Confession
By aln1216
@aln1216 (207)
United States
14 responses
@ryanphil01 (4182)
• Philippines
6 Jul 07
When it comes to confession of sin, believers are told in 1 John 1:9 to confess their sins to God. God is faithful and just to forgive our sins as we confess them to Him. James 5:16 speaks of confessing our trespasses “to one another,” but this is not the same as confessing sins to a priest as the Roman Catholic Church teaches. Priests / church leaders are nowhere mentioned in the context of James 5:16. Further, James 5:16 does not link forgiveness of sins with the confession of sins “to one another.”
1 person likes this
@raisingsaints (217)
• United States
6 Jul 07
I believe that we should confess to a priest.
James 5:14-16 tells us to confess our sins to one another.
Oral confession is also mentioned in Acts 19:18, Matthew 3:6, Mark 1:5, and 1 Timothy 6:12.
Why to a priest?
Jesus gave the Apostles the authority to forgive sins. (John 20:21-23)
Priests are the successors of the Apostles. Yes, confessing to a priest can be embarassing. But, it's also a great sign of humility. In confessing to a priest you are confessing to God. And in receiving forgiveness, it comes from God as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 2:10.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
17 Jul 07
The early Christians confessed to publicly. Private confession to a Priest is an innovation of the Roman Church.
The idea of Priests is a misguided one, Jesus warns against it Matthew 23:9-12. Clearly, Jesus intends his Church to be one of equals not a hierarchy.
all the best urban
@urbandekay (18278)
•
17 Jul 07
What does James 5 actually say, not Roman dogma but the actual words.
16 Confess your trespasses[e] to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
To one another, that is publicly as the early Christians did not in the innovation of the Roman Church confessing to a Priest.
all the best urban
@WhatsHerName (2716)
• United States
6 Jul 07
I think some priest started that so he could find out the gossip.
No way do we have to confess to a clergymen. We only need to confess to God.
@tiffthone (193)
• United States
9 Jul 07
The only one you need to confess to is God. Yes he knows what you have done already, but as with many other things, the first step to solving a problem is admitting you have a problem. So this is why we confess to God, so he can help us to be better, and forgiving us.
@asiblossom (85)
• United States
9 Jul 07
God is with you all time, knows your thoughts and your every move. All you have to do my friend is confess to God. He hears you, he forgives you, then he forgets about it. Don't feel guilty afterwards because he loves you!
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
5 Jul 07
we have but one mediator that is Jesus there is no need to talk to a human of any walk of life for they cannot forgive you only God can !
(Jn.14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. )
@mujtab20 (434)
• Nigeria
5 Jul 07
Actually I'm Muslim and I believed it's far better to confess to God than to a Clergymen Ulamas. Thanks
@MelodyRhapsodical (1248)
• United States
5 Jul 07
It's not necessary at all to confess to someone else. That person has his/her own sins just like we all do...so why would anyone want to confess to them, when in theory, they have things to confess about as well? Makes no sense.
Back when I was Catholic I used to confess and I was always so embarrassed. It was quite shameful to me to confess to someone...and for all I know that person could've had worse sins than I. I only speak to God directly, I ask for forgiveness to just Him. It's really no one else's business, I think that's something that's between the Father who gives us live, and the person. No one else.
@amaleigh73 (499)
• United States
5 Jul 07
Confess sins to God. I think if you want to be kept accountable for something you are struggling with, then maybe confide in someone else. A good, trustworthy friend or maybe a pastor.
@jnallen_487 (800)
• United States
5 Jul 07
I don't think that it's necessary to confess to someone other than God. Do it in your own way. Go to a private place and pray and tell God what you did. Ask for your forgiveness and that is good enough. No reason to go to someone else to be your go between.
@blena07 (105)
• Malaysia
5 Jul 07
All of us to sin in one way another.Whatever religion se are in we all pray. The time we spent talking to GOD we could confess our sins and be repent.Not just profess your sin than the nest moment you are commited the sins.
GOD do listen ,so confess to the one above not any priest
