Reformation Tenet: Elders Have the Authority to Forgive Sins
Calvin believed that we stay saved through daily repentance for daily salvation, and that forgiveness can only be found in Reformed churches:
Secondly, this passage shows that the gratuitous pardon of sins is given us not only once, but that it is a benefit perpetually residing in the Church, and daily offered to the faithful. For the Apostle here addresses the faithful; as doubtless no man has ever been, nor ever will be, who can otherwise please God, since all are guilty before him; for however strong a desire there may be in us of acting rightly, we always go haltingly to God. Yet what is half done obtains no approval with God. In the meantime, by new sins we continually separate ourselves, as far as we can, from the grace of God. Thus it is, that all the saints have need of the daily forgiveness of sins; for this alone keeps us in the family of God” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol. 45: Catholic Epistles).
And, Calvin’s homeboy, Luther, believed that Reformed elders have the authority to forgive sins:
Confession consists of two parts. One is that we confess our sins. The other is that we receive the absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God himself and by no means doubt but firmly believe that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in heaven (Timothy J. Wengert: A Contemporary Translation of Luther’s Small Catechism; Augsburg Fortress PUB 1994, p.49).
And on page 35….
Daily in this Christian church the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sins—mine and those of all believers. On the last day the Holy Spirit will raise me and all the dead and will give me and all believers in Christ eternal life.
The granting of eternal life is future, and is based on faithfulness to the established church.
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
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Reblogged this on Clearcreek Chapel Watch.
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“Calvin believed that we stay saved through daily repentance for daily salvation, and that forgiveness can only be found in Reformed churches”
Reformed churches have taken this one step further with the rise in popularity of the so-called “shepherd groups”. The congration is divided up into smaller groups and assigned to a “care elder”. These groups meet on a regular basis as a substitute for a regular church service, for example maybe on the 5th Sunday of a given month. C.J. Mahaney contributed to this popularity with his essay entitled “Why Small Groups?”. In it he proposed the idea that not only did sanctification occur in a shepherd group but that participation was necessary for sanctification! Many have found themselves under redemptive church discipline for skipping out on the shepherd group meetings.
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Well, its not like that idea isn’t in the bible (John 20:22-23). That has to mean something.
If we commit sins as Christians, I’d hope they’re forgiven. Not pre-forgiven before I even commit them, but forgiven in time. I committed them in time.
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P. duggan,
Well, that’s the honest debate. But Calvinists don’t want that debate. Even if the question is answered favorably on this point, now their doctrine of election is thrown into total turmoil.
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“If we commit sins as Christians, I’d hope they’re forgiven. Not pre-forgiven before I even commit them, but forgiven in time. I committed them in time.
”
As Paul says, this is a huge problem within the Calvin construct. But, what difference does it make if all was pre determined?
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Lydia,
This is the question I have which has yet to be answered.
How do you elect or pre-determine or fore-know that which does not EXIST?
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“…however strong a desire there may be in us of acting rightly, we always go haltingly to God. Yet what is half done obtains no approval with God.” (Calvin)
How then was Asa considered righteous?
1st Kings 15:11-14 “And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron. But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.”
He didn’t do everything he was expected to do: he left the high places intact. Yet he was considered righteous. Take that Calvin.
This is why a STRONG, and I mean STRONG, knowledge of the OLD Testament is extremely important. Otherwise you are easy prey for the self-appointed “philosopher kings.”
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….or for that matter Lot.
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“Well, its not like that idea isn’t in the bible (John 20:22-23). That has to mean something.” (P duggan)
It would be spiritual tyranny to allow that it applies to anyone but the apostles themselves. Its safe to allow it to apply to them, considering they’re long dead and can’t abuse it.
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“It would be spiritual tyranny to allow that it applies to anyone but the apostles themselves. Its safe to allow it to apply to them, considering they’re long dead and can’t abuse it.”
So true. It is another form of Apostolic succession thinking. Rome. 9 Marks has taken this road…their elders cannot only forgive your sins but decide how you are to be forgiven.
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Hmmm . . . as I often say, the reformers didn’t reform quite enough. They kept much of their RC customs.
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