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Understanding Roman Catholicism
by Rick Jones
© 1995 by Rick Jones
Reproduced by Permission
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The Church
Forgives Sins
Catholicism
teaches that
it
has the power
and authority to
forgive people's
sins. Here are a
few quotes from
the Catechism.
(Please note
that whenever
the Catechism
mentions the
"Church," it is
referring to the
"Roman Catholic
church"):
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"There
is
no
offense,
however
serious,
that
the
Church
cannot
forgive."
Pg.
256,
#982
"By
Christ's
will,
the
Church
possesses
the
power
to
forgive
the
sins
of
the
baptized..."
Pg.
257,
#986
"The
Church,
who
through
the
bishop
and
his
priests
forgives
sins
in
the
name
of
Jesus
Christ..."
Pg.
363-364,
#1448 |
Does the
Catholic church
have power to
forgive sins?
Let's see what
the Scriptures
say:
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"Why
doth
this
man
thus
speak
blasphemies?
who
can
forgive
sins
but
God
only?"
Mark
2:7
"And
be
ye
kind
one
to
another,
tenderhearted,
forgiving
one
another,
even
as
God
for
Christ's
sake
hath
forgiven
you."
Ephesians
4:32
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According to
Scripture, God
wants His
children to come
straight to Him
for forgiveness
of sins, not to
a church:
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"Let
us
therefore
come
boldly
unto
the
throne
of
grace,
that
we
may
obtain
mercy,
and
find
grace
to
help
in
time
of
need."
Hebrews
4:16 |
This verse
loudly proclaims
that forgiveness
of sins comes
from God's
throne, not from
a church. Still,
Catholicism
teaches a
contrary
doctrine:
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"Indeed
bishops
and
priests,
by
virtue
of
the
sacrament
of
Holy
Orders,
have
the
power
to
forgive
all
sins
'in
the
name
of
the
Father,
and
of
the
Son,
and
of
the
Holy
Spirit.'
"
Pg.
367,
#1461
"The
Church
must
be
able
to
forgive
all
penitents
their
offenses,
even
if
they
should
sin
until
the
last
moment
of
their
lives."
Pg.
255,
#979 |
However, this
man-made
doctrine
contradicts God'
s written Word.
Many Bible
characters
freely
approached God's
throne for
forgiveness of
sins. The
psalmist went
straight to God:
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"I
acknowledged
my
sin
unto
thee...
I
said,
I
will
confess
my
transgressions
unto
the
LORD;
and
thou
forgavest
the
iniquity
of
my
sin..."
Psalm
32:5 |
King David went
directly to God
to ask
forgiveness for
his sins:
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"Look
upon
mine
affliction
and
my
pain;
and
forgive
all
my
sins."
Psalm
25:18
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In Psalm 51,
David asks God
for forgiveness
again:
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"Wash
me
thoroughly
from
mine
iniquity,
and
cleanse
me
from
my
sin.
Against
thee,
thee
only,
have
I
sinned,
and
done
this
evil
in
thy
sight..."
Psalm
51:2,4
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King Solomon was
also aware that
he and all the
children of
Israel could go
straight to God
to receive
forgiveness for
their sins:
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"Hearken
therefore
unto
the
supplications
of
thy
servant,
and
of
thy
people
Israel,
which
they
shall
make
toward
this
place:
hear
thou
from
thy
dwelling
place,
even
from
heaven;
and
when
thou
hearest,
forgive."
2
Chronicles
6:21
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God tells people
to come to Him
for forgiveness:
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"If
my
people,
which
are
called
by
my
name,
shall
humble
themselves,
and
pray,
and
seek
my
face,
and
turn
from
their
wicked
ways;
then
will
I
hear
from
heaven,
and
will
forgive
their
sin,
and
will
heal
their
land."
2
Chronicles
7:14
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God never
requires anyone
to go through a
church to
receive
forgiveness for
their sins.
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"For
thou,
Lord,
art
good,
and
ready
to
forgive;
and
plenteous
in
mercy
unto
all
them
that
call
upon
thee."
Psalm
86:5
"...
if
any
man
have
a
quarrel
against
any:
even
as
Christ
forgave
you,
so
also
do
ye."
Colossians
3:13
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Why then would
the Catholic
church insist
that forgiveness
of sins is only
available
through her? The
following
Catechism quote
provides the
answer:
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"
Were
there
no
forgiveness
of
sins
in
the
Church,
there
would
be
no
hope
of
life
to
come
or
eternal
liberation.
Let
us
thank
God
who
has
given
his
Church
such
a
gift."
Pg.
256,
#983
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Rather than
looking to Jesus
for forgiveness
of sins and
eternal life,
Roman Catholics
are taught that
their sins can
only be forgiven
through the
Catholic church.
Whether
intentional or
not, this
doctrine keeps
people in
bondage to the
Catholic church.
Conclusion
Once again, God'
s Word stands on
one side, while
the traditions
of men stand on
the other. God
says He alone
forgives sins,
while Catholic
tradition
contends that
the Catholic
church has the
power to forgive
sins. Which side
will you choose?
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"Bless
the
LORD,
O my
soul,
and
forget
not
all
his
benefits:
Who
forgiveth
all
thine
iniquities..."
Psalm
103:2-3 |
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