In reply to R. Glidewell.

The word "power" isn't the best word. Power is taken; authority is bestowed. Jesus bestowed authority upon the church to say "I forgive you." He didn't say "tell people that God forgives them," but "I forgive you." He says, "when YOU forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven." This is key. This is the authority God gives to His church and through the church to the called and ordained servants of Christ who do everything on His behalf.

Think about the Lord's Supper, for example. In the Gospels, Jesus distributed the elements. But He gave the apostles the authority to "do this", which includes both the distribution and the reception. Likewise, in the Absolution, Jesus says "do this" and gives authority to say "I forgive you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." It's a very practical, comforting, and common thing, to say the least.