Confirmation

Confirmation is the Pentecost for each Christian. It is related to Baptism and Eucharist as a Sacrament of Initiation by which a Christian is brought to the mature stature. By the gifts of the Holy Spirit, a Christian is consecrated and equipped with a firm commitment to bear witness to his Christian faith.

We should have the broader background of the pouring out of the Spirit in the history of salvation in order to situate the Sacrament of Confirmation. The main stages are creation, the righteous of the OT, Incarnation, Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost. Anointing of the Christian is essentially related to the anointing of the Prophets and Kings of the OT, and the prophetic anointing of Christ (Lk 4:18; Acts 4:27, 10:38; Heb 1:9). All should be born by water and Spirit, and that process is confirmed in Christian anointing (2 Cor 1:21-22; Eph 1:13; 1 Jn 2:20,27). The Spirit is the source and development of Christian life as well as the soul of Christian existence (Gal 5:25, 6:9; Rom 8:9,13; Eph 4:30). The Spirit is also the source of Christian charity (Rom 3:5; 1 Cor 13), prayer (Rom 8:16; Gal 4:6), and all charisms (1 Cor 12:4-12). Confirmation is a New Pentecost and actualization of the Pentecostal experience in each Christian. Baptismal consecration is brought to its full stature in confirmation. Hence, confirmation gives full membership in the Church.

Index   Seven Sacraments   Baptism   Eucharist   Confirmation
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