Dr. Luther’s Small Catechism lesson for the week of December 6, 2015:
[V] CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
HOW PLAIN PEOPLE ARE TO BE TAUGHT TO CONFESS
What is confession?
Answer: Confession consists of two parts. One is that we confess our sins. The other is that we receive absolution or forgiveness from the confessor as from God himself, by no means doubting but firmly believing that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in heaven.[1]
[1]Tappert, T. G. 2000, c1959. The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church. Fortress Press: Philadelphia