Confession is biblical

So, I’m in line for confession.  On a stormy Saturday afternoon.  And, to be honest, I’d be really surprised if I even get seen for confession (for those having a heart attack, I usually write my articles down before I type them, I did not bring a laptop into the confessional).  Anyway, weather made it take a little longer to get here.

But I noticed I haven’t written an article on confession.  Part of that is because there is so much already written on the topic. 

But, since I have seen so much available on the internet, I thought I’d join in.

Before we get started, be sure to check on my community on Locals; Catholicism, News, and Whatever community

Out of all the Catholic beliefs, I was always confused why Protestants seem to most object to this one. 

What do Protestants think scripture means when it says “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16).

So, if you read that without knowing the context, it looks like as though we’re supposed to confess our sins with one another.  In a sense, that’s true (think of an accountability buddy, and yes, even some Protestants have those). 

But, confessing your sins to your friends won’t forgive your sins. 

So, the problem with that though, is “one another”, doesn’t exclude presbyters (Elders).

In fact, let’s go ahead and read verses 15 and 16.

“Is anyone among you sick?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of the Lord will raise him up.  And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven”. 

Did you notice something?  What was the context? 

It seems to be a liturgical context if the elders (presbyters), were able to anoint a man to forgive sin, then it logically followed that the elders do have the ability to forgive sins (yes, I know it’s God that forgives sins, still doesn’t disprove my point). 

And THAT is the context of confessing your sins to one another. 

Of course, you might not be convinced.  Okay, how about this?

“Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld (John 22:22-23).

You may not be convinced that the modern Church has that authority (more evidence to me that Sedes are Protestant).

What about Old Testament precedent?  Because you may say “Jesus abolished the law”.  Now, he didn’t, he fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17).

Now, this is important, because we think of Judaism as Rabbinic Judaism.  And I know I’m going to ruffle some feathers, (spoiler)!  But Judaism was not originally strictly a religion of the book.  I am of Jewish descent on my mom’s side (seriously, if you hadn’t figured that out, I don’t know what to tell you.  I think the fact I have Israeli blood relatives should be a dead giveaway). 

No, Judaism, in common with other ancient religions, was a sacrificial religion.  One of the things the sacrificial priests would have to know is what the sacrifice is for. 

Sometimes, you’ll hear that ancient Jews didn’t confess their sins to priests.  That’s not what the Torah says.

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the LORD, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation, a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued in silver shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering.  He shall also make restitution for what he has done amiss in the holy thing shall a fifth to it and give it to the priest.  And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering, and he shall be forgiven “ (Leviticus 5:14-16). 

Wouldn’t the priest have to KNOW the offender’s sin to offer the guilt offering?  Also, you’ll note the idea of restitution. 

Of course, I can give you WAY more verses in both the Old Testament and New Testament, and whilst I LOVE writing longer articles, they can be really draining.

But, there you have it, confession is biblical.  Make sure you read all of these verses in context on your own. 

*All verses from the English Standard Version, Catholic Edition. 

ESV Catholic Edition with Deuterocanonical Books, Copyright 2017 by Crossway

Adam Charles Hovey defends Christians from becoming Orthobros, like here, for instance; What is an Orthobro?

He is also the host of the weekly Bible Study “Coffee and Christianity”, Coffee and Christianity

 as well as the founder of the Catholicism, News, and Whatever community, here; Catholicism, News, and Whatever community