Again [Jesus] said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” – John 20:21-23 (NLT)
The Office of the Keys refers to the ability God has given to the Church to act as God’s agents and forgive the sins of the penitent. Christians have a responsibility to not only help people to deal with their sin, but to help them understand that God intends His commandments to bring good to us. Part of what God has done for us is to give us the ability to conform our lives to His will, and to proclaim his forgiveness to those who recognize when they have failed to so conform.
