Small Catechism: Confession & Absolution

What is Confession?

Confession has two parts.

First, that we confess our sins, and

Second, that we receive Absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as

from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are

forgiven before God in Heaven.

What sins should we confess?

Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of,

as we do in the Lord's Prayer; but before the pastor we should confess only

those sins which we know and feel in our hearts.

Which are these?

Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments: Are you a

father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker? Have you been

disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or

quarrelsome? Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds? Have you stolen,

been negligent, wasted anything, or done any harm?

What is the Office of the Keys?

The Office of the Keys is that special authority which Christ has given to His

Church on earth to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold

forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.

Where is this written?

This is what St. John the Evangelist writes in chapter twenty: The Lord Jesus

breathed on His disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive

anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not

forgiven." (John 20:22-23)

What do you believe according to these words?

I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His

divine command, in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners

from the Christian congregation and absolve those who repent of their sins and

want to do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in Heaven, as if

Christ our dead Lord dealt with us Himself.

Subscribe on Podvine (https://podvine.com/podcast/wrestling-with-theology) or

your favorite podcast app.