Definition and Overview:
Confirmation is a Christian rite of passage, often associated with the strengthening of one's faith and the reception of the Holy Spirit. It is typically seen as a sacrament in several Christian denominations, including Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and some branches of Anglicanism and Lutheranism. In Protestant traditions, it is often viewed as a public affirmation of faith following baptism, especially for those baptized as infants.

Biblical Foundations:
While the term "confirmation" itself does not appear in the Bible, the concept is rooted in several scriptural passages that emphasize the strengthening and affirmation of faith through the Holy Spirit. One key passage is found in the Acts of the Apostles, where the laying on of hands is associated with the reception of the Holy Spirit:

· Acts 8:14-17 : "When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit."

This passage illustrates the early church practice of laying on of hands to confer the Holy Spirit, a practice that is often associated with confirmation.

Theological Significance:
Confirmation is seen as a deepening of the grace received at baptism. It is believed to bestow the gifts of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer to live a mature Christian life. The rite is often accompanied by a personal commitment to Christ and the Church, marking a transition from childhood faith to a more adult, responsible faith.

· Ephesians 1:13-14 : "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory."

This sealing with the Holy Spirit is a key element of confirmation, symbolizing the believer's full incorporation into the body of Christ.

Historical Development:
The practice of confirmation has evolved over the centuries. In the early church, it was closely linked with baptism and often occurred immediately afterward. As Christianity spread, the rite became more distinct, especially in the Western Church, where it was separated from baptism and reserved for bishops to perform. This separation highlighted the role of the bishop as a successor to the apostles, emphasizing the apostolic nature of the Church.

Liturgical Practice:
In denominations that practice confirmation as a sacrament, the rite typically involves the laying on of hands by a bishop or priest, anointing with chrism (holy oil), and the invocation of the Holy Spirit. The confirmand often renews baptismal vows and may choose a confirmation name, usually that of a saint, to serve as a model of Christian virtue.

Role in Christian Life:
Confirmation is seen as a vital step in the spiritual journey of a Christian. It is a moment of personal decision and commitment, where the individual takes responsibility for their faith and vows to live according to the teachings of Christ. It is also a communal event, as the confirmand is welcomed more fully into the life and mission of the Church.

· 2 Timothy 1:6-7 : "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."

This passage underscores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit received in confirmation, encouraging believers to live boldly and faithfully.2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
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Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
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Romans 3:1-9:33
What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
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Revelation 14:12
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
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Romans 2:23-24
You that make your boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonor you God?
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2 Peter 3:16
As also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
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1. (n.) The act of confirming or strengthening; the act of establishing, ratifying, or sanctioning; as, the confirmation of an appointment.

2. (n.) That which confirms; that which gives new strength or assurance; as to a statement or belief; additional evidence; proof; convincing testimony.

3. (n.) A rite supplemental to baptism, by which a person is admitted, through the laying on of the hands of a bishop, to the full privileges of the church, as in the Roman Catholic, the Episcopal Church, etc.

4. (n.) A conveyance by which a voidable estate is made sure and not voidable, or by which a particular estate is increased; a contract, express or implied, by which a person makes that firm and binding which was before voidable.

CONFIRM; CONFIRMATION

kon-furm, konfer-ma'-shun: In the Old Testament represented by several Hebrew words, generally with reference to an increase of external strength, as "c. the feeble knees" (Isaiah 35:3); "c. the kingdom" (2 Kings 15:19); "c. inheritance" (Psalm 68:9). In the New Testament, this external, objective sense is expressed by bebaioo, as in Mark 16:20 Romans 15:8. The strengthening of mind, purpose, conviction, i.e. the inner or subjective sense (Acts 14:22; Acts 15:32, 41) corresponds to episterizo. Used also of ratifying or making valid (kuroo) a covenant (Galatians 3:15). The noun is used in the second sense (Hebrews 6:16 Philippians 1:7). Confirmation, the rite, in some denominations, of admission to the full communion of the church, which the Roman church has elevated to the place of a sacrament, has only ecclesiastical, but no Scriptural, authority. It is grounded, however, in the Scriptural precedent of the laying on of hands after baptism.

See HANDS, IMPOSITION, LAYING ON OF.

H. E. Jacobs

951. bebaiosis -- confirmation
... confirmation. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: bebaiosis Phonetic
Spelling: (beb-ah'-yo-sis) Short Definition: confirmation, ratification ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/951.htm - 6k

2229. e -- surely.
... surely. An adverb of confirmation; perhaps intensive of e; used only (in the New
Testament) before men; assuredly -- surely. see GREEK e. see GREEK men. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2229.htm - 6k

1936. epithesis -- a laying on, an assault
... the laying on of .". This simple procedure looks to the Lord for guidance
and to pass on confirmation of His will. It is the principal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1936.htm - 7k

3619. oikodome -- (the act of) building, a building
... Feminine (abstract) of a compound of oikos and the base of doma; architecture, ie
(concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation -- building, edify ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3619.htm - 7k

3620. oikodomia -- edifying.
... edifying. From the same as oikodome; confirmation -- edifying. see GREEK oikodome.
3619, 3620. oikodomia. 3620a . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3620.htm - 5k

4733. stereoma -- a solid body, a support, strength, firmness
... steadfastness. From stereoo; something established, ie (abstractly) confirmation
(stability) -- stedfastness. see GREEK stereoo. (stereoma) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4733.htm - 6k

4276. proelpizo -- to hope before
... first trust. From pro and elpizo; to hope in advance of other confirmation -- first
trust. see GREEK pro. see GREEK elpizo. (proelpikotas) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4276.htm - 6k

3513. ne -- by (a particle of affirmation employed in oaths)
... Probably an intensive form of nai; a particle of attestation (accompanied by the
object invoked or appealed to in confirmation); as sure as -- I protest by. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3513.htm - 6k

Of Confirmation.
... CONCERNING CHRISTIAN LIBERTY OF CONFIRMATION. It is surprising that it
should have entered any one's mind to make a Sacrament of ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/of confirmation.htm

Confirmation
... III. SACRAMENTS AND RITES Confirmation. [1398]369 The cross is on our brow
[1399]370 Thine for ever! God of love [1400]371 Holy Spirit ...
/.../the hymnal of the protestant episcopal church in the usa/confirmation.htm

On Confirmation
... Lesson 15 ON CONFIRMATION. 166 Q. What is Confirmation? A. Confirmation
is a Sacrament through which we receive the Holy Ghost to ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 15 on confirmation.htm

Confirmation (Q )
... CONFIRMATION (Q ). OF THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION (TWELVE ARTICLES) We have
now to consider the Sacrament of Confirmation. Concerning ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/confirmation q .htm

Whether Confirmation is a Sacrament?
... CONFIRMATION (Q ) Whether confirmation is a sacrament? Objection 1: It
seems that Confirmation is not a sacrament. For sacraments ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether confirmation is a sacrament.htm

Confirmation
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCLXXXVII CONFIRMATION. Draw, HOLY
GHOST, Thy seven-fold veil Between us and the fires of youth; ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cclxxxvii confirmation.htm

Whether the Character of Confirmation Presupposes of Necessity ...
... CONFIRMATION (Q ) Whether the character of Confirmation presupposes of
necessity, the baptismal character? Objection 1: It seems ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the character of confirmation.htm

Whether the Sacrament of Confirmation Imprints a Character?
... CONFIRMATION (Q ) Whether the sacrament of Confirmation imprints a character?
Objection 1: It seems that the sacrament of Confirmation ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sacrament of confirmation.htm

An Encouragement and Confirmation of the Pious.
... The Divine Institutes. Book VII. Of a Happy Life. Chap. XXVII."An Encouragement
and Confirmation of the Pious. Since we have completed ...
/.../the divine institutes/chap xxvii an encouragement and confirmation.htm

A Confirmation of what Hath Been Said, Particularly of the ...
... CHAPTER VI. A confirmation of what hath been said, particularly of the
necessity of a strong resolution? A confirmation of what ...
/.../chapter vi a confirmation of.htm

Confirmation (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of confirming or strengthening; the act of establishing, ratifying,
or sanctioning; as, the confirmation of an appointment. ...
/c/confirmation.htm - 9k

Confirm (39 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To administer the rite of confirmation to. See Confirmation, 3.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONFIRM; CONFIRMATION. ...
/c/confirm.htm - 20k

Baptismal (1 Occurrence)
... spiritual strength-of the manifold graces and of the fullness of the Holy
Spirit-is primarily associated with the laying on of hands (confirmation) rather ...
/b/baptismal.htm - 24k

Regeneration (2 Occurrences)
... spiritual strength-of the manifold graces and of the fullness of the Holy
Spirit-is primarily associated with the laying on of hands (confirmation) rather ...
/r/regeneration.htm - 60k

Thessalonians (6 Occurrences)
... CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH 1. Luke's Narrative in Acts
2. Confirmation of Luke's Narrative in the Epistle III. ...
/t/thessalonians.htm - 46k

Seal (47 Occurrences)
... The word "seal," both substantive and verb, is often used figuratively for the act
or token of authentication, confirmation, proof, security or possession. ...
/s/seal.htm - 38k

Elamarna
... GEOGRAPHICAL VALUE 1. Political and Ethnological Lines and Locations 2. Verification
of Biblical and Egyptian Geographical Notices 3. Confirmation of General ...
/e/elamarna.htm - 31k

Tablets (31 Occurrences)
... GEOGRAPHICAL VALUE 1. Political and Ethnological Lines and Locations 2. Verification
of Biblical and Egyptian Geographical Notices 3. Confirmation of General ...
/t/tablets.htm - 41k

El-amarna
... GEOGRAPHICAL VALUE 1. Political and Ethnological Lines and Locations 2. Verification
of Biblical and Egyptian Geographical Notices 3. Confirmation of General ...
/e/el-amarna.htm - 31k

Tell (3056 Occurrences)
... GEOGRAPHICAL VALUE 1. Political and Ethnological Lines and Locations 2. Verification
of Biblical and Egyptian Geographical Notices 3. Confirmation of General ...
/t/tell.htm - 33k

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