Protestants, can a Catholic Priest forgive sins?

[joe370]

…The Great Commission

*And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. *Mark 16
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (and this was to be done by Jesus’ disciples in perpetuity --he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: **Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. **Why would He say it if He didn’t mean it; clearly this forgiveness of sins is implemented via the power of the H.S. --not via the power of mere people ) And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24

Peter delegated chief shepherd in His stead…

This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,** Feed my lambs.** He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, **Feed my sheep. **John 21

Acts 1
Commandments to follow via the Holy Ghost, once they are fully endowed with Holy Spirit…
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.…But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: The H.S.had not been fully manifested) --**and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. **And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight…Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet…And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James… These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty Jesus…

Acts 2 Pentecost–Commission to carry out Jesus’ commandments –to go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…and forgiving or retaining sins…

And when the day of Pentecost** was fully come**,** (the manifestation of the H.S. HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION; it wasn’t until this very moment that the Apostles could speak other tongues, perform healing miracles, forgive or retain sins, and preach and teach the good news, and it was to be done in perpetuity, **“…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

*"…they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? *

This empowerment by the Holy Spirit turned commonplace fishermen and tax collectors into prophets and teachers. Men and women of shrinking timidity and cowardly tendencies became men and women of God burning in a blaze of Spirit baptism.

 

[joe370]

The phrase “a rushing mighty wind” is almost a literal translation of the Hebrew word ruah, meaning in Hebrew texts the Spirit of God. The Book of Acts goes on to describe how the apostles spoke in languages they had not learned (xenoglossy). Visitors to Jerusalem from around the Roman Empire understood the languages spoken by Jesus’ Apostolic Church. Jesus’ One apostolic church experienced this infinitely significant power; I can’t even fathom what it must have felt like to hear/feel that sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, as it filled all the house (the One House of the Living God --Jesus’ Church) where they were sitting. No other Jews or gentiles experienced this Divine phenomena without the imposition of hands by the Apostles; no church other than the Apostolic Church experienced this Divine phenomena, for it ended when the last Apostle died. This is the church the bible tells us is forever guided by the Holy Spirit. All other churches are a product of mere men. None of these man-made churches share this very unique beginning.

If for example the founders of my former Lutheran church were in fact present with the Apostolic leaders, or a continuation of the Apostolic Church, in an unbroken chain, as the C.C. is, as the E.O.C. Was, until 1047 when it split from the C.C., and employed a new name --when all with one accord were in one place, when suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance —then I would concede that my former Lutheran church is in fact the One True Apostolic Church established by Christ circa 33 AD.

The most important thing to happen since Calvary is Pentecost. This desire is also the oldest dream - and promise - of the Church. People had gathered in Jerusalem from every nation on earth - and cacophony was in store as everyone heard the 120 disciples including the “blessed” Mother Mary and the other women, in their own tongues. You are meant to hear the story as the mirror-image of the Babel story in Genesis. The people of Babel had built a gleaming tower that soared into the heights; and when it fell to the ground, they scattered with the four winds in their grief and confusion. But on that healing day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came as the Reconciler, people could understand one another once again. Confusion was quashed. They did not speak some universal language like Latin; each spoke in their own particular native tongue out of their particular experience and culture; but the miracle was, it did not sound like babble. Each understood in their own tongue. This is one of the reasons why Jesus’ fledging Church grew exponentially, and why the Roman Empire felt threatened by this “new pagan movement.” This miracle of healing was the gift of the Spirit.

Tongues are one of the signs that were to confirm the word of God preached by the apostles and their disciples. The last verse from Marks Gospel says that the apostles went and preached the Gospel everywhere. And the Lord Jesus worked with them and confirmed the word by the things that followed it (including speaking in other tongues). This made people see the power of God and believe Him for the salvation of their souls from death. Speaking in foreign tongues will be new for those who believed.

In other words, this will be something supernatural; they will speak with tongues they have never known or learned via the imposition of hands. This will be a manifestation of God’s involvement, as that one with casting out demons, picking up serpents, etc.

Speaking with other tongues, performing miracles, casting out demons, picking up serpents, etc.
are not obligatory signs for all Christians and for all situations. It is not said anywhere that all these signs will accompany all Christians in all situations. Today, those who claim to be “Pentecostal” in their practice of tongue speaking, e.g.my sister, are not doing what was done on Pentecost at all. On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit gave the apostles the power to communicate the gospel to people in their native languages . Such is not being done today…

 

[joe370]

… “Who was able to speak in tongues during New Testament times?” There were a few groups in the New Testament who could speak in tongues, or languages they had never learned. The first group was the apostles, as we have already noted. They received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost which gave them this power. The second group included those people to whom the apostles gave this power by laying their hands on them. This is the way this miraculous gift was given. One example of this is seen in Acts 19. There certain disciples were given this power by the laying on of the Apostle Paul’s hands. Notice verses 5 and:. “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” Is there an apostle still living today? No. So there is no one who can give this power to anyone else. And no one is still alive today who was given this power by an apostle. Therefore, the gift of tongue speaking is not available today.

Unlike the gift of speaking in foreign tongues, performing miracles, the forgiveness of sins is a direct command, just as baptizing was a direct command, by Jesus to His Apostolic Church; It was to be done in perpetuity. Speaking in foreign tongues was something necessary to launch Christ’s church –not to be done in perpetuity.

Tongue speaking in the New Testament referred to speaking in foreign languages not known to the speaker. There were a few groups in the New Testament able to speak in tongues miraculously. None of these groups is present today. The miraculous gift of tongue speaking was limited in time to the period when it was needed most, to promulgate the good news to the people of all walks of life who came to Jerusalem for the passover. That time has come and gone, and so has the ability to speak in tongues, along with all other miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. We have Jesus Apostolic Church and His teachings, both oral and written to sustain us now.

“Pentecost” (meaning “fiftieth”), a Jewish religious observance, occurred 50 days after Passover. People from everywhere, speaking many different languages, gathered in Jerusalem for the celebration. It was the perfect opportunity to bring many people from all walks of life into the fold all at once. Unlike today, it was necessary. With this wondrous gift, these Christians suddenly found themselves speaking in languages they did not previously know. This in turn enabled others who spoke those languages to hear the good news of God’s message; a message for everyone everywhere. (Universal) It was the birth of the catholic church. The people gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration would return to their own countries and spread this new message to others, who told others, and on and on. This gift of the Spirit affected Jesus’ followers so dramatically that some bystanders thought that they were drunk, " filled with new wine." Peter quickly assured them that was not the case. The Pentecost story points up the primary work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people; empowerment to continue Jesus’ ministry and to spread the word of God’s redeeming love for everyone everywhere.

God bless…

"Guanophore, Benedictus, AC Claire and Joe370 - you have taught me so much with your clear, intelligent and inspiring posts. I love you all - thank you!"

I too really enjoy reading everything you all have written!

Happy New Year!
Cinette

 

[guanophore]

No other Jews or gentiles experienced this Divine phenomena without the imposition of hands by the Apostles; no church other than the Apostolic Church experienced this Divine phenomena, for it ended when the last Apostle died.

The manifestations of the HS did not “die” when the Apostles did.

Speaking with other tongues, performing miracles, casting out demons, picking up serpents, etc.
are not obligatory signs for all Christians and for all situations. It is not said anywhere that all these signs will accompany all Christians in all situations. Today, those who claim to be “Pentecostal” in their practice of tongue speaking, e.g.my sister, are not doing what was done on Pentecost at all. On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit gave the apostles the power to communicate the gospel to people in their native languages . Such is not being done today…

So sure about that, are you?

 

[guanophore]

No other Jews or gentiles experienced this Divine phenomena without the imposition of hands by the Apostles; no church other than the Apostolic Church experienced this Divine phenomena, for it ended when the last Apostle died.

The manifestations of the HS did not “die” when the Apostles did.

Speaking with other tongues, performing miracles, casting out demons, picking up serpents, etc.
are not obligatory signs for all Christians and for all situations. It is not said anywhere that all these signs will accompany all Christians in all situations. Today, those who claim to be “Pentecostal” in their practice of tongue speaking, e.g.my sister, are not doing what was done on Pentecost at all. On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit gave the apostles the power to communicate the gospel to people in their native languages . Such is not being done today…

So sure about that, are you?

They received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost which gave them this power. The second group included those people to whom the apostles gave this power by laying their hands on them.

It is the same Apirit and same manner that we receive the Spirit today.

No. So there is no one who can give this power to anyone else. And no one is still alive today who was given this power by an apostle. Therefore, the gift of tongue speaking is not available today.

You may reject the Apostolic Succession, and also the gifts of the HS, but that only makes them unavailable to yourself.

Speaking in foreign tongues was something necessary to launch Christ’s church –not to be done in perpetuity.

With all due respect, this is not you decision to make.

1 Cor 12:11
11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

Tongue speaking in the New Testament referred to speaking in foreign languages not known to the speaker.

This is only one of the various kinds of tongues.

None of these groups is present today. The miraculous gift of tongue speaking was limited in time to the period when it was needed most, to promulgate the good news to the people of all walks of life who came to Jerusalem for the passover. That time has come and gone, and so has the ability to speak in tongues, along with all other miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. We have Jesus Apostolic Church and His teachings, both oral and written to sustain us now.

We do have the Apostolic Church, but it is the same spirit that dwells in her now as when she was created. Apparently you have fallen prey to the popular myth that the “gifts have ceased” which is not the case. However, that discussion should probably be taken to another thread.

Unlike today, it was necessary.

There are times when it is still necessary, and therefore, God enables it to happen.

Guanophore… you have taught me so much with your clear, intelligent and inspiring posts.

I too really enjoy reading everything you all have written!

Happy New Year!
Cinette

I hope fnding out I am a Pentecostal Catholic does not ruin it!

 

[joe370]

Hey guanophere, really enjoy reading your posts on all the different threads!

QUOTE=guanophore;4623212]The manifestations of the HS did not “die” when the Apostles did.

I would never presume such an anti-Catholic/anti-Christian position; I defer to the Power of the Holy Spirit to defend the C.C. as the One church established by GOD CIRCA 33 AD, constantly! And I believe the H.S. is a powerful force in the world today; He changed my way of thinking as a former Protestant –thank God!!! I simply meant that commonplace (physical, not spiritual) healing miracles through the imposition of hands, and the ability to spontaneously speak in a foreign tongue as the apostles and their disciples (the 120 people, including the blessed Mary and the other women) --did on the day of Pentecost are no longer occurring! If I am wrong, please correct me! Like I told Cinette, perhaps I rushed the judgment on that one; I will peruse the CCC; that was one of the subjects, I guess I shouldn’t not have broached until I was 100% certain! I certainly am a huge believer in Marian apparitions, e.g. --the miracles of Damascus, apparitions of Garabandal, Lourdes, Fatima, etc. --but this isn’t the same as what happened on Pentecost; these are private revelations, not at all required to be believed by the C.C. --but again, I could be wrong.

So sure about that, are you?

Perhaps not! I would love to learn more about this phenomena. Don’t get me wrong, I whole-heartedly believe that the Holy Spirit is the ONLY guiding force in everyones life, that truly matters, regardless of religious affiliation, and He is guiding and protecting Jesus’ church until the end of time, and I hope and pray He is guiding all churches, even the Protestant churches that aren’t 100% in communion with the C.C. or the E.O.C.

 

[joe370]

I can’t seem to find anything vis-a-vis, speaking in tongues in the catechism of the catholic church.

Furthermore, scripture seems to imply, that tongue-speaking is the only gift of the Holy Spirit that
will “cease” (in Greek, pauomai). It is also enumerated as a lesser gift of the Spirit, relatively speaking. There were a handful of saints who spoke in tongues over the last 2,000 years, e.g. --Dominic, Anthony of Padua, Francis Xavier, John of the Cross, Ignatius of Loyola), but many of the early Church fathers testify that the gift had already ceased in the early Church.

In fact, Paul mentions tongue-speaking in his early letter to the Corinthians, but not in his later letters. This means the gift could have actually been fading away during the period of revelation.

As is the case with my sister, an Evangelical member --where you have a huge assembly speaking in tongues, we can be assured that it is not. It is simply emotionalism, as I have witnessed, first hand. The tongue-speaking in the Bible generally referred to, speaking in other languages, which was necessary so that the infant Church could spread the gospel to all nations.

There were also some apparent incidents of ecstatic, unintelligible utterances as well, but note what Paul says: there must be an interpreter for those utterances, so that it edifies the Church, and I can’t find any interpretation of speaking in tongues – in the CCC.

The psycho-babbling that goes on in these Protestant churches, and I have witnessed first hand, is not tongue-speaking. As far as Paul’s teaching goes --Paul says that only 2 or 3 should speak in tongues, each in turn, with an interpreter, and for the edification of the Church, and again I can’t find anything in the CCC, on speaking in tongues or how it promotes the edification of the church?

Remember, I am not trying to impugn your ability to speak in tongues; I am just trying to adhere to the authority of Jesus’ Church, the Catholic Church!

I look forward to any feedback vis-a-vis this subject…

 

[joe370]

**

I hope fnding out I am a Pentecostal Catholic does not ruin it!

**

Heck no! :thumbsup:I embrace all PEOPLE as friends, whether they be Catholic, E.O.C., Budha, Islam, Protestant, Hindu, --they are all good loving people with treasured beliefs that should always be respected. I just happen to believe, dogmatically that the C.C. IS WHERE I BELONG.

I truly believe that the “blessed” Mother Mary was present from 1961-65 in San Sebastian de Garabandal, even though the C.C. refuses to make a judgment call on the Marian apparitions, UNTIL THE MIRACLE. And many Catholics think this is a real no-no, and I don’t care! If anyone was to investigate the matter for themselves, they would soon realize, what these 4 little girls managed to do over a 4 year span, are either preternatural or supernatural EVENTS, and if they were preternatural, then satan has decided to embrace confession, the Holy Eucharist, urging ALL to make sacrifices for one another, performing mind-boggling miracles so atheists/agnostics and protestants would convert to catholicism, pray for others -etc. etc.

Besides my fiancée who passed away a few years ago, (she actually got me involved in this forum when I was a stubborn Lutheran) --these apparitions in Garabandal are the reason I am Catholic --they changed my life forever.

Padre Pio believed and Pope Paul VI said, “Conchita I bless you…and with me, the whole Church blesses you.”

IF YOU SAY YOU CAN SPEAK IN TONGUES,WHO THE HECK AM I TO SAY OTHERWISE.

God bless…

 

[celticcrusader]

I know I have been keeping an ear to the wire about Joey Lomangino, he is getting old and in poor health. but let us not side track here.

 

[guanophore]

The manifestations of the HS did not “die” when the Apostles did.

I simply meant that commonplace (physical, not spiritual) healing miracles through the imposition of hands, and the ability to spontaneously speak in a foreign tongue as the apostles and their disciples (the 120 people, including the blessed Mary and the other women) --did on the day of Pentecost are no longer occurring! If I am wrong, please correct me! Like I told Cinette, perhaps I rushed the judgment on that one; I will peruse the CCC; that was one of the subjects, I guess I shouldn't not have broached until I was 100% certain!

These manifestations continue to happen today all over the world, and have consistently since Pentecost.

I certainly am a huge believer in Marian apparitions, e.g. --the miracles of Damascus, apparitions of Garabandal, Lourdes, Fatima, etc. --but this isn’t the same as what happened on Pentecost; these are private revelations, not at all required to be believed by the C.C. --but again, I could be wrong.

No, you are correct, the Marian apparitions are private revelations, as are some other works of the Spirit. However, the charismatic gifts are for the buliding up of the individual believer, and for the building up of the Body.

Perhaps not! I would love to learn more about this phenomena. Don’t get me wrong, I whole-heartedly believe that the Holy Spirit is the ONLY guiding force in everyones life, that truly matters, regardless of religious affiliation, and He is guiding and protecting Jesus’ church until the end of time, and I hope and pray He is guiding all churches, even the Protestant churches that aren’t 100% in communion with the C.C. or the E.O.C.

May I recommend a good starting place?

nsc-chariscenter.org/

 

[guanophore]

I can’t seem to find anything vis-a-vis, speaking in tongues in the catechism of the catholic church.

The gifts of the Spirit that have been emphasized by the Latin Rite are the character gifts in Isaiah. The Catechism treats all of the charismatic gifts equally, and overemphasis is not given to tongue speaking.

CCC 2003 Grace is first and foremost the gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us. But grace also includes the gifts that the Spirit grants us to associate us with his work, to enable us to collaborate in the salvation of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church. There are sacramental graces, gifts proper to the different sacraments. There are furthermore special graces, also called charisms after the Greek term used by St. Paul and meaning “favor,” “gratuitous gift,” “benefit.” Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church.

Furthermore, scripture seems to imply, that tongue-speaking is the only gift of the Holy Spirit that
will “cease” (in Greek, pauomai).

No, they will all cease. As the catechism states, they are for the enrichment of the Body,a nd to guide us into holiness. Once the Church is united with Christ, they will no longer be needed.

 It is also enumerated as a lesser gift of the Spirit, relatively speaking. There were a handful of saints who spoke in tongues over the last 2,000 years, e.g. --Dominic, Anthony of Padua, Francis Xavier, John of the Cross, Ignatius of Loyola), but **many of the early Church fathers** testify that the gift had already ceased in the early Church.

Even the Fathers can be mistaken.

In fact, Paul mentions tongue-speaking in his early letter to the Corinthians, but not in his later letters. This means the gift could have actually been fading away during the period of revelation.

I think all the charismatic gifts “fade” when the Spirit is quenched. Many people do this because they are afraid of having loss of control. when we look at some of the wild things that go on in “pentecostal” circles, we can understand this.

As is the case with my sister, an Evangelical member  --where you have a huge assembly speaking in tongues, we can be assured that it is not. It is simply emotionalism, as I have witnessed, first hand.

I don’t think we can assume that. I think there may be some authentic praise and worship. We also know that there are other sources.

The tongue-speaking in the Bible generally referred to, speaking in other languages, which was necessary so that the infant Church could spread the gospel to all nations.

This is only one of the various manifestations of the gift of tongues.

There were also some apparent incidents of ecstatic, unintelligible utterances as well, but note what Paul says: there must be an interpreter for those utterances, so that it edifies the Church, and I can’t find any interpretation of speaking in tongues – in the CCC.

This instruction applies to utterances in public worship.

The psycho-babbling that goes on in these Protestant churches, and I have witnessed first hand,  is not tongue-speaking.

Only God sees the heart, and can judge the spirit. What we can say for sure is they are “out of order” according to the Apostolic Teaching.

As far as Paul's teaching goes --Paul says that only 2 or 3 should speak in tongues, each in turn, with an interpreter, and for the edification of the Church, and again I can't find anything in the CCC, on speaking in tongues or how it promotes the edification of the church?

The CCC is a complement and clarification of scripture, which is already pretty clear on this matter.

Remember, I am not trying to impugn your ability to speak in tongues; I am just trying to adhere to the authority of Jesus' Church, the Catholic Church!  :thumbsup:

Not at all! You have no such power, anyway. The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. I promise I will not blurt out during the Divine Liturgy in anything but Greek.

I look forward to any feedback vis-a-vis this subject...

There are some manifestations of the gift of tongues that are for private prayer and healing.

 

[Swifty81]

Individual interpretation is what I see here…

2 Peter 1:19-21
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed,which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

 

[Bill_Pick]

“Receive ye the Holy Ghost. 23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”

The person is not the receiver of the power to forgive but it is the Holy Spirit whom this statement is directed toward. Therefore a person is not able to forgive sins, only God is, through the communication of the Holy Spirit to Christ who intercedes on our behalf. Therefore a Catholic Priest is not the only person necessary for confession but anyone who is in the Holy Priesthood…namely, those believers who know Jesus as Saviour and have thus “received” the Holy Spirit from God.

Reference Scripture:
1 Peter 2:4-10

"4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”[a] 7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,"[c] 8and,
“A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”[d] They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Confession to a Catholic Priest is awesome if that priest is in good relationship with God and is a believer. Since all believers are part of the “Royal Priesthood”, as a protestant, we believe we can confess our sins to other believers and God will acknowlege He has forgiven us so we can move past the sin and be effective ministers for Him.

Blessings!

Will you please tell me why Jesus had to breaited on the Apostle and say this to them at all, If non-cathloic do not believe He was just wasting His time,I think Jesus breathed on people two times in the Biblr with Adam and Eve and here, CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN

 

[Bill_Pick]

Where in John 20: 21-23 does Jesus use the word successors?? HIS statement here applies to the church as a whole. That’s why in the Our Father Jesus tells us to ask the Father for forgiveness but as we forgive others.

GOD is the only one that can forgive sin. Period!! We can forgive each other for sinning against one another but only GOD can pronounce forgiveness for the actuall sin itself. That’s why Christ died and that’s why we follow HIM. We are justified in GOD’s eyes by the blood of Christ.

PEACE

WRONG<WRONG<AND WRONG Why do you think Jesus breathed on them and Remebmer HE alsi breadted on ADam and eve

 

[Thorwald]

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.

Clearly Jesus was addressing the power to forgive sins ONLY to his Apostles and to their Successors for the forgivness of sins.

Yes, we all must forgive our brothers and sisters if they have wronged us, but what if we have wronged God, can our brothers and sisters forgive us for THE WRONGS/SINS we have done to God? **NO! **

We who have DONE WRONG must go to the Church this is how Jesus Christ wants it to be and since we no longer have the actual Apostles here with us to forgive us our sins against God we go to their Successors the Catholic Priests.

Yes, we can go directly to Jesus Christ so that he can forgive us our sins, but are your sins forgiven or are they retained Hmmm! Good Question.

Many protestants go directly to Jesus/alter call for forgivness and think you are forgiven, but perhaps YOUR SINS are retained you would never truely know if you were forgiven or your sins retained by our Lord until you meet Our Lord face to face, but that WILL be too late to find out that your sins was retained. OUCH!

Jesus Christ wants us to go to his Catholic Church that he left and recieve the forgiveness of our sins and hear these beautiful words " your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more" Or hear the words your sins are retained. If retained you WILL still have a chance to ammend your life here on earth.

Yes, it is humbling/ to go to confession and confess ones many sins to a priest the Successors of the Apostles, but this is what Jesus Christ wants us all to do in John 20: 21-23 and through the Grace of Jesus Christ, I do AMEN

The Father sends Jesus, Jesus send the Apostles, the Apostles send the Bishops/Cardinals/ Priest an unbroken succession.

Ufamtobie

How do you know, whether or not, Christ even ‘knows’ this person who you have decided to ask for forgiveness for your sins? What if this person is actually a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’? What if this person is a pedophile (and no one knows, except his ‘victims’). What if this person spends time surfing pornography on the internet? What if this person is a murderer/liar/backbiter…etc.? You don’t know. You assume that this person is righteous, and has been annointed by God, to the position of ‘forgiver of sins’.

 

[guanophore]

How do you know, whether or not, Christ even ‘knows’ this person who you have decided to ask for forgiveness for your sins? What if this person is actually a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’? What if this person is a pedophile (and no one knows, except his ‘victims’). What if this person spends time surfing pornography on the internet? What if this person is a murderer/liar/backbiter…etc.? You don’t know. You assume that this person is righteous, and has been annointed by God, to the position of ‘forgiver of sins’.

You are right. God can work through the failures of humans and pour out His grace. He does not require that people be perfect in order to work through them. A person does not need to be perfect to be annointed by God, either. None of the Apostles was perfect or without shortcomings when He chose and commissioned them, or when He authorized them to forgive sins on His behalf.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I believe that the idea of “succession” applies to Matthew 10:1 as well as to John 20:23. Consider
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 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, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

• James 5:13-16
  Notice that when he says “the elders of the church”, he doesn’t add the qualifier “if they were among Jesus’ original 12 Apostles”.

The OP wasn’t asking about the passage in James 5, but about one in John 20 - a different book. Juggling verses is not an answer ​

 

[SyCarl]

The OP wasn’t asking about the passage in James 5, but about one in John 20 - a different book. Juggling verses is not an answer ​

Peter was addressing a question I raised in post #9 about successors. Does giving authority to the Apostles mean that it applies to their successors? Matthew 10:1 gives the disciples authority to heal every kind of disease and sickness.

Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
(Matthew 10:1 NASB)

Did the authority to heal every sickness and disease pass to the Apostles’ successors? If so, why don’t priests and bishops use it today to heal everyone? If it doesn’t apply to successors, why should we believe that the power to forgive sins does?

I have not heard of widespread healing being performed by the Church.

 

[guanophore]

Peter was addressing a question I raised in post #9 about successors. Does giving authority to the Apostles mean that it applies to their successors? Matthew 10:1 gives the disciples authority to heal every kind of disease and sickness.

Did the authority to heal every sickness and disease pass to the Apostles’ successors? If so, why don’t priests and bishops use it today to heal everyone? If it doesn’t apply to successors, why should we believe that the power to forgive sins does?

I have not heard of widespread healing being performed by the Church.

I agree with you. I believe that the authority to heal was indeed given to the Church, and healings do happen. I think that the clergy stopped looking for, expecting, and praying for “signs” and that this gift lapsed into disuse. I think that God wants far more healing going on than we grasp. I think it is a lack of faith, and hopeful expectation.

 

[mathematician]

John 20: 21-23
Protestants, can a Catholic Priest forgive sins?

I would say that most Protestants would say that ability is reserved to God.

Cl…to his Apostles and to their Successors…

Where did you get the second half of that from? Or is that a silly question?.