Author: Timothy J. Fitzner

Questions and Answers
For Confirmation Review

Introduction
1. What is Christianity? Christianity is the life and salvation God has given in and through Jesus.
2. Where is God’s truth about our Savior Jesus Christ made known? The truth is made known in the Bible: the Old Testament promises the coming Savior and the New Testament tells of the Savior who has come.
3. What is the key to the correct understanding of the Bible? Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, is the heart and center of the Scripture and therefore the key to its true meaning.
4. What does Luther’s Small Catechism contain? The Six Chief Parts of Christian teaching.
5. From which book did Luther take these chief parts of Christian doctrine? The Bible.
6. What is the Bible? The inspired word of God.
7. Who wrote the Bible? The holy prophets and apostles.
8. Why is the Bible the Word of God although it was written by men? The prophets and apostles were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
9. For what purpose did God give us the Bible? So we might learn how to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ, and to train us in holy living.
10. How should we use the Bible? Read it, study it, hear it preached, believe it, and live according to it.
11. What are the two great doctrines of the Bible? The Law and the Gospel.
12. What is the Law? It tells us what to do and not to do. It shows us our sin.
13. What is Gospel? It tells us what God has done for us in Christ Jesus and continues to do. It shows us our Savior and our salvation
The Ten Commandments
14. What are the Ten Commandments? The Law of God.
15. What is the summary of the First Table of the Law? (Commandments 1-3) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
16. What is the summary of the Second Table of the Law? (Commandments 4-10) Love your neighbor as yourself.
17. What is the summary of all the commandments? Love.
18. How do you know that there is a God? From the creation, from my own conscience, and from the Bible.
19. Who is God? The Creator of heaven and earth.
20. Who is the only true God? The Triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
21. What does God forbid in the First Commandment? The worship of other gods.
22. What does God require of us in the First Commandment? To love and worship Him alone.
23. What does God forbid in the Second Commandment? Misusing His name.
24. What does God require of us in the Second Commandment? To use His name to pray, praise, and give thanks.
25. Does God require that Christians observe the Sabbath [Saturday] and other holy days of the Old Testament? No. Although God requires Christians to worship together, He has not specified any particular day. The Church worships together especially on Sunday because Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday.
26. What does God require of us in the Third Commandment? That we hold preaching and the word of God sacred; that we gladly hear and learn it; that we honor and support the preaching and teaching of God’s word; and that we diligently spread God’s word.
27. How should we love our neighbor? As ourselves.
28. What does God forbid in the Fourth Commandment? To show disrespect to parents and others in authority.
29. What does God require of us in the Fourth Commandment? To honor our parents and other authorities by regarding them as God’s representatives; to serve them by gladly providing what they need or require; to obey them in everything in which God has placed them over us; to love and cherish them as gifts of God; to show respect to the aged.
30. What does God forbid in the Fifth Commandment? The taking the life of another person’s or our own life; doing anything that would destroy, shorten, or make someone’s life bitter and keeping anger and hatred in our hearts.
31. What does God require of us in the Fifth Commandment? To help and preserve our neighbor’s life.
32. What does God forbid in the Sixth Commandment? Sexually impure thoughts, desires, and actions.
33. What does God require of all of us in the Sixth Commandment? To lead a chaste and decent life in word and deed and honor marriage between one man and one woman until death.
34. What particular sins does God forbid in the Seventh Commandment? Every kind of robbery, theft, and dishonest way of getting things.
35. What does God require of us in the Seventh Commandment? We should help our neighbor to improve and protect their possessions and income and help them in every need.
36. What does God forbid in the Eighth Commandment? To tell lies about our neighbor, to reveal his secrets, to slander our neighbor.
37. What does God require of us in the Eighth Commandment? To speak well of our fellow man.
38. What does God forbid in the Ninth Commandment? To have a sinful desire for anyone or anything that belongs to our neighbor.
39. What does God require of us in the Ninth Commandment? To be content with what we have and help our neighbor keep what God has given him.
40. What does God forbid also in the Tenth Commandment? Coveting people in our neighbor’s life.
41. What does God require of us in the Tenth Commandment? To encourage them to remain loyal.
42. Can a person keep God’s commandments as He wants us to keep them? No.
43. Can anyone, then, be saved by the Law? No.
44. What is sin? Every thought, desire, word, and deed contrary to God’s Law.
45. Who brought sin into the world? The devil by tempting Adam and Eve who yielded.
46. What is original sin? The total corruption of our whole human nature.
47. In what condition are people by nature because of original sin? Lost and condemned by the wrath of God.
48. How does original sin show itself in our lives? By actual sin.
49. What is actual sin? The sins we commit or omit each day.
50. Where alone can we find salvation from sin? In Jesus Christ
The Apostles’ Creed
51. What is a creed? A statement of what a person believes.
52. What do you mean by “I believe in God”? I trust God and his promises and accept as true all He teaches in the Holy Scriptures.
53. Why do you call the First Person of the Trinity “the Father”? He is the Father of my Lord Jesus, my Father through faith in Jesus, and the Creator of all people.
54. Why do you call God “Almighty” and “Maker”? With His almighty power He made all things.
55. What does God still do for you and all creatures? He preserves us.
56. What moves God to do all this for you? His loves for us.
57. What, then, do you owe your Father in heaven for all this? It is my duty to thank, praise, serve, and obey Him.
58. Of Whom does the Second Article treat? Jesus Christ.
59. What do you mean when you confess, I believe in Jesus Christ? I know and trust in Jesus as my only Savior from sin, death, and the devil and believe that He gives me eternal life.
60. Who is Jesus Christ? True God, the Second Person of the holy Trinity, and also true man born of the virgin Mary.
61. What two nature, then, are united in Christ? Divine and human natures.
62. Why was it necessary for our Savior to be true man? So He could take our place under God’s law.
63. Why was it necessary for our Savior to be true God? So His fulfilling the Law, His life, suffering, and death would be a sufficient ransom for all people.
64. What two states do we distinguish in Christ’s work of redemption? His state of humiliation and His state of exaltation.
65. What was Christ’s humiliation? As man He did not always or fully use His divine powers.
66. In what words does the Second Article describe the State of Humiliation? Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
67. For what purpose did Christ so humble Himself? So He could suffer and die as a sacrifice for our sin.
68. With what has Christ redeemed you? His holy precious blood and innocent suffering and death.
69. Has Christ redeemed, purchased, and won only you? No, all humankind.
70. What is Christ’s exaltation? As man He now fully and always uses His divine powers.
71. In what words does the Second Article speak of Christ’s exaltation? He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.
72. What do the Scriptures teach of Christ’s resurrection? On the third day He rose from the dead.
73. Why is the resurrection of Christ of such importance and comfort to us? It is God’s seal and approval on the sacrifice Christ made by his death.
74. What is Christ’s threefold office? Prophet, Priest, and King.
75. What is the purpose of Christ’s entire work of redemption? To save us from sin, death, and devil.
76. Can you be sure of your redemption by Christ? Yes. His life, death, and resurrection make redemption certain through faith alone.
77. Who is the Holy Spirit? The Third Person of the Holy Trinity.
78. What is the work of the Holy Spirit? He makes me holy by bringing me to faith in Christ so that I might have the blessings of redemption and lead a godly life.
79. What is the work of the Holy Spirit called? Sanctification.
80. Why do you say that the Holy Spirit has done this by the Gospel? The Gospel is the instrument by which the Holy Spirit offers us all the blessings of Christ and creates faith in us.
81. What are good works in God’s sight? Everything a Christian does, speaks, or thinks in faith according to the Ten Commandments, for the glory of God and the benefit of the neighbor.
82. What is the holy Christian Church? The total number of those who believe in Christ.
83. Why is the Church called “holy”? It is made up of those who have been cleansed by the blood of Christ and serve God with holy living.
84. Why is the Church called “Christian”? It belongs to Christ and is built upon Him.
85. Where is this holy Christian Church to be found? Where the Word of God is preached in its truth and purity and the Holy Sacraments are administered as Christ instituted them.
86. What is a local church, or congregation? Local visible gatherings around the Word and Sacraments.
87. What is the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant? The Church Militant is the people of God on earth who continue to struggle against sin; the Church Triumphant are those who have died in the faith and now rest from their labors and await the resurrection on the Last Day.
88. Why do you say, I believe in the forgiveness of sins? Through Christ God has declared pardon and forgiveness to all sinful humanity.
89. What moves God to forgive sins? Because He is merciful and because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice for sinners.
90. How can a just and holy God declare sinners righteous? Our sins have been charged to Christ and Christ’s righteousness has been credited to us.
91. Where does God offer you the forgiveness of sins? In the Gospel.
92. How do you receive this forgiveness of sins? Through faith, that is, by believing the Gospel as it is spoken to me and applied to me in the Sacraments.
93. What do the Scriptures teach of eternal life? That those who die in faith will live with God forever.
94. Are you sure that you have eternal life? Yes because Christ’s life, death, and resurrection are all sufficient for my salvation and the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of eternal life given through the Word and Sacraments.
The Lord’s Prayer
95. What is prayer? Speaking to God in words and thoughts, confident in Jesus.
96. What is the Lord’s Prayer? Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
97. Why should we pray? God commands it. God promises to hear us. Because of our own and our neighbor’s needs. Out of gratitude for blessings received.
98. What do we ask of God in the First Petition? That the Bible be preached properly and we would live a holy life according to it.
99. What do we ask of God in the Second Petition? That He would give us the Holy Spirit and help us to believe His Word.
100. What do we ask of God in the Third Petition? That God would break the will of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature and lead us to do His will.
101. What do we ask of God in the Fourth Petition? That we would receive the necessities of life from Him with thanksgiving.
102. What do we ask of God in the Fifth Petition? That He would forgive us our sins and that we will forgive those who sin against us.
103. What do we ask of God in the Sixth Petition? That He would help us to overcome the temptations of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh.
104. What do we ask of God in the Seventh Petition? That He would spare us from every evil of body and soul, and especially from an evil death.
105. What is the meaning of, “Amen”? “Amen” means “yes, it shall be so.” All that I ask in true faith God will give me in His way and at His appointed time.
The Sacraments
106. What is a sacrament? It is a sacred act, (A) instituted by Christ, (B) containing visible elements, (C) which offers and gives the forgiveness of sins.
Holy Baptism
107. Who instituted Holy Baptism? Jesus, as He commanded His Church to baptize all nations.
108. Who is to be baptized? All people, both young and old.
109. What great things, then, does Baptism give or work? Forgiveness of sins, rescue from death and the devil, and gives eternal life.
110. To whom does Baptism give all these blessings? To all who believe God’s saving promises.
111. What is the Old Adam? Our sinful self, that corrupt and evil nature we inherit because of Adam’s fall into sin.
112. How does Baptism indicate the daily drowning of the Old Adam and the emergence of the new man? By daily sorrow and repenting of sins and seeking to walk by God’s grace as His children.
The Office of the Keys and Confession
113. What is the power, or authority, of the Office of the Keys? The power Christ gives His Church to forgive sins or to retain sins
114. What are the two parts of confession? First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution/forgiveness.
115. Who are repentant believers? Those who are sorry for their sins (contrition) and believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin (faith).
116. What is the necessary result of repentance? Good works.
117. Whose sins are to be retained (bound to them)? Those who are not sorry for their sins and do not believe in Jesus.
118. What sins should we confess before God? All our sins.
119. What sins should we confess before the pastor? The ones that trouble us.
120. How should we regard the absolution, or forgiveness of sins, pronounced by the pastor? As from God Himself.
The Lord’s Supper
121. Who instituted the Lord’s Supper? Jesus Christ.
122. What are the visible means (elements) in this Sacrament? Bread and wine.
123. What does Jesus give us under the visible elements of bread and wine? His own true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.
124. What does Christ, our Lord require when He says, “This do in remembrance of Me”? He commands that His Sacrament be celebrated in the Church till the end of time as a living proclamation and distribution of His saving death and all its blessings.
125. Why should we receive the Lord’s Supper frequently? For the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of faith.
126. For what purpose, then, do we approach the Lord’s Table? To receive the blessings He offers us there.
127. When do we receive the Sacrament worthily? When we have faith in Christ and His words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”
128. Who is unworthy and unprepared? The person who does not believe Christ’s words, since the words “for you” require all hearts to believe.
129. How should we examine ourselves before partaking of Holy Communion? Do I recognize that I am a sinner? Do I believe in our Savior Jesus Christ and in His words in the Sacrament? Do I plan, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to change my sinful life?
130. May believers whose faith is weak approach the Lord’s Table? Yes, because Jesus instituted it for the very purpose of strengthening our faith.
131. To whom must the Sacrament not be given? Those who are openly ungodly and unrepentant; those who are unforgiving, refusing to be reconciled; those of a different confession of faith, since the Lord’s Supper is a testimony of the unity of faith; those who are unable to examine themselves. We do not judge hearts but go by what people tell us (their confession).
132. What custom do we, then, observe? Confirmation.
133. What is confirmation? Teaching the faith and giving those who have been taught an opportunity to publicly confess the faith.