James 5:15 says “…and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” It’s interesting that James mentions this, because we have the notion that we can confess our sins in private between us and God. But this verse lets us know the Presbyter (Priest) who is praying for the person must be the remitter (John 20:23): James 5:15 says “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” The Priest must ask “have you sinned?”. And here we see that the recipient of the prayer must confess to the Presbyters of their sins so they can be forgiven. The next verse then says “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Here we see James moves from the recipient of the prayer to the church body itself and mentions confession. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is called the Sacrament of Penance. So confession must be done before the Presbytery or the Priest, and you will be forgiven through the Priest blessing.
-Anthony Booker
The GATHERING Place 