The rite of Christian confirmation has its origins in the practices of the early church. While the specifics have varied over the centuries and across denominations, confirmation generally involves a public profession of faith and a special blessing by a bishop or other church leader. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about this meaningful tradition:
Confirmation as a Rite of Passage
In many traditions, confirmation is treated as a rite of passage marking a child or youth’s transition into mature Christian discipleship. It is often preceded by a period of instruction in the faith. While the Bible does not explicitly mention confirmation, the idea of milestone moments of discipleship is biblically sound. Passages like Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4 speak of the need to train children in godliness. Luke 2 shows Jesus himself maturing and growing in wisdom. As youth reach an age where they can embrace faith as their own, confirmation offers a chance for them to publicly commit to following Christ.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
A key element of confirmation liturgies is invoking the Holy Spirit to empower candidates in living out their faith. This reflects biblical teaching about the Spirit’s work in our lives. When Jesus commissioned his disciples, he told them to wait for the promised Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5). The Spirit would teach them, remind them of Jesus’ words, give them courage, and help them testify about Christ (John 14:26, 15:26-27, Acts 1:8). At Pentecost, the Spirit filled believers with power (Acts 2:1-4). As confirmation candidates commit themselves to God’s service, prayers calling down the Spirit affirm their need for the Spirit’s help in walking faithfully with Jesus day by day.
Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit
Another component of many confirmation services is recognizing spiritual gifts and fruits cultivated in the lives of candidates. Passages like Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:7-16, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 teach that God equips believers with diverse gifts to build up Christ’s body. As Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” At the same time, the Spirit produces virtues like love, joy, patience, kindness, and self-control in us (Galatians 5:22-23). Confirmation offers a chance to celebrate growth in gifts and fruit that equip young disciples for service.
Putting Faith into Practice
Rather than graduation, confirmation is best seen as commissioning candidates to actively pursue spiritual growth and acts of discipleship. Their faith and gifts are not to remain hidden but be put into practice. Jesus tells his followers to let their light shine so that people see their good works and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). The apostles instruct Christians to devote themselves to prayer, Scripture, fellowship, service, generosity, and sharing the gospel (Acts 2:42, Romans 12:9-21, Ephesians 4:1-16, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, James 1:22, 1 Peter 4:10-11). Confirmation charges youth to live out such disciplined, fruitful faith.
Affirming Baptismal Vows
For those baptized as infants, confirmation offers a chance to personally affirm the baptismal vows made on their behalf. In many traditions, baptism initiates people into God’s covenant family. As they mature, the young may ratify those vows for themselves through confirmation. This reflects the pattern in Scripture of God establishing covenant bonds with his people across generations (Genesis 17:7, Acts 2:39). It allows youth to claim the baptismal promises signifying death to sin and new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4).
United with Christ
Central to confirmation is recognizing candidates’ union with Jesus Christ and his church through faith and the Spirit. Ephesians 1 teaches that in Christ, believers gain every spiritual blessing as God’s adopted children. Yet we experience these blessings together as Christ’s body: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). Confirmation celebrates this profound union with Christ and the family of all believers.
Committing to Christ
Confirmation usually includes candidates publicly professing faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Biblically, receiving Christ requires personal commitment. John 1:12 says Jesus gives the right to become children of God to all who believe in his name. Those who confess Christ before others will be confessed by him before the Father, Jesus declares (Matthew 10:32). Romans 10:9 states that “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Confirmation allows candidates to boldly affirm their faith.
Commissioned to Mission
An important aspect of confirmation is sending candidates out to live on mission for Christ. Jesus commanded his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). From its beginnings, the church embraced this mandate to be Christ’s witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). So confirmation charges youth to share the gospel and make disciples through word and deed empowered by the Holy Spirit.
In summary, while not directly ordained by Scripture, confirmation serves biblical purposes when done well. It enables those nurtured in the faith from childhood to embrace personal discipleship. They receive prayer and blessing for empowerment by the Spirit. Their spiritual gifts and growth are affirmed. And they are commissioned to actively follow Jesus in the world as part of his church. This rite of passage shepherds youth in their journey toward mature, fruitful faith in Christ.
History of Confirmation
While the New Testament does not refer to confirmation as a distinct ritual, early church writings show churches practicing rites similar to modern confirmation. Here is a brief overview of the history of confirmation practices:
– In the 2nd and 3rd centuries, baptism was preceded by extensive preparation to ensure sincerity of faith. Part of this involved undergoing an “establishment” rite before full church membership.
– As infant baptism became more common, post-baptismal establishment rites developed into formal confirmation for those baptized as children.
– Early confirmations involved hand laying and anointing. Prayers invoked the Spirit upon candidates.
– By the 5th century, confirmation was widely practiced, usually by a bishop. The rite included anointing, hand laying, signing with the cross, and words asking God to seal candidates with the Spirit.
– In the West, confirmation became associated specifically with receiving the Holy Spirit. In the East, the emphasis was on completing Christian initiation begun at baptism.
– From the 8th to 11th centuries, confirmation increasingly became a sacrament in its own right. Thomas Aquinas later systematized confirmation as one of seven sacraments.
– The Reformers rejected confirmation as a sacrament but retained its practice as a public profession of faith and blessing to strengthen faith.
– In some Protestant traditions, like Lutheranism, confirmation has remained a significant adolescent rite. Others, like Baptists, practice believer’s baptism instead as a public pledge of faith.
– Today, confirmation practices vary across denominations but often marks a step of committing personally to the vows made at infant baptism.
So while not instituted by the apostles, confirmation has roots in early church establishment rites and developed over time as a way to guide maturing youth to own their identity in Christ. The ceremony remains a meaningful tradition in many Christian traditions today.
Different Views of Confirmation
There is diversity in how Christian groups throughout history have viewed the status and importance of confirmation:
– The Roman Catholic Church considers confirmation a sacrament alongside baptism and the Eucharist. Candidates are anointed with oil and prayer calls down the Spirit upon them.
– Eastern Orthodox Churches see confirmation as the completion of initiation into the church that began at baptism. Chrismation (anointing) and the reception of the Eucharist happen immediately after baptism.
– Some Protestant Reformers like Luther retained confirmation as a public profession of faith but rejected its sacramental status. They emphasized pre-confirmation classes on the catechism.
– Other Reformers saw confirmation as unbiblical. Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli abolished confirmation as a human invention without scriptural basis.
– The Anglican tradition provides for confirmation but does not regard it as sacramental. It is a mature reaffirmation of baptismal vows involving prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.
– Most Baptists and Pentecostals practice adult baptism instead of confirmation to signify that a believer has made a public statement of faith.
So perspectives differ between sacramental groups like Catholics, symbolic meaning seen by Lutherans, emphasis on completing baptism in the East, and rejection by some evangelical free church traditions. But many find value in confirmation for discipleship.
Preparation for Confirmation
Churches take various approaches to preparing youth for confirmation. However, there are some common core elements:
– Classes, mentoring, or guided readings to build knowledge of the faith
– Memorizing Bible verses, catechism answers, or statement of beliefs
– Learning about church history and life
– Participating in worship, community service, retreats, or mission trips
– Examining what it means to commit to following Christ
– Pairing with adult mentors to nurture spiritual growth
– Exploring spiritual gifts and developing a life of service
The goal is to equip youth with faith foundations, connect them to church community, and spur spiritual growth – not just impart information. This grounds them for confirmation vows to live out their faith in Christ.
Steps in the Confirmation Liturgy
While specifics vary across traditions, here are typical elements included in confirmation services:
– Call to worship and opening prayers or songs to consecrate the time
– Scripture readings speaking of the Holy Spirit, gifts of the Spirit, or discipleship
– Profession of faith where candidates recite the Apostles’ Creed or similar statement
– Questions to candidates asking them to affirm their commitment to Christ and the church
– Prayer of consecration asking for the Spirit’s empowerment and gifts for candidates
– Laying on of hands by the officiating minister or bishop
– Anointing candidates with oil in the form of a cross
– Giving Bibles or other gifts signifying entering mature faith
– Celebrating the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper
– Commissioning candidates to live out their faith through worship, service, and proclamation
– Blessing candidates as they embark on the journey of lifelong discipleship
– Closing songs, prayers, or charges to the congregation supporting candidates
The liturgy allows candidates to reflect, repent, profess faith, and receive the blessing of church leaders and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for the living out of their faith in community.
Appropriate Age for Confirmation
There is flexibility regarding the appropriate age for confirmation. Factors churches consider include:
– Age of moral reasoning to grasp the significance of commitment
– Cognitive ability to understand biblical teachings
– Social, emotional, and spiritual maturity to embrace discipleship
– Readiness to participate in church community life
– Customs and norms of the local faith tradition
– Scheduling with other adolescent milestones or education
– Degree of parental involvement desired
In many traditions, confirmation takes place from 6th grade through high school with average ages of 11-16 years old. But some do have confirmation as early as 2nd grade or as late as college-age. The right age depends on the spiritual and developmental stage appropriate for sealing baptismal identity with personal commitment.
Meaning of Confirmation for Youth
For youth being confirmed, the ceremony holds deep spiritual significance:
– Publicly affirms their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
– Allows them to claim the covenant blessings conferred at baptism
– Provides opportunity to testify to experiencing God’s grace
– Marks their commitment to participate actively in church life
– Recognizes their gifts and calling to Christian service
– Invokes Holy Spirit power and presence in their lives
– Connects them to the global, historical family of believers
– Equips them with strength for spiritual battles ahead
– Reminds them they are loved children of God
So confirmation is a personal milestone not just a tradition. It enables youth to boldly embrace discipleship and find their place in Christ’s body.
Parental Role in Confirmation
Parents and guardians play a vital role in the confirmation process:
– Registering their child for confirmation classes and mentoring
– Encouraging their child’s attendance and engagement in learning
– Attending informational meetings about the confirmation process
– Supporting their child’s spiritual growth through discussing lessons
– Volunteering to help with retreats, events, transportation, and hospitality
– Helping their child think through the meaning of confirming faith
– Attending the confirmation worship service
– Affirming their child’s gifts and calling
– Committing as a family to active church involvement
– Continuing to nurture their child’s faith at home through adolescence
– Modeling lifelong Christian discipleship and growth
Partnership between churches and parents enriches the confirmation experience to instill enduring faith in youth.
Benefits of Confirmation for Youth
Meaningful confirmation experiences provide youth with lifelong benefits including:
– Deepened understanding of the Christian faith
– Greater sense of connection to the church
– Compass to guide moral reasoning and choices
– Foundation for spiritual practices like prayer, Scripture reading, and worship
– Enriched discernment of spiritual gifts and calling
– Support network of mentors and fellow believers
– Special experience marking their faith coming of age
– Renewed commitment to following Jesus day by day
– Purpose and practices to live out discipleship
– Greater courage and confidence to share faith with others
– Understanding of their place in the stream of Christian history
Quality confirmation nurtures spiritual seeds planted in childhood to blossom into mature, engaged faith.
Conclusion
While not mentioned by name in Scripture, confirmation serves biblical goals when done well. It allows young disciples to publicly commit to faith in Christ sealed in baptism. They receive empowerment by the Holy Spirit and a charge to live out their calling in the church. And they stand strengthened to walk with Jesus all the days of their life. For centuries, confirmation has shepherded adolescent believers into Christian maturity. When grounded in Scripture and the Spirit’s grace, it continues to be a valuable rite of discipleship passage today.