Topic 8 of 11
Confession and forgiveness
Catholics and Protestants agree that only God forgives sins. The Catechism teaches that confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance. Scripture says if we confess our sins to God, He is faithful to forgive.
Where we agree
Only God forgives sins.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1441 · official text
7“Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Mark 2:7 (WEB) · context
What the Catechism teaches
The Catechism teaches that confession to a priest is essential to the sacrament, and that bishops and priests have the power to forgive sins.
Confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1456 · official text
Indeed bishops and priests, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, have the power to forgive all sins
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1461 · official text
What Scripture says
John says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us. David confessed his sin to the Lord and was forgiven. Believers are told to confess their sins to one another and pray for one another, and to come boldly to the throne of grace through Jesus, our great high priest.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (WEB) · context
5I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Psalms 32:5 (WEB) · context
16Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.
James 5:16 (WEB) · context
14Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. 15For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (WEB) · context
How Catholics answer
Catholics point to John 20:23, where the risen Jesus tells the apostles that if they forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven.
22When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! 23If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”
John 20:22-23 (WEB) · context
What Scripture answers
In Acts the apostles carry out that commission by preaching forgiveness of sins to everyone who believes in Jesus. Scripture never shows them hearing private confessions or assigning penances. Forgiveness is declared through the gospel and received by faith.
43All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10:43 (WEB) · context
38Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins; 39and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Acts 13:38-39 (WEB) · context
The good news
Saved by grace, through faith, in Christ
Salvation is God's free gift to everyone who trusts Jesus Christ alone.