There is a deeper theological lesson at play.

The word “Confession” Defined

Webster defines confession as, “a disclosure of one’s sins in the sacrament of reconciliation”, and “a session for the confession of sins”. These two rather Catholic definitions are followed by a broader use of the term… “a written or oral acknowledgment of guilt by a party accused of an offense”.

Biblical Christian Theology

Biblical Christian protestants believe that we do not need a human mediator between God and man (for example, a priest). We do not consider “Confession” a sacrament as do Roman Catholics. We do believe in certain forms of reparations and reconciliation, which include asking for forgiveness for sins against others, financial restitution, etc. But these are typically not dictated by someone in authority (i.e., a priest) and they do not include liturgical prayers or other rote exercises for priestly absolution. Only God, through His grace, based on the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, through the acceptance of Christ as our Lord and Savior, can forgive our sins and provide salvation for our souls (Eph. 2:8-9). Only one man has the power to forgive sins, Jesus Christ (Luke 5:24).

Of course, Roman Catholics quickly point to John 20:23 as a proof text for the disciples’ ability to forgive sins, a tradition carried down from Peter to the denomination today. Biblical Christians reject this interpretation, believing that the verse is within the context of verse 22, which ends with the words “Receive the Holy Spirit” as an acknowledgment that forgiveness came from the work of the Trinity, and not from the disciples who brought the Good News (1 Cor. 3:7).

Confession of our Sins is Critical

Recognizing that the believer continues to sin after salvation (Rom. 7:24), Christians are compelled by the Holy Spirit to acknowledge our sins and ask for forgiveness from God (not man). It is, in part, by this confession that we grow in our faith (sanctification) and strengthen our resolve to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11).

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.

Confession of our sins, along with repentance, is both Biblical and foundational to our faith.  However, the question becomes, who are we to confess our sins to? 

Confession of our Sin Nature Can be Public

We know God is the forgiver of sins, through Christ’s work on the cross, but are we to confess exclusively to Him in seeking that absolution?

Romans 10:9 - If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

The verse above would suggest a more public acknowledgment of the transaction with God (“with your mouth”) that has already taken place in the heart of the new believer. Many Christian churches acknowledge this view by way of a public “believer’s baptism” which does not save anyone but is considered an ordinance of the New Testament church (Acts 2:38). Often, prior to the baptism, there is an outward recognition of our sin nature and subsequent acknowledgment of repentance on the part of the new believer, in a public format. 

Further, in James (below), there seems to be an even clearer picture of public confession on a human-to-human plane.

James 5:16 - 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.

This public confession of sin is not Biblically mandated, but it is presented in Scripture. Clearly however, verses such as 1 John 1:9, Psalm 51:1-4, and Psalm 32:5, as examples, make no mention or implication of open confession to anyone other than God Himself. 

Theological Summary

So, only God can forgive sin, but public acknowledgment of our sin (specific and in general), though not mandated for salvation, is supported by Scripture.

Are There Benefits to Catholic Confessionals

Setting aside the theology of priests absolving partitioners, is there a benefit to the Catholic tradition of sharing ones sins with a cleric? Said differently, is the process of sanctification of the believer strengthened by admitting and repenting of sins by disclosing them to another person? The Bible is clear on the value of human-to-human confession. 

Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness… Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

James 5:16a - Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. 

Proverbs 27:17 - Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

The list of verses on human-to-human disclosure of our sins goes on and on. Others include Luke 17:3, Ecc. 4:9-12, Matt. 7:3-5, Eph. 4:25, Heb. 10:25, Prov. 28:13, and Matt. 18:15-17.

But the question then becomes, does the church function in the role of promoting believer-to-believer accountability for our continuing sin nature? 

The answer to that question is an abysmal, no. 

The church, as a group of sinners meeting together for fellowship, is not, in the vast majority of cases, holding any of its members to moral behavior or theological soundness. In today’s deteriorating social climate, the overseers of the church are struggling just to maintain a public Biblical Christian worldview, much less holding its congregation to any standards. And, when members go to church, they hear how they are supposed to behave (Luke 10:27), but there is no mechanism to hold them accountable in that effort. Sunday School and Small Groups do offer some level of openness and accountability, but often with very little authority or long term success. 

Church Elders Above Reproach 

The Elders and Staff of a Biblical Christian church should represent some of the most mature, Christ-centered believers within the body. Scripture calls them to: 

Acts 20:28 - Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

1 Peter 5:2 - Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

1 Timothy 3:2 - Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

And, perhaps more importantly, the Bible calls members of the body to submit to them.

Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

It is true that Elders are sinners, as we all are, but they are held to a higher standard (1 Tim. 3:1-7), which includes Christ-centered wisdom, discernment, and confidentiality. 

James 3:1 - Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

A Crazy Proposal

What if the Elders of a Biblical Christian church offered members a formal place and time for pastoral counseling, and confession (not absolution) of their sins, while encouraging repentance, and, confidentially holding them accountable? Is this any different from what pastors and staff do today in an ad-hoc way, with a few of its members? 

Most Biblical Christian churches, especially those with small and mid-sized congregations, typically offer these support services in a very informal way. A member, totally stressed out over sin or trauma in their life, finally reaches a point where they are willing to “ask the pastor for help”. Face-to-face, embarrassed and frustrated, hoping no one is listening in the hallway, those few members with courage, finally open up. 

What if “confession” was more formal? A set time and place that was totally private. A place where there is some degree of anonymity, even if it is imagined rather than assumed? A confessional, set up in an isolated place, similar to the Roman Catholics. 

Of course, the reality is that no protestant church in their right mind would take a step like this because of its association with theology they disagree with. The Biblical Christian church already has trouble attracting and keeping members without adding this level of theological confusion into the mix. But, what if… 

Would it build up the body if more members were willing to open up for care, fellowship, support for repentance and accountability in a formal, confidential “Protestant Confessional”? What if… 

POSTSCRIPT…. As expected, this generated some comments, including a challenge from a Facebook reader who believes the confessional is no better than a pastor’s office. Below is my response.

”Well said Vicky and certainly that has been the process in Protestant churches for generations. However, (and I know the idea seems somewhat crazy), still, the “pastors office” is hidden, away from congregant’s sight, it’s a face to face admission of sins we struggle with, it’s an extended time of uneasy openness that can be a hurdle many are reluctant to jump. The confessional on the other hand is a visible reminder that there is a place one can talk without being face to face, a brief time of confession to what amounts to an accountability partner. It is a much shorter hurdle that can be a starting point for  extended face to face pastoral counseling.