If people think that a "preist" can forgive sins alone, they are being deceived. If the emphasis is not on Christ and on the priest who actually, sits in judgement, how is this justified? All the scripture you're pointing too has to do with the Apostles whom Jesus gave the "authority," not the power, to forgive sin. Now, I realize our argument might be semantic, but it's central to what I'm referring too. Christ is the focus, it is Christ that forgives sin and ONLY him, he is the advocate for US to the Father. When we sin the father does not look upon a priest, he sees Christ sacrifice.
Your taking these scriptures and applying them to your church, as I could just as easily twist the scripture to fit a particular view. That's why we have cults and NO, the Catholic church is not a cult!
Go read the letters to the Seven Churches and then you'll get some idea of what I'm trying to say. Those letters apply to Every church and are basically saying you all are allowing things not of Christ to prevail, stop it! Oh and btw, All seven churches letters apply to All churches of Christ.
By putting emphasis on the Pope, Mary, Bishops, Priest, takes away the focus on the person whom you should, and that is Christ, OFF the cross, because he is risen TODAY!
If I ask in the name of Jesus to forgive my sin and no priest is around, does Christ forgive my sin?
I'm sorry your theory doesn't jive with John 3:16, or a multitude of other scriptures I could quote.Jesus taught that we must endure to the very end to be saved. If this is true, then how can Protestants believe in the erroneous teaching of "Once saved, always saved?"
This tells me alone where you're coming from and you're totally worng on this too...I don't think Christ has to get back up on the cross everytime I sin. Stop listening to satan's lies about whether or not Christ can save you once and for all eternity. If we can lose are salvation, then it was never eternal, which would turn God's word into a lie if we could lose our salvation...You don't believe God's word is a lie. Christ died once, for all, stop putting him back up on the cross!
That "All" refers not only to "all" of mankind, but more specifically "All" your personal sins. Past, Future, Present..."ALL" of them. How could you lose your salvation?
Btw, I'm purposely trying to stay away from a scripture tit for tat, but I realize some might be neccessary to use so you may make a point.
Dear friend,
Because the Old and New Testament Scriptures are the divinely-revealed, written Word of God, Catholics venerate the Scriptures as they venerate the Lord’s body. But Catholics do not believe that God has given us His divine Revelation in Christ exclusively through Scripture. Catholics also believe that God’s Revelation comes to us through the Apostolic Tradition and teaching authority of the Church.
What Church? Scripture reveals this Church to be the one Jesus Christ built upon the rock of Saint Peter (Matt. 16:18). By giving Peter the keys of authority (Matt. 16:19), Jesus appointed Peter as the chief steward over His earthly kingdom (cf. Isaiah. 22:19-22). Jesus also charged Peter to be the source of strength for the rest of the apostles (Luke 22:32) and the earthly shepherd of Jesus' flock (John 21:15-17). Jesus further gave Peter, and the apostles and elders in union with him, the power to bind and loose in heaven what they bound and loosed on earth. (Matt. 16:19; 18:18). This teaching authority did not die with Peter and the apostles, but was transferred to future bishops through the laying on of hands (e.g., Acts 1:20; 6:6; 13:3; 8:18; 9:17; 1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6).
By virtue of this divinely-appointed authority, the Catholic Church determined the canon of Scripture (what books belong in the Bible) at the end of the fourth century. We therefore believe in the Scriptures by the authority of the Catholic Church. After all, nothing in Scripture tells us what Scriptures are inspired, what books belong in the Bible, or that Scripture is the final authority on questions concerning the Christian faith. Instead, the Bible says that the Church, not the Scriptures, is the pinnacle and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15) and the final arbiter on questions of the Christian faith (Matt. 18:17). It is through the teaching authority and Apostolic Tradition (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6; 1 Cor. 11:2) of this Church, who is guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,26; 16:13), that we know of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, and the manifold wisdom of God. (cf. Ephesians 3:10).
All seven churches letters apply to All churches of Christ.
Jesus said his Church would be "the light of the world." He then noted that "a city set on a hill cannot be hid" (Matt. 5:14). This means his Church is a visible organization. It must have characteristics that clearly identify it and that distinguish it from other churches. Jesus promised, "I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). This means that his Church will never be destroyed and will never fall away from him. His Church will survive until his return.
Among the Christian churches, only the Catholic Church has existed since the time of Jesus. Every other Christian church is an offshoot of the Catholic Church. The Eastern Orthodox churches broke away from unity with the pope in 1054. The Protestant churches were established during the Reformation, which began in 1517. (Most of today’s Protestant churches are actually offshoots of the original Protestant offshoots.)
Only the Catholic Church existed in the tenth century, in the fifth century, and in the first century, faithfully teaching the doctrines given by Christ to the apostles, omitting nothing. The line of popes can be traced back, in unbroken succession, to Peter himself. This is unequaled by any institution in history.
If we wish to locate the Church founded by Jesus, we need to locate the one that has the four chief marks or qualities of his Church. The Church we seek must be one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.
Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth
God bless you on your journey.