CONFIRMATION EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

Traditionally, the last Sunday in April is set aside for our confirmands to be examined in their understanding of Christian Doctrine. The following questions are a basis for that examination and are made available that you might also examine yourself in your knowledge and understanding of our Christian beliefs

QUESTIONS

ANSWERS
1. What is the name of the text from which we have been
     studying the past several years.		 The Catechism
2. How wrote the Small Catechism? Dr. Martin Luther
3. What does Luther treat in his Small Catechism? The Six Chief parts of Christian doctrine
4. What are the six chief parts?
  1. The Ten Commandments
  2. The Apostles Creed
  3. The Lord's Prayer
  4. Holy Baptism
  5. The Office of the Keys
  6. Holy Communion
5. From what book did Luther take these chief parts of
    Christian Doctrine?		 The Bible
6. What is the Bible? The Word of God
7. Who wrote the Bible? Moses and the prophets wrote the Old Testament; Paul and the Evangelists wrote the New Testament.
8. Give me a Bible passage which proves that God wrote the
     Bible.		 "Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
9. What do we call it when God moved these holy men of
    God to write and put into their minds and hearts the very
    thoughts and words which they wrote?		 Verbal Inspiration
10. What two great doctrines are contained in the Bible? The Law and the Gospel
11. What is the Law? S.O.S. It shows us our sin
12. What is the Gospel? S.O.S. It shows us our Savior
13. Of what does the first chief part of the Catechism consist? The Ten Commandments
14. What is the summary of the first three commandments? "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy strength"
15. Who does commandments 4 - 10 refer to? Our neighbor
16. What is the summary of these commandments? "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as theyself"
17. According to the first commandment, how do we know
      that there is a God?		      1. From nature
     2. From the testimony of the conscience
     3. From the Bible
18. What important doctrine do we find in connection with
      the First Commandment?		 The Trinity
19. What is the Trinity? Three distinct persons in one divine Godhead
Example: 1 X 1 X 1 = 1
20. What is forbidden in the First Commandment? Idolatry
21. What does God forbid in the Second Commandment? Not to take God's name in vain
22. What subject does Commandment Three treat? The proper worship of God
23a. Did God ever require us to have Saturday as our
        Sabboth?		 Yes, it was part of the Old Testament Law
23b. Why do we have Sunday as our day of worship?
  1. God the Father began His
    work of creation on a
    Sunday
  2. God the Son rose from the dead on a Sunday
  3. God the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost which was a Sunday
24. What does God forbid in the Third Commandment? That we do not despise preaching and His Word
25. We say that Commandments 4-10 speak to us about our
      neighbor. Who is our neighbor?		 All of our fellowmen, even our enemies
26. What does God forbid in the Fourth Commandment? That we do not despise our parents or our masters
27. According to the Fifth Commandment, give me a passage
      which favors capital punishment.		 "All they that take up the sword shall perish with the sword"
28. What is the Sixth Commandment? Thou shalt not commit adultery
29. We spent some time on the Sixth Commandment. Why is
      this Commandment so important?		 Because it speaks about purity and life commitment
30. What is the one difference with the Sixth Commandment
      that you will not find in any of the others?		 In the explanation we find the word "may"
31. In the Seventh Commandment we learned that it was a
      sin to steal. In this connection give me the Golden Rule.		 "Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you"
32. According to the Eighth Commandment, what member of
      the body is so difficult at times to control?		 The tongue
33. What sin is forbidden in the Ninth and Tenth
      Commandments?		 The sin of coveting
34. Are all forms of coveting wrong? No. We should covet spiritual blessings like wishing for a
stronger faith, the hope of heaven, a strong devotional life. etc.
35. What two things are contained in the Close of the
      Commandments?		 A threat and a promise
36. What does God threaten according to the Close of the
      Commandments?		 His wrath and displeasure, temporal death and eternal damnation
37. What does God promise according to the Close of the
      Commandments?		 His grace and every blessing
38. What does this show of our God? That He is more eager to forgive and save than to punish
39a. Can anyone keep the Law of God perfectly? No
39b. Give a Bible passage to prove this.
  1. "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
  2. "There is not a just man here upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not"
40a. We speak of the Law having three uses. What are they
        and explain the emotion connected with each.
  1. A curb which checks our sin. Here we feel fear.
  2. A mirror which shows our sin. Here we feel guilt.
  3. A ruler which measures our faith. Here we feel joy.
40b. Of these three uses of the Law, which use is only for the
        Christian?		 The third use for only the Christian wants to please God
41. We hear so much of sin. What is sin? Sin is missing the mark of perfection. It is disobedience and transgression
42. By whom was sin brought into the world? By the devil who was once a holy angel but who fell away from God.
43. How many kinds of sin do we have? Two, original and actual
44. What is original sin? It is inherited sin. It is the total corruption of our corrupt nature
45. What then is actual sin? It is the sin that we do everyday, in our thoughts, our words, and actions.
46. How then may we be made free from sin, and be made
      heirs of eternal salvation?		 By grace through faith in Christ Jesus
47. What is the second chief part of our Christian faith? The Creed
48. What is a creed? It's a statement of what we believe and teach.
49. In the Christian Church, how many creeds to we have         and name them. We have three creeds.
  1. The apostle's Creed is used on non communion Sundays.
  2. The Nicene Creed is used on communion Sundays.
  3. The Athanasian Creed is used on Trinity Sundays.
50. Who and what is the First Article about? God the Father and His work of creation.
51. Why do we say "I believe" and not "We believe" in the
      Creed?.		 Because everyone must believe
for himself/herself
52. What does it mean to "believe" in God? To know an accept as true what the Bible says about God.
53. Why is God called "almighty" and "maker?" Because by His almighty power and word He made the world out of nothing
54. What do we mean when we say He made all creatures
      both in heaven and on earth? 		The angels and man himself.
55. At the close of the article, why do we say "this is most
      certainly true"? 		Because all that we teach in this article is found in the Bible and therefore I will believe it as true!
56. Of whom and what does the Second Article treat? Jesus Christ and His work of redemption.
57. Who is Jesus? He is true God begotten of the Father and true man born of the virgin Mary
58. What does the words "Jesus" and "Christ" mean? Jesus means Savior while Christ means the Messiah; the chosen or the anointed One
59. Why do you believe that Jesus Christ is true God?
  1. The Bible gives Jesus divine names.
  2. The Bible gives Jesus divine attributes
  3. The Bible gives Jesus divine works
  4. The Bible gives Jesus divine honor and glory.
60. Why do we believe that Jesus is true man?
  1. Because the Bible calls Jesus a man.
  2. Because the Bible gives Jesus a body and a soul
  3. Because the Bible gives to Jesus human feelings and actions.
61. What two natures do we find in Jesus Christ? Human and Divine.
62. Why was it necessary for Jesus to become true man?
  1. to take our place under the Law.
  2. to overcome sin, death and the power of the devil.
63. Why was it necessary for Jesus to become true God?
  1. So that His death would be sufficient for all men
  2. to overcome sin, death and the power of the devil.
64. We speak about the three-fold office of Christ. What are
      they and explain each of them?
  1. He is our Prophet - He reveals Himself to us by word and deed through pastors.
  2. He is our Priest - He intercedes for us and has fulfilled the Law by dying for us.
  3. He is our King - He rules over both heaven and earth.
65. In Jesus Christ we also have two states what are they? The state of humiliation and the state of exaltation
66. For what purpose did Christ humble Himself? To redeem me a lost and condemned creature.
67. With what did Christ redeem you. With His Holy precious blood.
68. With what words does the Second Article describe the
      state of humiliation? 		Conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered, under Pontius Pilate was crucified, died, and was buried
69. With what words does the Second Article speak about
      Jesus and His state of exaltation?		 He descended into hell, the third day He rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
70. What particular comfort is Christ's resurrection to us? We too shall rise.
71. What do the Scriptures teach concerning the last Day? Jesus will come to judge both the living and the dead.
72. Who and what does the Third Article treat? The Holy ghost and His Word of sanctification.
73. What five points does this article treat?
  1. The Holy Ghost
  2. The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints
  3. The Forgiveness of sins
  4. The Resurrection of the body
  5. The life everlasting.
74. What is the work of the Holy Spirit called? Sanctification
75. We speak of the Holy Spirit sanctifying us or leading us
       to Christ so that we may do good works. What is a good
       work? 		It is everything that a child of God does, speaks or thinks according to the Ten Commandments for the glory of God and the welfare of our neighbor. It is everything the Christian does by faith.
76. Give me that important Bible passage which states that a
      man cannot be saved merely by
      doing good works. 		"By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, least any man should boast"
77. According to the second part of this article we are to
      believe in the Holy Christian Church. What is it? 		It is the communion of saints, or, the whole number of believers. For believers and only believers can belong to it.
78. Give me the Bible passage which we call the "Great
      Commission?"		 "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
79. How does God forgive our sins and what do we call this
      precious doctrine?		 He no longer charges my sins to me but declares and counts me righteous. It is called justification by faith.
80. How do we accept this forgiveness? Through faith in Christ alone
81. To whom will God give eternal life? To me and all believers
82. What is the Third Chief Part of our Catechism called? Prayer
83. What is prayer? Prayer is an act of worship whereby we bring our petitions before God with our hearts and lips. It is having a heart to heart talk with God.
84. When we pray, what distinction should we make in our
      prayers?		 When we ask for spiritual blessings, we should do so unconditionally, but when we ask for material gifts, we should include, "if it be Thy will."
85. What is the most famous of all prayers? The Lord's Prayer
86. We divide the Lord's Prayer into certain parts or petitions,
       how many petitions are there?		 Seven
87. In the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, we say the word,
      "Amen". What does this word mean?		 Yes, Yes, it shall be so. It is the firm assurance that God will hear our prayers.
88. In the fourth chief part we say that Baptism is a
      sacrament. What is a sacrament?		 It is a sacred act, instituted by God, is empowered by God's Word, has certain visible means, in which God offers, seals and gives us the forgiveness of our sins, peace with God, and the strength of faith.
89a. How many Sacraments are there? Two Baptism and Holy Communion
89b. Which has three of the four elements of a sacrament? Confession which does not have any physical means.
90. What does Baptism give or profit? It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe.
91. Who is to administer baptism? Pastors but in case of emergencies, any Christian may baptize.
92. What does the word "baptize" mean? Wash, pour, sprinkle, and immerse.
93. Who is to be baptized? All nations, young as well as old
94. One of the most frequent arguments concerning baptism
       is that infant should not be baptized. For what three
       reasons do we baptize infants?
  1. They are included in the term "all nations"
  2. baptism is the only means whereby infants too can be born again and brought to faith
  3. infants too can believe.
95. In baptism we have sponsors or god parents. Why do we
      have sponsors or godparents?
  1. to testify that the child has been properly baptized
  2. to see to it that the child is brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord if he looses his or her parents
  3. to pray for them.
96. Is Baptism absolutely necessary for salvation? Explain. No, because it is faith alone that saves.
97. What according to the Catechism makes baptism a valid
      sacrament?		 The Word of God
98. The fifth chief part of our Catechism is called what? The Office of the Keys and Confession
99. What three-fold power has Christ given to the Church?
  1. to preach the Gospel
  2. to administer the Sacraments according to Christ's institution
  3. to forgive the penitent sinner but to retain the sins of the impenitent.
100. What is the most cherished office one can obtain? The office of the Holy Ministry.
101. What is the sixth chief part of the Catechism called? The Sacrament of the Altar.
102. What other names do we have for it? The Lord's Table, The Breaking of Bread, The Holy Eucharist.
103. What are the visible elements in the Lord's Supper? The Bread and Wine.
104. But what else do we receive together with these
        elements?		 The true body and blood of Jesus
105. What do we call this when we receive together with the
        bread and the wine Christ's body and blood?		 The Real Presence
106. What words prove that Christ's body and blood are
        really there? 		"This Is"
107. Do the bread and wine in any way change into the body
        and blood of Christ?		 No, they remain bread and wine, but in, with, and under bread and wine IS the body and blood of Christ
108. Why should we attend Holy Communion frequently?
  1. Because we daily sin much and we daily need our faith strengthened through the forgiveness of our sins
  2. It testifies that we are Christians
  3. because Christ has commanded it.
109. Who then is a worthy communicant?

 

 The person who has faith in the words, "given and shed for you for the remission of sins"
110. What do we call that process by which we allow an
        individual up to the Lord's Table after he or she has
        been able to examine himself?		 Confirmation

Confirmation Vow
"I Promise to be faithful to my dear Lord Jesus Christ and to the Christian faith unto the end. In the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen"

Prayer Before Communion
Dear Savior, we come to Your table at Your gracious invitation to eat and drink Your holy body and blood. Let us find favor in Your eyes to receive this holy sacrament in faith for the salvation of our souls and the glory of your holy name; for Your live and rule with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer After Communion
Dear Lord Jesus, I thank and praise You that You have again refreshed me with the gift of Your holy body and blood in this comforting sacrament. Bless my participation that I may depart from Your presence with peace and joy in the knowledge that I am reconciled to the Father and also to my neighbor. I ask this in Your holy Name. Amen.