What makes you think that any of us don't?
To reiterate with a blanket statement, priests and the Catholic Church are a gift of God to us indeed; the Holy Scripture records that gift being given in the shape of the bishops/priests commanded to feed us the Eucharist, forgive or retain our sins, spread the gospel of salvation by grace of God alone, and give us guidance in everyday lives.
If bishops can forgive or retain sin, then salvation is not through Christ alone, it is through other fallible and very human men.
Knowing the heart of man and what Scripture has to say about it, I find it beyond comprehension that God would give that kind of unmitigated power to any man. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Giving very fallible and easily corruptible men that kind of power is a recipe for disaster. Just how many people could be burning in hell for eternity right now because some corrupt priest, bishop, or pope withheld forgiveness of sins?
Scripture very clearly says.....1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
No if's and's or but's about it. God promises forgiveness from Himself upon confession, and with no mention of having to go to a priest to do it. Telling Him is good enough, or He would have let us know of the conditions.
Amen. Lies and half-truths are complicated and confusing. The truth is spoken clearly. It's just not that difficult to understand.
Knowing the heart of man and what Scripture has to say about it, I find it beyond comprehension that God would give that kind of unmitigated power to any man. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
AMEN!
It's interesting to note the full quote, which isn't usually given --
"Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. All great men are bad men." -- Lord Acton.
I am sorry to hear that, since the scripture very clearly records that as a fact, John 20:21-23.
That is correct, He does promise forgiveness upon confession, but as we saw in John 20:21,23, that confession has to be to someone Jesus sent "as Himself", -- a priest. Compare 2 Corinthians 5:18 where reconciliation is characterized as a "ministry".
Jesus does encourage forgiveness between the laity, of course, -- I am not denying that.