The Apostles are given the ministry to bind and decide: "To whom ye forgive sins, they shall be forgiven; to whom ye shall leave them, they shall remain" (John 20:23). What you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18). But many of those who believed came, confessing and revealing their works (Diary 19:18), and the apostles accepted this, why should we reject it?

Controversy

Only God forgives sins. Yes, this is true, but does not God baptize? However, the presbyter also serves this. The same is true for confession. The Lord said to His disciples: "As the Father has sent Me, so I also send you (and further) (John 26:21).

Remembrance of sin is a sign of lack of faith. Reflection on one's lack of faith gives rise to a prayer of repentance. It determines the help of Christ. Consequently, healing from sin is impossible without reasoning about it.

MONKHOOD

Let us consider monasticism in its basic principles. Do they contradict the Scriptures? The Apostles on Celibacy: (monastic vow): It is good for a man not to touch a woman... for I desire that all men should be as I am, but each has his own gift from God. Some in this way, others in another (1 Corinthians 7:1; 7). For the best I admit that it is good for a man to remain so (v. 26), i.e. virgin (see also 1 Corinthians 7:32-40). The Apostle John preserved virginity.

The first Christian communities were monastic (Diary 2:44-45; 4:32). The Saviour told the young man to sell his possessions for perfection (Matt. 19:21). Whosoever forsaketh houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life (Matt. 19:29). (Isaiah 56:5; 7). Not everyone can bear this word, but to whom it is given... there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 19:11; 12).

ASCETICISM: I subdue and enslave my body, not just in order to preach more, but in order not to preach to others, so that I myself may not remain unworthy (1 Cor. 9:27). He who suffers in the flesh ceases to sin. (1 Peter 4:1). Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts (Gal. 5:24). The Kingdom of Heaven is taken by force, and those who use force take it away (Matt. 11:12). All ascetics abstain from everything (1 Corinthians 9:25). Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself (Matt. 16:24).

Controversy

Monasticism is an obstacle to preaching. The sermon does not have to be delivered from the pulpit or stadium. Thousands came to Sergius of Radonezh and Seraphim of Sarov. They lit millions of hearts! And there are many such monks. The Church is glorified and multiplied by them! When was monasticism flourishing in the history of the Church? And when was the flowering of Christian preaching? (at the same time!).

SPIRITUAL RANKS

FATHER. Do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. (Matthew 23:9). Verses 8 to 10 are spoken of the Pharisees. They, being called fathers, considered themselves superior to others. This meaning of the word "father" applies only to God. We are talking about the moral contamination of this naming, and not about the naming itself.

What is more important: the body or the spirit? Is not the spiritual father greater than the bodily father? So why can't he who begat more be called father? Though you have thousands of teachers in Christ, but not many fathers, I have begotten you in Christ Jesus through the gospel (1 Corinthians 4:15). Abraham became the father of all believers (Rn. 4:11). I ask thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have borne in my bonds" (Philem. 10). There is no one who would leave home... or my father... for my sake and the Gospel's sake, and I would not have received it now... a hundred times more... Fathers (Mark 10:29-30). My children, for whom I am again in the pangs of childbirth, until Christ is formed in you (Gal. 4:19). The Apostle John called believers his children (3 John 4; 1 John 2:1; 18) and called others fathers (1 John 2:13). My son, Timothy... (1 Timothy 1:18). Paul was a virgin, be strong, my son (2 Timothy 2:1). Paul called Titus a son in faith (Titus 1:4).

TEACHER. And do not be called teachers, for you have one teacher, Christ. (Matthew 23:8) We call the one who thinks a thinker; who serves - a minister; builds - by a builder. And what do you call the one who teaches?! Paul: I have been ordained... a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth (1 Timothy 2:7); 2 Timothy 1:11. God has ordained others... Teachers... Are all the apostles? Are all prophets? Are they all teachers? (1 Corinthians 12:28-29). Continue in the ministry; whether a teacher is in teaching (Romans 12:7). Become a few teachers, knowing that we (teachers) will be subjected to greater condemnation (James 3:1).