Whether confession is disapproved.
Whether confession is disapproved.
§ 99. Not only do we not disapprove each and every kind of these confessions, we also recommend them. (1) The public confession of sins before God is customarily repeated by us in our churches every Sunday and connected with the public prayers of the church.3
(2) The private confession of sins before God is necessary every day—and, indeed, every hour. As often as the devout truly do this, so often do they pray in accord with Christ’s institution: “Lord, forgive us our trespasses” [Matt. 6:12]. The necessity of this confession is clear: (a) from the divine command. “They shall confess their sin” (Num. 5:7). “Confess to your Lord God” (Ezra 10:11). “Confess the sins of the sons of Israel” (Neh. 1:6). (b) From the divine promise. “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Prov. 28:13). “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9). (c) From the examples of those who truly repent (2 Sam. 12:13; 24:10; 1 Chron. 22:17; Ps. 32:5; 41:[4]; 51:[5]; etc.). (d) From the peril which usually follows an omitted confession. “When I was silent, my bones wasted away” (Ps. 32:3).
(3) Nor do we disapprove of the public confession of those who have offended the church with enormous and atrocious sins. In fact, we rather say that it is especially useful to preserve the discipline of the church, to investigate the repentance of the backsliders, and to deal with public scandals.
(4) Although private confession before the minister of the church, which they call “auricular confession,” does not have an express and specific command, and thus is not a matter of absolute necessity, nevertheless it offers so many advantages (which will be enumerated a bit later [§§ 100–101]) and is not the least part of church discipline and has been received by the public consent of the church. Therefore it ought not be neglected nor done away with rashly. Rather, it should be used especially by those who are coming to holy Communion devoutly and in the true fear of God.
(5) Finally, we say that such fraternal reconciliation is not only useful but also necessary inasmuch as Christ Himself demanded it so earnestly. Because Christians are brothers, there should be a constant festival of propitiation among them.