Do you think the Catholic teaching of going to Confession is Biblical?

[Josia]

John chapter 20:22-23 states, "22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

Most will agree that here Jesus is commissioning His disciples to minstry. Just as he had commissioned them previously to do the work that only Christ could do (such as driving out demons and healing the sick), now he is commissing them to do EVERYTHING that Jesus did...ie., including forgiving people their sins. He was enabling the Church to truly be His replacement on earth after His ascension. I mean if people can cast out demons, and lay hands on the sick and see them healed by the power of the Holy Spirit, then why can't a minister do the work of forgiving sins in Jesus' name? He is an agent of Christ. James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." I know
Thanks David...that was quite a thought provoking answer
Baptist: If this doctrine is not biblical, then how do you explain John 20:23. And the scripture that you are referencing about not calling someone father, you are taking this completely our of context.....keep on reading...should we not call people "teacher" either? you just point this out to bash Catholicism.

[autumnmoon9]

Yes, and no. During the Plague years, people were allowed to confess to each other without a priest.