Time after time we are told in Scripture to ask for forgiveness for our sins directly from Christ alone.
All this distraction by the RCC that we are to ask each other for forgiveness is misdirection.
If we have wronged someone, of course we ask for their forgiveness for our unChristian behaviour.
But as for forgiving our actual sins which would otherwise condemn us to hell, Christ alone is the only propitiation.
The confessional booth is just one more tether the RCC ties to its congregants in order for them to believe (wrongly) that the intercession of the magisterium is required for their salvation.
One God. One mediator. One payment for our sins, Christ on the cross.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors..." -- Matthew 6:6-12"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Of course, the RCC gets around Christ's words by saying that members of their priestcraft are "another Christ" so everything is kosher.
lol. As if.
And yet “whose sins you forgive are forgiven; whose sins you hold bound are bound.”
So God did (and by Catholic thinking about apostolic succession still does) note whether or not one has confessed to others.
Yes, for who can forgive sins but God alone. Jesus didn't utter a peep against this saying. Plus, any time we sin against another we are also sinning against God. That requires two acts of asking forgiveness.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors..."
Just curious, how do you see the issue of our forgiving others, when the other is unrepentant and does not ask for forgiveness? On the one hand we have Christ forgiving our sins on the cross without our having asked. On the other hand we have things like:
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.
Obviously, if we die while carrying a grudge against someone, that isn't going to cost us our salvation. So, there's kind of two ways to look at it. Salvational forgiveness seems to be different from "other" forgiveness. I'm not sure which model we are supposed to follow. :) IF "not carrying a grudge" EQUALS forgiveness, then I suppose it would be as simple as that.