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24 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
261. What is the first part of confession?
The first part of confession is that we confess, or acknowledge, our sins.
262. What sins should we confess before God?
Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of, as we
do in the Lord's Prayer.
263. What sins should we confess before our neighbor?
Before our neighbor we should confess all sins we have committed against him or
her.
264. What sins are we encouraged to confess privately before our pastor or
confessor?
Before the pastor or confessor we confess those sins which we know and feel in our
hearts, especially those that trouble us.
265. What is the second part of confession?
The second part of confession is that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness of
sins.
266. How should we regard the absolution (forgiveness) spoken by the pastor?
We should receive the pastor's absolution as from God Himself, not doubting, but
firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.
"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" (Augsburg Confession XXV 3).
267. What assurance do I have that my private confession to the pastor will
remain confidential?
The pastor is pledged not to tell anyone else of sins told him in private confession,
for those sins have been removed.
268. What is the benefit of private confession and absolution?
In private confession and absolution, God Himself through the pastor forgives each individual the sins that are confessed.
"If there is a heart that feels its sin and desires consolation, it has here a sure refuge when it hears in God's Word that through a man God looses and absolves him from his sins" (Large Catechism, Brief Exhortation, 14).
269. What special authority has Christ given to His church on earth?
Christ has given to His church the authority to forgive sins or to withhold forgiveness.
270. Why is this authority called the Office of the Keys?
This authority works like a key to open heaven by forgiving sins, or to close heaven
by not forgiving them.
271. How is the Office of the Keys related to the proclamation of the Gospel?
The Office of the Keys is a special God-given way of applying the Gospel to the
individual.
"God is surpassingly rich in His grace: First, through the spoken word, by which the forgiveness of sin (the peculiar function of the Gospel) is preached to the whole world; second, through Baptism; third, through the holy Sacrament of the Altar; fourth, through the power of keys; and
finally, through the mutual conversation and consolation of brethren" (Smalcald Articles III.IV).
272. Who are to be forgiven (absolved)?
Those who repent and ask for forgiveness are to be forgiven.
273. Who receives the forgiveness given in absolution?
Only repentant believers receive the forgiveness.
274. Who are repentant believers?
Repentant believers are those who are sorry for their sins (contrition) and believe in
the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior (faith).
275. Who are not to be forgiven?
Unrepentant sinners, that is, those who are not sorry for their sins and do not believe
in Jesus Christ, are not to be forgiven as long as they do not repent.
276. What is the necessary result of repentance?
"Then good works, which are the fruits of repentance, are bound to follow"
(Augsburg Confession XII 6).
277. How does the church publicly exercise the Office of the Keys?
The Christian congregation by the command of Christ calls pastors to carry out the
Office of the Keys publicly in His name and on behalf of the congregation. The pastoral office is a divine institution.
278. Who should be considered for the office of pastor?
Congregations are to call men who are well qualified personally and spiritually to be
their pastors.
"Our churches teach that nobody should preach publicly in the church or administer
the sacraments unless he is regularly called" (Augsburg Confession XIV).
279. What great care must be taken in dealing with an openly unrepentant
sinner?
The Christian congregation must carry out church discipline in love and patience. "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony
of two or three witnesses. 'If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if
he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax
collector " (Matt. 18:15-17).
280. What must the congregation finally do with openly unrepentant sinners?
The Christian congregation must exclude openly unrepentant sinners
(excommunication).
281. By what authority does the congregation excommunicate openly
unrepentant sinners?
Excommunication is authorized by Christ and is just as valid and certain, even in heaven, as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself.
282. What is the duty of the called minister of Christ when the congregation has excommunicated a sinner?
The called minister of Christ must carry out the resolution of the congregation, that
is, he must exclude the excommunicated person from the rights and privileges of a
Christian.
283. What is the purpose of excommunication?
Excommunication is not intended to punish the sinner, but to
A. lead him or her to repentance and faith;
B. prevent him or her from leading others into sin.
284. What is the duty of a congregation toward an excommunicated sinner who repents?
The congregation must forgive any excommunicated person who repents and receive him or her back into full fellowship.