You inferred wrong. Christ promised that whatever they bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Do you think that includes anything but that which is pure? (emphasis added)
Well, all I had to go on was the bolded part until your last post. So, that's what I based my inference on. :) How could I know what it includes, since I disagree with the premise in the first place?
All it means is that the priest must pray and ask the HS to forgive in earnest, knowing that he is a sinner, and not to judge others' sin as greater or lesser than his.
Why "must" it be the priest who asks for forgiveness? What would happen if the person just asked God for himself? For example:
1 John 1:9 : If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.Jer 15:19 (a) : Therefore this is what the Lord says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; ...
I don't see any mention of priests in any of these types of verses.
Okay, then what is your take on the "whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven?"
Preaching the Gospel is not binding or loosening. The binding (deo) is to tie, fasten, put under obligation and to loosen (luo) to un-tie, as in dissolving a matrimony...it's a very deliberate act, niot something like preaching.
Why "must" it be the priest who asks for forgiveness?
Because different people have been ordained different roles in the church, and binding and loosening is part of the apostolic clergy. Because God wants the Church to do His work on earth under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
So, if the priests in good faith and prayer forgives you, then it is forgiven in heaven as well. That is the promise we know from Mat 18:18.
You quoted: Jer 15:19 (a) : Therefore this is what the Lord says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me
Sounds like an "if-then" works-based salvation to me. Why are you quoting it? It also leaves the decision to repent to man. Oh, no! Does that mean we are in control? You may wish to retract this verse...