Replies

"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (John 20: 21-23)

You have an interesting take on this passage. I don't see where JESUS says to the Apostles "and all future priests of the Roman Church will also have this power."

Of course not, because then you'd see where you are lacking.

Here we go again, always the put down. If you are truly attempting apologetics it seems that constantly putting in your little shots is not going to promote discussion.
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"I read this passage and see two possible explanations that I believe are more plausible; one, Jesus was empowering these Apostles with supernatural powers because they would be the catalysts for the initial body of believers;

And Jesus knew that after the 1st century ended no one would need to have their sins forgiven? Confession of sins and absolution by an Apostle were sacraments, but only temporarily?"

How is it that I'm confident your being snide when you say "but only temporarily."

JESUS did not indicate this supernatural power would continue forever. Is it possible that THE LORD knew the SCRIPTURES would bring believers into a right relationship and as a result their sins would be forgive.
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"Maybe the charge to baptise all the nations is a metaphor, too?"

Thanks for your continued insightful comments and points of discussion.
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"The confessor" is the priest. Kind of confusing terminology. The person seeking absolution is known as the "penitent."

Granted I made an error in terminology, but was it really that tough to figure out. You just can't help yourself, your always seeking a way to put down the questioner unless of course they walk in lock step with you. In my church we don't have priests who claim special powers and we are always encouraged to go straight to the LORD.

Of course not, because then you'd see where you are lacking.

Here we go again, always the put down. If you are truly attempting apologetics it seems that constantly putting in your little shots is not going to promote discussion.

This is an observation, not a "put down." You'll know when you are being put down. I'm sorry, but you are lacking by not having access to a priesthood and sacraments. but you have so much tied up in this that you can't see the plain evidence of the Bible, and instead make up reasons why it doesn't say what it says.

How is it that I'm confident your being snide when you say "but only temporarily."

Because it's preposterous that Jesus would establish a sacrament for a few decades, then take it away as unnecessary. What could possibly account for a temporary sacrament? (he asks pregnantly)

JESUS did not indicate this supernatural power would continue forever. Is it possible that THE LORD knew the SCRIPTURES would bring believers into a right relationship and as a result their sins would be forgive.

Ah yes. Jesus gave the Apostles superpowers but only until they could write their Book, then He took them all away. Now that we have the Bible, we don't need sacraments.

What an odd, and yet necessary for you, theory.

But if these super powers are taken away, as unnecessary once the Bible is finished, why retain Baptism and Communion?

"Maybe the charge to baptise all the nations is a metaphor, too?"

Thanks for your continued insightful comments and points of discussion.

Sorry if you don't like the way your metaphorization of one Biblical verse applies to another. Jesus commanded both, so it seems like the same way of interpreting should apply to both.

"The confessor" is the priest. Kind of confusing terminology. The person seeking absolution is known as the "penitent."

Granted I made an error in terminology, but was it really that tough to figure out. You just can't help yourself, your always seeking a way to put down the questioner unless of course they walk in lock step with you.

Now you're just reading things that aren't there. This is a gentle correction. I told you the right terms and granted that the terminology is confusing. How was I to do this without you seeing it as a "put down"?

Am I that deep inside your head now?

SD: "The confessor" is the priest. Kind of confusing terminology. The person seeking absolution is known as the "penitent."

wmfights: "Granted I made an error in terminology, but was it really that tough to figure out. You just can't help yourself, your always seeking a way to put down the questioner unless of course they walk in lock step with you."

wmfights, I don't think there was any put down intended. The terminology is legitimately confusing. One would think that the Confessor was the person confessing their sins. I mentioned the same point to you in my response to your post, and no slam was intended at all. You're not Catholic, there's no reason you could be expected to know this information unless we explained it to you.