Introduction / Overview

In the churches that have Infant Baptism it was necessary to have a service later on in which the believer could "confirm" the promises made at their Baptism. This became known as the rite of Confirmation. The promises made on the Infant's behalf are made again publicly. The person being confirmed should be of such an age that he or she will be able to understand these promises.

It is usually for the person being confirmed to be a teenager but there is no age limit. What is important is that they want to make their own promises about being a Christian. So they make again ('confirm') the promises that were made on their behalf at their baptism.

Focus Question: What are responsibilities that a person takes on as a Christian 'adult' ?

Different practices - Roman Catholic and Anglican

There is a marked difference in practice between the Roman Catholic and the Anglican Churches over the time considered suitable for confirmation.

The Roman Catholic church has a service of first communion at the age of 7 after which a person may take communion. Confirmation may be carried out at any age but it is the normal practice to carry out confirmation about the age of 13.

The Anglican church usually confirms teenagers, although many people who become Christians at a later age are confirmed then.

There is a similar service in many non-conformist churches although it is not called confirmation. The Baptist church for example extents the right hand of fellowship to welcome into fellowship all those who have been baptised as adults. In the Methodist church 'public reception into full membership or confirmation' involves the laying on of the ministers hands on each candidate. This laying on of hands is the most important part of all conformation services.

A confirmation service held in the Roman Catholic church or an Anglican church is always conducted by a bishop. During the service he asks each candidate three questions about their own spiritual behaviour.

These are a reflection of the questions asked of the parents and godparents at their baptism:

• Do you turn to Christ?
• Do you repent of your sins?
• Do you renounce evil?

The positive answer "I do" is expected of each question.

The bishop then tells them "You must now declare before God and his Church that you accept the Christian faith into which you have been baptised and in which you will continue to live and grow. Then are then asked the questions about their faith that their parents and godparents were asked at baptism.

• Do you believe in God the Father who made the Earth?
• Do you believe in his Son Jesus Christ who redeemed mankind?
• Do you believe in the Holy Spirit who gives life to the people of God?

To each of these they must reply "I believe and trust in him". The bishop then lays his hand on the candidate and says:

"Confirm O Lord you servant, N, with you Holy Spirit. Defend, O Lord, your servant with your heavenly grace until they come into your Heavenly Kingdom. Amen"

In the Roman Catholic church, and some Anglican churches, the bishop anoints each person with a special oil called the oil of chrism and says to them "Be sealed with the Holy Spirit"

Many Christians believe that you receive God's Holy Spirit through the laying on of the bishop's hands.Others feel that it is an opportunity to 'confirm' the faith they they are already committed to. This follows from the occasion at Pentecost when the disciples received God's spirit (Acts 2:1-13)

When a person has had first communion in the Roman Catholic or been confirmed in the Anglican church they are now able to receive communion.

After a person has been confirmed the responsibility for their spiritual life passes from their parents and God parents to themselves.

Focus Question: What does the presence of the Holy Spirit do?

Order of the service in church (RC and Anglican)

1. Preparation
2. A hymn or song
3. A reading from the Old Testament
• Joshua 21:14-24, Jeremiah 31:31-34 or Ezekiel 36:25-28
4. A reading from the New Testament
   • 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Galatians 5:16-25 or 1 Peter 2:4-10
5. A hymn or song
6. A reading from the Gospels
   • Matthew 16:14-27, Luke 24:45-end, Mark 1:14-20, John 14:15-18
7. The sermon - usually on the responsibilities of the Christian life
8. Renewal of Baptismal vows (see the questions above)
9. The Confirmation
10. Prayers
11. The communion service

Focus Question: Why is confirmation an important act in many churches?