What Lutherans Believe About Confession

What is confession?

Confession has two parts. First, a person admits his sin. Second, a person receives absolution or forgiveness from the confessor, as if from God Himself, without doubting it, but believing firmly that his sins are forgiven by God in Heaven through it.

Which sins should people confess?

When speaking to God, we should plead guilty to all sins, even those we don't know about, just as we do in the ``Our Father,'' but when speaking to the confessor, only the sins we know about, which we know about and feel in our hearts.

Which are these?

Consider here your place in life according to the Ten Commandments. Are you a father? A mother? A son? A daughter? A husband? A wife? A servant? Are you disobedient, unfaithful or lazy? Have you hurt anyone with your words or actions? Have you stolen, neglected your duty, let things go or injured someone?

The above text is quoted from Martin Luther's Small Catechism (1529) as translated in 1994 for Project Wittenberg by Robert E. Smith. This text has been placed in the public domain by Robert E. Smith and may be freely distributed, copied or printed. Please see our Credits and Links Page for a link to Project Wittenberg.