"CONFESSION OF SIN”

By Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.

A humorous article came to me recently that has a point to be considered. Read on!

    A Roman Catholic elder priest, speaking to a younger priest, said, "I know you were reaching out to the young people when you had bucket seats put in to replace the first four pews. It worked. We got the front of the church filled first."

    The young priest nodded and the old one continued, "And, you told me a little more beat to the music would bring young people back to church, so I supported you when you brought in that rock 'n roll gospel choir that packed us to the balcony."

    "So," asked the young priest, "what's the problem?" "Well", said the elder priest, "I'm afraid you've gone too far with the drive-thru confessional." The young priest protested, “But Father, my confessions have nearly doubled since I began the drive-thru confessional”.

    Then the elder priest said, "I know, my son, but the flashing neon sign, "Toot 'n Tell or Go to Hell", really has to go."

    God’s Bible (James 5:16) teaches that Christians need to confess their sins to one another. There is something about having a person who has flesh just as we do to talk to in moments of our need of sharing our burdens. In A.D. 1215 the Roman Catholic Church declared that a confessional booth which would be staffed by the priest would answer the needs of their people. Many have questioned the authority that the priest exercises when he states, “I absolve you from your sins...”.

    Many have concluded that the Bible teaches in I Timothy 2:5 that there is only one Mediator between God and sinning mankind and that is Jesus Christ. He is the one who died for the sins of mankind on Calvary’s Cross. It is He who has the nail prints in His hands, side and feet (John 20:20). Thus, no man has the right to say that “I absolve (acquit, pardon, forgive...) you from all sin”.

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