Dr. Abel Damina, a prominent Nigerian pastor and founder of Abel Damina Ministries, offers a unique perspective on the concept of confession of sins within Christian doctrine. His teachings, which have sparked considerable discussion and debate, center on the belief that the traditional practice of confessing individual sins is not a requirement for New Testament believers.
According to Dr. Damina, the issue of sin has been fully addressed through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that Jesus’ atonement was comprehensive, covering all sins—past, present, and future. As such, sin no longer creates a barrier between God and humanity for those who have placed their faith in Christ. This perspective challenges the conventional Christian practice where believers are often encouraged to confess their sins regularly as a means of maintaining a right relationship with God.
In his interpretation, Dr. Damina focuses on scriptures such as 1 John 1:9, which states, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Traditional interpretations of this verse suggest that believers must confess their sins to receive forgiveness. However, Dr. Damina argues that this verse has been misinterpreted. He suggests that the “confession” referred to in this context is not about enumerating sins but about confessing (or acknowledging) Jesus Christ as the one who has already provided forgiveness for all sins. Thus, the emphasis is on the believer’s faith in Christ’s completed work rather than on a continual process of sin confession.
Dr. Damina’s teachings propose that salvation and ongoing fellowship with God are maintained through faith in Jesus and His righteousness, rather than through the repeated act of confessing sins. He views the practice of confessing sins as unnecessary for those who have already accepted Christ’s forgiveness. Instead, he encourages believers to live in the reality of their righteousness in Christ, focusing on their identity as forgiven and redeemed people.
This approach has led Dr. Damina to critique the traditional practice as being unbiblical and inconsistent with New Testament teachings. He argues that the emphasis should be on the believer’s new identity in Christ and the grace that has been freely given, rather than on a continuous focus on sin and confession.
Dr. Damina’s perspective is part of a broader theological movement that emphasizes grace and the finished work of Christ. It challenges believers to rethink long-held doctrines and to embrace a grace-based understanding of their relationship with God. His teachings encourage a shift from a sin-conscious mindset to a righteousness-conscious one, where believers rest in the assurance of their salvation and forgiveness.
For those interested in exploring this topic further, Dr. Damina has addressed it in various sermons and teachings, including a detailed exposition in the video titled “Christocentric Meal (January 9th) | What Then Is Confession Of Sins?” This video and other resources by Dr. Damina delve into his interpretation of scriptural passages and provide a comprehensive overview of his stance on the confession of sins.
