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Confession

The Catholic Church takes John 20:23 to mean that the Apostles and their successors were given literal authority to absolve the believer's sins on Earth, which are then forgiven in Heaven. This based on their belief in Apostolic Succession

Carol Brooks

ON THIS PAGE
Emphasis Mine in All Bible Verses


What is The Sacrament of Confession

Apostolic Succession

Peter's Primacy?

Ordaining Men To Ministry Does Not Make Them Mediators

Who Forgives Sins?

Proclaiming Vs. Doing

Finally - 1 John 1:9

 


What is The Sacrament of Confession.

Confession is one of the seven sacraments of the Church. Officially called the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation, it is the practice of Catholics confessing their sins to a priest and receiving God's forgiveness and absolution through him . As said by Catholics Come Home

    Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament "washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.  [01]

 

The primary verse used to support this doctrine is John 20:23

    If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”


According to their belief in apostolic succession the Roman Catholic Church interprets John 20:23 to mean that believers confess their sins to an ordained priest who has the authority to forgive their sins. Assuming true contrition the priest then gives the penitent a specific task or set of prayers which they must complete in order to to receive absolution - the formal remission of sin.




Apostolic Succession.

In a nutshell is

     the teaching that bishops represent a direct, uninterrupted line of continuity from the first Apostles of Jesus Christ. According to this teaching, bishops possess certain special powers handed down to them from the Apostles; these consist primarily of the right to confirm church members, to ordain priests, to consecrate other bishops, and to rule over the clergy and church members in their diocese (an area made up of several congregations) [03]


As said by Saint Paul Seminary

    The Church teaches its bishops are direct successors to Peter and the 12 Apostles; through the sacrament of Holy Orders, a Catholic priest participates in his bishop's apostolic ministry. Priests administer the sacraments in persona Christi, or acting in the person of Christ, when celebrating the Eucharist or hearing confessions. [02]
     


See The Myth of Apostolic Succession



Thus it is believed that all Catholic bishops are part of an unbroken lineage that goes back to the time of the apostles. In fact, from Saint Peter down to the present pope. This is largely based on the belief that...

    The role of apostolic succession in preserving true doctrine is illustrated in the Bible. To make sure that the apostles' teachings would be passed down after the deaths of the apostles, Paul told Timothy, "[W]hat you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). In this passage he refers to the first three generations of apostolic succession - his own generation, Timothy's generation, and the generation Timothy will teach. [04]


This conclusion is missing one key point.


Paul instructed Timothy to entrust to faithful men what he had heard from Paul not any other teachings.

    And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well. (2 Timothy 2:2)

 

As said by David Guzik (Emphasis Added)

    "... This verse reveals the real apostolic succession – the succession of faithful men, who take the teachings of the apostles and pass them on. [05]



And that the Catholic church has not done.

Much to the contrary the Council of Trent (quoted many times in the Catholic Catechism) pronounces an anathema - a curse or denunciation - against many of the cardinal doctrines of the Scriptures. DETAILS




Peter's Primacy?

    On the basis of the New Testament witness, the Catholic Church teaches, as a doctrine of faith, that the Bishop of Rome is the Successor of Peter in his primatial service in the universal Church. [06]

      Primatial - A bishop of highest rank - a high priest.


John 20:23

    It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. "Peace be with you!” He said to them... If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.” (John 20:19, 23 BSB)


Note that Jesus was speaking to ten of His disciples (Thomas was not present). If as Rome claims, Peter had been appointed to any special authority, one has to wonder why the Messiah did not so much as hint at any such prominence. Instead what He said was directed to all of them.



And then there is Matthew 16:13-19

    When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: "Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” "But what about you?” Jesus asked. "Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.

    And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-19 BSB)

 

Although there is little doubt that Peter was given a very a special role by the Messiah, it had nothing to do with 'apostolic succession".




The Keys of The Kingdom

As said by David Guzik in his commentary on Matthew,

    "This idea of Peter holding the keys of the kingdom of heaven has captured the imagination (and theology) of many Christians throughout the centuries. In artistic representation, Peter is almost always shown with keys.

    i. Some people think that this means that Peter has the authority to admit people to heaven, or to keep people out of heaven. This is the basis for the popular image of Peter at the Pearly Gates of Heaven, allowing people to enter or turning them away.


    ii. Some people think that it also means that Peter was the first Pope, and that his supposed successors have the keys that were first given to Peter. Indeed, the Papal insignia of the Roman Catholic Church is made up of two prominent keys crossed together.


    iii. There is no doubt that Peter had a special place among all the disciples, and that he had some special privileges:

      He is always listed first in the listings of the disciples.

      He opened doors of the kingdom to the Jews in Acts 2:38-39.

      He opened doors of the kingdom to the Gentiles in Acts 10:34-44.


    iv. Yet there is no Biblical argument whatsoever that Peter's privilege or authority was passed on. To put it one way; one might say that Jesus gave Peter the keys, but didn't give him the authority to pass them on to further generations, and there is not a whisper in the Scriptures that Peter's authority was to be passed on.


    v. The idea that apostolic authority comes from Jesus, who gave it to Peter, who set his hands on the heads of approved and ordained men, who in turn set their hands on the heads of approved and ordained men, and so on and so on through the generations until today is nonsense."  [07]




Ordaining Men To Ministry Does Not Make Them Mediators

Although there is a Biblical basis for ordaining men to ministry this does not make them mediators between believers and God. Jesus is the only mediator.

    For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5 BSB)


See




Who Forgives Sins?

When after His resurrection Jesus appeared to the disciples, one of the things He told them was

    If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.” (John 20:23 BSB)


The Catholic church takes this verse to mean that the Apostles and their successors (bishops and priests) were given literal authority to absolve the believer's sins on Earth, which are then forgiven in Heaven.



Consider this...


If the apostles understood Jesus' words as giving them the authority to forgive sins I have to wonder why they never did so. There isn't a single instance in the Bible where any of the apostles including Peter forgave or retained anyone's sins. Much to the contrary, whenever they addressed the forgiveness of sins they directed their listeners to Jesus Christ.

Besides which in NO case was penance ever mentioned. Requiring penance for absolution is what humans believe is necessary.



Pentecost: Peter concluded his sermon on Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36) by replying to the question his hearers put to him which was "Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter told them to do two things

    Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off - to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.” (Acts 2:38-39 BSB)


There was nothing said about forgiving them their sins nor a word about penance. However, note Christian repentance does not mean just to feel sorry but to change one's mind and direction.



Cornelius
when Peter proclaimed the gospel to Cornelius and the others gathered with him that day, he did not say, "I forgive your sins in Jesus' name." Instead he told them that

    And He (Jesus) commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” (Acts 10:42-43 BSB)


Stephen:
When Stephen was being stoned his last word were

    "Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.  (Acts 7:60 BSB)

He very apparently knew he did not have the authority to forgive their sins or would have done so. Much to the contrary, he asked the Lord to not hold this against them.



Simon the Sorcerer:
When Simon the Sorcerer tried bribing Peter and John to give him the power so that everyone on whom he laid hands on would receive the Holy Spirit." Peter's answer was that he needed to repent and pray for forgiveness

    But Peter replied, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. (Acts 8:20-22 BSB)



Antioch :
Part of Paul's message at the synagogue in Antioch was

    Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38-39 BSB)



The Jailer:
In Acts 16 Paul and Silas were incarcerated when a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison causing the doors to fly open and everyone's chains to come loose. Seeing the open prison doors and assuming that the prisoners had escaped, the jailer was about to kill himself when Paul called out that they were still there. Then

    Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:29-31 BSB)


They did not forgive him his sins but much like Peter on Pentecost focused on Jesus and the Gospel which caused him and all his household to believe and be baptized. (V. 33)




Proclaiming Vs. Doing

    If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.” (John 20:23 NASB)


In Scripture when the apostles and prophets proclaimed something they emphatically and authoritatively declared something that God had told them He would do. For example, God told Jeremiah that He had appointed him

    ... over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant.”  (Jeremiah 1:10 BSB)

Jeremiah didn't physically do any of these things but was telling his hearers what God would do - he proclaimed these things in the name of the Lord.



There is a huge difference between proclaiming something and actually doing it. As is made evident in the above examples none of the disciples including Peter forgave or retained anyone's sins.


Jesus gave His disciples the authority to confidently proclaim the Gospel and tell people who believed that their sins were forgiven. In other words, they had the authority to proclaim forgiveness to those who repented and believed in Christ which they did many times over. 

    Similarly, we also have the authority to proclaim forgiveness of sins in Jesus' name to all who will believe.



On the other hand, on seeing the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, Simon the Magician offered them money so that everyone on whom he laid his hands would receive the Holy Spirit. As Peter told him

    "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could acquire the gift of God with money! "You have no part or share in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. (Acts 8:20-21 NASB)

In other words, we also can proclaim to to that person that because their hearts are not right, they have no part in God's workings.




Finally - 1 John 1:9


What did John mean when he said...

    If we confess (Gk. homologomen) our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 BSB)

 

The Greek word homologomen is formed from a compound of the base of homou and logos; to assent, acknowledge. It is only used in the 1st person, almost always in the plural. The verb is in the present subjunctive and primarily refers to
on-going situations or habitually repeated events.


In other words the verse is saying that although our sins are forgiven at salvation based on what Jesus has done on the cross for us, our daily relationship with God needs to be kept in good repair. This is done by continually confessing our sin and asking for His forgiveness.

 

In his commentary on 1 John Pastor David Guzik elucidates further saying

    Our sins are not forgiven because we confess. If this were the case - if forgiveness for a sin could only come where there was confession - then we would all be damned because it would be impossible for us to confess every sin we ever commit. We are forgiven because our punishment was put upon Jesus, we are cleansed by His blood.

    However, confession is still vital to maintain relationship with God, and this is the context John speaks from. As God convicts us of sin that is hindering our fellowship with Him, we must confess it and receive forgiveness and cleansing for our relationship with God to continue without hindrance.

    Confession must be personal. To say, "God, if we have made any mistakes, forgive us" isn't confession. [08]


Saying "if we made any mistakes" - The word "if" isn't specific. The word "we" isn't personal, and using the term "mistakes" isn't honest

     


End Notes

[01] What is the Sacrament of Confession. Catholics Come Home.org'  
https://ya.catholicscomehome.com/your-questions/what-is-the-sacrament-of-confession/

[02] Why laypeople and deacons — in addition to priests — are necessary for a thriving Catholic Church. Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity at the University of St. Thomas. https://tinyurl.com/2rjrrsjd 

[03] https://www.britannica.com/topic/apostolic-succession

[04] What the Early Church Believed: Apostolic Succession. https://www.catholic.com/tract/apostolic-succession

[05] David Guzik. Study Guide for 2 Timothy 2
https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/2-timothy/2-timothy-2.cfm

[06] The Primacy Of The Successor Of Peter In The Mystery Of The Church. https://tinyurl.com/yn5nwskc

[07] David Guzik. Matthew 16 – Revealing Who Jesus Is and What He Came to Do.
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-16/

[08] David Guzik 1 John 1 – Fellowship with God. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-john-1/
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