Confirmation (Christianity) facts for kids
Confirmation is a special ceremony in many Christian churches. It's a time when people, often young people, make a public promise to follow their faith. For those who were baptized as babies, confirmation is like saying "yes, I believe" to the promises made for them at their baptism. People who are getting confirmed are called confirmands.
In some churches, like the Catholic Church, confirmation is seen as a sacrament. This means it's a very important religious act where God's grace is given. In Eastern Christian churches, it's called chrismation and usually happens right after a baby is baptized. In Western churches, like the Catholic Church, it usually happens when a child is older, around 12-15 years old, or when they are young adults. If an adult gets baptized, they often receive confirmation right away.
Many Protestant churches, such as Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist churches, also have confirmation. For them, it's a special rite where a baptized person publicly states their faith. In these churches, confirmation is often needed to become a full member. Both Catholic and Methodist churches teach that during confirmation, the Holy Spirit helps and strengthens the person in their faith journey.
Some Christian groups, like Baptists and Anabaptists, do not practice infant baptism, so they don't have confirmation in the same way. They believe in "believer's baptism," where people choose to be baptized when they are old enough to understand. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also does not baptize babies. For them, confirmation happens soon after baptism, and it's seen as an important step to fully receive the blessings of baptism.
There is also a similar ceremony called confirmation in Reform Judaism, which is different from Christian confirmation.
What are the Roots of Confirmation?
The idea of confirmation comes from the early Christian Church, as described in the New Testament. In the Gospel of John, Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit coming to his followers. Later, after Jesus came back to life, he breathed on his followers, and they received the Holy Spirit. This was fully completed on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon them in a powerful way.
After this, the New Testament tells us that the apostles (Jesus's closest followers) would give the Holy Spirit to other people by placing their hands on them. This act of "laying on of hands" is still a part of confirmation ceremonies today.
Images for kids
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A German wood carving from 1679 showing a Confirmation service.
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Chrismation of a newly baptized baby at a Georgian Orthodox church.
See also
