Lutherans promote and even exhort every Christian to make use of private confession and absolution. The Concordians opposed mandatory confession but urged every Christian, pastors and laity alike, to use their freedom in Christ to receive Christ’s free forgiveness. There are two kinds of confession common among Christians: confession to the Lord and confession to the neighbor, as expressed in the Lord’s Prayer. Yet the Church calls pastors to exercise the Office of the Keys by offering private, confidential confession, so that all who come in faith may receive a clear conscience in Christ.

Rev. Ben Meyer, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Caledonia, MI, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to begin a study of private confession.

To learn more about St. Paul Lutheran Church, visit stpaulcaledonia.org.

Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected].