Christianity: Sacrament of Repentance and Confession

The Separation from God and the Sacrament of Repentance and Confession

• Sin separates us from God, and its wages are death (Romans 6:23)
• Sincere repentance and confession through the Sacrament of Repentance and Confession allow us to return to God's open arms
• There is great joy in heaven when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7)

Institution of the Sacrament of Repentance and Confession

• The Sacrament of Repentance and Confession is one of the 7 holy sacraments of the church
• It was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 18:18)
• After the resurrection, Jesus gave His disciples the authority to forgive sins (John 20:21-22)

The Process of the Sacrament

• We gain the remission of our sins when we confess them before the priest
• The priest puts the cross on our heads, reads the absolution, and announces the remission of our sins with the authority given by Jesus Christ
• Sincere repentance + confession and absolution = remission of sins

Steps of Practicing the Sacrament

• Before Confession: preparation
• During Confession: confession of sins
• After Confession: absolution and remission of sins

The Blessings of the Sacrament of Repentance and Confession

• Remission of sins: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)
• Hope for eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ by accepting His redemption
• Returning to our Lord like the prodigal son, "for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (Luke 15:24)
• Receiving the absolution and the solution from the priest

The Significance of the Sacrament

• The 7 Sacraments of our Church are our real sources of joy
• They allow us to live happily with the Lord Jesus Christ