Apostle Absolution

Confusing Apostle authority with congregational authority is a big problem among Catholics.

In the New Testament there are several levels of authority concerning forgiveness.

1. The Father has power to forgive. Exodus 32:32 Luke 11:4 Luke 23:34

2. Christ had power to forgive on earth. Matthew 9:6

3. The Apostles had power to forgive. John 20:23 2 Corinthians 2:

4. Each congregation as a group had power to forgive. 2 Corinthians 2:10

5. Each individual had power to forgive on an individual basis.

Unfortunately. Catholics transferred Apostle authority to all priests. The authority of the apostles in their view is transferred through Apostolic Succession. Unfortunately for them, not all powers of the Apostles were transferred to successive generations.

Joh 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Joh 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

An apostle was one directly sent by Christ. With this direct authority came the authority to forgive as in Christ's presence.

Only the apostles were given this direct commission, it was not given to local Bishops or presbyters.

Dis-fellowship was a power within the local body, they could also forgive as a group.

Compare:

2Co 2:6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.

2Co 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

2Co 2:8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

2Co 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

2Co 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;

It was the church as a group who could forgive and reinstate, it was the Apostle Paul who forgave in the person of Christ. So Auricular confession and forgiveness through an individual priest wasn't scriptural. Even James 2 says to call the Elders plural, not a priest.