confirmation

[helix]

Isn’t confirmation really just the post-baptismal anointing? If Baptism gives the Holy Spirit, then why do we really need Confirmation? Aren’t we already fully initiated with the Holy Spirit and called to be priest, prophet and king by virtue of our baptism?

 

[Deacon_Ed]

While it is true that what we today call confirmation was found in the anointing that followed baptism, it is also true that confirmation “completes” baptism and is more than the anointing that today follows baptism.

The concept of being “sealed” with the Holy Spirit means to be “owned by” (the original meaning of “seal” was to indicate the owner of property or the sender of a message) the Holy Spirit. Baptism conforms us to Christ, joins us in His death and makes possible our salvation. It makes us members of the Church – but it doesn’t give us our “marching orders.”

So, yes, we still need confirmation!

Deacon Ed

 

[helix]

When we say that confirmation completes baptism, it sounds like we’re saying that baptism is incomplete. Does baptism really need anything?

And I thought baptism, rather than confirmation, was always the sacrament that makes us disciples?

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist are the sacraments of initiation. So, if Baptism is enough, why receive the Eucharist?

Each sacrament gives special sacramental graces. In Baptism we become children of God and heirs of heaven. In Confirmation, the Holy Spirit is poured out on us in a special way to empower us to live His life. This is the same Spirit we receive in Baptism but He has more for us.

Why not read the section in the Catechism about the sacraments for a better understanding.

 

[dconklin]

In confirmation we are confirming the baptismal promises made by our parents and godparents. A little bit of trivia - Back in the day, 1st Holy Communion was the third of the three steps - where we were made full members of the community.

 

[puzzleannie]

When we say that confirmation completes baptism, it sounds like we’re saying that baptism is incomplete. Does baptism really need anything?

And I thought baptism, rather than confirmation, was always the sacrament that makes us disciples?

WE are not saying anything, the Church is saying the fullness of Christian Initiation requires Baptism, Confirmation and first reception of Eucharist. the First two are so intimately conjoined that they cannot and should not be separated theologically, even though in practical matters they are separate in time. Confirmation seals our baptism, brings the gifts of the Holy Spirit and readies us to accept and use them, and strenghtens us to carry out our baptismal call to witness and evangelize our Faith. To reject Confirmation is to reject our Baptism.

 

[jpjd]

Confirmation is the most misunderstood and unappreciated sacrament. But let me explain why it is actually so important.

Up til now, the sacraments you have received have been about your salvation:

• In Baptism, you were cleansed of original sin, you received sanctifying grace, you became a child of God, a brother or sister to Christ, and a temple of the Holy Spirit. In Baptism, the Lord is saying “You are Mine.”
• If you have made your first Confession and subsequent Confessions, you have received forgiveness for your sins.
• In receiving Communion you are receiving nourishment for your soul.

Now, you have reached the age where you have (hopefully) learned about your faith and have strong faith. Confirmation is the sacrament where you re-affirm your firm intention to follow Him**. **At your Baptism, your godparents made baptismal promises on your behalf that you will turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. In Confirmation, you make those promises for yourself, and you have a sponsor to help guide you. So, Confirmation is a completion of Baptism.

In addition to that, with Confirmation you are strengthened to now turn your faith outward and bring it to others. In Confirmation**,** the Lord is saying “I will send you” out into the world. You receive the grace you need to live out your faith and spread it to others.

That is why we need Confirmation. It is your personal Pentecost.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Isn’t confirmation really just the post-baptismal anointing? If Baptism gives the Holy Spirit, then why do we really need Confirmation? Aren’t we already fully initiated with the Holy Spirit and called to be priest, prophet and king by virtue of our baptism?

We are called to fulfill our call as priest, prophet and king with Baptism, but we are NOT fully initiated with the Holy Spirit with Baptism alone. One does not cmplete their initiation until the receive all three Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion

 

[guanophore]

When we say that confirmation completes baptism, it sounds like we’re saying that baptism is incomplete. Does baptism really need anything?

And I thought baptism, rather than confirmation, was always the sacrament that makes us disciples?

No, baptism doesn’t "need’ anything. however, persons that were baptized as infants do “need” to take their own responsibility for living their baptismal vows. In the Latin Rite, this responsibility is often handed at confirmation. you are right, baptism makes us born again,and transfers us from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of light. However, infants are not really capable of becoming disciples. they need to grow up in their faith.

Just for the record, in the Eastern Rites and the Orthodox, chrismation (confirmation/annointing) is done right after baptism with infants, and they are administered Holy Communion as well.

Confirmation became separated from baptism because it is the duty of the Bishop to confirm, and as the Church in the West spread, it was not possible for the bishop to be available for all the baptisms. The pastoral decision was made to baptise infants asap, then reserve the chrismation until the bishop could be present. Gradually, the thinking around the “age of reason” emerged, and at what point a child was able to actually commit a mortal sin and have a need to confess before receiving communion.