Confirmation

Last night (07/07/09), I was officially confirmed in the Anglican Church. This was the result of a two-year journey, searching for the early church; that church which was planted throughout the world by the Apostles of Christ. How appropriate then, that my search for the apostolic faith would bring me to a confirmation service at a church called "Apostles Anglican." I have never been more blessed that to have my bishop, one who stands in the office instituted by the apostles themselves, lay hands on me and pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to overflow in my life.

In all my preaching and teaching, in all the services I have been a part of, I have never been a part of anything that I felt glorified God more than this service; nor have I ever felt such fullness of the power of God in myself, or such a presence of the Holy Spirit amidst a congregation.

I am posting here the Outline of the Service (Liturgy) - this is mainly for the benefit of those who are offended by my conversion to the Anglican Church and critical of my confirmation. I pray that you will read and reflect on this service and its significance prayerfully.
Understand that the outline of this service comes from the second century and reflects the ancient form of Christian initiation practice - the rejection of Satan; the affirmation of belief in God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the laying on of hands and prayer for the Holy Spirit.
Pay close attention to the amount of Scripture that is read, to the scriptural references in the prayers, the scriptural quotes and allusions in the blessing, and the scriptural citations in the promises made by those being confirmed.

The Lord be with you...

In Christ,
Jon Back

Confirmation Service

Apostles Anglican Church - 07/07/09 (Abridged for Blog Posting)

The people standing, the Bishop says

Blessed by God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

The Bishop then continues :

There is one Body and one Spirit;

People There is one hope in God's call to us;

Bishop One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;

People One God and Father of all.

Bishop The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Bishop Let us pray.

The Collect of the Day

Grant, Almighty God, that we, who have been redeemed from the old life of sin by our baptism into the death andresurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, may be renewed inyour Holy Spirit, and live in righteousness and true holiness;through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with youand the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

People Amen.

The Lessons

Old Testament Lesson - Isaiah 61:1-9
The Psalm - Psalm 139:1-9
New Testament Lesson - Galatians 5:16-25

The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

The Gospel

Then, all standing, the Deacon or a Priest reads the Gospel, first saying:

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke.

People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Luke 4:16-22

After the Gospel, the Reader says:

The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 - The Parable of the Sower

Presentation and Examination of the Candidates

The Bishop says:

The Candidate(s) will now be presented.

Presenters I present these persons for Confirmation.

The Bishop asks the candidates:

Have you been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?

Candidate I have.

The Bishop asks the candidates:

Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ?

Candidate I am.

After all have been presented, the Bishop addresses the congregation, saying:

People of God, will you welcome these candidates and uphold them in their life in Christ?

People With the help of God, we will.

The Bishop addresses all the candidates:

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvelous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him. Therefore I ask:

The Bishop asks the candidates:

Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?

Candidate I reject them.

The Bishop asks the candidates:

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?

Candidate I renounce them.

The Bishop asks the candidates:

Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbor?

Candidate I repent of them.

The Bishop asks the candidates:

Do you turn to Christ as Savior?

Candidate I turn to Christ.

The Bishop asks the candidates:

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?

Candidate I submit to Christ.

The Bishop asks the candidates:

Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth, and the life?

Candidate I come to Christ.

The Bishop addresses all the candidates:

May God, who has given you the desire to follow Christ, give you the strength to continue in the Way. Amen.

The Baptismal Covenant (Profession of Faith)

The Bishop then addresses the congregation:

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess together with these candidates the faith of the Church:

Bishop Do you believe in God the Father?

People I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Bishop Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?

People I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Bishop Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?

People I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Confirmation

The Bishop stands before those who are to be confirmed and says:

Bishop Our help is in the name of the Lord

People who has made heaven and earth
Bishop Blessed be the name of the Lord

People now and for ever. Amen.

The Bishop extends his hands towards those to be confirmed and says:

Almighty and ever-living God, you have given these your servants new birth in baptism by water and the Spirit, and have forgiven them all their sins. Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding; the Spirit of counsel and inward strength; the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord. Amen.

The Bishop addresses by name and lays hands upon the head of each one and says:

N., God has called you by name and made you his own
Confirm, O Lord, your servant N. with your Holy Spirit.

People Amen.

The Bishop invites the congregation to pray for all those on whom hands have been laid:

Defend, O Lord, these your servants with your heavenly grace, that they may continue yours for ever, and daily increase your Holy Spirit more and more until they come to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

Commission

Bishop Those who are baptized are called to worship and serve God. Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

People With the help of God, I will.

Bishop Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

People With the help of God, I will.

Bishop Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?

People With the help of God, I will.

Bishop Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

People With the help of God, I will.

Bishop Will you acknowledge Christ's authority over human society, by prayer for the world and its leaders, by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?

People With the help of God, I will.

Bishop May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, that you may be rooted and grounded in love and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.

The Blessing of Peace

Bishop The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

The Trinitarian Blessing

The Bishop gives the blessing:

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keepyour hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing ofGod Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

The Dismissal

Deacon Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!