What does it mean to remit or retain sins according to the Bible?

In John 20:23, Jesus tells His disciples, 'Whosoever sins you remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins you retain, they are retained.' This passage has often been misunderstood. It does not imply that the apostles or any church leaders possess the inherent ability to forgive sins. Instead, this authority pertains to the message they are commanded to preach.

The remitting of sins signifies the proclamation of forgiveness granted through faith in Jesus Christ, aligning with the message of the Gospel that Salvation is solely through Him. Conversely, to retain sins indicates the rejection of forgiveness due to a lack of belief in Christ. This teaches that the preaching of the Gospel is the means by which individuals come to know their standing before God—be it acceptance or condemnation—based on their response to the truth of Christ's atoning work. The authority here stresses the importance of preaching a clear Gospel message that reflects God's plan for salvation.