Hello 1beleevr,
I’m going to try once more to remove the misconceptions I see that still remain in the discussion. Catholics confess their sins to CHRIST, in the presence of one with Apostolic successive authority.
There are things we both agree on, that is certainly not specifically addressed in scriptures. Where in scriptures is the word “Trinity”? It’s not, but the implication is there. The same holds true for confession. We have the words of Christ telling those He ordained, “Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” We also have the words Christ spoke, first to Peter then, to all the Apostles, He had ordained. “And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.” Those two statements, alone, clearly grant authority. When you read, in context, who the words were spoken too, we see it was those He ordained and not the multitudes. Yet, it’s disputed by Protestants, some who offer no explanation and others whose explanation doesn’t seem logical. Now, we have an instance of a Protestant demanding it be in the words of the Apostles, or it isn’t so, even though we have the words spoken by Christ, Himself.
We offer other scriptures that tell us to confess our sins, without specifically stating, “confess your sins to Christ and Christ alone”, but that’s not good enough. We discuss the importance of Church authority (tradition) and scriptures, but that is rejected by most Protestants who believe in sola scriptura, yet sola scritpura is not scriptural. To me, that’s accepting a man made tradition that was brought about since the 1500s. The traditions of the Catholic Church can be supported by writings of the early Church fathers, who clearly show how Christianity was practiced since the days when the Apostles themselves were still alive. Again, Protestants will tell us, “that’s not scriptures and can be ignored”, then they offer the writings of some Protestant theologian who lived since the 1500s. Very clearly a double-standard being used in the discussions and what seems highly illogical to those who have researched the history.
Some Protestants will tell us the early Church was not like the Catholic Church, yet they reject the writings of the early Church fathers, because those writings show doctrines more closer to Catholic doctrine than any Protestant doctrine.
Now, considering the double-standard being used against Catholics, we have a Protestant using a “piece” of a verse and adding words to other verses to make them sound more supportive of his view. But that is overlooked to call us out on how we rebuke those actions, by someone who claims sola scriptura. If sola scritpura were true, how can another say one interpretation is correct over another? Where does scriptures tell us who has that authority to call one interpretation correct over another? Clearly, it doesn’t and that just supports the view that sola scriptura is a man-made tradtion.
Confession is also known as “reconciliation”. Below are some scriptures, that have been posted before and, that support confession.
**2Co 5:17 If then any be in Christ a new creature, the old things are passed away. Behold all things are made new.
2Co 5:18 But all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
2Co 5:19 For God indeed was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing to them their sins. And he hath placed in us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 For Christ therefore we are ambassadors, God as it were exhorting by us, for Christ, we beseech you, be reconciled to God.
Jas 5:16 Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much.
1Jn 5:16 He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin which is not to death, let him ask: and life shall be given to him who sinneth not to death. There is a sin unto death. For that I say not that any man ask.**
You cannot read a “piece” of a verse, add words to verses, or read a single verse itself to receive the context. You must read scriptures in light of scriptures. Read a verse in the passage it’s in, read a passage in the chapter it’s in, read a chapter in the book it’s in, read a book in the Testament it’s in, and read the Testament with the other Testament. If it seems complicated, consider that’s why Christ appointed a few, and they wrote instructions to those they had ordained.
We can read those instructions, and should, to understand what the authority tells us. In my opinion, it’s a mistake to think we can take the authority upon ourselves and start teaching others all the teachings passed down through the authorities. That should be done by dedicated men of the Church, who have proven themselves to the Church.
One needs to remember the warning from Christ, of teachers being held accountable for their teachings to others. As individuals we are accountable for ourselves. As self-appointed teachers, one’s accountability goes up quite a bit.
What really gets tiresome on these forums, is Protestants preaching truth to Catholics, as if we are not Christians. That is simply not true. We are Christians who seek to be totally obedient to Him and not Christians who seek ways to liberate themselves from the obedience due to God. We will all be judged according to our understanding and according to those who taught us, who will receive a fuller judgment. While Protestants seem to enjoy an assurance, St. Paul clearly told us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. That’s what I am doing and I am doing everything I can, not to be mislead.
; along with catholics telling me that even though I’m a Christian, I am not allowed to partake of communion. And thank you for you reading of scripture about the mustard seed! Is it not possible, that WE as members of the Body of Christ can have such faith? I tell people that I don’t need big faith, because I serve a BIG God:thumbsup: So, it seems that we are at a stalemate. We don’t feel the need to confess to a priest, and you feel that because of certain scriptures, we should
Should we be condened for not confessing to a priest, or praying through Mary and the saints? And believe you me, there are many serpents out there in the world, and they all work for Satan!
Not all of us condemn or hate catholics for praying through Mary and the saints. This practice is either a matter of choice, or part of a doctrine which was implemented some years ago, and “cradle catholics”(I still think that is so cute:thumbsup
, are instructed to follow! I, for one do not believe that my prayers,(to my Holy Father, God) are any less effective, than those are of people who pray through Mary and the saints
