The Sacrament of Confession | Confessing to a Priest
A Roman Catholic individual is required to confess his/her mortal sins to a priest at least once a year. In the event that a Catholic has committed a mortal sin, they are not allowed to receive Holy Communion until that sin is confessed to a priest. According to the Catechism, confession is necessary in order to obtain salvation. This process can become burdensome to the point of spiritual bondage. In the New Testament, the Apostles appointed elders and deacons, not a line of priests.
I ask you dear reader, to examine Scripture closely. Do you see that confessing to a priest is required for the remission of your sin; and does the priest have the authority to forgive those sins?
The Catechism Says:
Para 1424 It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament.It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest’s sacramental absolution God grants the penitent “pardon and peace.”
Para 1493 One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience…
The Bible Says:
Matthew 23:8 For one is your master even Christ and ye are all brethren.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
The Catechism Says:
Para 1457 According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.
The Bible Says:
Romans 5:8-10 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
The Catechism Says:
Para 1456 Confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance: “All mortal sins of which penitents after a diligent self-examination are conscious must be recounted by them in confession.
Para 1497 Individual and integral confession of grave sins followed by absolution (by a priest) remains the only ordinary means of reconciliation with God and with the Church.
The Bible Says:
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.
Summary of issue:
The Catholic Catechism requires members to confess sins to a man , but the Bible reveals that those who have been born into God’s family have direct access to God’s throne to receive forgiveness for sins. When one does sin after salvation, he confesses his sin to God to reconcile his relationship with Him.
True forgiveness begins only when a person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 13:38-39). In believing on the finished work of the Lord Jesus (His dying for our sins) one is credited with both forgiveness of sins and one hundred percent right standing with God. It is in Jesus Christ and His sacrificial life that “.we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14) . Thus the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.