The Necessity of Public Confession

by Floyd Chappalear
"Question Concerning Forgiveness," Sentry Magazine, Vol. 18 No. 1, 31 March 1992

Question:

Will you please write something in Sentry regarding forgiveness? When is it scriptural for one to go before a congregation and ask for forgiveness, or let them know one has repented? This is not something done by another Christian, who, coming out of a denomination, did not take the Lord’s supper for a long time. Because of that, he wasn’t used in worship. He came regularly, never caused any trouble, then all at once he began to take the Lord’s supper, but he was told he could not be used in worship until he repented, to which he said, ’I asked God to forgive me. I have repented. ’ Some insist he needs to go before the church and repent or ask forgiveness. Please do not use my name or the town, as I do not want publicity—I just want some answers.

Answer:

Let me begin with the last question pertaining to "go[ing] before the church." No principle in scripture requires such as a condition of grace. Nowhere in the word of God is anyone told to go before the church to seek forgiveness from God. Neither is there an example nor a necessary inference for such. The practice is a tradition. Nothing more, nothing less. Simon the sorcerer didn’t do it (Acts 8); the example of going to a brother (Matthew 18) doesn’t require it; and, finally, confessing one to another is hardly the same thing (James 5).

However, if this brother had left the faith to enter into denominationalism for some time, common sense would dictate that many problems would have been resolved had he made some declaration of his repentance and return to Christ. However, once the brethren had asked him (Matthew 18), they should have been satisfied if the evidence were there that he had, indeed, repented before God.

As for when it is acceptable to make a public confession and request the prayers of the church, it should be acceptable at any time, but it should never be binding as a condition of grace.