Confirmation is an important and often celebrated event in the Christian faith. It is a time where individuals publicly declare their commitment to following Jesus and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As we prepare for this special occasion, let us turn to the Bible for wisdom and guidance. Today, we will explore some of the most meaningful Bible verses about confirmation that can inspire and guide us on our journey of faith.
What Does the Bible Say About Confirmation?
In the context of Christian theology, “confirmation” typically refers to a sacrament or ritual practiced in some denominations, such as the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. It is important to note that the term “confirmation” and the specific practices associated with it may vary among different Christian traditions.
The Bible does not explicitly mention the sacrament of confirmation as it is understood in some denominations today. However, elements of confirmation, such as the laying on of hands and the receiving of the Holy Spirit, can be found in the New Testament.
- Laying on of Hands: In the Bible, the laying on of hands is a common practice associated with the impartation of blessings, authority, and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. For example, in Acts 8:14-17 (NIV), it is mentioned that the apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to lay hands on new believers in Samaria so that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
- Receiving the Holy Spirit: Confirmation, in many Christian traditions, is seen as a rite of passage where individuals publicly profess their faith and are anointed with oil, symbolizing the reception of the Holy Spirit. This concept is rooted in various passages, such as Acts 2:38 (NIV), where Peter exhorts people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Strengthening and Deepening of Faith: While not explicitly called “confirmation,” the idea of reaffirming one’s faith and deepening their commitment to Christ can be seen as a biblical principle. In 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV), the apostle Paul encourages Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God, which was given through the laying on of Paul’s hands. This can be seen as a form of spiritual empowerment or confirmation of one’s faith.
While the term “confirmation” as a specific sacrament is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the biblical principles of laying on of hands, receiving the Holy Spirit, and reaffirming one’s faith can be connected to the concept of confirmation as it is practiced in some Christian traditions. The specific practices and theological interpretations of confirmation may vary among denominations, but these biblical principles serve as a foundation for the sacrament.
Also Study: Bible Verses About Wise Counsel
Bible Verses About Confirmation
Acts 2:38
“Peter replied, “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.”
This verse highlights the significance of baptism and repentance in receiving the Holy Spirit. Through repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus, we are forgiven of our sins and granted the gift of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is a sacrament in the Christian faith that signifies the deepening of our relationship with God and the strengthening of the Holy Spirit within us. It is a time when individuals publicly affirm their faith and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This verse reminds us of the importance of repentance, baptism, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the confirmation process.
John 14:16-17
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
These verses speak to the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Jesus promises to send us the Holy Spirit, who will be our advocate and guide. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and He dwells within us, providing guidance, comfort, and wisdom. In the sacrament of confirmation, we receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live out our faith and be a witness to others. Through confirmation, we are reminded of the constant presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the transformative power that He brings.
Ephesians 1:13-14
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
These verses emphasize the seal and guarantee of the Holy Spirit within believers. When we hear and believe the message of the Gospel, we are included in Christ and marked with a seal, which is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit serves as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance in Christ until the ultimate redemption. This truth is significant in the sacrament of confirmation, as it affirms the reality of the Holy Spirit’s presence and work within us. Confirmation reminds us of our identity as children of God and the promise of eternal life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:14-17
“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
This passage describes the laying on of hands for the impartation of the Holy Spirit. In the early church, when believers were baptized, they would often receive the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands by apostles or other leaders. Confirmation draws its inspiration from this biblical practice. The laying on of hands during confirmation represents the prayer and blessing for the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those being confirmed. Through this act, the Holy Spirit is imparted to strengthen and empower believers to live out their faith boldly.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
These verses emphasize that it is God who enables us to stand firm in Christ and anoints us with the Holy Spirit. God sets His seal of ownership on us and places His Spirit within our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing the future fulfillment of His promises. In confirmation, we are reminded of the anointing and sealing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, signifying our belonging to God and His faithfulness to fulfill His purposes in us. This assurance helps us to live with confidence and hope, knowing that God has equipped us with His Spirit for the journey of faith.
Galatians 3:26-27
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
These verses affirm our identity as children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Through faith, we are all baptized into Christ and become united with Him. Confirmation is a time when individuals publicly declare their faith in Jesus and affirm their commitment to follow Him. It is a moment of spiritual clothing, as we clothe ourselves with Christ, actively choosing to live in alignment with His teachings and example. In confirmation, we acknowledge our connection to Christ and our role as His ambassadors in the world.
Romans 8:14-17
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
These verses highlight the intimate relationship between God as our Father and us as His children. Led by the Spirit of God, we are adopted into His family as sons and daughters. The Holy Spirit within us testifies to our identity as God’s children and assures us of our inheritance as co-heirs with Christ. Confirmation serves as a moment of acknowledging and celebrating our adoption into God’s family. It reminds us of our inheritance as children of God and encourages us to live in alignment with our true identity.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
These verses highlight the diversity of spiritual gifts and ministries within the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the source of these gifts, which are distributed according to God’s purpose. Confirmation reminds us of the gifts and abilities that the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon us. It calls us to discern our unique talents and to use them for the common good, serving others and building up the church. Confirmation is an opportunity to recognize and affirm the work of the Holy Spirit in equipping and empowering us to fulfill our calling and contribute to the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:12
“What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
This verse emphasizes the difference between the spirit of the world and the Spirit of God. Through the Holy Spirit, we have received the ability to understand and grasp the depths of what God has freely given us. In confirmation, we become more aware of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit enables us to perceive spiritual truths and experience a deeper communion with God. It is through the Holy Spirit that the reality of God’s love, grace, and blessings become truly known and embraced.
1 John 2:20
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.”
This verse affirms that believers have received an anointing from the Holy One, which empowers them to know the truth. In confirmation, we are reminded of the anointing and indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit leads us into truth, guiding us in our understanding of God’s Word and His will. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are equipped to discern truth from falsehood and to live according to God’s wisdom. Confirmation serves as a moment of recognizing and celebrating the anointing of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the gift of divine knowledge and understanding.
1 John 2:27
“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”
These verses emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in teaching and guiding believers. The anointing we have received from God remains in us and enables us to discern truth without relying solely on human teachers. The Holy Spirit is a genuine and reliable source of divine understanding and instruction. In confirmation, we are reminded of the Holy Spirit’s role as our ultimate teacher and guide. It encourages us to rely on the Holy Spirit’s leading and instruction, trusting in His faithfulness to reveal the truth to us as we abide in Christ.
Isaiah 11:2
“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord.”
This verse depicts the sevenfold manifestation of the Holy Spirit upon the Messiah. The Spirit of the Lord is characterized by wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord. Confirmation is a reminder that the same Spirit rests upon us as believers. The Holy Spirit imparts these qualities into our lives, equipping us with wisdom, understanding, and guidance. Through the Holy Spirit, we gain insight into the deep things of God and are empowered to live in alignment with His ways. Confirmation serves as a moment to acknowledge and embrace the Holy Spirit’s work of transformation and empowerment in our lives.
John 3:5
“Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”
This verse highlights the importance of being born again through water and the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God. In confirmation, we affirm our baptismal vows and the covenant relationship we have with God. It serves as a personal confirmation of our commitment to follow Jesus and live as citizens of His kingdom. The sacrament of confirmation is a time of spiritual rebirth and renewal, as we receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It reminds us of the necessity and transformative power of being born again by water and the Spirit.
John 20:22
“And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
These words of Jesus, spoken to His disciples after His resurrection, signify the impartation of the Holy Spirit. By breathing on them, Jesus symbolically communicates the reception of the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence. Confirmation draws from this biblical account to remind us of the moment when Jesus breathes new life into us through the Holy Spirit. It signifies a fresh infilling and empowering of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Confirmation is a time to receive and embrace the Holy Spirit, allowing His transformative presence to shape and guide us.
Acts 19:6
“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”
These verses describe the experience of believers receiving the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. When Paul placed his hands on the believers, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Confirmation draws inspiration from this account, emphasizing the importance of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The laying on of hands during confirmation signifies a moment of impartation and activation of spiritual gifts. It serves as a catalyst for deeper experiences with the Holy Spirit and the release of His supernatural power in our lives.
Titus 3:5-6
“he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
These verses highlight the role of the Holy Spirit in our salvation and spiritual renewal. It is not our own righteousness or good deeds that save us but rather God’s mercy. Salvation involves being washed in the waters of rebirth and experiencing renewal by the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is a moment to affirm and celebrate the renewing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It reminds us that it is through the Holy Spirit that we are transformed and made new in Christ. Confirmation encourages us to continually seek the Holy Spirit’s work of renewal and transformation as we grow in our faith.
Romans 12:6-8
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
These verses speak to the diversity of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ. Each believer has been given different gifts according to God’s grace. Confirmation serves as a reminder to discover and utilize our spiritual gifts for the edification of the church and the glory of God. It encourages us to embrace and develop our unique abilities and passions for the service of others. In confirmation, we are commissioned to live out our faith authentically and to contribute to the body of Christ in the specific ways that God has equipped us.
Acts 4:31
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
These verses describe the empowering of believers through prayer and the filling of the Holy Spirit. As the early Christians prayed, the place was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They were then able to boldly proclaim the word of God. Confirmation draws from this biblical account to remind us of the power and boldness that the Holy Spirit brings into our lives. Through confirmation, we are encouraged to seek the Holy Spirit’s filling, enabling us to live boldly as witnesses for Christ. It is a moment to embrace the Spirit’s power and to step out in faith, proclaiming the word of God with confidence.
1 Peter 4:10-11
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
These verses emphasize the importance of using our spiritual gifts to serve others and bring glory to God. Our gifts have been given to us as a stewardship, and we are called to faithfully use them for the benefit of others. Confirmation reminds us of our calling to serve God and His people. It encourages us to use our gifts in a way that honors God and reflects His grace. Through confirmation, we are challenged to serve with the strength provided by the Holy Spirit, always seeking to bring praise and glory to God in all that we do.