By: imacatho

imacatho — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:15:21 +0000

The need and practice of oral confession of sins
James 5:16 - James clearly teaches us that we must "confess our sins to each other," not just privately to God. James 5:16 must be read in the context of James 5:14-15, which refers to the healing power (both physical and spiritual) of the priests of the Church. Therefore, when James says "therefore" in verse 16, which should refer to the men he was writing about in verses 14 and 15 - these men are the ordained priests of the Church to whom we must confess our sins.
Acts 19:18 - many came to orally confess sins and divulge their sinful practices. Oral confession was the practice of the early Church as it is today.
Matt. 3:6, Mark 1:5 - again, this shows people confessing their sins before others as a historical practice (here to John the Baptist).
1 Tim. 6:12 - this verse also refers to the historical practice of confessing sins and faith in the presence of many witnesses.
1 John 1:9 - if they are to confess our sins, God is faithful to us and forgive us and cleanse us. But we must confess our sins to one another.
Num 5:7 - this shows the historical practice of publicly confessing sins, and making public restitution.
2 Sam. 12:14 - despite the fact that sin is forgiven, the punishment due for sin forgiven. David is forgiven but his child was still taken (the consequence of his sin).
Neh. 9:2-3 - the Israelites was before the assembly and confessed sins publicly and interceded for each other.
Lord. 4:26 - God tells us that he is not ashamed to confess our sins, and not to try to stem the flow of a river. Anyone who has experienced the sacrament of reconciliation understands the import of this verse.
Baruch 1:14 - again, this shows that the people made the confession in the house of the Lord, before the assembly.
1 John 5:16-17, Luke 12:47-48 - there is a distinction between mortal and venial sins. This has been the teaching of the Catholic Church for 2000 years, but today, most Protestants no longer agree that there is such a distinction. Mortal sins lead to death and must be absolved in the sacrament of reconciliation. Venial sins need not be confessed to a priest, but the pious Catholic practice is to do in order to move forward on our path to holiness.
Matt. 5:19 - Jesus teaches that breaking the least of commandments is venial sin (the person remains, but is saved in the kingdom), versus mortal sin (the person is not saved).

By: Daver

Daver — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:15:21 +0000

If you make a good confession, then the priest is entitled to decide acquitted him of his sins. But it is Jesus who is acquitted, not the act of confession.

By: sparki77

sparki77 — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:15:21 +0000

Only if you believe in the Catholic faith

Comments on: Makes you confess your sins to a Catholic priest, made you exempt?

By: imacatho

By: Daver

By: sparki77