A Forgiving Church
Notes
Transcript
A Forgiving Church
A Forgiving Church
Sarah’s question kicked off this series
We looked at the OT last week
We will look at the NT this week
We will look at Church history next week
We will look at the practical nature the following week
The Gospel of John (c. late 1st century)
John 20:22-23 records Jesus giving the apostles the power to forgive sins:
"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."
This passage is often cited as the biblical foundation for the practice of sacramental confession by church leaders.
The Didache (c. 1st century, possibly before 100 AD)
The Didache, one of the earliest Christian documents, states:
"Confess your sins in church, and do not go up to your prayer with an evil conscience." (Didache 4:14)
This suggests that early Christian communities practiced public confession of sins.
The Letter of St. Clement of Rome to the Corinthians (c. 96 AD)
Clement, the bishop of Rome, wrote:
"For as God lives, and as the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost live… he that with humility of a meek mind has patiently endured the trials and afflictions that come upon him, and has never spoken ill of another, such a one shall partake in the forgiveness of sins and be received into the kingdom of God." (1 Clement 50:3)
While not explicitly mentioning priestly absolution, it highlights a church structure in which forgiveness was granted within the Christian community.
The Shepherd of Hermas (c. early 2nd century, 100-150 AD)
One of the earliest Christian writings to explicitly mention the role of priests/bishops in reconciliation:
"You shall say to those who preside over the Church, to direct their ways in righteousness, that they may receive in full the promise with much glory." (Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 2)
It also refers to a second repentance after baptism, indicating that sins could be confessed and forgiven through church leaders.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 180 AD)
In Against Heresies (Book 1, Chapter 22, Section 4), Irenaeus describes how sinners in the Church sought reconciliation through public confession:
"Some of them, indeed, confessing and renouncing their actions beforehand, have turned away from them; but others, secretly persevering in them, have been discovered, and expelled from the Church."
Tertullian (c. 200 AD)
In De Poenitentia (On Repentance, Chapter 9), he speaks of formal public confession and the role of church leaders in granting absolution:
"This act of confession makes known what was hidden; it gives healing to the sinner and restores the penitent."
Origen (c. 248 AD)
In Homilies on Leviticus (Homily 2:4), Origen affirms:
"A man who has sinned… does not shrink from declaring his sin to a priest of the Lord and seeking medicine."
Roman Catholic Church: Confession (Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation) is one of the seven sacraments.
Based on John 20:22-23 – Jesus gave the Apostles the power to forgive sins.
Priest acts in persona Christi ("in the person of Christ") and grants absolution.
Required at least once a year for Catholics and before receiving Communion if in a state of mortal sin.
Traditional setting: Private confessional booths, though face-to-face confession is also practiced.
Four Steps of Confession:
Contrition – Sincere sorrow for sins.
Confession – Admitting sins to a priest.
Absolution – Priest forgives sins in Christ’s name.
Penance – Acts of repentance (prayers or good deeds).
Seal of Confession: A priest can never reveal what is confessed, even under legal pressure.
Acts of Satisfaction: Penance is meant to help the person grow spiritually.
Common before major feasts like Easter and Christmas.
Eastern Orthodox Church
Confession is required, especially before receiving Holy Communion.
Based on John 20:22-23 but emphasizes healing over legal absolution.
The priest does not personally "forgive" sins but prays for God's forgiveness.
Confession is typically face-to-face, with the penitent standing before an icon of Christ.
Encouraged frequently as part of spiritual growth, but not always required before every Communion.
The Process of Confession:
Self-examination and prayer before confession.
Confession before the priest, who offers spiritual advice.
Prayer of Absolution: The priest places a stole (epitrachelion) over the penitent’s head and asks God to forgive them.
Key Differences from Catholic Confession:
The priest is a witness rather than a judge.
No confessional booths – Confession takes place in a church setting.
Some Orthodox traditions require confession before every Communion, others do not.
Emphasizes ongoing repentance and spiritual discipline over a single act of absolution.
Anglican (Episcopal) Church
Private confession is optional but available.
General Confession is part of most Anglican services (Book of Common Prayer).
"All may, some should, none must" – Confession is encouraged but not required.
Some Anglo-Catholics practice priestly absolution similar to Catholics.
Private Confession Process:
Penitent confesses sins to a priest.
Priest offers absolution and guidance.
Acts of penance may be assigned.
Differences:
Not required before Communion.
Some Anglican churches do not offer private confession at all.
Lutheran Church
Two types of confession:
Corporate Confession (in liturgy).
Private Confession (to a pastor, optional).
Pastor declares forgiveness but does not "absolve" in the Catholic sense.
More common in high-church Lutherans (Missouri Synod, Scandinavian traditions).
Private Confession Process:
Penitent confesses sins to a pastor.
Pastor offers forgiveness in the name of Christ.
No formal penance is assigned.
Not required for Communion, but encouraged for spiritual growth.
Methodist Church (Wesleyan Tradition)
General confession is included in worship services.
Private confession is rare, but John Wesley encouraged accountability.
Some Anglo-Methodists retain a priestly confession practice.
Methodist Confession Focuses on:
Accountability and repentance.
Small group meetings (class meetings) for spiritual growth.
No formal absolution by clergy.
Reformed, Presbyterian, Evangelical, and Baptist Traditions 📖
No private priestly confession.
"Priesthood of all believers" – sins are confessed directly to God.
Corporate confession may be included in worship services.
Confession takes place:
In personal prayer.
In small groups for accountability.
No clergy absolution; forgiveness is sought directly from God.
Summary
Who Has the Authority to Forgive Sins?
Roman Catholic Church: The priest, acting in persona Christi, has the authority to grant absolution.
Eastern Orthodox Church: Only God forgives sins; the priest acts as a witness and prays for forgiveness.
Anglican (Episcopal) Church: The priest pronounces absolution, but it is not considered sacramental in all branches.
Reformed, Evangelical, and Baptist Traditions; Only God forgives sins; no human has the authority to absolve.
Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus gives ‘Peter’ the ‘Keys to the kingdom.’
Matthew 16:18–19 “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.””
Is Private Confession to a Priest Required?
Roman Catholic Church: Yes, for mortal sins; required at least once a year.
Eastern Orthodox Church: Yes, confession is required for spiritual health, but frequency varies.
Anglican (Episcopal) Church: Optional; encouraged for those seeking spiritual guidance.
Reformed, Evangelical, and Baptist Traditions: No; sins are confessed directly to God in personal prayer.
What Happens During Absolution?
Roman Catholic Church: The priest formally absolves sins with a set formula.
Eastern Orthodox Church: The priest lays his stole over the penitent and prays for God's mercy.
Anglican (Episcopal) Church: The priest declares God's forgiveness, but it is not required for salvation.
Reformed, Evangelical, and Baptist Traditions: There is no priestly absolution; forgiveness is sought through personal repentance.
Is Confession Necessary Before Communion?
Roman Catholic Church: Yes, if in a state of mortal sin; otherwise, not strictly required.
Eastern Orthodox Church: Often required, though some jurisdictions allow exceptions.
Anglican (Episcopal) Church: No, though some high-church Anglicans encourage it.
Reformed, Evangelical, and Baptist Traditions: No, individuals examine themselves before Communion.
Objection:
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Since all Christians are priests, there is no need for a separate priesthood to forgive sins.
The Roman Catholic Church argues for a distinction between the Common priesthood and the Ministerial (Ordained) priesthood (John 20:22-23 & Matthew 16:18-19)
Mortal sin.
And all objections are going to fall under these. Plus this one:
And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering before the Lord for his sin that he has committed, and he shall be forgiven for the sin that he has committed.
Now, the problem with this verse is the word forgiveness there is not selach, but nasa.
For me, I just dismiss that because they are not arguing from the original.
Or the Lord’s prayer...
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
In the prayer, you, every Christian is taught to pray, is a request to God for forgiveness.
Yes, but there are sins that lead to death, and you need a priest for those Mortal sins.
You might say, “A sin that leads to death?”
Yep…
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
And what have we read are the two things God will not forgive?
Shedding innocent blood
Worshiping another god
The RCC sees these as the sins that lead to death (Mortal)
We covered these in our Galatians series:
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Eph 5:5 and 1 Cor 6:9-10 are others that list the same sort of things.
The RCC would say these are the sins that lead to death.
But, if you went with me through Galatians then you know the term ‘do’ up there is the term ‘intentionally practice to make’
Why, then, was there a split?
There is historical evidence of the Catholic Church abusing the sacramental system of forgiveness, particularly through the sale of indulgences, which involved money and power. These abuses became a major issue during the Middle Ages and were a key catalyst for the Protestant Reformation (16th century).
The Sale of Indulgences (Money for Forgiveness)
Indulgences were originally meant to reduce the time of penance for a repentant sinner.
By the late Middle Ages (11th-16th century), indulgences began to be sold in exchange for money, rather than being granted based on sincere repentance.
Example: Johann Tetzel (1517 AD)
A Dominican friar who sold indulgences in Germany.
Famous slogan: "As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs."
This practice outraged Martin Luther, leading him to write his 95 Theses (1517).
Historical evidence shows that the Catholic Church abused the sacrament of communion (the Eucharist) for money and power, particularly during the Middle Ages (11th–16th centuries). These abuses were not as blatant as the sale of indulgences, but they reinforced clerical control, excluded certain groups, and, at times, involved financial corruption.
Excommunication: Cutting Off the Eucharist
Excommunication was the Church’s most severe punishment, meaning a person was barred from receiving the Eucharist.
It was sometimes used for spiritual discipline, but also as a political weapon.
Example: Pope Gregory VII vs. Emperor Henry IV (1076 AD)
Gregory excommunicated the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV.
This forced Henry to beg for forgiveness at Canossa (1077) to regain favor with the Church.
Other rulers and nobles were denied Communion to pressure them into obedience to the pope.
It was not restricted to just individuals.
King John of England (1208-1213 AD)
Pope Innocent III placed Englad under an interdict, meaning no one in England can receive Communion
Forcing King John to submit to the pope’s authority
They would charge fees for communion and forgiveness
They would hold Mass for the dead, helping them to exit purgatory faster, often for money, or for a new church building, or for some furniture, maybe a priest’s house.
These abuses are what inspired Jon Hus, Calvin, Zwingli, and Luther to REFORM the Catholic church, leading to the
PROTESTant REFORMation
They were not the first to protest the authority of the church. The first to do that was a man named Novation
Novation (200-258 AD) was a Roman priest and theologian who rejected the idea that the Church and her priests had the power to grant absolution to certain sinners. His teachings led to a major schism, and he was condemned as a heretic by the Catholic Church.
He promoted strict moral purity
No forgiveness for grave sinners (idolatry, adultery, murder)
Rejected priestly absolution.
What led to Novation’s switch?
The Roman Emperor Decius (249-251 AD) believed Rome was waning because of Christianity’s influence, specifically the decline in worshiping Roman gods. So, he issued an edict in 250 AD requiring all citizens of the empire to make sacrifices to the Roman gods and the well-being of the emperor.
Christians often refused, and were severely punished and often killed.
But some Christians renounced their faith either by sacrificing or bribing officials
Once the edict was reversed, the church allowed those who renounced to return.
Novation did not agree
When you are intellectually honest with yourself, here is the conclusion you come to:
The Roman Catholic Church has authority over the souls (living or not) of its members. If it withholds communion, confession, and prayer for ones soul in purgatory, then the church has power and authority over the soul.
This is my objection. (Among others)
Their answer is, yes, to a certain degree. They do not claim absolute control over souls. Only God ultimately judges and determines a person’s eternal destiny. Thus, if a Catholic, or anyone, dies without confession or absolution, their salvation is uncertain.
They would say…
“God has bound salvation to the sacraments, be He Himself is not bound by His sacraments.”
Ultimately…
You are not going to bring up an argument or scripture that has not been addressed by the ancient churches.
The Reformation 500 years ago was a direct assault on the RCC that led to multiple schisms
If anything was going to tear it down, it would be the Reformation
But they were not seeking to tear it down.
They were REFORMING
What does this mean for you?
The Catholic church will tell you that if you don’t participate in their communion and forgiveness, your soul is in danger.
The Eastern Orthodox church will tell you a similar thing.
As will the Lutherans (Conservative)
While most others concentrate on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
But even that is early (1700’s through the Billy Graham era)
I am shifting away from the language of a personal relationship
Believe in Yahweh through Messiah Jesus
Be loyal to Yahweh by doing what you were instructed to do
When you sin against God, repent
When you sin against another, repent
Be baptized
Participate in communion
A Forgiving Church
A Forgiving Church
