Answer: Jesus’ words are not to be understood after the manner prevailing among many Roman and Greek Catholics – that a priest by virtue of the sacrifice of the mass, or otherwise, is able to remit sins. The thought is rather the following: The 12 Apostles in particular, and less particularly all the Lord’s true footstep followers while in the world, would be under the influence, guidance, and instruction of His holy spirit to such an extent that they would know the terms and conditions on which it is possible for God to forgive sins.

Of course, Jesus could do this. For example, looking forward to His completing the sacrifice for sins, He declared to the man sick of palsy, “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matthew 9: 2). According to our text, the Apostles were given this privilege.

All the consecrated have this privilege to some extent. It is exercised as a ministry of comfort (Isaiah 61: 1-3). The Scriptures set forth plainly the understanding that forgiveness of sins is based on faith in Jesus as Savior and His death on the cross for sinners. A simple statement along this line is found in Acts 16: 30-34.

We may assure anyone who gives evidence of heart-repentance, restitution to the extent of ability, faith in Christ, and an obedient desire to walk according to His ways that God will forgive their sins. Though we do not ourselves have the power to forgive another’s sins yet being in close relationship with our Lord and knowing His mind on the subject, we can speak for Him as His mouthpiece. As such we may declare and explain the terms of reconciliation.

Those who have had their sins forgiven know well how to direct others to the same blessing. We should assure the penitent one by pointing to the blessed assurances of the Scriptures. A good sample text is Micah 7: 18, 19:

“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

And once we recognize that we have been forgiven our sins, let us not make the mistake of recalling our past sins and be tormented in conscience by them. Nor should we do likewise with the sins of others, for God not only forgives, but also forgets our sins (Isaiah 43: 25) (Jeremiah 31: 34).  

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