Let's go to Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:1-11. Paul has found out that the unrepentant brother mentioned about in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 for having sexual relations with his father's wife that was excommunicated by that church at Corinth has repented and the church has forgiven him and let him back into fellowship. Paul was giving assurances to that church that he commanded to excommunicate the unrepentant brother that as they have forgiven the repentant brother, so has he also.
JIF, This is part two from yesterday re confession...
You picked interesting verses. The CC says that confession is necessary because the sin is against the entire community; just as the sinful brother was expelled from the church, so should all sinners be...but instead confession to a priest represents confession to the entire community --- which was literal in the beginning. A person had to stand up and confess to everyone. This was changed due to the problems it caused.
The priest also acts in the person of Christ, IOW, with His authority.2 Corinthians 2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. This had to deal with forgiving and accepting a repentant brother back into fellowship in the church. Since the whole church had to forgive him to let him back in, so Paul had to assure the church that he also forgave him since he had ordered them to excommunicate the formerly unrepentant brother, and he did so in the pattern set forth by Christ or in the manner or in the person of Christ as the example. The point of 2 Corinthians 2:11 should be clear as warned below in another reference.
Wouldn't these verses tend to confirm the catholic confession?
I had once done a little study on Mathew 6:14 but I can't remember too much of it. I remember that in some way we hinder God from forgiving persons if we don't forgive them. I don't really understand this verse too much.Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
That still does not negate going to Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and for help in repentance, but the forgiveness from the body of believers should be towards those that had asked for forgiveness and had repented for coming back in after having been excommunicated from the assembly.
I don't know of anyone who had to repent to a church in order to be allowed back into the community. But, of course, I'm not familiar with all church denominations.
But, yes, Paul is saying that if a person is repentant he should be allowed back into the church.
Paul may not be clear in 2 Corinthians 2:1-11 in regards to that incident in 1 Corinthians 5th chapter, but I believe that was what he was referring to as I am sure the church had written him in regards to that brother finally repented for why he is giving assurance that he has forgiven him also so that the next time he visits that church, Paul knows why he is still there for he has repented and forgiven by the church to return to fellowship.
Agreed. You explain very well why Paul was written to a second time.
I suppose the important factor in all of this is that only God can forgive sin.
Of course, the CC claims Apostolic succession and I DO believe they have it...
I do believe they are the original church --- I guess this causes part of my problem with confession.
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