Sacramental Theology: Theology of Confirmation/Chrismation
Confirmation, also known as Chrismation in Eastern traditions, is a sacrament that complements Baptism and strengthens the believer for a life of faith. Rooted in the apostolic practice of laying on of hands and anointing with oil, it is understood to confer the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon the recipient. Together with Baptism and the Eucharist, Confirmation is often considered part of the sacraments of initiation, marking the believer’s full entry into the life of the church.
The theology of Confirmation emphasizes both continuity and distinctiveness. It flows from Baptism, confirming and strengthening the baptized in the Spirit, yet it is distinct as a sacrament with its own grace and spiritual seal. It has been debated through history, with questions about its origin, form, and administration, but the consistent theme is its role in equipping Christians to live and witness boldly in the power of the Spirit.
1. Biblical Foundations of Confirmation
The roots of Confirmation are traced to the New Testament. In Acts 8:14–17, Peter and John laid hands on the Samaritans who had been baptized, and they received the Holy Spirit. Similarly, in Acts 19:5–6, Paul laid hands on believers in Ephesus, and they received the Spirit. These accounts establish the pattern of baptism followed by the laying on of hands for the impartation of the Spirit.
The Old Testament background of anointing with oil also informs the sacrament. Kings and priests were anointed as a sign of being set apart for God’s service (1 Samuel 16:13). In Confirmation, the use of chrism connects this imagery to the Spirit’s consecration of the believer for Christian mission.
Together, these passages show that Confirmation has biblical warrant as a means by which God strengthens his people with the Spirit, equipping them for life in Christ.
2. Practice of the Sacrament
From the earliest centuries, the church practiced the laying on of hands after baptism. By the second century, writers such as Tertullian described it as an established custom. Over time, anointing with oil was added, symbolizing the Spirit’s sealing of the believer. Chrism—typically a mixture of olive oil and balsam—came to be consecrated by a bishop for this purpose.
In the Western Church, Confirmation is generally administered by bishops, highlighting apostolic continuity and unity with the wider church. In the Eastern Churches, Chrismation may be administered by priests, with chrism consecrated by the bishop, underscoring the Spirit’s immediacy in the life of the believer.
The essential actions of Confirmation are the laying on of hands, the anointing with chrism, and the words invoking the Spirit. The theological debate has centered on whether the laying on of hands or the anointing constitutes the core of the sacrament, but most traditions affirm both together as integral signs.
3. Theology of the Seal and Spiritual Strengthening
Confirmation is understood to impart a permanent spiritual seal, marking the believer as belonging to Christ. This seal is not visible but real, conferring grace for perseverance, courage, and witness. Paul’s language of being “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13) is often cited as a foundation for this understanding.
The sacrament strengthens what Baptism begins. Baptism brings new life; Confirmation equips the believer to live that life faithfully. It deepens the Spirit’s presence, enabling bold confession of faith, resistance to sin, and participation in the mission of the church.
The Council of Trent affirmed Confirmation as a distinct sacrament, separate from Baptism, that imparts a spiritual character which cannot be repeated. This reflects the conviction that the Spirit equips believers not only for personal holiness but for public witness in the world.
4. Relationship to the Gospel and Christian Life
Confirmation is inseparable from the Gospel. The Spirit given in this sacrament equips believers to live out the Gospel in word and deed. Just as Christ’s disciples were empowered by the Spirit at Pentecost, so believers are strengthened through Confirmation to proclaim the good news and endure trials.
The sacrament also underscores the corporate dimension of salvation. Confirmation is not merely about personal empowerment but about belonging to the church, the body of Christ. Through it, the believer is more deeply united to the community of faith, sharing in its mission and responsibility.
The Gospel reminds the church that this strengthening is not human achievement but divine grace. It is God’s Spirit, not human willpower, that enables perseverance. Confirmation therefore points beyond itself to Christ, who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16).
5. Eschatological Hope and Final Consummation
Confirmation also carries eschatological significance. The Spirit given in this sacrament is a foretaste of the inheritance believers will receive in the last days. Paul writes that the Spirit is the “guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it” (Ephesians 1:14).
Through Confirmation, believers are marked with the seal of the Spirit, preparing them for final redemption. It strengthens them for perseverance in the present, sustaining hope as they await the resurrection and the new creation. Just as anointing in the Old Testament set apart kings and priests for service, so Confirmation sets apart the baptized for service in the kingdom that will be fully revealed when Christ returns.
Conclusion
The theology of Confirmation, or Chrismation, presents it as a sacrament rooted in Scripture and tradition, complementing Baptism and imparting the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Through the laying on of hands and anointing with chrism, the church affirms the Spirit’s work of sealing, strengthening, and equipping believers.
Confirmation is not merely a ritual but a profound act of grace. It strengthens Christians for bold witness, deeper fellowship, and steadfast perseverance. It points believers to the Gospel of Christ, the gift of the Spirit, and the hope of glory in the last days.
Bible Verses on Confirmation/Chrismation
Acts 8:17 – “Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 19:6 – “When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them.”
2 Corinthians 1:21–22 – “It is God who establishes us… and has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit.”
Ephesians 1:13 – “You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”
Ephesians 1:14 – “Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.”
John 14:26 – “The Helper, the Holy Spirit…will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
Luke 3:16 – “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Romans 8:16 – “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
1 Samuel 16:13 – “The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward.”
Revelation 7:3 – “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
