As the centuries progressed from the commencement of the early Christian Church, several practices developed within The Roman Catholic Communion, which were patently unscriptural. One such practice was Nepotism. The act of conferring upon a close relative an important position or office within the church. Even though other, more qualified candidates were available. For this reason, such an appointee was clearly unqualified. Another unbiblical practice was Simony. The act of selling a sacred office to anyone with the money to purchase it. This practice was named after Simon, the sorcerer who attempted to purchase the Holy Spirit for a price from The Apostle Peter.
“And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Then Simon answered and said, ‘Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.'” Acts 8:18-24 (NKJV)
Eventually, The Papacy started claiming it had the power to forgive sins. Such power, it claimed, it has conferred upon every officiating priest. On the contrary, however, Such authority was never bestowed upon any human by The Saviour. Who alone is our glorious High Priest. Therefore, every penitent and repentant sinner must pray to Christ Himself for the absolution of all his sins.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:8-9 (NKJV).
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 (NKJV)
It is of great significance to note that no time in the New Testament did any disciple or apostle claim to have the authority to forgive sins. Such claims were made exclusively by The Son of God. Furthermore, not even in The Old Testament did the Aaronic High Priest or any subordinate cleric make any such claim. The forgiveness of sins was a promise made solely by God Himself if certain conditions were fulfilled by the transgressor. Every penitent sinner who brought an animal sacrifice. Confessed his sins upon the head of the substitutionary sacrifice and then slaughtered the animal himself at the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting.
“If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally by doing something against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which ought not to be done, and is guilty, or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, then he shall bring as his offering a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed. And he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill the sin offering at the place of the burnt offering. Then the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour all the remaining blood at the base of the altar. He shall remove all its fat, as fat is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offering; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a sweet aroma to the Lord. So the priest shall make atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.” Leviticus 4:27-31 (NKJV)
At all times, the animal being sacrificed represented Christ, our Redeemer. Who would one day come into our world to die upon Calvary’s Tree for the sins of the human race? The penitent sinner placed his hands on the animal’s head before taking its life because Christ is our sin-bearer.
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:5-6 (NKJV)
(TO BE CONTINUED)
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