Magyar Egyház, 1965 (44. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1965-04-01 / 4. szám
10 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ every day subject. The Bible was well digested, church history was a proud possession of all, the beloved hymns of the Church memorized. The sixth graders were generally assisting the teacher or cantor, in leading the congregation in singing. We cannot even compare the religious knowledge of our forefathers, trained in our own parochial schools, with the meager opportunities our children have in our present day Sunday School — even when they attend regularly. And according to the present system, a child could report for catechismal instructions even without any previous religious schooling! Appeasement and compromise are well-known weakness of Protestantism at the price of inadequate education and witness. The responsible parent in cooperation with the pastor and lay leaders will have to help correct this — for the sake of true Christian discipleship. Confirmation at the right time and under the proper circumstances is doubly important for us, who are still in the transition period, educating our third and fourth generations, when old forms and old schools must be replaced by new schools and up-to-date methods. Confirmation is not something which we must perform unconditionally at any fixed time, but only after due and conscientious preparation at the right educational and spiritual level — not for the sake of convenience, show or appeasement, but for the sake of our Lord, His Church, and for the spiritual well being and usefulness of the new “adult” member. Now, as to the rite itself: confirmation is a profession of faith before God and the congregation, as promised at the time of baptism. It is not an examination of students as such! When young people receive proper instructions, as outlined above, their examination should be held before the educational committee or representatives of the Church Council in the presence of parents and godparents. Only those young people should be admitted to make their public confession in church who have previously passed their examination satisfactorily. It is suggested that both written and oral examination be conducted as well as an informal discussion with the pastor and the committee. This procedure would prove to be too exacting only if the students were immature or the preparation inadequate. But this must be done for the sake of the students, for the purpose of molding young Christians who understand their religion and accept the responsibilities of their membership in Christ’s Church. If at the time of confirmation questions of the catechism are used to supplement the questions in the liturgy of the rite (and not for examination!), they should be specially selected in such a way that the answers to them may serve as a profession or statement of faith. Only under such circumstances and practices can a young person value his preparation for a meaningful witness, vie for and enjoy becoming a member of the fellowship of believers. It becomes an outstanding period of the young Christian’s life, a time of dedication, the beginning of faithfulness; in a true sense a time of his life, forever remembered — and valued as life itself. God, His Church on earth and the world need such Christians. THE SECOND HELVETIC CONFESSION RENDERED IN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SECTION XI Jesus Christ, the true God and Man, the only Savior of the world. 1. What do we believe and teach as to the origin of Jesus Christ? We believe and teach, that a. ) the Father had eternally ordained his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to be the Savior of the world, b. ) Jesus Christ was born, not only when He took upon himself the human body from the Virgin Mary, nor just before the foundation of the world, but from eternity of the Father in an unexplainable mode. c. ) Jesus Christ, the Son, is equal and of the same substance with the Father, that is, true God. 2. What do we believe and teach about Jesus Christ as Man? We believe and teach, that a. ) Jesus Christ as Man was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, as seed of Abraham and David. Therefore, he can be called the Son of man. b. ) Jesus has a true human body and soul with reason and sense. 3. Who is Jesus Christ then? Jesus Christ is God-Man in one person. As God, he is equal with the Father, and as Man he is of our substance, except that he is sinless. 4. How are the divine and the human natures together in the one Jesus Christ? The divine and the human natures are so united in the one Jesus Christ that both remain distinct yet inseparable for ever. 5. Since Jesus Christ is God-Man, how do we understand his suffering, death, resurrection, ascension into heaven and his second coming? a. ) Jesus Christ suffered and died not as God, but as man in his body. b. ) Jesus arose from the dead in the same body in which he died and was buried. c. ) Jesus Christ ascended into heaven in his resurrected body and sits at the right hand of God the Father, that is, he possesses the glory and majesty of the Father. Therefore, Jesus Christ is not here on earth anymore in his human body. d. ) Jesus Christ will return in his human body when Satan will have destroyed the church “with blood and fire.” He will conquer Satan and take his own faithful ones to himself, and will hold a judgement over the living and the dead. 6. How do we understand that Jesus will judge both the dead and the living? At the return of Jesus all dead will be resurrected and the living will be changed into the same imperishable body in which the dead will be resurrected. 7. What will be the result of the judgement of Jesus Christ? The believers will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord and to be with Him for ever in heaven. The godless unbelievers, however, will be cast into hell to be tormented for ever.
