sacrament of reconciliation?
605616
I go once a month, minimum. . . more often if I need to.\n\nAnd for those who say it isn't in the Bible, you are wrong.  Read about Jesus and the Lepar - Jesus healed him, then told him to go to the priest, and show him that he has been cleaned so that he may return to the community.  If you are interested in Bible verse, let me know, I will send it to you.
132755
OK, now I'll give you the Catholic viewpoint on these two events.  As to Holy Communion, it is the time when Catholics (who haven't committed any serious sin without going to Confession and having completed the requirements necessary for a good Confession) and members of any of the schismatic churches (Eastern Orthodox [Autocephalous and otherwise], Polish National Catholic Churh, Society of St. Pius X [and Pius V]) receive bread (and maybe the wine too) that has been consecrated by the priest during Mass.  This bread and wine is believed to be substantially the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.  Only a priest ordained by a bishop in one of the aforementioned Churches (he must also use the proper form, i.e. "Take, eat, this is my body which will be given up for you" and "Take, drink, this the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant, it will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven, Do this in memory of me") is believed to have the power to conduct the transubstantiation that makes the Body and Blood of Christ substantially present.  Anyways, the meaning of Holy Communion for Catholics is basically eating of Christ's flesh and drinking of His blood as is commanded in John 6:53-7.\nConfirmation, for Catholics happens sometimes at birth and sometimes at around the time of 8th or 9th grade, or immediately after Baptism for adults.  Unlike Baptism, Catholics do not acknowledge the Conirmations of Protestant churches.  In the Catholic mindset, Confirmation is sort of like a personal Pentecost.  In this sacrament, the bishop (or a priest in EXTRAORDINARY circumstances in the lAtin Rite, or most of the time a priest in the Eastern Rites) anoints the "confirmandee" with chrism (a perfumed oil" and says "[Confirmation Name] be sealed with the Holy Spirit."  The confirmation name is the name of a saint the confirmandee takes to be his/her special patron saint.  In olden times the confirmation name often became that person's middle name.  The confirmation name, tradition, though, is really only upheld in the West, where teenage confirmation is the norm.  In the Eastern Rites, though, Confirmation takes place immediately after baptism even for infants.  This Confirmation has the same character of sealing the Confirmandee with the Holy Spirit, though.  Confirmation really is like a sending forth and is considered a "sacrament of initiation" by the Catholic church whereby the confirmandee becomes a full member of the Catholic Church.  Oh, and in the West, as well, the confirmandee must have a confirmation sponsor which is pretty much like godparent and is supposed to instruct the confirmandee in the Faith.  Hope this si what you wanted.
732171
A sacrament is a Christian rite that mediates divine grace.\n\nI'm guessing when God decided to send Jesus to die for our sins.  \n\nJohn 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
492801
If you are saved we are SINNERS SAVED BY GRACE, so there is always forgiveness. Christ's blood covers all. Everyone has messed up. Ask forgiveness and it is yours.
386154
Have you talked to him about reconciliation through some type of therapy through your church. I have been divorced, and would have preferred reconciliation, but never even talked about it to my ex-wife. She pursued the divorce at first, and I never fought at all, what a mistake. He might have lost that loving feeling, but that is part of life. It will return, given time. and it will be better than before.
462417
Forgivness starts within your heart and mind.  You need to let go of the anger/hate/jelousy ... what ever the negative sympton is that poisens you.  Once you've made peace with the wrong doing, you can turn to the person/thing that wronged you.  This is the tricky part.\n\nForgivness is also mutual ... You could forgive <which free's u from hate/anger/jeolosy> however, the person you're forgving may not want to be forgiven.  Example ... your spouce may have cheated on you and does not want forgivness.  They would rather get a divorce and they wanted to hurt you.  See, forgivness isn't mutual here.  You still need to find that place where you rid yourself of negativity, and remove yourself from the person who does not want forgivness.\n\nReligion does a great job of teaching us about forgiveness.  Confessions are one of the first lessons we get about forgivness.  Three acts are required from the Penitent <us sinners who WANT to be forgiven> for forgivness through the sacrament of confession.  These are Contrition, confession, and satisfaction.\n\nContrition is sincere sorrow for having offended God, the most important act of penitent.  There can be no forgiveness of sin if we do not have sorrow and a firm resolve to not repeat our sin.  See if we were married and cheated on our spouse the first step is for us to feel sorry that we cheated and to resolve in our heart not to cheat again; flip side, if your spouse has cheated on you, they willing have to be sorry and willingly have to resolve not to cheat on you again.  \n\nConfession requires confronting our sins in a profound way before God by acknowledging them aloud to a priest.  The priest is a conduit to God in confession.  In the marriage if you cheated on your spouse, you must go to the spouse and inform them of the affair; flip side, if your spouse cheates on you, then they need to come to you ... hiring a private detetive leads you down a path where you'll forgive but they aren't ready to be forgiven.\n\nSatisfaction is the "penance" the priest imposes on the penitent to make amends for sin, an important part of our healing.  Once you've cheated on your spouse, you need to make it up to your spouse <give up your computer/phone/whatever caused you to stray>; flip side, if your spouse cheated on you, they need to give up whatever was the temptation to lead them to stray.  \n\nIn today' Western culture, it seems that cheating spouses dont' heal because they don't work their way through the basic forgiveness techniques <Contrition, Confession, and Satisfation>.  Instead most are stuck at level 1: Contrition.  If the couples make it to level 3 "Penance" then victim spouse ususally does not have the courage to require a healing penance to their spouse.
284356
Thank you for your apology.. I appreciate your empathy for my situation.. I can understand that you feel for my dilemma.. Unfortunately, you're unable to change it.. \n\nI have lived my entire life under the influence of "blind faith".. I've never asked "the tough questions".. I've always relied on the innocuous explanations to placate me.. I've allowed the paradigms I've been horse-collared with all my life to lead me along like a bull with a ring through his nose..\n\nIt's only within the past year I have researched and educated myself on the short-comings of the details in Christianity..\n\nAgain, thank you for your empathy.. \n\np.s. If you apologize, I have to forgive you.. DON'T I.. :-)
365019
Thanks for suggesting the 4 key points baptism, salvation, requirements at Lord's Supper (communion)& hierarchy. Following, is what the “The Churches of God in the Fellowship of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ”, publish about those topics:-\n\nBAPTISM\nFollowing conversion and the accompanying baptism in the Holy Spirit into the one Body, the Lord’s command is that the disciple should then be baptised by immersion in water and received into a Church of God.\nAnyone seeking fellowship who is already baptised as a believer into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, would not be rebaptised. Infant sprinkling is unacceptable as unscriptural. (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42, 10:47,48; 1 Cor.12:13)\n\nSALVATION\nAt the new birth, through personal acceptance of Christ as Saviour and Lord, a person becomes a child of God, and a member of the Church which is His Body, into which he is baptised in the one Spirit. (John 1:12; 1 Cor. 12:13, 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal 3:26,28)\nNo person, born again, and therefore baptised into the Church which is the Body of Christ, can ever be lost again. Therefore the teaching of the falling away of believers, so far as eternal life is concerned, is false. (John 10:27-30; 1 Cor. 3:15)\n\nLORD'S SUPPER\nThe Breaking of the Bread is held on the first day of the week, the Lord’s day. At the beginning of the service, a brother goes to the table and, first for the bread and then for the wine, gives thanks, breaks or pours, then distributes for all to partake. Only those who have been baptised by immersion as disciples, and have been added to the church are eligible to partake of the bread and wine.\nBrethren then offer worship and thanksgiving by the Spirit of God, through the Great High Priest over God’s House, and in the heavenly sanctuary. This constitutes the holy priesthood service of the people of God. All are encouraged to say the Amen, but beyond this and the singing, sisters take no audible part in the meeting for the Breaking of the Bread, or on any other occasion when the assembly meets ‘in Church’. On all such occasions sisters have their heads covered. After the worship is over a brother may minister  the Word. (Acts 2:41,42, 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:2-18, 20-29, 14:34-38; Phil.3:3; Heb: 10:19-22)\n\nHIERARCHY\nAt least two overseers or elders are associated with every  church, and wherever possible, deacons also. Overseers meet regularly for prayer and discussion, and separately with the deacons. (Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:5)\nThe Churches are grouped in recognised areas, corresponding in principle to the groupings of New Testament Churches in Roman provinces. The overseers in each area (usually termed Districts) meet regularly for consultation, on the principle that local overseers deal with matters in their own church, and overseers collectively at District level with matters affecting the Churches in the District. Any matter beyond the capacity of local overseers, or any  failure on their part in judgement, would go to overseers at District level for counsel and help. (2 Cor. 8:1,19; Gal. 1:2; 1 Pet. 1:1, 5:1-4)\nOverseers in a country may meet by arrangement. Overseers of all the Churches world-wide meet at regular intervals. By this means, unity of teaching and practice is maintained throughout all the Churches. (Acts 15; 1 Cor. 4:17, 11:16; 2 Cor. 8:19-23; 1 Pet. 5:1-4 )\nThere is no system of clergy and laity. All the brethren are encouraged in the exercise of their gift. The apostle Peter described himself simply as a ‘fellow elder’. The Church of God in Philippi comprised only of saints, overseers and deacons. (1 Cor. 14:26-33, 40; Eph. 4:10-13; Phil. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:1)\n\nFrom the scriptures referenced, and their similar approach to other topics, they appear to be closest in doctrine and teachings as the original churches Jesus and the Apostles built.\n\nA major indicator of closeness in discipleship to Jesus is the demonstration by this church of
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First, make sure you have indeed asked Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior.\nhttp://www.calvarychapel.org/?show=TheGospel\n\nSecond read this from 1 John 1,\n\nBut if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.\n\nOK, if you have accepted Jesus, you are His and your position in Him has nothing to do with your strength regarding fleeing temptation. The devil will lie and say you are not worthy. And he is correct, we are ALL not worthy. But God's grace and mercy has taken ALL of our sins and thrown them as far as the East is from the West. So just confess your sins to Him, and believe by faith that He has forgiven all of your sins and you are white as snow and pleasing in His sight.\n\nNow, memorize that passage from John and spend the day thanking Him for His forgiveness and love. While you are at it, memorize this one as well from John 10...\n\nJesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand."\n\nNo one, not even Sinade! :)
1035659
The Necessity and Practice of Orally Confessing Sins\n\nJames 5:16 - James clearly teaches us that we must “confess our sins to one another,” not just privately to God. James 5:16 must be read in the context of James 5:14-15, which is referring to the healing power (both physical and spiritual) of the priests of the Church. Hence, when James says “therefore” in verse 16, he must be referring to the men he was writing about in verses 14 and 15 – these men are the ordained priests of the Church, to whom we must confess our sins.\n\nActs 19:18 - many came to orally confess sins and divulge their sinful practices. Oral confession was the practice of the early Church just as it is today. \n\nMatt. 3:6; Mark 1:5 - again, this shows people confessing their sins before others as an historical practice (here to John the Baptist). \n\n1 Tim. 6:12 - this verse also refers to the historical practice of confessing both faith and sins in the presence of many witnesses. \n\n1 John 1:9 - if we confess are sins, God is faithful to us and forgives us and cleanse us. But we must confess our sins to one another. \n\nNum. 5:7 - this shows the historical practice of publicly confessing sins, and making public restitution. \n\n2 Sam. 12:14 - even though the sin is forgiven, there is punishment due for the forgiven sin. David is forgiven but his child was still taken (the consequence of his sin). \n\nNeh. 9:2-3 - the Israelites stood before the assembly and confessed sins publicly and interceded for each other. \n\nSir. 4:26 - God tells us not to be ashamed to confess our sins, and not to try to stop the current of a river. Anyone who has experienced the sacrament of reconciliation understands the import of this verse. \n\nBaruch 1:14 - again, this shows that the people made confession in the house of the Lord, before the assembly. \n\n1 John 5:16-17; Luke 12:47-48 - there is a distinction between mortal and venial sins. This has been the teaching of the Catholic Church for 2,000 years, but, today, most Protestants no longer agree that there is such a distinction. Mortal sins lead to death and must be absolved in the sacrament of reconciliation. Venial sins do not have to be confessed to a priest, but the pious Catholic practice is to do so in order to advance in our journey to holiness. \n\nMatt. 5:19 - Jesus teaches that breaking the least of commandments is venial sin (the person is still saved but is least in the kingdom), versus mortal sin (the person is not saved).
689248
Only two Sacraments are received only once. Both Baptism and Confirmation imprint on the soul an indelible spiritual sign which consecrates the person and therefore are not be repeated.\n\nThe other five Sacraments that can be received more than once:\n- Eucharist can be received daily.\n- Reconcilation is received as required.\n- Anointing of the Sick is received as required.\n- Matrimony can be received more than once if a spouse dies\n- Holy Orders can be received three times, once becoming a deacon, once becoming a priest, and once becoming a bishop.\n\nWith love in Christ.
897382
There are 3 sacraments of initiation:\n\n     Baptism\n     Confirmation \n     Eucharist\n\nBaptism is the first Sacrament of initiation.  It makes us members of the Church and washes away original sin.  It makes us a child of God.  We are Baptized with holy water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  We use water, a candle, a white garment, and holy oil in baptism.  Baptism is celebrated only once.\n\nConfirmation, the second Sacrament of  Initiation, celebrates being filled with the Holy Spirit.  In Confirmation we receive the Holy Spirit who strengthens us to go out and share our faith with others, just as the Holy Spirit strengthened the Apostles at Pentecost.  We use holy oil in confirmation.  The Bishop anoints the candidate with sacred chrism (a type of holy oil).  We receive this sacrament only once.\n\nHoly Eucharist, the 3rd Sacrament of Initiation, is when we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in Holy Communion.  Some symbols would be a host and chalice, or grapes and wheat.  We receive Holy Eucharist at least every Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation.\n\nSacraments of Healing include Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.\n\nReconciliation is the sacrament in which we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness.  At reconciliation we receive absolution, God's forgiveness.  We receive this sacrament at least once a year, hopefully much more.\n\nAnointing of the Sick celebrates the spiritual and sometimes physical healing of the sick.  The priest lays hands on the sick and anoints them with holy oil.  This sacrament can be celebrated as often as needed.\n\nThere are two sacraments at the Service of Communion.  These are Holy Orders and Matrimony.  \n\nHoly Orders celebrates the giving a life to the service of the church through the priesthood or perminent deaconite.  The sacrament is celebrated by the laying on of hands followed by a prayer of consecration.  This is celebrated once.\n\nMatrimony celebrates the union of a man and woman in an intimate communion of life and love.  They celebrate matrimony with an exchange of vows and is to be celebrated only once, with the exception of the death of one of the spouses.\n\nHope this helps!!\n\nGod bless, \nStanbo
268488
The catholic church belives that in order to reach salvation you must not only have faith in god but also recive the sacraments. Its a requirement! so its really not a choice for them.  I on the other hand find it to be ridiculus and a major distraction from what jesus was all about.  They orginated much much later after the death of christ... you would of thought he would have mentioned them if they were that important.
141838
You'd need to order it from the USCCB Press (www.usccb.org).\n\nBut what you'd more likely want to order is the Ritual Sacramentary, which is updated and easier to use.
901718
I am Apostolic myself.First of all don't let people judge you.You said you were new to going to church,thats the way they need to treat you.The Bible says in Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them,Repent,and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins,and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."So first off you need to repent and be baptized in Jesus name if you haven't done that already.It is necessary to have the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.The Bible says we must be borned again of the water and of the spirit to enter into the kingdom of God.I know its hard to understand if you never been around it,but just because you don't understand it don't knock it ,because blaspeme against the Holy Ghost is the only sin Jesus want forgive.If you ever want to email questions concerning Apostolic your more than welcome to email me. roxie054@yahoo.com
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In the Catholic faith, we believe forgiveness is offered only if certain things are preseent. ( And FYI, confession to a priest is only necessary for mortal sins, not venial sins.)  God alone does the forgiving, not the priest.  The sinner must acknowledge that what he has done is truly a sin, and that it was done out of free will.  He must plan to try to not do it again.  He must be truly sorry .  He must be willing to make up for his sin in some way.  The priest, after hearing the confessor, is in a position (through the power of the Holy Spirit) to express what God has offered, forgivess.  Of course, if the confessor is lying, and doesnt have true remorse, or immediately goes out to sin again, then obviously God sees the reality of it all and forgivess was not present.  Jesus understood human nature perfectly when he instituted this sacrament: we have a need to talk to someone when we are feeling anxious, upset, and guilty.  A trained person who can listen and offer comfort and help us work through our sinfull desires, and then assure us, only after he himself is sure, that our loving and forgiving Father has welcomed us back with open arms.
171631
You will need to speak to a priest about beginning RCIA classes. RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. My fiance is doing that now. Basically, you go to classes one night a week for about 6 months and then you are confirmed the day before Easter at the Easter vigil mass. Tracy P is wrong about the church not recognizing a marriage or divorce. If have been divorced and are looking to marry in or have a marriage recognized by the church, you will have to seek an annulment. I don't know much about that, and also, that wasn't your question. I encourage you to seek out more information if you are interested. It is certainly not difficult to convert. I think that you will be very happy as a Catholic. I have been a Catholic all my life and I have always been very happy. Contrary to popular belief, the Catholic Church is not a bad thing to belong to! When people talk bad about it, always remember, Jesus faced a lot of persecution and resistance as well! I hope I could help you! Good luck.