I do confess my sins as a recognition that they are an affront and an offense to God's holiness. I don't know where you ever got the idea that I don't believe in confession of sins.
I go directly to the mercy seat in heaven; the throne of grace, as commanded in the word of God (Hebrews 4:15). I meet with the High Priest there. His name is Jesus Christ, Who payed my sin debt in its entirety. I meet there with Him as per 1 John 1:7-9 in context, and maintain my fellowship with the Father.
Every child of God (that does not mean every human being - to be a child of God requires a NEW CREATION by God) has direct and open right of access and entrance into the presence of God because of the Blood of Christ. The book of Hebrews spells all of this out quite clearly. I joyfully take advantage of it, and find it to be true in the Christian “experiment.”
Whatever you think the Church is that Christ founded in Matthew 16, it, NOR any earthly visible church can control the access and entrance of sinner or saint directly to the God's throne THROUGH Jesus Christ.
The Church of which Jesus Christ is the Head is HIS FULNESS, the union with Him of every regenerated soul, every soul from the Cross to the Second Coming of Christ who has relied on Christ (by deliberate, positive faith) as their Sin-Bearer, Sin-Debt-Payer, Righteousness, living Lord, and Eternal Life. All who genuinely belong to Christ in this age ARE HIS CHURCH — HIS BODY.
Wonderful. I did not know you go to Mass.
Whatever you think the Church is that Christ founded in Matthew 16, it, NOR any earthly visible church can control the access and entrance of sinner or saint directly to the God's throne THROUGH Jesus Christ.
Actually, the Church founded on the person and faith of St. Peter can, in the name of Christ, control access to the Heavenly Kingdom, the scripture says. Remember the keys part?
I still did not see an answer from you to why did Christ commission the Apostles to forgive sins, and where exactly did He tell us to go directly to Him, and not through them, for forgiveness of sin.
A wonderful post, John Leland! I wish all could really see and believe what you have written.