“Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7 (BSB)
“The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’” – Luke 15:21 (BSB)
“Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” – Acts 3:19 (BSB)
“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 (BSB)
Anglicans are trained to confess regularly through the liturgy, but personal confession should be more than routine. Fr. Peter Johnston (ACNA, Holy Cross Cathedral, Loganville, GA) advises, “Begin with silence. Ask the Spirit to reveal sin. Write it down if needed. Speak it plainly to God—not vaguely, but specifically—and receive His Word of pardon with faith.” (Pastoral Teaching on Prayer Practices, 2021)
Confession is not meant to lead us into despair, but into renewal. Bishop Todd Hunter (AMiA, Churches for the Sake of Others) writes, “Healthy confession includes both sorrow for sin and hope for change. The God who convicts also cleanses.” (Our Favorite Sins, 2011) This dual movement—from brokenness to healing—is part of how we grow in holiness.
Dr. Ephraim Radner (ACNA, Wycliffe College, Toronto) notes, “When we confess, we align ourselves with the truth of God’s judgment and the hope of His mercy. We stop hiding, and in doing so, we begin to walk again in the light.” (Leviticus as Theology, 2008)
Confession may also be practiced with the help of a spiritual director, mentor, or priest. The Anglican tradition allows, though does not require, auricular confession. As the 2019 BCP teaches: “All may, none must, some should.” In this spirit, Fr. Kenneth Tanner (Anglican Priest, Church of the Holy Redeemer, Michigan) encourages pastoral confession when burdened by persistent sin: “Hearing ‘You are forgiven’ from a fellow priest of Christ can break chains that solitary confession sometimes cannot.” (Essay on Pastoral Absolution, 2019)
“Let us not delay repentance. Let confession be daily, so that sin may not become habit, and grace may not be resisted.” – Cyprian of Carthage, Letter to the Lapsed, c. 250 AD
“No one is healed unless he reveals his wound. So let the Christian uncover his sins before God, and healing will surely come.” – Ambrose of Milan, On Repentance, c. 385 AD
“True confession is not only words, but the breaking of the heart. Let the tears of repentance fall, and grace will follow.” – John Chrysostom, Homily on Repentance, c. 390 AD
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
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St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.