What does the Bible say about Confirmation?

For many, confirmation marks the transition from childhood faith to mature participation in the life of the Christian community. Yet, when we turn to the Bible, we may notice that the word "confirmation" in this ceremonial sense does not appear explicitly. This raises an important question: what does the Bible actually say about confirmation, and how have Christian traditions derived this practice from Scripture?

The Meaning of Confirmation in Christian Practice

In many churches—such as Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and some Methodist traditions—confirmation is a sacrament or rite in which a baptized person affirms their faith and receives the strengthening of the Holy Spirit. Typically, this ceremony involves the laying on of hands by a bishop or church leader and is seen as a deepening or "confirming" of the grace received at baptism.

Is Confirmation Mentioned in the Bible?

The New Testament does not contain a formal rite called "confirmation" as it is practiced today. However, some passages are understood by many Christians as the biblical roots of this tradition. The most commonly cited are those that describe the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Spirit.

For example, in Acts 8:14-17, after the Samaritans believe in Jesus and are baptized, Peter and John pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit: “Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” A similar event occurs in Acts 19:5-6, when Paul lays hands on new believers in Ephesus, and they receive the Holy Spirit. These moments are sometimes viewed as early forms of confirmation, where a separate act following baptism marks the imparting or strengthening of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life.

The Laying on of Hands: Biblical Foundations

The laying on of hands is a significant gesture throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, it is used for commissioning leaders, blessing, or dedicating someone for a particular role (e.g., Numbers 27:18-23; Deuteronomy 34:9). In the New Testament, it is used for healing, imparting spiritual gifts, and setting apart individuals for ministry (see Acts 6:6, 13:3; 1 Timothy 4:14). In the context of confirmation, the laying on of hands symbolizes the personal receiving or strengthening of the Holy Spirit—a theme that aligns with its biblical use for blessing and empowerment.

Confirmation and the Holy Spirit

At the heart of Christian confirmation is the relationship between the believer and the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to all who follow him (John 14:16-17, 26). The Acts passages show the Holy Spirit coming upon believers in powerful ways, sometimes following baptism and the laying on of hands. For many Christian traditions, confirmation is seen as the fulfillment of these biblical promises, a moment when the Holy Spirit’s work in the believer is publicly acknowledged and celebrated.

Confirmation as Personal Commitment

Another important aspect is the idea of personal affirmation of faith. While infant baptism is common in many Christian traditions, confirmation allows those baptized as children to publicly affirm the faith into which they were baptized. This echoes the biblical call for each believer to confess and own their faith: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Confirmation in Early Church History

Although the formal rite of confirmation developed later, early church writings reveal practices resembling confirmation. Figures like Tertullian and Cyprian, writing in the second and third centuries, describe the laying on of hands and anointing with oil after baptism. These practices were interpreted as conferring the Holy Spirit and marking full initiation into the Christian community. Over time, different traditions shaped the practice into the ceremonies seen today, always aiming to root their actions in the biblical themes of faith, the Holy Spirit, and public commitment.

Conclusion: Confirmation and the Bible’s Message

Through the laying on of hands, the imparting of the Holy Spirit, and the public affirmation of faith, confirmation draws deeply from biblical principles. For Christians, confirmation is not just a ceremonial milestone but a meaningful step of spiritual growth—a public declaration of faith, an encounter with the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to live out the gospel.