Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Today we are privileged to welcome into the full
life of the church's fellowship those who wish to confess their faith in Christ
as Lord and Savior. When they were baptized God made clear his claim on them
as his own, and they were received into the church. Now they wish to share fully
in the life of this congregation and of the whole church of God. And so today
they will publicly accept and confirm what was sealed in their baptism, confess
their faith in the Lord Jesus, and offer themselves to God as his willing servants.
We thank God for having given them this desire and pray that as we now hear their
confession, he will favor us with the presence and guidance of his Holy Spirit. The
Vows*
(name), will you stand now, and in the presence
of God and his people respond to the following questions:
1. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God sent to redeem the world, do you love and trust him as the one who saves
you from your sin, and do you with repentance and joy embrace him as Lord of
your life?
Answer: I do.
2. Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of
God revealing Christ and his redemption, and that the confessions of this church
faithfully reflect this revelation?
Answer: I do.
3. Do you accept the gracious promises of God sealed
to you in your baptism and do you affirm your union with Christ and his church
which your baptism signifies?
Answer: I do.
4. Do you promise to do all you can, with the help
of the Holy Spirit, to strengthen your love and commitment to Christ by sharing
faithfully in the life of the church, honoring and submitting to its authority;
and do you join with the people of God in doing the work of the Lord everywhere?
Answer: I do.
The Reception
[The minister asks the congregation to rise.]
Minister: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
I now welcome you to all the privileges of full communion. I welcome you to full
participation in the life of the church. I welcome you to its responsibilities,
its joys, and its sufferings. "May the God of peace, who through the blood of
the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd
of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work
in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever
and ever. Amen" (Heb. 13:20-21).
Congregation: Thanks be to God! We promise you
our love, encouragement, and prayers.
Minister: Let us together say what we believe:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator
of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered
under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated
at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
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.
The Prayer
Lord, our God, we thank you for your Word and Spirit
through which we know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. May those who confessed
your name today never cease to wonder at what you have done for them. Help them
to continue firmly in the faith, to bear witness to your love, and to let the
Holy Spirit shape their lives. Take them, good Shepherd, into your care that
they may loyally endure opposition in serving you.
May we, with all your children, live together in
the joy and power of your Holy Spirit. We ask this, Lord Jesus, in the hope of
your coming. Amen.
*The questions may be changed into statements and said
by the confessors. Opportunity may also be given here
for additional self-expression on the part of the confessors.
The response may be asked after the last question only.
