Palm Sunday is a traditional day of confirmation. The rite of confirmation is not commanded in the Scriptures. Much less is it a Sacrament as claimed by Rome. It is a custom. It is one of the meaningful traditions worth retaining. Confirmation is closely related to Baptism. In confirmation the confirmand repeats with his own lips that confession of faith and promise of faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word that were made for him at baptism. A confirmand presents himself for confirmation upon instruction in the Word, and as witness that the Spirit has worked such understanding that he is now ready to receive the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
Confirmation is a serious matter as the following questions and answers show. Unfortunately in our day, it too often has become a rite of passage with little significance. That in part may explain why so many young people appear to have forsaken their vows, some almost before they are out of the church door. Let us pray as parents that our young children give themselves to their study for confirmation with all seriousness, and we ourselves set the example. We will see to it if we remember that the purpose of Scripture study is not primarily to be confirmed but to grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. If we appreciate that, study will not cease with confirmation but continue! Let us pray for those who are confirmed that they will continue steadfast unto death as they promise. Let us all examine ourselves, and ask the Lord regardless of our age to give us a renewed and daily appreciation of His love, and the significance of the vows we made at our own confirmation.
Here then are the vows of confirmation. Think upon them, and ask the Lord to help in the keeping of them.
Do you this day, in the presence of God and of this Christian congregation, confirm the 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 Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth.
Do you believe in God the Son?
Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ, His only 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 on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Ghost ?
Yes, I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Do you desire to be a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and of this congregation?
I do.
Do you hold all the canonical bos 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.