The Bible and Confession

The disciples were the first priests of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church and Christ gave them the power to forgive sin through the sacrament of confession when breathed upon them and said, ”Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20:22-23)

“all this from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation...So, we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us” (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be looses in heaven.” (Matt 18:18)

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

“ I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and what ever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt 16:19)

“Many of those who had become believers came forward and openly acknowledged their former practices.” (Acts 19:18)