Lesson 4585

 (Lesson 4585)(08-23-24) John 20:18-23 

    “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” 

 

As I stated yesterday, today’s lesson is a continuation of yesterday’s. 

  The latter part of the quote, specifically where Jesus breathes on His disciples and says, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained," has been historically interpreted by the Catholic Church as the basis for the sacrament of confession, where priests, they believe, have the authority to forgive sins. This passage has been used to justify the notion that priests, as representatives of the apostles, have been granted the power by Jesus to forgive or retain sins. The Catholic Church views this authority as being passed down through apostolic succession, meaning that the spiritual authority given to the apostles by Jesus has been handed down through the generations to the priests of today. However, this interpretation has been challenged by many, myself included, who believe that passage does not support the idea that a human intermediary, such as a priest, has ever been given the power to forgive sins. Instead, I believe that the authority Jesus gave to His apostles was a broader commissioning for ministry, particularly in proclaiming the gospel, rather than a specific power to forgive sins in a judicial sense. The New Testament consistently teaches that only God can forgive sins and that Jesus' work on the cross is the sole basis for the forgiveness of sins. That passage in John should be understood as Jesus empowering His disciples to declare the forgiveness of sins through the gospel message, rather than giving any human being the direct authority to forgive sins. In essence, the later part of this quote has been used by the Catholic Church to support the practice of confession and the belief that priests have the authority to forgive sins. However, this interpretation is erroneous in that forgiveness is solely the domain of God and is received through faith in Jesus Christ. ~