Confession (for non-Catholic Christians only)

[waslostnowfound]

Ok so I attend a Catholic school, but I recently have adopted Baptist beliefs...I pretty sure/from what I can tell. Anyways as far as I know Baptists personally confess to God, right, and not through a priest/pastor, right? If not, time to start looking for another denomination lol and then completely omit this thread lol. But anyways to the point. Our school holds confessions every now and then, and since it's Catholic, then it's through a priest. Do you think I should attend or refuse it?

All answers appreciated, Justin.

[Sophie]

I'd say you could go to the church, just don't go into the confessional. God always likes one-on-one time with him.:nod So just sitting in the pew praying to him would be fine.

By the way, this advise is coming from a "recovering Catholic". Meaning one who was raised as such for 30 years, then left the Catholic church.

[waslostnowfound]

ya lol...that kinda happened to me

[kjlistrom]

REFUSE IT
We only have one mediator, and it is not a man behind a curtain, he can not tell you if God forgives you, as he is just a man. Our mediator is Jesus Christ, it is because of what He did on the cross that we can seek God's forgiveness.
Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, if you believe that, than you can kneel down in prayer and tell God Himself that you believe that and He will confirm it with the Holy Spirit. No man on this earth can can sit behind a curtain and do that for you.

[cinlynn]

Hi Justin! :):

There is only one mediator between God and man.. 1st Ti 2:5

His Word will always give you the answer! :thumb

[carmen]

Is confession mandatory by school rules, Justin?

[Harley]

there is no harm in confessing sins to another person, in fact it's biblical... just don't think you must confess to a priest (or anyone for that matter) to be forgiven, that's between you and god, or as the other's said, there is only one mediator. but there is nothing "wrong" with confessing sins to another person.

[70thWeek]

Don't go with the attitude that you have to confess to a priest, because you don't have to. But I don't think that it's wrong to do so either. Jesus is the one who will forgive you either way.

[LaMontre]

Is confession mandatory by school rules, Justin?

This would be my question as well.

I mean, we are admonished to confess our faults one to another. So I really see nothing wrong in it per se. Just so YOU know in your heart, that what your doing is NOT getting you forgiven. That was done on the cross over 2000 years ago. They say confession is good for the soul, and perhaps it is?

This verse is often misinterpretted:
1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Many emphasize the first part, and kind of forget about the last. This is what happens when you confess to God your a sinner, you are cleansed from ALL unrighteousness. Confession (as in James 5:16) then is for relationship, yes with God, but also with men.

[waslostnowfound]

No, it's not mandatory, and I don't feel like I have to, but what is expected, or at least what I was taught is to say "Bless me father for I have sinned, my last confession was...". Now that sounds unbiblical, but I was told that they believe that the priest is acing as a host for God or Jesus (not sure lol and also never really believed that) so if that's the case then I guess saying that isn't blasphemous, because it's directed to our real father, but then isn't it, because isn't believing that giving us itching ears? So I'm not sure if it is being unbiblical or not and that's why I'm asking you guys/gals lol :):

[carmen]

If you feel convicted not to participate and it's not mandatory, don't go :):. Easy solution, IMHO :nod.

[kjlistrom]

No, it's not mandatory, and I don't feel like I have to, but what is expected, or at least what I was taught is to say "Bless me father for I have sinned, my last confession was...". Now that sounds unbiblical, but I was told that they believe that the priest is acing as a host for God or Jesus (not sure lol and also never really believed that) so if that's the case then I guess saying that isn't blasphemous, because it's directed to our real father, but then isn't it, because isn't believing that giving us itching ears? So I'm not sure if it is being unbiblical or not and that's why I'm asking you guys/gals lol :):
To confess to a priest sitting behind a curtain is unbiblical, and don't partake in it. Some say that it's OK to tell your sins to others, Yes God says that, but to those that are going to help you and to hold you accountable after. A priest telling you to say 40 hail maries is not holding you accountable in any manor. It's unbiblical. You can go down on your knees and ask God for forgiveness at any time, and if you tell anyone, tell a close friend. Or someone you might trust here at RR.

[waslostnowfound]

Ok, so I guess I won't partake in it, however, I'm not going to make a deal and spazz about it either lol.

[kjlistrom]

Ok, so I guess I won't partake in it, however, I'm not going to make a deal and spazz about it either lol.

Good for you, I wouldn't spazz over it either.

[waslostnowfound]

Good for you, I wouldn't spazz over it either. :lol

[Harley]

If you feel convicted not to participate and it's not mandatory, don't go :):. Easy solution, IMHO :nod.

agreed, it's a personal preference issue - it's not like you'd be sinning if ya participated.

[SetApart]

Ok so I attend a Catholic school, but I recently have adopted Baptist beliefs...I pretty sure/from what I can tell. Anyways as far as I know Baptists personally confess to God, right, and not through a priest/pastor, right? If not, time to start looking for another denomination lol and then completely omit this thread lol. But anyways to the point. Our school holds confessions every now and then, and since it's Catholic, then it's through a priest. Do you think I should attend or refuse it?

All answers appreciated, Justin.

hi justin..
the last thing i would do, especially in this day and age, is look for a doctrine or a denomination of any kind to "look to"....all of your answers are in the Holy Bible...if you are concerned about your salvation, go directly to God in your prayer, confess your sins and ask Him to dwell within you....

not sure about how to advise you with regards to confessing to your priest, but first and foremost realize that they are not in any kind of role to redeem you or otherwise----that is strictly God's role.

then...spread this news to your ALL of your buddies!!!!

praying for you!!!

[SetApart]

Ok so I attend a Catholic school, but I recently have adopted Baptist beliefs...I pretty sure/from what I can tell. Anyways as far as I know Baptists personally confess to God, right, and not through a priest/pastor, right? If not, time to start looking for another denomination lol and then completely omit this thread lol. But anyways to the point. Our school holds confessions every now and then, and since it's Catholic, then it's through a priest. Do you think I should attend or refuse it?

All answers appreciated, Justin.

P.S. as an "older" christian..i am proud of you for your courage to reach out in this kind of forum!! good for you...and in my opinion, you will find solid christian fellowship here...keep asking questions!!

[Kyrie Eleison]

Ok, so I guess I won't partake in it, however, I'm not going to make a deal and spazz about it either lol.

:clap

[sandy111]

We go directly to the throne of grace!

right now I dont have time to find the scripture, so could someone post these for him????

scripture says confess our faults not our sins to others.

the priest has no authority from God to act as a "host" for God.
we have 1 mediator for us and thats Jesus!

go straight to Him! and you can talk to him anytime and anywhere. :thumb

[ZeroHour]

I don't get it. The Bible says "confess your sins to one another", yet the only one many Christians find it unacceptable to confess to is a priest, who BTW IS a Christian, although lots of people think otherwise. :confused

[carmen]

...yet the only one many Christians find it unacceptable to confess to is a priest, who BTW IS a Christian...I know this wasn't the point of your post, but feel the need to point out that this making a rather large assumption :):

[Proudmommy]

I don't get it. The Bible says "confess your sins to one another", yet the only one many Christians find it unacceptable to confess to is a priest, who BTW IS a Christian, although lots of people think otherwise. :confused

The problem is that I don't need absolution from another person who is just a fallible as I am. I need forgiveness from the One that can truly forgive me. Also, how can he, the priest, bless me for sinning? I think it is a really big assumption, too, to think that being a 'father' makes on a 'Christian'.

[70thWeek]

I don't get it. The Bible says "confess your sins to one another", yet the only one many Christians find it unacceptable to confess to is a priest, who BTW IS a Christian, although lots of people think otherwise. :confused

That's a good point.

[70thWeek]

I know this wasn't the point of your post, but feel the need to point out that this making a rather large assumption :):

no more than assuming that a pastor of any denomination is a Christian.

[SetApart]

no more than assuming that a pastor of any denomination is a Christian.

which is precisely why i suggested earlier not to look to denominations necessarily...but to look to God. deception is running rampant in today's world and churches both..it pains me to admit that...i have learned the hard way that some pastors/priests (perhaps more than i care to beleive) exclude God as the source of their message, but instead find their own ways to "build, reach, and lead a church"...which then raises the question of authentic christianity.

all of which makes it that much more critical to establish a direct line connection with God for repentance, ultimate guidance and truth. no one wants to get led down a wrong path or get caught up in a "movement" and not realize it until it is too late...God is the only One who can deliver us from anything we need to be delivered of--whether it is relates to a deceptive pastor/preacher/church doctrine or our sins.

:):

[carmen]

no more than assuming that a pastor of any denomination is a Christian.Denomination aside, when one is thinking of confessing to any pastor, I would think the question would be rather important, and not one I'd want to make an assumption about. If the person you're talking to about your sin isn't saved, it will be difficult for him to help anyone with their walk. IMHO, that is one of the reasons we are told to confess to one another--not so that we can gain forgiveness, but so that we can have the help and assistance of our family in Christ as we learn and grow in Him :):