Bible Study Seattle

Basil of Caesarea was a bishop of Caesarea who lived about 330-379 AD. He may have been one of the first to begin confession at church. Of course confession is essential to repentance, but the bible calls us to repent directly to the injured party. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

The Israelites were commanded to confess. “when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned.  As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin.” Leviticus 5:5-6

“The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged.  But if that person has no close relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the Lord and must be given to the priest, along with the ram with which atonement is made for the wrongdoer.” Numbers 5:5-8

God wants us to be restored in our relationships. In the dark and medieval ages the church turned the confessional into a spy mechanism. People not only confessed but were interrogated by the priests! Confession of sins is a wonderful thing, but if used for political purposes, not so much.