It is so hard to understand how Protestants can claim that the forgiveness of sins comes through "preaching" only and not through the Sacraments when Scripture is outright:
Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Washing away one's sins must mean to "forgive their sins" in Baptism.
I guess I can understand how they question the Sacrament of Confession as I don't see it explicitly in John 20:23. However, this is where the understanding of the Traditions is invaluable to me. Especially, in this case, the Tradition of the Sacraments. When we present ourselves to the Priest in Confession, it is as though we present ourselves to Christ, who said:
Matthew 9:5
For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
Christ can wash away our sins with water, Christ can wash away our sins with a word, Christ can wash away our sins through the ministry of reconciliation which He appointed to the Church:
2 Corinthians 5:18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Yeah and Amen! It is the Sacraments by which we become citizens of Sion, in this life:
Hebrews 12:
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Washing away one's sins must mean to "forgive their sins" in Baptism.
I guess I can understand how they question the Sacrament of Confession as I don't see it explicitly in John 20:23. However, this is where the understanding of the Traditions is invaluable to me. Especially, in this case, the Tradition of the Sacraments. When we present ourselves to the Priest in Confession, it is as though we present ourselves to Christ, who said:
Matthew 9:5
For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
Christ can wash away our sins with water, Christ can wash away our sins with a word, Christ can wash away our sins through the ministry of reconciliation which He appointed to the Church:
2 Corinthians 5:18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Yeah and Amen! It is the Sacraments by which we become citizens of Sion, in this life:
Hebrews 12:
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Sincerely,
De Maria
