When do we first receive the Holy Spirit... Baptism or Confirmation?

[gez722]

I was always under the impression that we first received the Holy Spirit when we were baptized. When I read the Catechism, it seems to imply (although it doesn’t state it directly) that we receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. Acts 2:38 seems to state that the Holy Spirit is received in Baptism

*(Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. ) *

Any ideas?

God Bless,
Gary

 

[8640]

The answer is… both.

We receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s gifts at Confirmation but the Holy Spirit comes upon us as well at baptism

 

[mercygate]

I was always under the impression that we first received the Holy Spirit when we were baptized. When I read the Catechism, it seems to imply (although it doesn’t state it directly) that we receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. Acts 2:38 seems to state that the Holy Spirit is received in Baptism

(Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. )

Any ideas?

God Bless,
Gary

The Holy Spirit is a loose cannon. Even a perfect heathen can receive the Holy Spirit in a gift of acutal grace before baptism when the Lord prompts us (at least as adults) to faith in Christ. We receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism (both infants and adults) for the remission of original sin. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit at Confirmation . . .

There are many ways of “receiving the Holy Spirit” – both outside and within the Sacramental forum. Note in the New Testament that Paul receives the laying on of hands more than once as he receives the particular graces of his apostolic calling.

 

[gez722]

The Holy Spirit is a loose cannon. Even a perfect heathen can receive the Holy Spirit in a gift of acutal grace before baptism when the Lord prompts us (at least as adults) to faith in Christ. We receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism (both infants and adults) for the remission of original sin. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit at Confirmation . . .

There are many ways of “receiving the Holy Spirit” – both outside and within the Sacramental forum. Note in the New Testament that Paul receives the laying on of hands more than once as he receives the particular graces of his apostolic calling.

Since we must be Baptized before we are Confirmed, can we safely say that Confirmation is NOT the first time that we receive the Holy Spirit?

God Bless,
Gary

 

[mercygate]

Since we must be Baptized before we are Confirmed, can we safely say that Confirmation is NOT the first time that we receive the Holy Spirit?

God Bless,
Gary

Short answer: yes.

Can you be more specific with your question? I ask because people often refer to the “indwelling,” the “infilling” or the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit. The nuances can be confusing. They certainly are to me.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I was always under the impression that we first received the Holy Spirit when we were baptized. When I read the Catechism, it seems to imply (although it doesn’t state it directly) that we receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. Acts 2:38 seems to state that the Holy Spirit is received in Baptism

(Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. )

Any ideas?

God Bless,
Gary

We first receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism.

 

[gez722]

Short answer: yes.

Can you be more specific with your question? I ask because people often refer to the “indwelling,” the “infilling” or the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit. The nuances can be confusing. They certainly are to me.

I was having a discussion about Baptism with some folks and I mentioned that we first receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism. When I read about Confirmation in the Catechism, it appeared to state that we receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. If we already received it at Baptism, I wouldn’t think that would be possible. If we’ve already received the Holy Spirit, I can see how we can receive additional gifts of the Spirit at Confirmation, but not the Spirit Himself. This subject has always been a little fuzzy for me and I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t misleading anyone.

God Bless,
Gary