The Catholic catechism states that Priests have the power to forgive sins. To me the most ungodly act committed by Catholics is confessing their sins to a Priest, a sinful human being who most likely has molested a child at some point in his past. Only God can forgive sins and the Bible makes that abundantly clear. The sad thing is Catholics go around thinking their sins have been forgiven when, in truth, if they haven’t confessed their sins directly to God and asked for His forgiveness their sins are still with them.
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 51:2-3 – Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Throughout the history of the Roman Catholic church it has claimed they have the right to condemn people to hell. Popes used the threat of “excommunication” to scare people into obeying the church. The church clergy sold eternal life to the highest bidder. Through these “indulgencies” the sins of Catholics, both alive and those in Purgatory, can be forgiven. What a bunch of lies! Only God can forgive sin or send someone to to hell. This is nothing more than a complicated system of spiritual blackmail by having members perform good works established by the church to keep members in bondage while at the same time maintaining the power and influence of the church. The point is to keep money pouring into the church coffers.
Matthew 10:28 – (Jesus speaking) – And do not fear those kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Titus 3:5 – Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us.
What is clear from Scripture is that sin brings spiritual death and the degree of sin makes no difference in our ultimate fate because sin is sin. No amount of money or good works can erase our sin debt. If we don’t get rid of our sin we are destined for an eternity in hell. God in His love and mercy has given us a way out of our ultimate fate if we take it by our own free will. Only the blood of Christ can remove our sin and that as a free gift from God through faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Trust in anything else leads to an eternity in the fires of hell.
Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 119:97-99 – Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.