Scripture connects the confession of sins with God’s forgiveness; Psalm 32:5 directly speaks of confessing to the Lord, while 1 John 1:9 says that when we confess our sins, God forgives and cleanses us. James instructs believers to confess their sins to one another and pray for one another, while John 20:23 records Jesus’ words to His disciples about forgiving and retaining sins. Whether these passages imply a mandatory confession to a priest is understood differently by Christians.
What Does the Bible Say About This?
- 1 John 1:8–10: those who say they have no sin deceive themselves; if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Psalm 32:5 and Proverbs 28:13 connect confessing and forsaking sin with forgiveness and mercy.
- James 5:14–16: the sick person calls for the elders of the church, who pray over him and anoint him with oil; the prayer of faith will heal him, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven. It continues: confess your sins to one another and pray for one another. The FBE says “elders,” not “priests.”
- John 20:21–23: the risen Jesus tells His disciples that He is sending them as the Father sent Him, breathes on them, and tells them to receive the Holy Spirit; then He says that the sins they forgive will be forgiven, and those they retain will remain.
- Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:15–18: Jesus speaks of the keys of the kingdom and the authority to bind and loose; in Matthew 18, this follows the procedure for confronting a brother: privately, before witnesses, and then before the church.
- Acts 19:18: many of those who believed came, confessing and disclosing their practices. This is a narrative account of an event.
- Interpretations differ: the sacramental reading understands John 20:23 and Matthew 16 and 18 as establishing a ministry of forgiveness of sins carried out by ministers in confession; however, the texts themselves contain neither the word “priest” nor a rite of confession.
- The nonsacramental reading: God grants forgiveness when sins are confessed (1 John 1:9), while Psalm 32:5 directly speaks of confessing to the Lord; James 5:16 and Matthew 18 speak of mutual confession and the church’s care, but do not establish mandatory confession to a minister; this too is an interpretation. The texts say neither “a priest is not needed” nor “God will not forgive without a priest.”
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
8 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
1 John 1:8–10
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
James 5:14–16
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
John 20:21–23
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, so I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.”
Psalm 32:5
But I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin.
Proverbs 28:13
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Matthew 16:19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:15–18
15 “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Acts 19:18
Many of those who believed came, confessing and openly disclosing their deeds.
