Confession & Reconciliation
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Why this lesson now: "why confess to a priest instead of straight to God?" is one of the most common practical objections you'll hear, and it hasn't been covered yet even though the Eucharist (a related sacrament) has been.
1. What each side actually claims
The Protestant/Bible-church position: 1 John 1:9 says "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us" — directly to God, with Christ as the sole mediator (1 Tim 2:5, Heb 4:14-16). No human intermediary is needed or biblically warranted; only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7).
The Catholic position: Christ instituted a sacrament in which a priest, acting in Christ's own authority, pronounces absolution for confessed sins. This doesn't replace private prayer and contrition — Catholics also pray directly to God for forgiveness — but holds that Christ additionally gave a specific, visible, accountable means of receiving and being assured of that forgiveness.
2. Steelman the objection first
"Mark 2:7 has the scribes ask exactly the right question when Jesus forgives a paralyzed man's sins: 'Who can forgive sins but God alone?' The text doesn't correct that premise — it's true. If only God can forgive sins, no priest, however ordained, can actually do it. Confessing to a human being adds an unnecessary and unbiblical layer between you and Christ."
3. The Catholic response
Mark 2:7's premise ("only God can forgive sins") is exactly right — and Jesus's response is to demonstrate that he, as God, has that authority, then visibly prove it by healing the man (Mark 2:10-11). The key move comes later: in John 20:21-23, the risen Jesus breathes on the apostles and says, "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you... Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." This is a direct commissioning — Jesus explicitly extends his own unique authority to specific men, in a way that only makes sense if it's a real, delegated judicial power (you can't meaningfully "retain" sins you have no authority over at all). The forgiveness still originates in and depends entirely on God; the priest doesn't forgive by his own independent power, any more than a bank teller who hands you money is the ultimate source of the funds.
James 5:16 shows the practice already had a communal, spoken dimension in the earliest Church: "confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed" — not framed as merely private and internal. Common ground worth naming: Catholics fully affirm private prayer for forgiveness too (an Act of Contrition, ongoing repentance) — sacramental confession adds a concrete means of receiving assurance and accountability, it doesn't replace direct access to God.
The earliest external evidence: Tertullian, writing around 203 AD, describes exomologesis — a formal, structured practice of confession before the community and its leaders — showing sacramental confession is an ancient practice, not a medieval invention.
- John 20:21-23. Jesus sends the apostles as the Father sent him, breathes on them and gives authority to forgive or retain sins. They cannot know sins by magic, so people must bring them. Ask how a Protestant reading handles "retained."
- Calvin's reading. He took it as acceptance or rejection of the preaching, but the text says nothing about preaching.
- Old Covenant pattern. In Leviticus 5:5 the sinner confesses, brings an offering, and the priest makes atonement. Priestly duties pass to the apostles and their successors.
4. Retrieval practice
What does John 20:23 grant to the apostles?
How does James 5:16 support confessing sins to others, not only privately to God?
What's the Catholic answer to "only God can forgive sins" (Mark 2:7)?
Which early Church Father (c. 203 AD) attests to a formal practice of confession?
5. Primary source to read next
Catholic Answers — "Confession" and "The Forgiveness of Sins" and CCC §1440-1470 on the Sacrament of Penance.
For balance: GotQuestions on confession to a priest.
Stuck, unconvinced, or want to push harder on this? Ask me directly — bring a specific verse or something a Protestant has said to you, and we'll work through it before moving on.
Worth talking through with a person. This one is better understood by experience and conversation than by reading. Ask your priest or sponsor how to prepare.
Saved on this device only. It's included when you export Progress.
Quick reference: Confession & Reconciliation cheat sheet.