We have become new creatures, [II Cor. 5:17]
who by God's grace hate sin and desire from the heart to do God's will
alone. As the old man in us should daily become weaker and gradually
die, so the new man in us should daily grow stronger, [Eph. 4:23, 24+,
II Pet 3:18] and cause us to live in constantly increasing righteousness
and purity here on earth, [Phil. 3:12+] till at last we are received
into God's presence for Jesus' sake, and live before Him in perfect
righteousness and purity forever.
CONFIRMATION.
The rite of confirmation is closely connected with the baptism of
children. For the children who have been baptized are afterwards to be
taught "to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded"; [Matt.
28:20] and, when they have reached an age at which they are able to
examine themselves, they should be confirmed.
PRECEDED BY INSTRUCTION. Confirmation is to be preceded by thorough
instruction in the doctrines and duties of the Christian religion. In
addition to the instruction received in the home and the Sunday-school,
those who desire to be confirmed are specially instructed in the
catechetical class by the pastor.
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