[SoothingDave]

Please see my 1426 where I outline several reasons for sacramental confession.

Do you really mean to suggest that, having been given this power by Jesus, the Apostles never forgave anyone, that no one ever came to them wracked with guilt?

SD

[Tax-chick]

May I say that your correct use of "wracked" has absolutely made my day? Thank you very much!

[gscc]

Jesus gave the apostles the powers to heal, raise the dead, cast out demons and you claim forgive sins. Can you show me one instance in Scripture when the apostles forgave sins.  Yet you claim that your polity has through apostolic succession been given the power to forgive sins.  How many of these other apostolic gifts do they still retain?

Acts 2:37-38 clearly Peter does not forgive the sins of the people.:

37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

 38Peter replied, "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.

Christ clearly is recorded as having forgiven sins (Matt. 9:6). Can you point to me an instance where Scripture records that anyone other than Christ forgives sins?

[Quester]

Please see my 1426 where I outline several reasons for sacramental confession.

Do you really mean to suggest that, having been given this power by Jesus, the Apostles never forgave anyone, that no one ever came to them wracked with guilt?

Of course I believe that the Apostles assured repentant souls of God's forgiveness ... much as ministers/priests/elders (as well as other associated christians) do today.

What I do not find is that it is required that one seek God's forgiveness in this manner.