Q. "My question is sparked by the paragraph where the church has the authority to forgive sins, Where does it say in doctrine, tradition or bible we must go to confession. And clarify why we have 2 different kinds of sins that are forgiven. Are these types of sins spelled out in doctrine, bible or tradition, that we must confess to a priest these sins to take communion or be full of grace. Often I have be asked where in the bible does it say you have to confess in order to partake in the body and blood of Christ. A guy I know hounds me on that because he states the bible does not say that, he says no one should be denied the body and blood of Christ."
A. Confession
Well confession started in the Old Testament. In the book of Leviticus, God told Moses that if someone commits a sin he should confess the sin, and the priest will make atonement for his sin (Lev 5-6). A couple other Old Testament confessions are in Numbers 5:5-7 and Ezra 9:1-2.
In the New Testament, Jesus told his Apostles, "If you forgive men's sins, they are forgiven them; if you hold them bound they are held bound (John 20:23)." He also gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Many people don't understand the gravity of that statement... Imagine throwing a party at your house, and giving the key to your house to someone else... they get decide who gets in and who stays out. Jesus, who's heaven it is, gave the keys to Peter and the Church. That is a lot of power.
Now, who ultimately forgives sins?
Jesus Christ. God the Father sent Jesus to forgive sins, but after his Resurrection, Jesus told the Apostles, " 'As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.' And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive men's sins, they are forgiven them; if you hold them bound they are held bound.' "(John 20:23) Now how important is this verse, really? Well, search the Bible for when God breathes on any human being. The only other time it happens is when he made man a living soul. AMAZING. That's how important this is.
Some might say this power died with the Apostles... But "some powers may have died with the apostles, such as the ability to write scriptures. But those powers necessary to maintain the Church as a living, spiritual society had to be passed down from generation to generation. If they ceased, the Church would cease, except as a quaint abstraction. Christ ordered the apostles to, 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.' It would take much time. And he promised them assistance: 'Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age' (Matt 28:19-20)" (Essential Catholic Survival Guide, by the staff of Catholic Answers) (emphasis mine.) So, as outlined in Acts 1:20 and Psalms 109:8, "another must take his place." The Apostles ordain new bishops, priests, and deacons many times over in the New Testament.
Some interesting verses regarding reconciliation (confession) are:
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
- John 20:23
- Matt 16:16-19
Different Types of Sins
As far as different types of sins, the Catholic Church teaches that sin puts distance between the sinner and God. A Mortal sin cuts us off COMPLETELY from Him, while a Venial sin merely pushes us farther away. Many protestants think this, too, is a "Catholic Invention" but it is not. This doctrine is found in scripture, though not explicitly stated. Rather than "inventing" this doctrine, the Catholic Church, using the power and authority bestowed upon it by Jesus Christ (see lesson 2), merely clarifies by giving names to the different sins referred to in Holy Scriptures.
- Matt 12:31, Mark 3:29, and Luke 12:10 all refer to a sin that will never be forgiven. This means that there are different degrees on severity of sin, because this one won't be forgiven, while other will.
- John 19:11 "guilty of a greater sin."
- 1 John 5:16 John is referring to a venial sin.
- 1 John 5:17 John is referring to a mortal sin.
- James 1:15 Sin can "mature," or get more severe
In Order to Partake in the Eucharist
This part of your question is very simple. In 1 Corinthians, Paul explicitly says: "Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgement on himself. That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying." 1 Cor 11:27-30 (italics mine)
Paul is being verrry severe in his language here. "unworthily"..."eats and drinks judgement on himself"...
How do we become worthy? By cleansing the stains of sin. How is that done? Reconciliation.
Once again, I love questions!! lambssupper@gmail.com
In Christ,
Luke
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