Outer Rim Territories

Confessional Subscription for Laity

I'm the first the lament a lack of Confessional subscription for laypeople. I hate the idea of congregants who don't profess to believe the same thing as their pastors. For those who don't know, a man who is called to be pastor in the Missouri Synod is vowed to confess and uphold the Christian faith as confessed in the Scripture, the Creeds, and the Lutheran Confessions (Book of Concord.) Without this "mark" on the pastor, there would be little to unify our synod. Indeed, throughout the history of American Lutheranism this confession of faith (altered versus unaltered Augustana) has been a major bone of contention of fellowship between the various Lutheran denominations. For Reformation Sunday, I had the priveledge of hearing Rev. Daniel Preus, author of Why I Am a Lutheran and director of Luther Academy. He gave an excellent message, conveying the reality of the Reformation to us today. One thing that struck me was that he implied confessional subscription by laity. I couldn't believe my ears? When? How? I don't remember ever vowing to uphold any faith in any way? He was referring to the Rite of Confirmation. I thought "I don't really remember such a confession." So here we go... I am going to provide you with the Lutheran Hymnal rite. I may have used the Lutheran Worship rite. I can't remember which was used at my confirmation.

THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION

In the regular Morning Service the Examination may be placed after the singing of a Hymn following the Apostles' Creed: in the Vespers, after the singing of a Hymn following the Lection. THE EXAMINATION The following introductory paragraph may be read. WHEN CHILDREN have attained such knowledge of the truths of the Christian religion as are contained in the Catechism that, pursuant to the injunction of St. Paul, I Cor. II :28, they are able to examine themselves, they should no longer be kept from the Holy Supper. Before they receive the Holy Sacrament, however, they should be examined and confirmed in the presence of the assembled congregation. The Minister may introduce the Examination by the following or another suitable Address: DEARLY BELOVED: Holy Baptism is the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which God shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ. our Savior. that. being justified by His grace. we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Through this Sacrament. God receives little children into His covenant and Kingdom of Grace. working faith in them and making them members of Christ's Church and temples of His Holy Spirit. And as God will not suffer His faithfulness to fail. but keep His covenant and mercy; even so He says to each of His own: Be thou faithful unto death. and I will give thee a crown of life. To the end. however, that this purpose of God may be accomplished and children may grow in grace and Christian knowledge as they advance in years. the Lord gave commandment. saying to parents through the Apostle Paul: Bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. and to the Church, even as unto Simon Peter: Feed My lambs. In accordance, then. with Christ's command, children are instructed in the Christian faith. When they reach an age of discretion and understand the covenant entered into by them by the grace of God in Holy Baptism. they should daily give their hearts to God and let their eyes observe His ways. In particular. being able to examine themselves and to discern the Lord's body. they should for their furtherance in grace receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion with the Church of God. To encourage such growth in Christian knowledge and faith. the rite of Confirmation is maintained in the Lutheran Church. The catechumens publicly make profession of the true faith, confirming the covenant made between them and God. The Christian congregation. or church, the dispenser of God's mysteries. having assured itself that the catechumens possess such knowledge of Christian doctrine as may give warrant of their worthy eating of the body and drinking of the blood of Christ. invites them to receive the Holy Supper and. with the laying on of hands. prays over them for the Holy Spirit of God. that they may grow in grace. be steadfast and unmovable in their profession. become fruitful in every good work. and in the end receive the crown of life. These catechumens have here presented themselves for Confirmation. We shall now examine them in the chief parts of Christian doctrine. for the purpose of setting forth that they understand the faith they are about to profess.

Then shall the Catechumens be briefly examined. A Hymn may then be sung, followed by the Sermon. If the Confirmation be held in a later service, this service shall be concluded in the usual manner. THE CONFIRMATION The Order of Confirmation shall follow the General Prayer in the Morning Service: in the Vespers, the Hymn after the Sermon. When adults not previously baptized are included in the group of Catechumens, they shall receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism according to the Order for the Baptism of Adults. It is not necessary for them to receive Confirmation. Then may the Minister address the Catechumens thus: DEARLY BELOVED: When you were little children. you were received into God's covenant of grace in Holy Baptism. And now. having learned the meaning of this covenant from your instruction in the Word of God. you are gathered here before God and this Christian congregation publicly to make profession of your faith in the Triune God and to confirm your covenant with Him. to dedicate yourselves body and soul for time and for eternity to your God and Lord. (Others of you are to make this public profession and promise and then, in obedience to Christ's command. to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.) Lift up your hearts with me, therefore, to the God of all grace, and cheerfully give answer to what, in the name of the Lord. as a minister of His holy Church. I now shall ask you. Do You THIS DAY, in the presence of God and of this Christian congregation, confirm the solemn covenant which at your Baptism you made with the Triune God? I do. Do You, then, renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways? I do. Do You BELIEVE in God the Father? Yes, I believe in God the Father ...

Do You BELIEVE in God the Son? Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ . . . Do You BELIEVE in God the Holy Ghost? Yes, I believe in- the Holy Ghost ... Do You DESIRE to be a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and of this congregation? I do. Do You HOLD all the canonical books of the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, and the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, drawn from the Bible. as you have learned to know it from Luther's Small Catechism, to be the true and correct one? I do.

Do You ALSO. as a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, intend to continue steadfast in the confession of this Church, and suffer all even death. rather than fall away from it? I do so intend, with the help of God. FINALLY. do you intend faithfully to conform all your life to the rule of the divine Word, to be diligent in the use of the means of grace. to walk as it becometh the Gospel of Christ. and in faith. word, and deed to remain true to the Triune God, even unto death? I do so intend, by the grace of God. Then shall the Minister say: GIVE now your hand at the Lord's altar. as a pledge of your promise. and. kneeling, receive His blessing. Then shall the Catechumens come forward - one by one, or in groups, as the Minister may have appointed - and, giving the Minister their right hand, kneel before the altar. Then shall the Minister, laying his hands upon each one separately, pronounce the name of the Catechumen and the Benediction, adding a Scripture passage as a memorial of Confirmation, saying: N., God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, give thee His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of grace and prayer. of power and strength. of sanctification and the fear of God. Or: N., The Father in heaven. for Jesus' sake, renew and increase in thee the gift of the Holy Ghost. to thy strengthening in faith, to thy growth in grace. to thy patience in suffering, and to the blessed hope of everlasting life. Or: N., The God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, make thee perfect. stablish, strengthen, settle thee, and keep thee through faith unto eternal life. Or: N., The God of peace sanctify thee wholly; and may thy whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Or: N., May God, who hath begun the good work in thee, perform it until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then shall the Minister say: UPON this (these) your voluntary profession (s ) and promise (s), I, in the name of the Church of Christ, invite and welcome you, as a member (as members) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and of this congregation, to participate with us in all the rights and privileges of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

Then shall the Minister pronounce the Benediction: THE LORD bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace . The group shall say: Amen. Then shall the Minister invite the Congregation to make Intercession, as follows: SINCE it is God alone who worketh both to will and to do of His good pleasure, it behooveth us, dear friends in Christ, to call upon Him for these young members of this Christian congregation, that He would graciously perform the good work which He hath begun in them. Let us, therefore, (kneel and) pray. ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD, who makest us both to will and to do those things which are good and acceptable unto Thy divine majesty, we make our humble supplications unto Thee for these Thy servants. Let Thy fatherly hand. we beseech Thee. ever be over them; let Thy Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of Thy Word that in the end they may obtain everlasting life. through our Lord Jesus Christ. who. with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth. ever one God. world without end. The Congregation shall say: Amen. Or: LORD GOD, heavenly Father, we thank and praise Thee for Thy great goodness in bringing these Thy servants to the knowledge of Thy Son Jesus Christ and the truth of the Gospel revealed through Him, and in enabling them both with the heart to believe and with the mouth to confess His name. We also entreat Thee to enlighten and strengthen them by Thy Holy Spirit. that they may daily increase in living faith, in godly fear. in patience under trials. in true knowledge of Thee. and in all other things profitable to their eternal salvation. Grant that, bringing forth the fruits of faith and love, they may continue steadfast and victorious unto the day when all who have fought the good fight of faith shall receive the crown of righteousness, through Jesus Christ. Thy Son. our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Or: ALMIGHTY ANDEVERLIVING GOD, we thank Thee that Thou hast brought these Thy servants to Thy Son Jesus Christ in Holy Baptism. cleansed them by His blood. and buried them with Him by Baptism into His death. And we beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to renew in them the gift of the Holy Ghost, that their hearts may be filled with the light of Thy Gospel. Increase in them pure knowledge and true faith. that they may firmly believe in Thee, the only true God, and in Jesus Christ. whom Thou hast sent, and ever cleave to Thee with steadfast confidence. Defend them from the power of darkness. and establish them in the Kingdom of Thy Son, wherein we have redemption and forgiveness of sins. Fill their hearts and minds with the peace of Christ. the joy of the Holy Spirit. and love to Thee and all mankind. Endow them plenteously with the gifts of Thy heavenly grace, that they may be led into all truth, mortify the deeds of the flesh, overcome the assaults and temptations of the Wicked One, and serve Thee in Thy Church in holiness and righteousness all their days; and that. together with all true believers. they may, with joyful hearts and watchful prayer and in soberness and godly living, hope and wait for the coming of the Savior. to the honor of Thy holy name. who livest and reignest with the Son and the Holy Ghost. ever one God. world without end. Or: ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD. the Author and Finisher of our faith, who. of Thine infinite mercy, hast added to Thy Church these Thy servants by causing them to be born again of water and the Holy Ghost and hast given them knowledge of their redemption in Christ and power to own and confess Thee in the presence of Thy people. we thank Thee for the great mercy Thou hast been pleased to show them. and beseech Thee, strengthen them by Thy Holy Spirit. and daily increase in them the manifold gifts of Thy grace. the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. that they may be kept in the Kingdom and covenant of Christ through faith unto everlasting life. Fortify them against the assaults of sin. Let not Satan prevail against them. Keep them from the evil that is in the world. Help them to walk in the Spirit that they may not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. but serve Thee in holiness and righteousness all their days. Defend them from all heresy and schism. from all apostasy and unbelief. Make them faithful unto death that no man may take from them their crown. And grant that. continuing steadfast in faith and hope. they may at the end be found meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through Jesus Christ. Thy Son. our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost. ever one God. world without end. Then shall the Minister and the Congregation say: Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. Then may be sung a Hymn. Then shall the Minister pronounce the Benediction upon the Congregation: THE LORD bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace. The Congregation shall say or chant: Amen. SILENT PRAYER