INTRODUCTION 51
4. Scripture teaches us that in Holy Baptism, we are
cleansed from our sins and belong to the one true
God, Father, Son, and Spirit, whom we trust for life
and salvation.
5. As God's believing, baptized children, we still battle
against sins of thought, word, and deed. But God
graciously has given special authority to His Church
on earth to forgive the sins of the penitent and to
withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant (Office
of the Keys and Confession).
6. God welcomes His children to the Sacrament of the
Altar (Lord's Supper), where Christ gives us His body
to eat and His blood to drink with the bread and wine
for the forgiveness of our sins and to strengthen our
faith.
14. What is confirmation?
Confirmation is a public rite of the church preceded by a pe-
riod of instruction in which baptized Christians learn about the
confession, life, and mission of the Christian Church.
Note: Prior to admission to the Lord's Supper, it is necessary
to be instructed in the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 11:28).
e Rite of Confirmation provides an opportunity for the indi-
vidual Christian, relying on God's promise given in Holy Baptism,
to make a personal public confession of the faith and a lifelong
pledge of fidelity to Christ.
Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation ©2017 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.
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