Confirmation

An Introduction to Confirmation

What is Confirmation? I hear you ask. Well, Confirmation is a sacrament. To those of you that don't know what a sacrament means, it is a religious rite of passage. That word Confirmation means to make your relationship with God stronger. Confirmation often said to be similar to baptism. This is because promises made at the child's infant baptism on behalf of the baby have to be confirmed by the child themselves. Hence the word "Confirmation". Confirmation allows the child to be a full member of the Christian community.

Confirmation in the church of England

Confirmation often happens in the Church of England. Confirmation used to happen as a part of a bigger ceremony on Christian initiation in the church. However, this stopped when bishops could not attend the baptisms. Conformation in the church of England has two types. Just like Baptism. The first type is the one which follow the book of common prayer rite. This requires the person to confirm the promise that was made on behalf of them when they were a baby during Infant baptism.After they have to do the "laying on of hands" by the bishop. This involves the bishop extending his hands over the person. This is then followed by a prayer. The bishop then asks the Lord for the person to be led into eternal life. The common worship rite involves most of the basic elements of Conformation. The bishop will ask the person if they are ready to affirm their faith in Christ then they are told to renounce the devil and all other evil. Also in the church of England there is not really a set age to be confirmed. However you have to be able to prepare for the event.

Confirmation in the Orthodox church 

Confirmation also happens in the Orthodox church. However the confirmation here may be a bit different to the confirmation ceremony in the church of England. Eastern Orthodox churches sometimes refer to confirmation as chrismation. Chrismation's are granted at the same time as baptisms. Eastern rite Catholics also do this. (Eastern rite Catholics have a special relationship with the pope. However, they are not a  member of the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic church does not confirm people wanting to convert from the Eastern rite Catholics. However, when Roman Catholics and Protestants want to convert to Orthodoxy, they are allowed by chrismation but without baptism. But, this all depends on the bishop as some may ask you to be baptised again. Though, Protestants are the most likely to have to be baptised again.

 Confirmation and the baptist church

Conformation does not take place at all in the baptist church. This is where people are baptised as adults with full immersion. Baptists believe that being baptised is a strong commitment to the church and discipleship. Some baptist churches may baptise a person again if they have welcomed the Christian faith into their lives even though they might have been baptised during Infant baptism

Elise Bancrofts School Rs Project