After his resurrection, Christ gave the apostles the power of forgiving sin when he breathed upon them saying "Receive the Holy Ghost; whosoever's sins you forgive they are forgiven, whosoever's sins you retain, they are retained" (John 20:21-23). Rite of Ordination, St. Paul letter to Timothy: "Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with imposition of the hands of priesthood" (I Tim. 4:14) St. Paul to Titus on ordaining priests, "For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou should set in order the things that are wanting, and should ordain priests in every city, as I also appointed thee:... (Titus 1:5, cf also I Tim. 22). St. Paul's command to the Macedonian Catholic bishops, "Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). St. Paul on being a spiritual father (Priest), "I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:14-15).