What Is Confirmation and Is It Biblical?

by Ester yusufu | 2 September 2019 08:46 pm09

Meaning of Confirmation:

Confirmation means “being established.” It is used in certain Christian traditions like the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches as one of their key sacraments. For example, the Catholic Church teaches seven sacraments, and confirmation is considered essential for a baptized person to be fully accepted before God.

In these churches, after baptism, the person undergoes teaching, and then a bishop lays hands on them. This laying on of hands is believed to bring the Holy Spirit upon the person, similar to what happened in the early church:

Acts 8:14–17
“Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

This passage is often used to support the idea that the laying on of hands is necessary for receiving the Holy Spirit.

The Bible clearly teaches that faith precedes baptism. Baptism is a public testimony of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Infants cannot exercise faith or repentance, so infant baptism contradicts biblical teaching.

Romans 10:13–15
“For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?”

Therefore, baptism requires personal belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

The Holy Spirit and the Laying on of Hands

The apostles never set a fixed rule that the Holy Spirit only comes through the laying on of hands. The example in Acts 8 is one occasion where this happened under the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

However, there are other clear examples where the Spirit was given without laying on of hands:

Pentecost: The Spirit came upon the believers while they were praying, no laying on of hands mentioned.
Acts 2:1–4
Cornelius’ household:
Acts 10:44–45
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.”
No laying on of hands took place here.

Peter’s teaching on how to receive the Holy Spirit also focuses on repentance and baptism:

Acts 2:38
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

He did not say anything about laying on of hands as a requirement.

Practical Implications

Today, some churches treat confirmation and ritual anointings as necessary to be accepted by God, yet Scripture emphasizes a personal faith commitment. Trusting ceremonies over genuine faith can lead to spiritual complacency.

Many who have been baptized and confirmed may not truly understand or live by biblical teaching about the Holy Spirit, salvation, and holiness.

Conclusion

Confirmation Confirmation as a sacrament is not a biblical requirement but a church tradition. The Bible teaches salvation and receiving the Holy Spirit come through personal faith, repentance, and baptism in Jesus’ name.

God never instructed that receiving the Spirit depends on being confirmed by a bishop or anointed with oil. Such practices, while meaningful in some traditions, should not replace the clear gospel message.

Be blessed and continue to seek God’s Word faithfully.

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