Wrested Scriptures

The Catholic Church
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Catholic
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  Matt. 12:32
  Matt. 16:18
  Matt. 26:26
  Luke 10:16
  Luke 22:32
  John 21:16
  John 6:53
  John 20:23
  1 Cor. 3:13
  1 Cor. 7:1
  James 5:14
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John 20:23
 
"Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."
 
Problem:
 
The Roman Catholic Church uses this passage to justify its teaching that the key of purgatory lies in the hand of the priest. In this unseen region of suffering he is said to open and shut, bind and loose. It is also held to lie within the priest's power to lessen the duration and severity of the suffering.

Solution:

  1. This passage has specific reference to the apostles. This is indicated by Jesus "breathing" on them. (vs. 22).
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  2. The promise of this passage was to the apostles. (vs. 20). If the Roman Church has any claim to the promise it musts first demonstrate the existence of apostles. Paul instructed the Corinthians. "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds." (2 Cor. 12:12). Where is the R.C. priest who can, in God's name, strike an Elymas blind, (Acts 13:11); raise a Eutychus from the dead, (Acts 20:10-12); or suffer no harm after being bitten by a viper, (Acts 28:3-5)? These were the signs of an apostle.
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  3. When claims to the tremendous power outlined in the problem are vested in the hands of ordinary men or as may happen, in the hands of mercenary and unscrupulous men, imagination can scarcely exceed the historical abuses.
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  4. The New Testament refers to only one sacrificing priest, Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:12) and to a "royal priesthood" of all believers. (1 Pet. 2:9). There is no exclusive order of priests officiating for a laity in New Testament arrangements.