant or meaningful? The history of the apostles has meaning. What they did and who followed in their footsteps has meaning. In America we put great value on tradition and succession. Look at the Presidency and Supreme Court rulings for example. So, if these things are important then how much more so is the Traditions of Christ’s church.

To you, yes, it’s not only important but critical. How can the True Church continue without Tradition? For me, it’s informative but not critical. If I was the last Christian on earth, I could still continue The True Church without interruption. No need for special continuous offices. Both Orthodox and Catholics need at least three surviving Christians, and at least three have to be bishops. Otherwise, it all ends.

 

[Ginger2]

Your interpretation is as clear as MUD! I can’t believe this. I am going to post it in my “funny” (funny peculiar) scrap book!! Unbelievable!

What interpretation? I didn’t attempt to interpret it.

I did acknowledge this incident was not something given to all Christians and that it had a specific purpose - those statements agree with Catholicism.

What do you think I said it means? Because I didn’t think I made a statement about meaning, only things that should be considered to assist in understanding Scriptures.

 

[Ginger2]

Cinette, I am confused…

I didn’t interpret the Scripture so what is it you are talking about?

What is it you think I said these verses mean?

 

[Reuben_J]

…

The point is the priest can’t tell who is sincerely repentant and who is just going thru the motions because he thinks he gets a free pass for sinning.

Analogy:
Some Protestants think OSAS gives them a free pass to sin.
Some Catholics think the confessional gives them a free pass to sin.

The priest cannot see into the person’s heart. When the person confesses the priest assumes that person is sincere and “forgives his sins”.

But those sins are not forgiven. The confessor, in this instance, is being misled because he has placed his faith in a false doctrine instead of God’s Word:

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

There are some facts that should be understood first about Catholic’ confesssion.

1. The priest cannot see into a person’s heart. True.
2. The steps during confession include the ‘forgiveness of sin’ pronounced by the priest, ‘I absolved you …’ Sins are truly forgiven at ths stage if the penitent is truly repentant. To be truly repentant include this steps:
   a. regret/sorry for commiting the sin
   b. confessing it (to a priest during confession)
   c. doing penance (prayers)
   d. restitution (make good to the wronged party)

Thus even though you may have gone through confession, it is not necessarily your sins will be forgiven if you are not sincere in confessing it. Confession is not an unscrupulous passport for forgiveness for the unrepentant.

But if you are truly sincere and follow those steps required for a good confession, then you know that your sin is forgiven. As I said, I would be willing to die at the moment after a good confession because I know I have been made right with God. This is the only instance when I am truly confident that may sin is forgiven.

Of course, I think the question for those who don’t believe in confessing to a priest, is why go to a priest; and not that the process of confession is bad for the remorse of sins.

Note:
For those Christians without the Sacrament of Confession - how do you ‘confess’ your sins. What are the steps you must do to ensure that your sins are forgiven? If there are such steps, is it consistent and applies to everybody? Are you sure that your sins are forgiven?

 

[Reuben_J]

In a truly good confession, which is not just talking to a person (a priest) behind a confessional, should include advice by the priest on how to overcome sin in the long run. Some sins are habitually committed and therefore there are an underlying causes to them.

This can roughly be comparable to a session of counselling.

But we must never under-estimate the supernatural value of a Sacrament - and this is what confession entails