| What do you believe according to these words (John 20:22,23)? I believe that, when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, especially when they exclude manifest and impenitent sinners from the Christian congregation, and, again, when they absolve those who repent of their sins and are willing to amend, this is as valid and certain, in heaven also, as if Christ, our dear Lord, dealt with us Himself. |
The functions of the Office of the Public Ministry are: to care for the souls in the congregation, to teach and proclaim God’s Word, to administer the holy Sacraments, and to retain the sins of the impenitent and to remit the sins of the penitent.
Heb. 13:17: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.
Tit. 1:9: (A bishop) must be blameless... holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
2 Tim. 4:2: Preach the Word.
1 Cor. 4:1: Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Joh. 20:22-23: Receive ye the Holy Ghost; whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
The theological training of those preparing to enter the Office of the Ministry, is also the responsibility of the Christian Church and its ministry.
2 Tim. 2:2: The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
