Protestant Argument:

 Catholicism believes that a priest has the power to forgive or retain sins and impose penance as a means of testing the

genuineness of the person's confession, and of making a satisfaction to God for that sin.

Answer: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John

1:9.

We only confess our sins to God. No mention is made of penance here or anywhere. No good works that we do by penance

will ever satisfy God, but sinners can be accepted and forgiven only on the ground of Christ's sacrifice, through which alone

the justice and wrath of God against sin have been satisfied. Romans 3:24-28.

"He is the propitiation for our sins ...

" 1 John 2:2.

Penance is performing outward acts such as repeating prayers, like the "Hail Mary" or the "Rosary", as a payment for sin and

to satisfy God. Roman Catholicism bases penance on Ezekiel

6 of20

4/3/057:04 AM

Errors of the Roman Catholic Church, Part

http://www.acts1711.com/romanerrl.htm

18:30, Luke 13:5 and Acts 2:38 where they incorrectly translate "repentance" (metanoeo = to turn, repent, to change

one's mind) as "penance".