What is public confession?

If brothers or sisters in faith have fallen into manifest sin, it is necessary that they receive spiritual care and that the resulting offense to the congregation be removed. If they have not in any other way come to a knowledge of their sin and its damning nature, the pastor must lead them to this knowledge. When they come to a knowledge of their sins, the pastor pronounces God’s and the congregation’s forgiveness to them, and receives them as beloved brothers or sisters in faith back into the fellowship of the other pardoned children of God.

1 Tim. 5:20: Them that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

2 Sam. 12:13: David said unto Nathan: I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David: The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

What is general confession?

General confession takes place in connection with the worship service of the congregation, when we join our fellow-believers in the confession of sins and then hear the pronouncement of the absolution.

What is private confession before the pastor?

In private conession we can confess our sins and everything that is pressing heavily upon our heart to God in the presence of the pastor. We receive pastoral advice, the comfort of God’s Word and, above all, absolution. This type of confession is a voluntary matter. We may use it also when no particular sin is causing us distress. But it offers great comfort especially to the sin-burdened soul. It must be available in the congregation at all times.

Matt. 9:2: Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Luther: “Where, therefore, there is a heart, that is aware of its sin, and longs for comfort, such a heart has a sure refuge in confession. In confession it finds and hears God’s Word, as God, through men, frees it from sin.”

Assignment: Read from the Small Catechsim, Luther’s brief instruction concerning the use of private confession.

What is the confession of love before our neighbor?

Before our neighbor we must confess those sins with which we have sinned against him, and ask his forgiveness. If we do not want to do this, we are not truly sorry for our sins before God either.

James 5:16: Confess your faults one to another.

Matt. 5:23-25: Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Luther: “The first confession occurs before God... the second confession occurs before our neighbor and is a confession of love, whereas the first, on the other hand, is a confession of faith. As it is written in the Epistle of James: ‘Confess your faults one to another.’ (James 5:16) In the confession of love, he who has sinned against his neighbor, must confess his sin to his neighbor, as Christ says: (Matt. 5:23-25, see above). Here Christ makes a demand to both parties: He who has offended, must seek forgiveness, and he, who has been offended, must forgive. This confession too is necessary and commanded by God, as is the other. For God does not want to be gracious or forgive sins to anyone, who does not forgive his neighbor. So too faith cannot be genuine, unless it produces the fruit of forgiveness and of asking for forgiveness. Otherwise a person cannot come before God. If this fruit is lacking, neither faith nor the first confession is genuine.” (Sermon on Confession and the Sacraments, 1524).

What do we mean by continuous confession before God?

By continuous confession before God we mean, that we are always before God, and confess that we are continually guilty of all sins, even those of which we are unaware; we pray for forgiveness and in faith accept forgiveness on the basis of God’s promises of grace, even though omeone else does not proclaim it to us. In other types of confessions, a person is also before God.

Ps. 32:5: I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.

Ps. 19:12: Who can understand his errors? Cleanse Thou me from secret faults.

How many kinds of Confession are there?

There are five kinds of confession: continuous confession before God, the confession of love before our neighbor, private confession before the pastor, the public or general confession in the worship service, and the public confession of manifest sinners before the congregation.

Do hypocrites, who hear the absolution, receive forgiveness for their sins?

It is possible that hypocrites are present when the absolution is pronounced, for a pastor cannot see into a person’s heart. God alone knows them. But a hypocrite does not receive forgiveness for himself, because he does not through faith accept the grace offered and pronounced to him. The absolution is not automatically effective without faith.

Heb. 4:2: Unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Is. 62:10: Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord.

May some other Christian besides the pastor grant the absolution?

Yes, especially in an exceptional situation. However, it is the pastor’s duty, on the basis of his office in the congregation, to hear the confession of manifest sinners and to grant them absolution.

Do we receive forgiveness of sins if the pastor is an unbeliever?

Yes, we do. For even though the good will of God is that the pastor be a believer, in receiving the absolution, we must not think of the pastor’s faith and the condition of his heart, but must rather concentrate on the words of absolution and believe them. For because of his call, a pastor does not represent his own person, but Christ.

2 Tim. 2:9: The Word of God is not bound.

Can a pastor forgive sins?

What is Confession? Confession embraces two parts. One is that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution, or forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, and in no wise doubt, but firmly believe, 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 of those which we do not know, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer; but before the pastor we should confess those sins only which we know and feel in our hearts? What are they? Here consider your station according to the Ten Commandments, whether you are a father, mother, son, daughter, master, mistress, servant; whether you have been disobedient, unfaithful, slothful; whether you have grieved any person by word or deed; whether you have stolen, neglected, or wasted aught, or done other injury.

Only God has the power and authority to forgive sins, but because a pastor serves as God’s instrument, God Himself acts through his office. A pastor, therefore, grants the absolution on the basis of Christ’s completed work of atonement, by God’s command.

2 Cor. 5:20: We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us.

What are we to think of the office of the bishop?

In the Apostolic church there was no office of the bishop comparable to the present-day office. It has been instituted much later. It is a matter of free choice. It is well to remember what the Lutheran Confessions say: “If the bishops either are heretics, or will not ordain suitable persons, the churches are in duty bound before God, according to divine law, to ordain for themselves pastors and ministers. Even though this be now called an irregularity or schism, it shall be known that the godless doctrine and tyranny of the bishops is chargeable with it, because Paul, (Gal 1:7-9) enjoins that bishops who teach and defend a godless doctrine and godless services shall be regarded as accursed.”

Is the congregation bound to heterodox pastors?

Because God’s congregation must listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd and flee the voice of strangers, it is not compelled to bind itself, nor does it have permission to bind itself to heterodox pastors.

Joh. 10:27: (Jesus said) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Joh. 10:5: A stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of strangers.

Whom does the congregation have the right to call into the Office of the Ministry?

The congregation has the right to call as its pastors, men who are able and fit to serve in that capacity.

1 Tim. 3:2-4: A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.

1 Tim. 2:12: I suffer not a woman to teach.

Acts 1:21-22: Of these men... must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Luther: “It is true (speaking of the Office of the Ministry), that the Holy Ghost has made exception, in this matter, of women, children, and incompetent folk, and, except in cases of necessity, chooses only qualified males. Thus we read here and there in St. Paul’s epistles that a bishop must be apt to teach, pious and the husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2) and in 1 Corinthians 14:34, that a woman shall not teach in the assembly. In a word it shall be a well-prepared, selected man” (On the Councils and the Churches, 1539).

Who has the right to call?

The right to call belongs to those to whom God has originally given the power of the Office of the Keys, in other words, to believers in Christ. (See What kind of a power is the Office of the Keys? and What does the power of the Office of the Keys include?).

The Lutheran Confessions: “It is necessary for the Church to retain the authority to call, elect, and ordain ministers.” (Smalcald Articles).

How does a person enter the Office of the Public Ministry?

Although all Christians, on the basis of the priesthood of all believers, have the right to testify of their Savior, the will of God, however, is not that all Christians should be pastors, but He rather calls people to this office. A person enters the office of the Ministry through a valid call.

Rom. 10:15: How shall they preach except they be sent?

1 Cor. 12:29: Are all teachers?

Heb. 5:4: No man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

Jer. 23: 21: I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran.

Acts 20:28: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

The Lutheran Confessions: “No one should publicly teach in the Church or administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called” (rite vocatus; Augsburg Confession 14). Luther: “The office of the ministry must be separated from the priesthood of all believers.” (Ps. 110, second explanation, 1538).

What do we call those who serve in the Office of the Ministry?

The Bible calls those who serve in the Office of the Public Ministry, shepherds and bishops (overseers), teachers, elders, and servants.

Eph. 4:11: And he gave some... pastors (shepherds) and teachers.

1 Tim. 3:1: This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

1 Tim. 5:17: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.

Col. 1:6-7: Ye knew the grace of God in truth... of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ.

In Confessional Lutheran churches the word, pastor, has become the generally accepted title for those who serve in the Office of the Public Ministry. The word, pastor, means shepherd. In referring to those who serve in the Ministry, the Lutheran Confession use names such as overseer or bishop, preacher, pastor, and presbyter or elder.

What is the Office of the Public Ministry?

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.

How does the congregation retain a person´s sins?

If a person remains impenitent, and does not heed the warning and admonition of God’s Word that the congregation has given, the congregation finally excludes that person from the congregation.

If a person’s sin is not publicly known, the following instructions given by Jesus, are observed:

Matt. 18:15-17: If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church. But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

The first two steps are not necessary, if the sin is a matter of common knowledge. In that case it is an offense and sin against the entire congregation. The congregation can then directly discipline the offender.

1 Cor. 5:3-5: Concerning him that hath so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Je

sus.

The congregation declares those, who despite admonition, stubbornly teach and spread doctrine contrary to God’s Word, to be such with whom they cannot be in church fellowship.

1 Tim. 6:3-5: If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud... from such withdraw thyself.

Tit. 3:10: A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition, reject.

A person that has been excommunicated from the congregation cannot partake of Holy Communion, be a sponsor for a baptized child, or serve in any other position of trust in the congregation.


Assignment: Discuss on the basis of 1 Cor. chapter 5, how a congregation is to relate to those, who wish to be in fellowship with believers, but who live in manifest sin. How does a Christian relate in family situations, at work and in the community?

Who are inpenitent sinners?

Impenitent sinners are sinners, who do not confess their sins to be sins before God, but try to defend themselves and cover up their sins. They do not feel the need to believe their sins forgiven in the name of Jesus Christ. The congregation must not pronounce the absolution to them, but must retain their sins as long as they do not repent.

Prov. 28:13: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper.

1 Joh. 1:8: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Who are repentant sinner in God´s Church?

Repentant sinners in God’s Church are those who confess their sins to be sins before God, who are sorry because of their sins, desire to improve their life, and who trust in Jesus Christ, the Savior of sinners. To them we are to pronounce the absolution.

Ps. 51: 17: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite hearts, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

Luke 18:13: God be merciful to me, a sinner.

Matt. 26:75: And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Prov. 28:13: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Acts 16:31: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.

Matt. 3:8: Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.

Assignment: Read Luke 15:11-24: the prodigal son.