DOCTRINE: Because the chief part of Confession and Absolution is the absolution, and because absolution is the same as the forgiveness of sins, it is appropriate to speak of Confession and Absolution as a sacrament(without a visible/physical element).

ISSUE: Among most Protestant churches and some Lutherans, the importance of Confession/Absolution is down-played even to the point of ignoring it altogether.

QUESTION: Why should Confession/Absolution be highly esteemed among us? Because it offers the penitent forgiveness of sins and thus qualifies to be called a sacrament without a visible/physical element.

SUPPORT: I John 1:9 promises: "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Other passages include II Chronicles 6:36-39, Daniel 9:18-19. John 20:23 declares that the absolution pronounced by a disciple is forgiveness. "If you forgive anyone his sins they are forgiven." The Book of Concord: AAC XI, 60; XIII, 4; SA 1.

DOCTRINE: General Confession is not only encouraged in the Bible, but it is commanded.

ISSUE: General Confession in many churches is viewed as negative, and not helpful in building up the worshipper's self-esteem.

QUESTION: Is the General Confession appropriate for worship services? Yes.

SUPPORT: Why? 1. Scripture identifies all people as sinners and clearly encourages us to admit our sins publicly: (Lev. 5:5, Num. 5:7, I Sam. 7:6, Ezra 10:1, Ezra 10:11, Neh. 9:1-3, Prov. 28:13, Dan. 9:20, Matt. 3:6, Mark 1:5, Acts 19:18) 2. Confession is already part of the regular worship service in the Kyrie and in the Lord's Prayer. While of fairly recent origin in the worship service, the general confession is a public admission of wrongdoing which is encouraged in Scripture.

DOCTRINE: While the general confession in the worship service is appropriate, the confession of which our Lutheran Confessions and the historic Christian Church speaks is Private Confession.

ISSUE: Private Confession is regarded by many Lutherans as too (Roman) Catholic.

QUESTION: Is private confession Lutheran?

SUPPORT: 1. Examination of the Bible passages above certainly supports private confession. 2. All of the confessional references given in paragraph number one are references to private confession and not the general confession. In addition these references also apply: The Book of Concord: AAC VI, 6; LO, 61; CA XI, 1; XXV, 1-4.

DOCTRINE: The people are to be neither compelled to confess privately not give a listing of sins, but the great blessing of absolution is to be emphasized thus making it a true means of grace.

ISSUE: Historically, the Roman Catholic church has insisted upon private confession and the enumeration of sins (and satisfation) for forgiveness of sins.

QUESTION: 1. Is it necessary to go to private confession before Communion and 2. Are the enumeration of sins commanded?

SUPPORT: 1. No, Confession/Absolution and Communion are two different sacraments. The Book of Concord encourages confession and expects that Christians will participate in private confession because of the great blessings it conveys (Who would despise absolution except an unbeliever?). But they no where command Confession/Absolution before partaking of the Lord's Supper each time. 2A. Again, some of the Bible references above do indicate an enumeration of sins. The word "confession," by itself, may include an enumeration, however, nowhere does it say you must enumerate sins before they are forgiven. 2B. The enumeration of sins is for the comfort and consolation of the penitent. Luther says, "It is useful and necessary, nor would I have it abolished; nay, I rejoice that it exists in the church of Christ, for it is a cure without equal for distressed consciences."