ServantofGod
Puritan Board Junior
My grandmother(who is Roman Catholic) and I have many long discussions of theology and the doctrines of grace. Most recent discussions have revolved around John 20:23:
"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
I run into a problem in our discussion because of this issue: Christ gave the apostles this authority to declare God's judgment on sin, and to the Roman church, the popes and priests have obtained this authority. My question is two(three?)-fold:
1. When, unless I lack an understanding of this verse, did the power and authority of the apostles end?
2. If we still have the authority to declare the forgiveness sins: Who can and can't declare the forgiveness sins? and how can one explain that we do not act IN THE PLACE OF Christ, but merely His spokespeople?
(I don't think I made any sense...)
"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
I run into a problem in our discussion because of this issue: Christ gave the apostles this authority to declare God's judgment on sin, and to the Roman church, the popes and priests have obtained this authority. My question is two(three?)-fold:
1. When, unless I lack an understanding of this verse, did the power and authority of the apostles end?
2. If we still have the authority to declare the forgiveness sins: Who can and can't declare the forgiveness sins? and how can one explain that we do not act IN THE PLACE OF Christ, but merely His spokespeople?
(I don't think I made any sense...)