Absolution in Detail

Fleeing from evil, turning to Christ, and giving Not according to the man, but him your sins, knowing in that any sin according to the Master. Not given to will be crucified with him. according to personal opinion e Pastor or desire, but according to the will of him who sent me. I am Called by God to serve the Upon this your , I, by virtue of my office no longer a man. Church generally, called by the congregation by the working I do what I am told, and only speak what Jesus says. of God to serve locally. I was as a called and ordained servant of the Word, placed here. A recipient of Christ’s authority and announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in office through the apostolic succession In the physical place of and for of the ministry. I am as Jesus to you. your advantage, and because the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Jesus wants it. I do not matter. Christ I [therefore] forgive you all your sins in the comes through the Because of all these external working of the triune God, to whom things and commands, and T you have access and in whom you not on account of my own name of the Father and of the Son and of the have privilege because of the name power, will, or authority . . . given in which rests upon Holy Spirit. you for eternity.

“It is not the voice or word of the man who speaks it, but it is the Word of God, who forgives sin, for it is spoken in God’s stead and by God’s command.” (AC XXV 3)