AC V has left a new comment on your post "Joe Krohn Answers in Public":
Good job, Joe! Here's a good quote by Luther (of course) in the Large Catechism (of course) that explains how forgiveness is distributed to the sinner:
"Although the work is done and the forgiveness of sins is secured by the cross (John 19:30), it cannot come to us in any other way than through the Word. How would we know about it otherwise, that such a thing was accomplished or was to be given to us, unless it were presented by preaching or the oral Word (Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 1:21)? How do they know about it? Or how can they receive and make the forgiveness their own, unless they take hold of and believe the Scriptures and the Gospel? . . . The treasure, indeed, is opened and placed at everyone's door, yes, upon his table."
- Martin Luther, Large Catechism, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions (St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 2005), 461.