He gave the power to forgive sins to the disciples after the resurrection; see John 20:23.
And how were those sins forgiven? Through preaching the Word.
What is interesting is there is NO RECORD of the apostles ever hearing confessions.. And there were no individual confessions in the early church either until 1214 ...So it appears that neither the apostles nor the ECF thought they could "forgive sin"
They all died so that even if He did the way Catholics claim, they're not around any more.
This is beyond the scope of any Catholic, living or dead...But I'll put it down anyway...
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Does the bible speak of any of the 12 apostles forgiving anyone's sins??? Nope...Not a single time...Doesn't it occur to you people that after they have been given the commission to forgive sins, they never did it???
Did those apostles ever set on 12 thrones while judging the 12 tribes of Israel??? No??? Of course not...Because it hasn't happened yet...
Joh_18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Act 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
That's a physical kingdom they are looking for...And what did Jesus say??? Did Jesus say there would be no kingdom??? Nope...
Act 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
These apostles were offered the position of being 12 judges who would not only judge Israel but forgive sins...Did it ever happen??? No...That kingdom has not shown up...And it is NOT the Catholic religion...
I did some research on that book and John 20:23 does not mean that men can forgive sins. Only God can do that. I think I had typed “what does John 20:23 mean?”. I have studied the whole book in the past.