Josh, I disagree that the believer can just confess his sins to God and have his sins forgiven. See Lev 5:14-26 shows public confession with animal sacrifice. See also Num 5:6-7 (confess and make restitution); Matt 3:6 (”baptized by him [John the Baptist] as they acknowledged their sins”); Acts 19:18 (”Many of those who had become believers came forward and openly acknowledged their former practices.); James 5:16 (”confess your sins to one another.”); Mark 1:5. Public confession was the practice of the early church. It is my understanding based on my reading of Tertullian that a priest under the authority of the Bishop, was present during the public confessions. Many thought that when the Catholic church to priests only it was being wimpy, too soft. But the idea that confession directly to God would have been abhorrent to the early Church. They knew that no sin is purely private. Each one damages the church. Jesus gave the power of forgiving sins to his Apostles. He said if they do not forgive a sin it is not forgiven. Jesus thought it would be a good idea to have middlemen so why do you believe you don’t. But hey, if you want to publicly confess your sins before the congregation, go to it!
You state: “The catholic church has appointed itself the link between God and man.” Well, no, Christ created his church as his bride. He appointed its first Bishops and told them to celebrate the Eucharist in his memory. He did not state that laymen or laywomen may celebrate the Eucharist. He told them they have the power to forgive sins. this is all in the Bible
Josh, I disagree that the believer can just confess his sins to God and have his sins forgiven. See Lev 5:14-26 shows public confession with animal sacrifice.
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I stopped attending mass more than 30 years ago. Are you saying now I have to confess to a priest and slaughter a goat?
Look, this is why I try to stay out of these debates. I can’t change your views, God has to show you the truth. I left the CC when I began to study it’s history without the catholic slant clouding my studies; please spare me the satan got me garbage. The CC is like the JW’s I witness to. You take the same scriptures out of context and ignore every scripture given in response to show your view is wrong. I must admit you are getting a little off the crazy train to bring up Jews and sacrifices. Just a little FYI; Animal sacrifices ended with the final sacrifice. There was no need for them anymore. With all due respect your reference to Leviticus displays bondage to the catholic teachings of self sacrifice and an ignorance to the gospel of grace. I will pray that you find the truth but will not banter back and forth with these old, tired, proven wrong attempts to defend your teachings. God’s grace to you.