When baptized children are of proper age they shall be instructed in the Christian faith and life according to the doctrinal standards of the Church. Before Confirmation the Spiritual Council shall be satisfied that the Confirmands accept the fundamental truths of the Christian religion and are willing to be governed by them in their lives. A public examination or testimonial service may be held. Confirmation shall be administered in the presence of a worshipping Congregation, except in cases of extremity, when the rite may be administered privately in the presence of one or more Elders.
In the case of adults who have been baptized previously, but have not been received into the full communion of the Church, this Order shall be used for their profession of faith and reception as communicant members.
The Minister shall announce the names of the Confirmands, who shall then present themselves at the chancel.
The Minister shall say,
OUR Lord Jesus Christ said, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.
DEARLY Beloved; Following the example of the Apostles of our Lord, the Church bestows upon those who have been baptized, and have been properly instructed, the blessing of Confirmation by prayer and the laying on of hands.
In this sacred ordinance you, on your part, renew and ratify the promise and vow made in your Baptism; whilst the Church, in God's stead, claims you publicly for his service, blesses you in his Name, confirms you in his covenant, and invokes upon you in larger measure the Holy Spirit by whose help alone you are able to fulfill your vows by leading holy and obedient lives.
Do you now, in the presence of God and this Congregation, renounce the vain pomp and glory of the world, the lust of the flesh, and all evil works and ways?
Answer. I do.
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
Answer. I do.
Do you promise according to the grace given you, to live a Christian life, and always to remain a faithful member of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Answer. I do.
Profess now your faith before God and this Congregation.
Here, the Congregation standing, the Confirmands, led by the Minister, shall repeat the Apostles' Creed, as follows:
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into Hell;* the third day He rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost: The Holy Catholic Church;** the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of sins: The Resurrection of the body: And the Life everlasting. Amen.
* Hades may be used.
** One Holy Universal Christian Church may be used.
If there be any Confirmands who are not baptized, they shall kneel and the Minister shall pronounce the name of each unbaptized person, and baptize him, applying the water three times, and saying,
N————, I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Minister shall say,
Let us pray.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who out of infinite mercy in Christ Jesus hast through Holy Baptism received these thy servants, and hast given unto them the remission of their sins; strengthen them now, we beseech thee, O Lord, through the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, and daily increase in them thy manifold gifts of grace: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord, now and forever. Amen.
or
COME, O Holy Spirit, into our hearts, and dwell in us, now and for ever. Confirm and establish our promises, and help us to keep them always. Lord Jesus, thou good and gracious Shepherd, shield us that none may go astray. Draw us, O Father, to thy Son, that we may abide with him, and at last attain unto Life everlasting. Amen.
The Confirmands shall kneel and the rite of Confirmation shall take place. The Minister, with the laying on of hands, shall say,
THE very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
or
THE Father of mercies multiply in you his grace and peace, enable you truly and faithfully to keep your vows, defend you in every time of danger, preserve you unto the end, and finally bring you to rest with all the saints in glory everlasting. Amen.
or
DEFEND, O Lord, this thy child with thy heavenly grace; that he may continue thine forever; and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit, until he come into thine everlasting kingdom. Amen.
Let us pray.
WE give thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, for the great goodness thou hast been pleased to show toward these thy servants by giving them power this day to accept for themselves thy covenant of salvation. And now, O Lord, we beseech thee, perfect the good work which thou has begun in them. Keep them from the evil that is in the world. Make them faithful unto death, that no man may take from them the crown of life. And grant, that having continued thus steadfast in faith and hope to the end, they may be counted worthy to be joined with thy saints in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Confirmands shall rise, and the Minister, extending the right hand of fellowship, shall say,
I NOW receive and welcome you into the fellowship of this congregation, and invite you to partake of the Holy Communion, and to participate in all the privileges and obligations of the Church of Christ.
The Minister shall say,
THE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
or
AND now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.