CONFESSION OF SINS
What Is the Meaning of Confession of Sins in the Bible?
"Confession" means "to say the same thing."
In connection with our salvation, confession is the personal acknowledgment of the transgressions in our lives that God has spoken of and condemned through divine revelation.
But confession involves more than mere tacit acknowledgment. Judas confessed: "I have sinned" (Mt. 27:4), yet he died lost (Jn. 17:12). Confession must be coupled with repentance, which involves forsaking the sin.
When one has sinned against another, in the presence of another, or simply against God, he must confess it to whatever extent it is known (see Ezra 9:6; Acts 19:18; Jas. 5:16).
The dogma of "auricular [in the ear] confession," as taught in Catholic circles (i.e., confessing to a priest), is a practice with no scriptural support. Note that the confession in James 5:16 is reciprocal.
In connection with our salvation, confession is the personal acknowledgment of the transgressions in our lives that God has spoken of and condemned through divine revelation.
But confession involves more than mere tacit acknowledgment. Judas confessed: "I have sinned" (Mt. 27:4), yet he died lost (Jn. 17:12). Confession must be coupled with repentance, which involves forsaking the sin.
When one has sinned against another, in the presence of another, or simply against God, he must confess it to whatever extent it is known (see Ezra 9:6; Acts 19:18; Jas. 5:16).
The dogma of "auricular [in the ear] confession," as taught in Catholic circles (i.e., confessing to a priest), is a practice with no scriptural support. Note that the confession in James 5:16 is reciprocal.
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Adapted from the book "Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy" by Wayne Jackson
