The Catholic Encyclopedia defines “Absolution” as: that act of the priest whereby, in the Sacrament of Penance, HE FREES MAN FROM SIN. It presupposes on the part of the penitent, contrition, confession, and promise at least of satisfaction; on the part of the minister, valid reception of the Order of Priesthood and jurisdiction, GRANTED BY COMPETENT AUTHORITY, OVER THE PERSON RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT. That there is in the CHURCH POWER TO ABSOLVE SINS committed after baptism the Council of Trent thus declares: "But the Lord then principally instituted the Sacrament of Penance, when, being raised from the dead, He breathed upon His disciples saying, 'Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.' By which action so signal, and words so clear the consent of all the Fathers has ever understood that THE POWER OF FORGIVING AND RETAINING SINS WAS COMMUNICATED TO THE APOSTLES, AND TO THEIR LAWFUL SUCCESSORS for the reconciling of the faithful who have fallen after baptism" (Sess. XIV, i). (UPPERCASES added for emphasis)
Where does such practice lead? Look at what the Universal Life Church does with such forgiveness power:
:SIGH: Why do men always fight so against the simplicity of God’s Word?
Please consider this; Jesus told the Apostles that whatever sins they remitted would be remitted, and whatever sins they retained would be retained (See
John 20:22, 23). Jesus never meant this as a promise that these men—or any men—would have power to absolve or condemn sin. This is especially true when one sees that the Bible says that only God has such power (See
Mark 2:7, 10). Through the whole counsel of God’s Word what we do find is that Jesus was telling His Apostles that their word would play a key role in making His gospel promise a reality in men and women. To solidify this Jesus gave these men the keys to His kingdom (See Matt 16:13-19). A key is an instrument through which one can gain access to that which was unavailable to them. Jesus said that these apostolic keys would either bind men and keep them from accessing things here on earth and in heaven, or it would loose them to experience things here on earth and in heaven. “Bind” is to declare to be improper and unlawful; “loose” is to declare lawful. Here we see that the key is the Apostles’ Words and it functions according to how it is received by the hearer.
Now look at what Jesus prayed: “Neither pray I for these alone, BUT FOR THEM ALSO WHICH SHALL BELIEVE ON ME THROUGH THEIR WORD.” (
John 17:20)
What word would they preach? Jesus answered that in verse eight of the same chapter:
John 17:8
(8) For I HAVE GIVEN UNTO THEM THE WORDS WHICH THOU GAVEST ME; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
John 17:14
(14) I HAVE GIVEN THEM THY WORD; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I hope this helps.
Threaded Mode
