Fr. Gabriele Amorth: "The Devil is afraid of me because I'm uglier than he is"

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

You might be interested with this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZbLfaZspbWgrKc Fr. Carlos Martins: This is how Satan makes you his personal property ▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 0:00 - Intro 1:20 - The Devil is afraid of me (Fr. Gabriele Amorth) 1:55 - When does the soul leaves the body? (Fr. Robert Spitzer) 3:33 - The Devil's activities in the Vatican (Fr. Gabriele Amorth) 4:46 - Understanding Purgatory (Fr. Robert Spitzer) 6:44 - The 60000 exorcisms by Fr Gabriele Amorth 8:07 - The exorcist experiencing demonic attack (Msgr. Stephen Rossetti) 9:46 - Cant the demon strike an exorcist? (Fr. Gabriele Amorth) 10:36 - Get rid of the devil but not my power (Fr. Carlos Martins) 12:48 - The nun possessed by the devil and never liberated (Fr. Amorth) 14:07 - The sinful priest and failed exorcisms (Fr. Vincent Lampert)

[@fionamort5837]

People need to go to confessions before its to late, time is running out, sacred heart of jesus i trust in you, God bless all these priests & thank you & God bless you always for doing God's work please keep education us, i always sleep with my rosary beads in my hands, 🙏🌹❤️☘️

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

Beautiful reminder, Fiona. Much appreciated. God bless you dear sister and as always thanks for being here with us.❤️🙏

[@jacob5058]

Its never too late god grace and mercy is beyond our comprehension.

[@angelabell7254]

I don't confess to men. For all I know I could be confessing to a pedophile. My Confessions are to Yahweh my Heavenly Father alone, in Jesus name.

[@rosamariaa77]

AMEN 🙏 👑✝️🕊🛐📿🙏

[@rosamariaa77]

@@angelabell7254Be humble and obey our lord and savior Jesus Christ Of Nazareth. That’s his way not yours not mine not anyone’s ITS HIS WAY HIS SACRAMENTS 🛐 HIS LAW STOP BEING PRIDEFUL THATS DEFINITELY NOT JESUS’ WAY!!!! 👑✝️🕊🛐📿🙏

[@pennierkaide4985]

Thanks for this video. Fr Amorth is awesome. Even though he's departed, his clips are still informative. I can personally attest to what Msgr Rosetti said about the speed of spiritual attacks. It happened to me. Wo warning, I lost my life long faith and belief in God. I felt like everything I'd been told was a lie. I lived with a consuming black hole of constant doubt and emptiness. I carried that around for years. Last winter, I came across the AoG channel, and after hearing Frs Vincent, Amorth, and Carlos in several clips, I realized what happened and what I needed to do. I started wearing my rosary bracelet again and carry a relic stone from the cave consecrated by St. Michael in Gargano Italy. I'm also going to weekly mass and pray twice daily. I'm still working on getting to confession so I can again receive communion. AoG and Daily Inspiration keep me alert and remind me to keep vigilant and the knowledge of how loving and forgiving Jesus is to us and the love and intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary🕊

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

Thanks dear Pennie. And the funeral that I shared in this video, is his actually. Just take a look at how many people were there for him.

[@userPs91victory]

A handful of THANKS Monsignor. The ROSARY is a powerful weapon, and the. Cross at hand !

[@Tracey-zr5do]

Indeed, God bless all good, decent and honest people. 🙏 😊

[@MrSmiley1964]

Thank you for a very timely and educational video. I learned much through it and it helped my soul and strengthened me. I forget which Priest it was, but he spoke of being under a Spiritual attack and now he sleeps with the Rosary, I have slept with my Bible for 30+ years and slept like a baby, no bad dreams, no Spiritual Attacks. Thank you once again.

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

I believe you're referring to Monsignor Rossetti, brother. God bless you!

[@roo9642]

I too used hold my Bible like a teddy bear and fall asleep when I'd get scared at night. Always felt very protected and SAFE.

[@MrSmiley1964]

@@roo9642 The word of God is incredibly powerful and should never be underestimated. Bad dreams were the least of my problems, I now have almost 200 Bibles spread out over every room in my house. I collect them because they should never be thrown away. I once saved one that is almost 180 years old from the trash. The old man said his son was on meth and would burn it if he left it to him.

[@josephjude1290]

Always insightful

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

thanks so much Joseph. God bless you

[@EricJMJ]

Thank you and God bless you

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

and thank you for watching, Eric. I hope you've learned a lot! God bless you!

[@in.my.fillingss]

I love your channel and these videos, because it’s incredible how you include information from different priests and resources… which are all the talks I gravitate towards listening to as well 😆 these are the most interesting topics to me

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch the video, Cristi. I hope you've learned a lot! God bless you!

[@HammerofGod777]

Keep them coming brother.

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch the video, brother. I hope you've learned a lot! God bless you!

[@shur7318]

Excellent video you put this piece in perfect order ! God bless you !

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch the video, Shur. I hope you've learned a lot! God bless you!

[@csongorarpad4670]

It's very important and good that you included the part with Fr. VIncent Lampert when he speaks about how it's not about language is used in the exorcism (or any other prayer, for that matter) but how fervent one prays, whether or not one is in the state of grace and the faith of the Church.

[@sestameri]

Fr Amorth disagreed

[@praveenliverpool]

All glory to God and his beloved mother 🙏

[@muhammadbey1351]

God the Almighty doesn’t have a mother nor father. “ HE begets NOT nor is HE begotten “ Quran 112:3.

[@teharaupakau241]

​@@muhammadbey1351she talking about Jesus mother I think my Muslim brother

[@muhammadbey1351]

@@teharaupakau241 Thank you for your comment. Maybe she is , maybe she isn’t. I responded to what she wrote: “ mother of God “. Peace and Blessings.

[@lakotafire2804]

Thank you for this fascinating video, Dwayne. I always learn a lot from you. Fr. Amorth's book sounds like a good read! May God bless you. ❤

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

Hi dear Janet! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch the video, dear sister. I hope you've learned a lot! God bless you!

[@Oliveoil91661]

Amorth had a sense of humor 😊

[@jameswatson9641]

I greatly love and appreciate your videos, may God bless your efforts.

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

Hi dear James! Thanks so much for your kind words and continuous support. God bless you brother!

[@Marse73]

This is my favourite channel. It always uplifts me. God bless

[@guyfromnj]

I don’t think you have weaknesses in your delivery. You do a good job of putting the word out. God Bless you my brother.

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

Thanks so much brother for your support and feedback. I really appreciate it. God bless you

[@heartofpuregold]

Wonderful video very edifying God bless you

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

and thank you for watching, rose. I hope you've learned a lot! God bless you!

[@heartofpuregold]

​@@spiritualwarfareseriesyes this is sad reality that humans look on the physical and so do demons, one thing about God is he dont look at a persons physical beauty he looks at the heart. Father Amorth was a beautiful person, maybe not in the sense he was a model or movie star but He loved God and served Him with all His heart. People like Father Amorth are a blessing to humanity. God bless Him.

[@robmcdonagh8367]

God bless you and thank you. 🫡

[@JuliaShalomJordan]

I love how you started off about the power of salvation through Christ. So many of us fail to realize what this entails…there is such power in having FAITH in it.🤍

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

As always Thank you so much for taking the time to watch the video, dear Julia. I hope you've learned a lot! God bless you sister!

[@JuliaShalomJordan]

@@spiritualwarfareseries always learn a lot!

[@SuzanneM0814]

I love Father Gabrele Amorth's books. He helped so many people. Thank you for another video!🙏🕊🤍

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

As always thank you so much for taking the time to watch the video, Suzanne. I hope you've learned a lot! God bless you!

[@johnsmith4219]

another nice one. why don't you tell us something about yourself and your experiences with our heavenly father Jesus.

[@lourdesvilar8515]

Luke 18:7-9 So wonderful that you confirmed this to me in this video

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

Hi Lourdes, thanks for taking the time to watch the video. Which part of the video are you referring to?

[@lourdesvilar8515]

@@spiritualwarfareseries the part that says that when you are in State of Grace and have a relationship with the Lord He protects you and the demons don't want to mess with you! Luke 18: 7-9 I had heard this from a lay person but thankful to hear from a Priest! :The Boomerang Effect Father called it .

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

Ahh ok ok. Thanks for clarifying. Much appreciated.

[@FamilieNetra]

I think Every malicious attack from the devil on people is to eat out (get rid of) our love for each other. Every morning, before stepping outside, pray 15 mns (, including Rosaries) and read the bible. Make sure that (if married) our family members ( or wife, son or daughter) are safe with the protection of Guardian Angels and Saints. Remember, my brothers and sisters! Where there arises strife or come the fruits of the flesh, come back to the FUNDAMENTALS: LOVE and CHARITY. The more we love our Lord, our Lady, Angels, Saints and Martyrs, the more love in display from us. God bless you our brothers and sisters in the holy trinity.

[@psalm91.777]

Thank you, yet again I heard something that really is calling me ❤

[@bryanmchugh1307]

I liked this a lot. Thank you.

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

thanks so much Bryan for the feedback! Really appreciate it. And I hope you've learned a lot. God bless you brother

[@JoeyLario-t7h]

Pray That I Will Keep The Laws Of God Pray Often Read The Bible Practice The Golden Rule That My Property Belongings Life Health Will Be Blessed

[@LinaMoon17]

I can't even make eye contact with some mugshots I see in the newspaper. ( Or won't make eye contact with some, due to how uncomfortable I feel.) I know what Father Lampert is saying must be true tho. Gives meaning to that phrase, "the eyes are the windows to the soul." Especially if the demons present at that time, or when the picture's taken.

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

thanks for taking the time to watch the video, Caroline! I hope you've learned a lot! God bless you!

[@fionamort5837]

You can't have it your way it's all God our nothing 🙏🌹❤️☘️

[@DianneElizabeth64]

Exceptional video. Thank you!😊

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

thanks for taking the time to watch the video, Dianne! I hope you've learned a lot! God bless you!

[@lourdesvilar8515]

Do you think we could sometime in the future talk about Purgatory with One of the Priests? (do you already have a video on this?) Blessings and Yes I am Learning Much with You!

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

Hi Lourdes! Let me put together a few lectures/interviews about purgatory and listen to them.

[@glennlanham6309]

Italian humor, gotta love it...I lived there 4 years

[@mariavaz8370]

Who was in the coffin that had so many persons venerating the deceased. God rest in peace. 🙏🙏🙏

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

It was the funeral of the late Fr. Gabriele Amorth, Maria.

[@mariavaz8370]

@@spiritualwarfareseries Thank you so very much . Fr. Gabriel Amorth, please intercede for us to Jesus and Mary.

[@mariavaz8370]

Also thank you so very much for your Videos. God bless your efforts and work to.put the valuable info. Out to all , Jesus and Mary and all angels and Saints, protect you and your family. ❤️🙏❤️🙏

[@splashenful]

Wrong. Satan was afraid of Fr. Gabriel Amorth because *HE* (Amorth) was far more beautiful spiritually, than Satan ever could be, because Fr. Gabriel Amorth was (& is) a Holy Servant Of Our Heavenly Father & Our Blessed Mother. This enrages Satan to no end!!!!

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

I'm literally quoting what Fr. Amorth said.

[@splashenful]

@@spiritualwarfareseries I know you are. And I am literally responding to what he said. 😇

[@manuelvargas467]

Amen ✝️🛐❤️‍🔥

[@mana7412]

So now I'm wondering... What exactly is a state of grace for an exorcist? Is it different than for laypeople? Or is the state of grace the state of grace, period? Because as father Lampert says, the devil doesn't have to obey the exorcist that isn't in a state of grace. That makes me wonder, and this might seem completely out there, but, could it be father Amorth wasn't always in a complete state of grace since some exorcisms took years and even failed, like with the woman we saw in the video. If I'm not mistaking she came back for many years and wasn't "recovered" by the time f Amorth passed.

[@ganeshaguevara6293]

What is the name of the movie with the demon in the orange jumpsuit?

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

Nefarious

[@davidotto7612]

Nefarious

[@Yet333]

Good ol father amorth-… claimed to perform- 16,000 exorcisms … while writing 30 books… not including movie advising, podcasts…. WHERE DOES HE FIND THE TIME??

[@mgoVEX]

Who is supposed to redeem mankind to God in the end days?

[@kaylaste1635]

This priest looks so much like Monsignor Munilla from Spain 😮

[@muhammadbey1351]

Islam by an Israeli Historian. Prof. Moshe Sharon at Ben Gurion University

[@shaechapman4569]

Why was I the 666th person to like this video 😳🤯😳!!!

[@gordongannon]

Medjugorje is the answer. Not the Jansenism of the Irish Catholic church

[@muhammadbey1351]

No one nor nothing is worthy of worship except Allah ( Almighty God ). Muhammad is His final Messenger.

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

not interested with the moon god here abdool

[@keithcole8536]

Idk why he thinks praying to Mary stops spiritual attacks from satan because Jesus is the only protection we need

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

be humble enough to admit you don't know enough.

[@mgtowabbott6924]

The Blessed Virgin Mary intercedes for us humans; such as during the Immaculate Conception and the miracle at the wedding feast at Cana, changing water into wine. I'm a convert from the Episcopalian Church...don't repeat the blasphemes coming from Protestant ministers.

[@keithcole8536]

@mgtowabbott6924 intercedes only but Jesus is the only one that deserves the love and prayers because the God the creator came into the world through his son Jesus so that our sins would be washed away

[@keithcole8536]

@spiritualwarfareseries well we will never know the depth that God the father knows but the one thing that is a constant is what God the father did through his son and what Jesus said is what we must go by because his the intermediary for us to the father

[@mgtowabbott6924]

@@keithcole8536 The Blessed Virgin Mary deserves our veneration; because she WILLINGLY allowed The Holy Spirit to conceive Jesus in her. She didn't really understand (as you don't) but completely trusted in GOD'S will. How many, who are reading this, would risk everything to do GOD'S will?

[@agave1314]

🐸✝️

[@louisspiga4813]

You need to understand that pergutory does not exist it is not I'n the scripture's..and another praying to saints statues are an abomination even to Mary who was an ordinary sinner just like the rest of us.but God chose her to use her womb indeed.only to Christ Jesus you pray to noone or nothing else amen.

[@johnmitchell7892]

There is false teachings in this series. One does not need to go to confess to a priest. Nor is praying to the lady or rosary anywhere in the bible. You pray to the Father in heaven (God). Yeshua (Jesus) is the only way to the Father. Jesus said Himself, " I am the truth the way and the life. No one comes to the Father except thru me. "" -John 14:6. People read your bible !!!

[@irishandscottish1829]

Might want to reread your Bible. Confession is entirely Biblical. Of course, one can confess one’s sins directly to God, but if a priest is available than one should confess their sins to him because Christ so ordained it and the Church he founded has been hearing confessions for 2000 years. Did Jesus, who is the one Mediator between God and man, direct us to confess our sins to another person? Since we know that the Old Testament prepared the way for the New Testament, do we find confession of sins there? We do. For example: Leviticus 19: 20-22: A man who committed adultery had to bring a guilt offering for himself to the door of the tent of meeting (holy place where the ark of the covenant, which contained God’s true presence was kept). But then it adds “And the priest shall make atonement for him …before the Lord for his sin…and the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven.” (see also Leviticus 5: 5-6) The priest could not make atonement if he were not aware of the man's sin. He is acting as a mediator for the repentant sinner. Jewish Practice: On the eve of the Day of Atonement or of Passover, it was forbidden to eat and drink, to wash, anoint, lace shoes, or have sexual intercourse. Breaking of these laws led to excommunication. The people who came to confess their sins at the Temple annually brought offerings and animal victims to be sacrificed when it got dark on eve of feast of atonement or Passover. They actually, confessed their sins before the meal, afterwards and the next morning in a threefold confession. Priests prayed for their forgiveness.(p. 323, How Christ Said the First Mass by Fr. James L. Meagher, D.D.). The Apostles would have conformed to these religious practices when they came to celebrate the seder meal of the Passover with Jesus in the Upper Room before His crucifixion. The complaint might be, well that is the Old Testament, but now we have Jesus, who suffered for our sins. What does the New Testament have to say? Matthew 3: 6 (and Mk 1: 5): “. . . they were baptized by him [John the Baptist] in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” So he who prepared the way for Christ, listened to confessions of sin. John the Baptist, whom Jesus called him the greatest "among them that are born of woman," preached a baptism of repentance. Mark tells us that ". . . there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Mark 1:5) We learn in Luke's account of the Baptist that he answered many questions for the people concerning the behavior they should follow, but freely confessed that he was not the Christ (Luke 3: 16-17). He doubtless heard countless confessions of sin, but he knew where forgiveness of sin came from for when Jesus approached he declared, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1: 29). Jesus than sent his disciples to baptize throughout Judea (John 3: 22) and they too, doubtless heard the confessions of many sinners as they traveled from village to village. So Jesus used his disciples and John the precursor to hear confessions of sins, but this is not the sacrament of confession, anymore than the baptism of John was the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which came after John the Baptist's time. Let's see if the New Testament shows men receiving the authority to forgive sins in God's name. Matthew 9: 6-8: Jesus tells us that He was given authority on earth to forgive sins (a power reserved to God alone) and proves it with miraculous healings and then Scripture notes this same authority was given to “men” (plural). Is this merely a figure of speech? No, John's Gospel makes it clear Jesus intended to give this sacrament to men: John 20: 21-23: In his very first Resurrection appearance our Lord gives this awesome power to his Apostles with the words: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” How could they forgive sins if they were not confessed? They could not. This authority comes through the gift of the Holy Spirit which precedes it. Does this remind of you what He told Peter (Mt. 16: 19) and then the other apostles (Mt. 18:18)? “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This includes sins. Jesus allowed for us to receive spiritual consolation and counsel in this beautiful sacrament of the Church. We see this awesome power in other sacraments as well. What today we call the sacrament of the sick. Again, we look to Scripture: James 5: 14-17: "Is any 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 man, 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 …” Notice the command does not say confess your sins straight to God. Notice also who they are to go to the “elders” (bishops or priests-see the Acts 14: 23; 15: 2 for example). 1 John 1: 9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The word confess has an oral/verbal or proclamation meaning. St. Paul describes his ministry as one of reconciliation of sinners: 2 Corinthians 5: 18: “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation . . .”

[@evasitton8352]

17:13. Truly Sacramental, from our Lord's mouth.​@@irishandscottish1829

[@logosfocus]

idols like rosary beads do not have more power thsn than a true believer, it is not mary nor any saint you should rely on either.. only Jesus saves

[@kimberlydeeney5652]

Mary The Mother of Jesus. Our Blessed Mother. The Immaculate Conception intercedes for us. Her love for us never waivers, and as the Mother of Christ who better to have on our side? Rosary Beads are not idols. The beads themselves are to help us keep count of the Mysteries etc. We can have them Blessed just like we can for example a Miraculous Medal we wear. Praying the Rosary is of extreme importance. Thank you for reminding me of that. God Bless you.

[@jdempsey9033]

Praying the rosary is contemplating Jesus’ life.

[@spiritualwarfareseries]

be humble enough to admit you don't know enough.

[@irishandscottish1829]

It appears you have no idea what an idol is…

[@AlexLightGiver]

God repeatedly said Satan is a Myth a construct of Man. But dont listen to God Religion knows better

[@irishandscottish1829]

What? You clearly haven’t read the Bible (Gods Word) if you are seriously trying to claim God said satan isn’t real!

[@AlexLightGiver]

@@irishandscottish1829 I'm sorry to have to tell all my Brothers and sisters the truth. Understandably this is unfamiliar and foreign to those were taught and brainwashed by the Church. . Truths doesn't come from the physical world only from the other side where our Home is and where God is. And yes God told those of us in the thousands who were blessed to hear the Father speak on a multitude of social issues plaguing his people that Satan is a Myth amongst other subjects such as religion and LGBT and Sin. I'm not a prophet or anything special none of us are but don't take my word for it ask to be guided to the Divine and the truth and listen. Religion have been lying to humanity for thousands of years. They're consist of manmade dogma and doesn't speak for God.

[@AlexLightGiver]

@@irishandscottish1829 the Bible isn't to be taken literally. ..message from the One called Jesus. ( the only One and True Jesus ) there is no such thing as the Antichrist. Another lie from the Church to instill fear and control.

[@irishandscottish1829]

@@AlexLightGiver 😂 sorry but that is just the ramblings of a deranged person. You can abandon Gods Word if you wish but I’ll stick to it! Unless you are trying to say God lied through the Scriptures - in which case you can get out of here with your blasphemy! You sound like a Muslim, Mormon and JW trying to claim that suddenly you have been given the ‘truth’ 😂

[@angelabell7254]

I have to add. Im not confessing my sins to a sinner. We all sin. Even holy men. We have a priest at my mothers church in Taupo New Zealand, who i find the most unapproachable Monsignor ive ever met. There is no way i would confess my sins to him. He is a cold sterile man and this I do not like. I love watching these amazing Men of God ❤. But there are some that are cold ❄. I will confess to my loving Father only because of men like him. I would go to confession if he was not so cold and emotionless.

[@irishandscottish1829]

What? Firstly confession is Biblical! Of course, one can confess one’s sins directly to God, but if a priest is available than one should confess their sins to him because Christ so ordained it and the Church he founded has been hearing confessions for 2000 years. Did Jesus, who is the one Mediator between God and man, direct us to confess our sins to another person? Since we know that the Old Testament prepared the way for the New Testament, do we find confession of sins there? We do. For example: Leviticus 19: 20-22: A man who committed adultery had to bring a guilt offering for himself to the door of the tent of meeting (holy place where the ark of the covenant, which contained God’s true presence was kept). But then it adds “And the priest shall make atonement for him …before the Lord for his sin…and the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven.” (see also Leviticus 5: 5-6) The priest could not make atonement if he were not aware of the man's sin. He is acting as a mediator for the repentant sinner. Jewish Practice: On the eve of the Day of Atonement or of Passover, it was forbidden to eat and drink, to wash, anoint, lace shoes, or have sexual intercourse. Breaking of these laws led to excommunication. The people who came to confess their sins at the Temple annually brought offerings and animal victims to be sacrificed when it got dark on eve of feast of atonement or Passover. They actually, confessed their sins before the meal, afterwards and the next morning in a threefold confession. Priests prayed for their forgiveness.(p. 323, How Christ Said the First Mass by Fr. James L. Meagher, D.D.). The Apostles would have conformed to these religious practices when they came to celebrate the seder meal of the Passover with Jesus in the Upper Room before His crucifixion. The complaint might be, well that is the Old Testament, but now we have Jesus, who suffered for our sins. What does the New Testament have to say? Matthew 3: 6 (and Mk 1: 5): “. . . they were baptized by him [John the Baptist] in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” So he who prepared the way for Christ, listened to confessions of sin. John the Baptist, whom Jesus called him the greatest "among them that are born of woman," preached a baptism of repentance. Mark tells us that ". . . there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Mark 1:5) We learn in Luke's account of the Baptist that he answered many questions for the people concerning the behavior they should follow, but freely confessed that he was not the Christ (Luke 3: 16-17). He doubtless heard countless confessions of sin, but he knew where forgiveness of sin came from for when Jesus approached he declared, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1: 29). Jesus than sent his disciples to baptize throughout Judea (John 3: 22) and they too, doubtless heard the confessions of many sinners as they traveled from village to village. So Jesus used his disciples and John the precursor to hear confessions of sins, but this is not the sacrament of confession, anymore than the baptism of John was the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which came after John the Baptist's time. Let's see if the New Testament shows men receiving the authority to forgive sins in God's name. Matthew 9: 6-8: Jesus tells us that He was given authority on earth to forgive sins (a power reserved to God alone) and proves it with miraculous healings and then Scripture notes this same authority was given to “men” (plural). Is this merely a figure of speech? No, John's Gospel makes it clear Jesus intended to give this sacrament to men: John 20: 21-23: In his very first Resurrection appearance our Lord gives this awesome power to his Apostles with the words: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” How could they forgive sins if they were not confessed? They could not. This authority comes through the gift of the Holy Spirit which precedes it. Does this remind of you what He told Peter (Mt. 16: 19) and then the other apostles (Mt. 18:18)? “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This includes sins. Jesus allowed for us to receive spiritual consolation and counsel in this beautiful sacrament of the Church. We see this awesome power in other sacraments as well. What today we call the sacrament of the sick. Again, we look to Scripture: James 5: 14-17: "Is any 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 man, 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 …” Notice the command does not say confess your sins straight to God. Notice also who they are to go to the “elders” (bishops or priests-see the Acts 14: 23; 15: 2 for example). 1 John 1: 9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The word confess has an oral/verbal or proclamation meaning. St. Paul describes his ministry as one of reconciliation of sinners: 2 Corinthians 5: 18: “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation . . .” Secondly you are participating in the heresy of Donatism by claiming the sins of the Priest somehow affects Gods Sacrament of Reconciliation! The heresy of Donatism was condemned in 314 AD!

[@angelabell7254]

@@irishandscottish1829 confess our sins to who!?! Scripture says to not trust in man. Only God. In Jesus name we confess our sins to our Heavenly Father. Your so wrapped up in this Heresy crap. I confess to my Father in Heaven in the Name of Jesus only!

[@angelabell7254]

Im sorry. But it makes me sad that I dont want to confess to a cold monsignor priest. Im in tears because of this. Forgive me Heavenly Father.

[@mgtowabbott6924]

Priests are Jesus' representatives on earth. So, your actually confessing your sins to GOD. Not to a person you have a personal problem with.

[@irishandscottish1829]

That is the heresy of Donatism condemned in 314 AD to claim confession is no good due to sins/perceived sins of the Priest is reason not to utilise the Sacrament of reconciliation.

[@angelabell7254]

@@mgtowabbott6924 they are still Men. Jesus is my representative and the Holy Spirit pleads for me in groans to Yaweh that we can't even understand. Jesus is my intercessor. In Jesus name Amen.

[@angelabell7254]

@@irishandscottish1829 what? Speak normally. You sound like an olde worlde witch hunter. Heresy lol. Why did Jesus die for us?! So the old laws will die and the new shall come.

[@irishandscottish1829]

@@angelabell7254 again you are participating in the heresy of Donatism condemned in 314 AD by claiming Gods Sacraments are invalid due to the sins/perceived sins of the Priest! You are in desperate need of spiritual guidance because right now you have removed yourself from the body of Christ

[@agave1314]

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