Now, some may be thinking "That's not the order in which the sacraments are received. The proper order is Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation", and those people would be wrong (they might also think that confirmation is the sacrament of adolescence, but that is actually the Anointing of the Sick- cred: Maxwell Johnson). In fact, Liturgically, Theologically, and Historically, Confirmation is the Sacrament which most logically follows that of Baptism. Among the most misunderstood sacraments (I mean lets be honest, all the sacraments are pretty much misunderstood) Confirmation is also among the most beautiful in the Church.
Where'd it come from?
There is no explicit mention of it during Jesus earthly ministry as recorded by the Gospels (although the descending of the Holy Spirit as a dove after his baptism in the Jordan has often been cited). However, we do find in many documents of the Early Church some sort of ritual "laying on of hands" which is unique from baptism, and which efficates a completely distinctive theological reality. However, if you are looking for biblical evidence for Confirmation, you will not be left empty handed. Notice how in Acts, after Philip baptizes the Samaritan, he is sent to Peter and John who lay their hands on him so that he may receive the Holy Spirit. Also notice how this gift cannot be given by Philip, but rather can only be given by one of the Apostles (or descendants of the Apostles). We can look again at Acts, and find Paul encounter with the Church of Ephesus. When he asks if they have received the Holy Spirit, they say they do not know what he is talking about. Later he baptizes them, and imposes his hands on them.
So the question then becomes- how did First Communion and Confirmation get the ol' switcharoo? Well, initially Bishops were responsible for both First Communion and Confirmation. However, as Catholicism expanded beyond the bounds of major cities into small villages and the country side, it became less and less practical for the Bishops to issue both sacraments. So, the role of administering First Communion was handed on to the priests, but the Bishop was still in charge of Confirmation. So, since it was easier to get a hold of your local priest for First Communion than it was to contact your Bishop for Confirmation, a great many people received the former before the latter. Eventually this practice became normative as it is in the United States today.
What it does?
To put it briefly it instills the Holy Spirit into the person being Confirmed. At Baptism, while we are cleansed by the Holy Spirit, the sacrament itself does not confer upon the individual the entity, the being that is the Holy Spirit. In confirmation we receive the third person of the Trinity as guide, protector and advocate. While in our Baptism we are cleansed in preparation for the Kingdom, in Confirmation the Kingdom of God becomes ever-present, as we become Temples of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, as the Kingdom of God becomes ever-present within us, we we enter into the ever-present Kingdom of God in the World- the Holy Apostolic Catholic Church. So, contrary to popular belief, the sacrament of Confirmation is not simply a "coming of age" sacrament which brings young adults into the Church (well . . . ok, maybe its half right), but rather it is the sacrament which implants the Holy Spirit into us, and ever unites us with the Advocate.
Like my baptism, I vividly remember my Confirmation. I remember the scent of the oils which sealed the Holy Spirit in me, as well as the sense of oneness with everyone in the assembly. I didn't quite understand what it all meant then, and I can't truly say I do now. As all sacraments of the Church, Confirmation is an inexhaustible mystery which we should all give thanks and praise for.
God Bless,
So the question then becomes- how did First Communion and Confirmation get the ol' switcharoo? Well, initially Bishops were responsible for both First Communion and Confirmation. However, as Catholicism expanded beyond the bounds of major cities into small villages and the country side, it became less and less practical for the Bishops to issue both sacraments. So, the role of administering First Communion was handed on to the priests, but the Bishop was still in charge of Confirmation. So, since it was easier to get a hold of your local priest for First Communion than it was to contact your Bishop for Confirmation, a great many people received the former before the latter. Eventually this practice became normative as it is in the United States today.
What it does?
To put it briefly it instills the Holy Spirit into the person being Confirmed. At Baptism, while we are cleansed by the Holy Spirit, the sacrament itself does not confer upon the individual the entity, the being that is the Holy Spirit. In confirmation we receive the third person of the Trinity as guide, protector and advocate. While in our Baptism we are cleansed in preparation for the Kingdom, in Confirmation the Kingdom of God becomes ever-present, as we become Temples of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, as the Kingdom of God becomes ever-present within us, we we enter into the ever-present Kingdom of God in the World- the Holy Apostolic Catholic Church. So, contrary to popular belief, the sacrament of Confirmation is not simply a "coming of age" sacrament which brings young adults into the Church (well . . . ok, maybe its half right), but rather it is the sacrament which implants the Holy Spirit into us, and ever unites us with the Advocate.
Like my baptism, I vividly remember my Confirmation. I remember the scent of the oils which sealed the Holy Spirit in me, as well as the sense of oneness with everyone in the assembly. I didn't quite understand what it all meant then, and I can't truly say I do now. As all sacraments of the Church, Confirmation is an inexhaustible mystery which we should all give thanks and praise for.
God Bless,
שמואל אוליבר יוסף קרלסון
(Samuel Oliver Joseph Carlson)
Excellent post. If you want to see this Theology grad student get angry, bring up the contemporary (Roman) Catholic practice of Confirmation.
ReplyDeleteI am opposed to absolutely any attempt at understanding Confirmation as a maturity ritual. Not only is that alien to the Biblical, Patristic, and Historical understanding of it before the 20th century (and one actually adopted from Lutherans), but it is a contradiction in terms to use "maturity" and "Confirmation" in conjunction.
Maturity rituals are important, however, they operate on the principle of earning something. One earns his or her place in the community of adults through engaging in some action (reading the Torah, wearing gloves filled with fire ants, ritual cutting, etc.)
Sacraments operate on the principle of grace -- it is impossible to earn a sacrament.
If you treat Confirmation as a maturity ritual, one of two things inevitably occurs in my opinion. 1. You make it seem as if maturity is gratuitous -- and thus the recipient becomes spoiled and entitled by becoming an "adult" through no effort of his own. Or 2. You make it seem as if grace is something you earn -- and thus the recipient becomes a Pelagian (which I believe is much worse and much more prevalent).
Therefore, I oppose in toto any conflation of the two concepts. Personally, I think the Confirmation should be conferred immediately after Baptism (as in the Eastern Churches) or at the very least before 1st Holy Communion.
-Todd J. Velianski