Part One: The Profession of Faith › Section Two of Part One: The Profession of the Christian Faith: The Creeds ›› CHAPTER 3: I Believe in the Holy Spirit ››› Article 10: I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins ›››› IN BRIEF

Questions and Answers

973. Why does the Creed link the forgiveness of sins with its profession of Faith in the Holy Spirit? (CCC 984) The Creed links the forgiveness of sins with its profession of Faith in the Holy Spirit, because the risen Lord entrusted to the apostles the power to forgive sins when giving them the Holy Spirit (Jn 20).
974. What is the first and chief sacrament of the forgiveness of sins? (CCC 985) The first and chief sacrament of the forgiveness of sins is Baptism.
975. In which sacrament does the Church forgive the sins of the baptised? (CCC 986) The Church forgives the sins of the baptised in the sacrament of Penance.
976. What role do priests and sacraments play in the forgiveness of sins? (CCC 987) In the forgiveness of sins, priests and sacraments play the role of instruments which Christ wills to use in order to efface our sins.