A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 6: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Commun i t y : The “Corporate” Di sc i p l i nes 249

(3) Rom. 15.1 – We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

b. The sacrament of penance and the Confessional: the historic Catholic response to the necessity of priestly ministry in the life of the believer

c. The act of confession is now the “common property of the people;” all Christians can confess their fault to others, receive the confession of others, and pray for the healing of all.

4. The power of tradition: how we have applied this discipline to our lives greatly depends on the way in which our tradition perceives this grace/discipline.

a. Roman Catholic practice: the Confessional and the sacrament of penance

b. Protestant practice: a continuum

(1) Confession to God alone

(2) Confession to the pastors and/or elders

(3) Confession to spiritual directors or mentors

(4) Confession to fellow Christians in community

5. The healing of “absolution:” pronouncing the blessing of forgiveness upon one another , John 20.22-23 – And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”