Confirmation

Confirmation

The Problem: Oddly enough, very few Christians complain about the sacrament of confirmation.

The Scripture verses below are provided primarily for completeness, to demonstrate that this sacrament has Scriptural foundations, rather than out of any sense of need for defense or explanation. It will be noted only that the "laying on of hands" happens in two distinctly different ways in Scripture - once in Confirmation and once in Holy Orders. Confirmation is called "the completion of baptism," because it finishes the work of God's grace begun in baptism. It is the fullness of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16 for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:1-6 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." 4 And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Heb 6:1-2 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 with instruction about ablutions, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Wis 9:17 Who has learned thy counsel, unless thou hast given wisdom and sent thy holy Spirit from on high?

2 Cor 1:21 But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us...

Note the importance of the above passage. Christ alone baptizes, Christ alone consecrates, Christ alone anoints each of us. Those who lay on hands are acting in the image of Christ, and may only act in that way through the special charism granted them through the Body of Christ.

Eph 1:13 In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit...

Early Christians' comments on Confirmation