“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

But how are we to interpret this verse?  Does any person, even as important as the Apostles, have the power to forgive sins?Now, this is the primary verse Catholics use to speak of confession, and this verse, and confession, also has a role in the Anglican Tradition in confession. So let’s look at:

1. What does this verse mean when it comes to forgiveness?  

2. Where do we see it in our Anglican Tradition in the Church service and life?

3. What does this mean in our personal confession of sin?