Forgive or Retain Sins

Jesus gave instructions to his disciples after his resurrection. On the subject of forgiveness he said, "'If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained'" (Jn 20:23). How can an ordinary person do this? The scribes saw Jesus heal a paralytic and heard him say, "'My son, your sins are forgiven'" (Mk 2:5). They thought to themselves "who can forgive sins but God alone?" (:7). Jesus responded saying "'the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins'" (:10). Then when Jesus met with his disciples after the resurrection he stated, "'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth'" (Mt 28:18). With this authority "He breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'" (Jn 20:22). Therefore the Holy Spirit would enable them to forgive sin in the name of Jesus. Jesus told them "'behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high'" (Lk 24:49). You wear clothes, so therefore power becomes a personal covering. Elijah was a prophet and "a man with a nature like ours" (Ja 5:17). He had a mantle (robe, garment) and "threw his mantle on [Elisha]" (1Ki 19:19). It represented God's actual power because "Elijah took his mantle . . . and struck the waters and they were divided here and there" (2Ki 2:8). Elisha also when "he took the mantle of Elijah . . . and struck the waters . . . they were divided here and there" (:14).