Chrismation, also known as confirmation, is the sacrament in which a baptized person is anointed with chrism oil and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is practiced in Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian, and Eastern Catholic churches. The biblical basis for chrismation comes primarily from the book of Acts and the epistles.
The Biblical Basis for Chrismation
In the book of Acts, there are several instances where new believers receive the Holy Spirit shortly after being baptized. For example:
- “Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:14-17)
- “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.” (Acts 10:44-46)
- “And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ And they said, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ And he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ They said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ 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.’ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.” (Acts 19:1-6)
In these passages, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit is closely connected with water baptism but also distinct from it. There is a laying on of hands, prayer, and anointing with oil that accompanies the impartation of the Spirit.
The Epistles also connect the sealing or anointing of the Holy Spirit with salvation and initiation into the body of Christ:
- “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13)
- “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
Based on these passages, the Eastern churches developed the theology and practice of chrismation as distinct from baptism. Through chrismation, the newly baptized receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and are sealed or anointed into the body of Christ.
The Practice of Chrismation
In the early church, it was the bishops who would perform chrismation. But over time, priests also became authorized to administer this sacrament. Here is a basic overview of how chrismation is practiced:
- Chrismation usually takes place immediately after baptism. The person is anointed with chrism oil soon after coming up out of the waters of baptism.
- The oil is applied to various parts of the body – the forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, breast, hands and feet. This is accompanied by a prayer asking for the gifts or fruits of the Holy Spirit.
- The oil is usually applied in the sign of the cross. This signifies putting on Christ and dedication to Christ.
- Chrism oil is a special oil that is sanctified by the bishop. It is olive oil mixed with perfumes and aromatic essences like balsam.
- The priest says “The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit” as the chrism is applied. This signifies the seal and anointing of the Spirit.
- In the Eastern churches, chrismation is done to infants and small children. In the Western church, confirmation is done later, when a child reaches the age of reason, around 7 years old.
Chrismation indicates the new Christian has received the Holy Spirit and is now incorporated into the body of Christ. It is about empowerment and equipping to live the Christian life.
The Effects and Graces of Chrismation
The Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic churches recognize chrismation as a sacrament that imparts grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Here are some of the effects and graces associated with this sacrament:
- Indwelling of the Holy Spirit – Chrismation imparts the permanent indwelling of the Spirit in the believer’s life.
- Illumination – The Holy Spirit gives inner illumination and enlightenment to the believer.
- Sealing – The Spirit marks and seals the believer as belonging to Christ and the church.
- Anointing – The believer shares in Christ’s status as the Anointed One and is empowered by the Spirit.
- Entry into the Church – Chrismation grants full membership into the Body of Christ.
- Sanctification – The Holy Spirit plays a role in leading the believer into holiness and likeness to Christ.
- Strengthening – The Holy Spirit strengthens the believer in their faith and spiritual life.
- Equipping for Ministry – The gifts of the Spirit are imparted to equip the believer for Christian service.
Therefore, chrismation is seen as a vital component in the salvation and new life granted by God to believers. The Eastern churches do not see it as merely a symbolic act, but as a real vehicle of grace.
Chrismation as Completion of Baptism
As seen from the book of Acts, the early church connected baptism and receiving the Spirit closely together, but also as distinct experiences. The Eastern churches see chrismation as the completion and fulfillment of baptism:
- Baptism grants regeneration, forgiveness of sins, and dying and rising with Christ. It cleanses and purifies.
- Chrismation grants empowerment, equipping, and new life in the Spirit. It fills and sanctifies.
- Baptism grafts one into the body of Christ. Chrismation activates the gifts and life of the Spirit.
- Baptism washes away sin. Chrismation brings positive empowerment for godly living.
- Baptism confers adoption as a child of God. Chrismation confers anointing with Christ-like gifts.
Therefore, the Eastern churches see baptism and chrismation as two halves of one whole – both necessary to initiate someone fully into God’s salvation. This differs from the Western church, where confirmation is seen as merely a strengthening of baptism’s effects.
Objections to Chrismation
Some of the major objections that have been raised against chrismation include:
- It is not specifically instituted by Christ, unlike baptism or the Lord’s Supper.
- There is disagreement over whether it imparts regenerating grace or not.
- It overlaps too much with the effects of baptism.
- The practice of infant chrismation is questionable.
- There is debate over whether it can be repeated after baptism.
- The chrism oil borders on superstition and magical thinking if it is seen as imparting grace on its own.
Advocates of chrismation respond to these objections by pointing to the biblical evidence linking baptism and receiving the Spirit in Acts. They also argue that the Spirit’s work is just as integral to salvation as Christ’s work. However, these debates continue between the theological traditions.
Chrismation in Other Traditions
In addition to the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic churches, some Western liturgical Protestant groups also practice chrismation:
- Lutherans -unction is done after infant baptism with the same oil used to baptize the child.
- Anglicans/Episcopalians – Chrism is used to anoint the newly baptized to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Methodists – Have anointing and laying on of hands after water baptism to symbolize receiving the Spirit.
However, most Protestant evangelicals who baptize only professing believers do not attach chrismation to their baptism ritual. They believe baptism itself signifies regeneration and the indwelling of the Spirit.
Conclusion
In summary, chrismation is the Eastern church’s ritual for imparting the gift of the Holy Spirit closely following water baptism. It is seen as the complement and completion of baptism, sealing the believer and imparting empowerment and grace. The biblical basis comes from passages in Acts that show believers receiving the Spirit subsequent to being baptized. While debated in the West, the Eastern churches continue to uphold chrismation as an important sacrament for initiation into Christ’s body.