104-469: In Christian denominations that practice infant baptism , confirmation is seen as the sealing of the covenant created in baptism. Those being confirmed are known as confirmands . For adults, it is an affirmation of belief . The ceremony typically involves laying on of hands . Catholicism views confirmation as a sacrament . The sacrament is called chrismation in Eastern Christianity . In
208-557: A font , and this practice is also the first method listed in the baptismal ritual of the Roman Catholics , although pouring is the standard practice within the Latin branch of Catholicism. Catholic and Orthodox churches that do this do not sprinkle. At the moment of baptism, the minister utters the words "I baptize you (or, "The servant of God (name) is baptized") in the name of the Father, and of
312-477: A sacrament because it is an "instrument" instituted by Jesus Christ to impart grace to its recipients. Infants are traditionally baptized on the eighth day, recalling the biblical injunction to circumcise on the eighth day. However, this is not mandatory. In many of these churches, the Sacred Mystery of Chrismation ( Confirmation ) is administered by the priest immediately after baptism. Holy Communion , in
416-754: A constant companion. To confirm means to "make more sure" and the ordinance of confirmation stands as a witness of the individual becoming a member of the LDS Church and not just an acceptance of Jesus. According to Catholic legal professor and former Irish president Mary McAleese , as outlined in her doctoral thesis, infant baptism amounts to "enforced membership of the Catholic Church", which violates fundamental rights of children . These "infant conscripts ... are held to lifelong obligations of obedience" without their understanding or consent. "Parents can guide and direct [their children] but they can't impose, and what
520-557: A laying on of hands for the imparting of the Spirit – performed after the water-bath and as a complement to this bath – existed already in the earliest apostolic times. These texts are Acts 8:4–20 and 19:1–7, and Hebrews 6:1–6. In the Acts of the Apostles 8:14–17, different ministers are named for the two actions. It is not deacon Philip , the baptiser, but only the apostles who were able to impart
624-451: A life-threatening emergency) by any baptized member of the church; however, only a priest or bishop may perform the mystery of chrismation. If someone who has been baptized in extremis survives, the priest then performs the chrismation. The Catholic Church does not confirm converts to Catholicism who have been chrismated in a non-Catholic Eastern church, considering that the sacrament has been validly conferred and may not be repeated . In
728-720: A more fundamental level of one's theological system. Christians who practice infant baptism do not completely agree on the reasons for doing so, and offer different reasons in support of the practice. Among the arguments made in support of the practice are: Trinitarian Christian denominations that oppose infant baptism include the International Christian Church , all Baptist and Anabaptist traditions and denominations, Pentecostals, Assemblies of God and more. Several nontrinitarian religious groups also oppose infant baptism, including Oneness Pentecostals , Christadelphians , Jehovah's Witnesses , United Church of God , and
832-541: A procession, circling three times around the Gospel Book , while the choir chants each time: "As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia" (Galatians 3:27). The reason the Eastern Churches perform chrismation immediately after baptism is so that the newly baptized may receive Holy Communion, which is commonly given to infants as well as adults. An individual may be baptized in extremis (in
936-505: A temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him (her). Through Christ our Lord." The Eastern Orthodox Church , Oriental Orthodoxy and the Assyrian Church of the East also insist on the need to have infants baptized as soon as is practicable after birth. Similar to the Catholic Church, they teach that baptism is not merely a symbol but actually conveys grace . Baptism is
1040-471: A vessel of oil, bestowing the Holy Spirit upon it, which was then distributed to all of the presbyters (priests) for their use when they baptized. The same chrism is in use to this day, never being completely depleted but newly consecrated chrism only being added to it as needed (this consecration traditionally is performed only by the primates of certain autocephalous churches on Great Thursday ) and it
1144-467: A well-founded hope for the Christian upbringing of the children", then "the priest cannot refuse to celebrate the sacrament without delay, as in the case of children of Christian families". If there is insufficient assurance, "it will be prudent to delay baptism", while keeping contact with the parents in the hope of securing the required conditions for celebrating the sacrament. As a last resort, enrollment of
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#17328514451681248-493: Is a rite that often includes a profession of faith by an already baptized person. Confirmation is required by Lutherans, Anglicans and other traditional Protestant denominations for full membership in the respective church. In Catholic theology, by contrast, it is the sacrament of baptism that confers membership, while "reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace ". The Catholic and Methodist denominations teach that in confirmation,
1352-523: Is a "sign and seal of the covenant of grace ", and that baptism admits the party baptized into the visible church . Being a member of the visible church does not guarantee salvation; though it does provide the child with many benefits, including that of one's particular congregation consenting to assist in the raising of that child in "the way he should go, (so that) when he is old he will not turn from it". Elect infants (those predestined for salvation) who die in infancy are by faith considered regenerate on
1456-440: Is believed that chrism in use today contains some small amount of the original chrism made by the apostles. When Catholics and traditional Protestants, such as Lutherans, Anglicans and Methodists, convert to Orthodoxy, they are often admitted by chrismation, without baptism; but, since this is a matter of local episcopal discretion , a bishop may require all converts to be admitted by baptism if he deems it necessary. Depending upon
1560-428: Is conferred by another bishop. In addition, the law itself confers the same faculty on the following: [W]ithin the confines of their jurisdiction, those who in law are equivalent to a diocesan Bishop (for example, a vicar apostolic ); in respect of the person to be confirmed, the priest who by virtue of his office or by mandate of the diocesan Bishop baptises an adult or admits a baptised adult into full communion with
1664-560: Is conferred immediately after baptism, and there is no renewal of baptismal promises. In the Latin Church and its Latin liturgical rites of the Catholic Church, the sacrament is to be conferred at about the age of discretion (generally taken to be about 7), unless the Episcopal Conference has decided on a different age, or there is danger of death or, in the judgment of the minister, a grave reason suggests otherwise ( canon 891 of
1768-619: Is integral to salvation, after they repent and personally accept Jesus as Savior. Many Methodist denominations, such as the Free Methodist Church and Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection , practice infant baptism for families who desire it for their children, but provide a rite for child dedication for those who have a preference for credobaptism only after their child has made a personal acceptance of Jesus as his/her savior. Presbyterian, Congregational and Reformed Christians believe that baptism, whether of infants or adults,
1872-465: Is normally on infants . The sacred tradition of the Orthodox Church teaches that the Apostles themselves established the practice of anointing with chrism (consecrated oil) in place of the laying on of hands when bestowing the sacrament. As the numbers of converts grew, it became physically impossible for the apostles to lay hands upon each of the newly baptized. So the Apostles laid hands upon
1976-613: Is not required, but is practiced by some due to regional customs. The Yazidi baptism is called Mor kirin (literally: 'to seal'). Traditionally, Yazidi children are baptized at birth with water from the Kaniya Sipî ('White Spring') at Lalish . It involves pouring holy water from the spring on the child's head three times. Philip the Evangelist Philip the Evangelist ( Greek : Φίλιππος , Philippos ) appears several times in
2080-403: Is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ for the conferral of sanctifying grace and the strengthening of the union between the individual and God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraphs 1302–1303, states: It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on
2184-402: Is received into the church, whether by baptism or chrismation, they will often take the name of a saint, who will become their patron saint . Thenceforward, the feast day of that saint will be celebrated as the convert's name day , which in traditional Orthodox cultures is celebrated in lieu of one's birthday. The Orthodox rite of chrismation takes place immediately after baptism and clothing
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#17328514451682288-525: Is sacramental. Church ordinances are understood as administering grace and must be conducted by properly ordained clergy members through apostolic succession reaching back through Peter to Christ, although the line of authority differs from Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. Baptism by water is understood as representing the death of the old person and their resurrection from that death into a new life in Christ. Through baptism by water, sin, and guilt are washed away as
2392-508: Is specifically named. Each of these groups is included in "all nations." They also cite other biblical passages such as Mark 10:13-15, Mark 16:16, John 3:3-7 and Acts 2:38-39 in support of their position. For example, in the Acts of the Apostles Peter 's teachings on Pentecost included children in the promise of baptism, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for
2496-494: Is taken is henceforth considered to be a patron saint . The Eastern Orthodox , Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches refer to this sacrament (or, more properly, Sacred Mystery ) as chrismation, a term which western rite Catholics also use; for instance, in Italian the term is cresima . Eastern Christians link chrismation closely with the sacred mystery of baptism, conferring it immediately after baptism, which
2600-415: Is that assurances must be given that the gift thus granted can grow by authentic education in the faith and Christian life. If these assurances are not really serious, there can be grounds for delaying baptism. If they are certainly absent, the sacrament should even be refused. Accordingly, the rules for involvement on the part of practicing Christian parents must be supplemented with other considerations in
2704-568: Is the mark of membership in the covenant of grace and in the universal church, although regeneration is not inseparably connected with baptism. Infant baptism can be contrasted with what is called " believer's baptism " (or credobaptism, from the Latin word credo meaning "I believe"), which is the religious practice of baptizing only individuals who personally confess faith in Jesus , therefore excluding underage children. Pedobaptism and credobaptism are positions which bubble up from theological views at
2808-531: Is to be delayed? In some German speaking countries, bishops have opened the door to a "two step baptism", i.e. two celebrations separated by a time of evangelization of the parents. In this case, the rite of baptism itself is to be performed in the second celebration, when parents are supposed to have enough maturity to raise the child in the Catholic faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Since Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator
2912-767: The Acts of the Apostles . He was one of the Seven chosen to care for the poor of the Christian community in Jerusalem ( Acts 6 ). He preached and performed miracles in Samaria , and met and baptised an Ethiopian man , a eunuch , on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza , traditionally marking the start of the Ethiopian Church ( Acts 8:26–39 ). Later, Philip lived in Caesarea Maritima with his four daughters who prophesied , where he
3016-537: The Catechism of the Catholic Church also mentions, as an effect of confirmation, that "it renders our bond with the Church more perfect". This mention stresses the importance of participation in the Christian community. The "soldier of Christ" imagery was used, as far back as 350, by St Cyril of Jerusalem. In this connection, the touch on the cheek that the bishop gave while saying " Pax tecum " ( ' Peace be with you ' ) to
3120-473: The Eastern Orthodox Church the sacrament may be conferred more than once and it is customary to receive returning or repentant apostates by repeating chrismation. When discussing confirmation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) uses the term ordinance owing to their origins in a Protestant environment, but the actual doctrine describing their ordinances and their effects
3224-539: The Fourth Lateran Council , Communion, which continued to be given only after confirmation, was to be administered only on reaching the age of reason. Some time after the 13th century, the age of confirmation and Communion began to be delayed further, from seven, to twelve and to fifteen. In the 18th century, in France the sequence of sacraments of initiation was changed. Bishops started to impart confirmation only after
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3328-560: The Gift of the Holy Ghost , granting the individual the permanent companionship of the Holy Ghost as long as the person does not wilfully drive him away through sin. The ceremony is significantly simpler than in Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches and is performed by an ordained clergyman as follows: Other actions typically associated with confirmation in Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy, such as
3432-648: The New Testament only in Ephesians 4:11 ; 2 Timothy 4:5 ), he entertained Paul the Apostle and his companion on their way to Jerusalem; at that time " he had four daughters , virgins, which did prophesy ". At a very early period he came to be confused with the Philip the Apostle ; the confusion was all the more easy because, as an esteemed member of the apostolic company, he may readily have been described as an apostle in
3536-470: The canonical age for confirmation in the Latin Church Catholic Church, the present 1983 Code of Canon Law , which maintains unaltered the rule in the 1917 Code, lays down that the sacrament is to be conferred on the faithful at about the age of discretion (generally taken to be about 7), unless the episcopal conference has decided on a different age, or there is a danger of death or, in
3640-532: The pneuma through the laying on of hands: Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John , who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit. Further on in
3744-506: The "newly illumined" (i.e., newly baptized) in their baptismal robe . The priest makes the sign of the cross with the chrism (also referred to as myrrh ) on the brow, eyes, nostrils, lips, both ears, breast, hands and feet of the newly illumined, saying with each anointing : "The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit . Amen." Then the priest will place his epitrachelion (stole) over the newly illumined and leads them and their sponsors in
3848-508: The 16th-century Thirty-nine Articles lists confirmation among those rites "commonly called Sacraments" which are "not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel" (a term referring to the dominical sacraments, i.e. baptism and the Holy Eucharist ), because they were not directly instituted by Christ with a specific matter and form, and they are not generally necessary to salvation. The language of
3952-950: The Articles has led some to deny that confirmation and the other rites are sacraments at all. Others maintain that "commonly called Sacraments" does not mean "wrongly called Sacraments". Infant baptism Infant baptism (or paedobaptism ) is the practice of baptizing infants or young children. Infant baptism is also called christening by some faith traditions. Most Christians belong to denominations that practice infant baptism. Branches of Christianity that practice infant baptism include Catholicism , Eastern Orthodoxy , and Oriental Orthodoxy . Among Protestants , several denominations practice infant baptism including Anglicans , Lutherans , Presbyterians , Congregationalists , Methodists , Nazarenes , Moravians , and United Protestants . Christians who do not practice infant baptism are called credobaptists . The exact details of
4056-497: The Catholic Church. One of the effects of the sacrament is that "it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross". This effect was described by the Council of Trent as making the confirmed person "a soldier of Christ". The same passage of
4160-459: The Catholic Church; in respect of those in danger of death, the parish priest or indeed any priest. "According to the ancient practice maintained in the Roman liturgy, an adult is not to be baptized unless he receives Confirmation immediately afterward, provided no serious obstacles exist." Administration of the two sacraments, one immediately after the other, to adults is normally done by the bishop of
4264-612: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . B.R. White describes the motivations behind persecution of the Anabaptists during the Reformation as follows: Other Christians saw the baptism of each new-born baby into the secular parish community and close links between church and state as the divinely-ordained means of holding society together. Hence many other Christians saw the Anabaptists as subversive of all order. Consequently, from
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4368-447: The Church of the New Testament . In the Gospel of John chapter 14, Christ speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles (John 14:15–26). Later, after his Resurrection , Jesus breathed upon them and they received the Holy Spirit (John 20:22), a process completed on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4). In Christianity, this Pentecostal outpouring of the Spirit was held as the sign of
4472-638: The Code of Canon Law ). The renewal of baptismal promises by those receiving the sacrament in the Western Catholic Church is incidental to the rite and not essentially different from the solemn renewal of their baptismal promises that is asked of all members of this church each year at the Easter Vigil service. Only in French-speaking countries has there been a development of ceremonies, quite distinct from
4576-560: The East it takes place immediately after baptism ; in the West , when a child reaches the age of reason or early adolescence, or in the case of adult baptism immediately afterwards in the same ceremony. Among those Christians who practise teenage confirmation, the practice may be perceived, secondarily, as a coming of age rite . In many Protestant denominations, such as the Anglican , Lutheran , Methodist and Reformed traditions, confirmation
4680-618: The Holy Spirit strengthens a baptized individual for their faith journey. Confirmation is not practised in Baptist , Anabaptist and other groups that teach believer's baptism . Thus, the sacrament or rite of confirmation is administered to those being received from those aforementioned groups, in addition to those converts from non-Christian religions. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) does not practise infant baptism, but individuals can be baptized after they reach 8 years old (the age of accountability ). Confirmation in
4784-507: The LDS Church occurs shortly following baptism, which is not considered complete or fully efficacious until confirmation is received. There is an analogous ceremony also called confirmation in Reform Judaism . Various secular organizations also offer secular coming-of-age ceremonies as an alternative to Christian confirmation, while Unitarian Universalists have a similar Coming of Age ceremony . The roots of confirmation are found in
4888-495: The LDS Church performs a non-saving ordinance to name and bless children , customarily performed on infants. For Roman Catholic, Methodist Christians, and Weslian Confirmation "strengthens" (the original meaning of the word "confirm") the grace of Baptism , by conferring an increase and deepening of that grace. In Eastern Christianity , including the Eastern Catholic Churches , the sacrament of Confirmation
4992-550: The Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts. In the Roman Catholic Church, the sacrament is customarily conferred only on persons old enough to understand it, and the ordinary minister of confirmation is a bishop . "If necessity so requires", the diocesan bishop may grant specified priests the faculty to administer the sacrament, although normally he is to administer it himself or ensure that it
5096-548: The Old Testament circumcision . In the Old Testament, all male converts to Judaism , male infants born to Jewish parents, and male servants were circumcised as ceremony of initiation into the Jewish community. Christians who baptize infants believe that baptism has replaced Old Testament circumcision and is the religious ceremony of initiation into the Christian community. During the medieval and Reformation eras, infant baptism
5200-517: The Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (see Matthew 28:19 ). Although it is not required, many parents and godparents choose to dress the baby in a white gown called a christening gown for the baptism ceremony. Christening gowns often become treasured keepsakes that are used by many other children in the family and handed down from generation to generation. Traditionally, this gown is white or slightly off white and made with much lace, trim and intricate detail. In
5304-601: The Spirit, "the descending " of the Spirit, the "falling" of the Spirit "upon men," by the mode in which it was administered, the pouring of water from above upon the subjects baptized. As a seal, also, or confirming sign, baptism answers to circumcision. Infant baptism, in Methodism, is celebrated as "an acceptance of the prevenient grace of God and as a confession on the part of the church of its responsibility for children in general and for every child in particular." Methodists teach that people receive justifying grace , which
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#17328514451685408-468: The action of baptising to others. However, Acts 19:6 then expressly states that it was Apostle Paul who laid his hands upon the newly baptised. Hebrews 6:1–6 distinguishes "the teaching about baptisms" from the teaching about "the laying on of hands". The difference may be understood in the light of the two passages in Acts 8 and 19. In the teaching of the Catholic Church, confirmation, known also as chrismation ,
5512-422: The actions of the one baptized, whether infant or adult. Even though baptized infants cannot articulate that faith, Lutherans believe that it is present all the same. Because it is faith alone that receives these divine gifts, Lutherans confess that baptism "works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare". In
5616-539: The baptism of children as an apostolic tradition. While Tertullian writing c. 198–203 advises the postponement of baptism of little children and the unmarried, he mentions that it was customary to baptize infants, with sponsors speaking on their behalf. The Apostolic Tradition , sometimes attributed to Hippolytus of Rome (died 235), describes how to perform the ceremony of baptism; it states that children were baptized first, and if any of them could not answer for themselves, their parents or someone else from their family
5720-489: The baptismal ceremony vary among Christian denominations . Many follow a prepared ceremony, called a rite or liturgy . In a typical ceremony, parents or godparents bring their child to their congregation's priest or minister . The rite used would be the same as that denomination's rite for adults, i.e., by pouring holy water ( affusion ) or by sprinkling water ( aspersion ). Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions practice total immersion and baptize babies in
5824-411: The basis of God's covenant promises in the covenant of grace. Presbyterian, Congregational and many Reformed Christians see infant baptism as the New Testament form of circumcision in the Jewish covenant. Circumcision did not create faith in the 8-day-old Jewish boy. It merely marked him as a member of God's covenant people Israel. Likewise, baptism does not create faith; it is a sign of membership in
5928-435: The case of "families with little faith or non-Christian families". If these request that a child of theirs be baptized, there must be assurances that the child will be given the benefit of the Christian upbringing required by the sacrament. Examples of such assurances are "the choice of godparents who will take sincere care of the child, or the support of the community". If there is satisfactory assurance, i.e., "any pledge giving
6032-419: The child in a course of catechetical instruction on reaching school age can be offered in lieu of immediate celebration of baptism. The possibility of delaying infant baptism in the case of non practicing or non believing parents raises a number of questions. How can we discern that there are guarantees of an authentic Christian education? Can a priest propose an alternative celebration in the case where baptism
6136-718: The church has failed to do is to recognize that there has to be a point at which our young people, as adults who have been baptized into the church and raised in the faith, have the chance to say 'I validate this' or 'I repudiate this'. You and I know, we live now in times where we have the right to freedom of conscience, freedom of belief, freedom of opinion, freedom of religion and freedom to change religion. The Catholic Church yet has to fully embrace that thinking." Baptisms have sometimes accidentally led to injuries, or deaths, such as drowning deaths, to babies. In Romania, this has served as an opportunity to revise practices. In Yazidism , children are baptized at birth and circumcision
6240-546: The church hold various views (in particular, many have asserted that they go to Limbo ). "The Church entrusts these infants to the mercy of God." The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued on 20 October 1980 an instruction on infant baptism, whose purpose was "to recall the principal points of doctrine in this field which justify the Church's constant practice down the centuries and demonstrate its permanent value in spite of
6344-456: The day of Pentecost . From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace: Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ
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#17328514451686448-482: The devil, one or more exorcisms are pronounced over the candidate". In the Roman Rite , the wording of the prayer of exorcism is: "Almighty and ever-living God, you sent your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness and bring him into the splendour of your kingdom of light. We pray for this child: set him (her) free from original sin, make him (her)
6552-432: The difficulties raised today". The document then indicated some general guidelines for pastoral action. The document recalled that infant baptism has long been considered of apostolic origin, and that the first direct evidence of its practice, dating from the 2nd century, does not present it as an innovation. It then responded to objections that baptism should follow faith, that the person baptized should consciously receive
6656-450: The diocese (generally at the Easter Vigil ) since "the baptism of adults, at least of those who have completed their fourteenth year, is to be referred to the Bishop, so that he himself may confer it if he judges this appropriate" However, if the bishop does not confer the baptism, then it devolves on the priest whose office it then is to confer both sacraments, since, "in addition to the bishop,
6760-443: The earliest days, they were sharply persecuted and leaders were soon executed. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) completely rejects infant baptism. Little children are considered both born without sin and incapable of committing sin . They have no need of baptism until age eight, when they can begin to learn to discern right from wrong, and are thus accountable to God for their own actions. However,
6864-565: The easy access to the Eucharist for children, in his Letter Quam Singulari lowered the age of first communion to seven. That was the origin of the widespread custom in parishes to organise the First Communion for children at 2nd grade and confirmation in middle or high school . The 1917 Code of Canon Law, while recommending that confirmation be delayed until about seven years of age, allowed it be given at an earlier age. Only on 30 June 1932
6968-456: The faith on the part of someone approaching adulthood. However, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1308) warns: "Although Confirmation is sometimes called the 'sacrament of Christian maturity,' we must not confuse adult faith with the adult age of natural growth, nor forget that the baptismal grace is a grace of free, unmerited election and does not need 'ratification' to become effective." On
7072-647: The faith which "marks the completion of the congregation's program of confirmation ministry". The German language also uses for Lutheran confirmation a different word ( Konfirmation ) from the word used for the sacramental rite of the Catholic Church ( Firmung ). Lutheran churches do not treat confirmation as a dominical sacrament of the Gospel, considering that only Baptism , Eucharist and Confession and Absolution can be regarded as such. Some popular Sundays for this to occur are Palm Sunday , Pentecost and Reformation Sunday (last Sunday in October). Article 25 of
7176-400: The first Eucharistic communion. The reason was no longer the busy calendar of the bishop, but the bishop's will to give adequate instruction to the youth. The practice lasted until Pope Leo XIII in 1897 asked to restore the primary order and to celebrate confirmation back at the age of reason, a change that lasted less than two decades. In 1910, his successor, Pope Pius X , showing concern for
7280-508: The first direct evidence of infant Baptism appears in the second century, it is never presented as an innovation", that 2nd-century Irenaeus treated baptism of infants as a matter of course, and that, "at a Synod of African Bishops, St. Cyprian stated that 'God's mercy and grace should not be refused to anyone born', and the Synod, recalling that 'all human beings' are 'equal', whatever be 'their size or age', declared it lawful to baptize children 'by
7384-444: The first few weeks" and, "if the infant is in danger of death, it is to be baptized without any delay." It declares: "The practice of infant Baptism is an immemorial tradition of the Church. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the second century on, and it is quite possible that, from the beginning of the apostolic preaching, when whole 'households' received baptism, infants may also have been baptized". It notes that "when
7488-405: The forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children ". For them baptism is a " means of grace " through which God creates and strengthens "saving faith" as the "washing of regeneration" in which people are reborn (John 3:3–7): "baptismal regeneration". Since the creation of faith is exclusively God's work, it does not depend on
7592-488: The form of consecrated wine and bread, is also given to infants after they are baptized. Lutherans practice infant baptism because they believe that God mandates it through the instruction of Jesus Christ , "Go and make disciples of all nations , baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit", in which Jesus does not set any age limit: The command is general. It includes infants, women, men, and teenagers, even though none of these groups
7696-454: The form of the original baptism, some Protestants must be baptized upon conversion to Orthodoxy. A common practice is that those persons who have been previously baptized by triple immersion in the name of the Trinity do not need to be baptized. However, requirements will differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and some traditional Orthodox jurisdictions prefer to baptize all converts. When a person
7800-569: The grace of the sacrament, that the person should freely accept baptism, that infant baptism is unsuitable in a society marked by instability of values and conflicts of ideas, and that the practice is inimical to a missionary outlook on the part of the church. The instruction then gave guidelines for pastoral practice, based on two principles. The major principle is that baptism, as the sign and means of God's love that precedes any action on our part and that frees from original sin and communicates divine life, must not be delayed. The subordinate principle
7904-559: The judgement of the minister , a grave reason suggests otherwise (canon 891 of the Code of Canon Law). The Code prescribes the age of discretion also for the sacraments of Reconciliation and first Holy Communion. In some places the setting of a later age, e.g. mid-teens in the United States, 11 or 12 in Ireland and early teens in Britain, has been abandoned in recent decades in favor of restoring
8008-488: The lack of any explicit evidence of infant baptism. Others, noting the lack of any explicit evidence of exclusion of infant baptism, believe that they did, understanding biblical references to individuals "and [her] household" being baptized as including young children. The earliest extrabiblical directions for baptism, which occur in the Didache (c. 100), are taken to be about baptism of adults, since they require fasting by
8112-422: The law gives the faculty to confirm to the following, ... priests who, in virtue of an office which they lawfully hold, baptize an adult or a child old enough for catechesis or receive a validly baptized adult into full communion with the Church." In Eastern Catholic Churches , the usual minister of this sacrament is the parish priest, using olive oil consecrated by a bishop (i.e. chrism ) and administering
8216-461: The messianic age foretold by the prophets (cf. Ezekiel 36:25–27; Joel 3:1–2). Its arrival was proclaimed by the Apostle Peter . Filled with the Holy Spirit, the apostles began to proclaim "the mighty works of God" (Acts 2:11; Cf. 2:17–18). After this point, the New Testament records the apostles bestowing the Holy Spirit upon others through the laying on of hands. Three texts make it certain that
8320-480: The new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called ... The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth". The church has no dogmatic official teaching regarding the fate of infants who die without baptism, and theologians of
8424-399: The old sinner dies and the new child of Christ emerges. Confirmation is understood as being the baptism by fire wherein the Holy Spirit enters into the individual, purges them of the effects of the sin from their previous life (the guilt and culpability of which were already washed away), and introduces them into the church as a new person in Christ. Through confirmation, the individual receives
8528-445: The past, a gown was used for both boys and girls; in the present day it has become more common to dress children in a baptismal outfit. Also normally made of white fabric, the outfit consists of a romper with a vest or other accessories. These clothes are often kept as a memento after the ceremony. Scholars disagree on the date when infant baptism was first practiced. Some believe that 1st-century Christians did not practice it, noting
8632-579: The person he had just confirmed was interpreted in the Roman Pontifical as a slap, a reminder to be brave in spreading and defending the faith: " Deinde leviter eum in maxilla caedit, dicens: Pax tecum " ( ' Then he strikes him lightly on the cheek, saying: Peace be with you ' ). When, in application of the Second Vatican Council 's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the confirmation rite
8736-606: The person to be baptized. However, inscriptions dating back to the 2nd century which refer to young children as "children of God" may indicate that Christians customarily baptized infants too. The earliest reference to infant baptism was by Irenaeus (c. 130–202) in his work Against Heresies . Due to its reference to Eleutherus as the current bishop of Rome , the work is usually dated c. 180 . Irenaeus speaks of children being "born again to God." Three passages by Origen (185–c. 254) mention infant baptism as traditional and customary. Also Augustine of Hippo referred
8840-521: The possibility of infant faith , the Bible clearly teaches that babies can believe. In the Methodist Churches , baptism is a sacrament of initiation into the visible church. Wesleyan covenant theology further teaches that baptism is a sign and a seal of the covenant of grace: Of this great new-covenant blessing, baptism was therefore eminently the sign ; and it represented "the pouring out " of
8944-414: The priests and deacons and, where they existed, by deaconesses for women's baptism. The post-baptismal chrismation in particular was reserved to the bishop. When adults no longer formed the majority of those being baptized, this chrismation was delayed until the bishop could confer it. Until the 12th century, priests often continued to confer confirmation before giving Communion to very young children. After
9048-457: The reception of a Christian name, anointing of body parts with chrism, and the clothing of the confirmant in a white garment or chiton are conducted separately as part of a ceremony called the Initiatory . Lutheran confirmation is a public profession of faith prepared for by long and careful instruction. In English, it is called "affirmation of baptism", and is a mature and public profession of
9152-434: The recipient permanently , making it impossible to receive the sacrament twice. It accepts as valid a confirmation conferred within churches, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church , whose Holy Orders it sees as valid through the apostolic succession of their bishops. But it considers it necessary to administer the sacrament of confirmation, in its view for the only time, to Protestants who are admitted to full communion with
9256-412: The rite of confirmation, 17, which indicates that the episcopal conference may decide "to introduce a different manner for the minister to give the sign of peace after the anointing, either to each individual or to all the newly confirmed together". In some regions it is customary for the person being confirmed to choose the name of a saint, which they adopt as their confirmation name. The saint whose name
9360-558: The sacrament immediately after baptism. This corresponds exactly to the practice of the early Church, when at first those receiving baptism were mainly adults, and of the non-Latin Catholic Eastern Churches. The practice of the Eastern Churches gives greater emphasis to the unity of Christian initiation. That of the Latin Church more clearly expresses the communion of the new Christian with the bishop as guarantor and servant of
9464-407: The sacrament of Confirmation, for young Catholics to profess their faith publicly, in line with their age. Within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , confirmation or "the laying on of hands" is an essential part of the baptismal ordinance, and to receive baptism without confirmation is to leave the ordinance incomplete. Confirmation is the conferring of the gift of the Holy Ghost as
9568-465: The second or third day after their birth'". In the 17th and 18th centuries, many infants were baptized on the day of their birth as in the cases of Francoise-Athenais, Marquise de Montespan , Jeanne Du Barry and Marie Anne de Cupis de Camargo . Infant baptism is seen as showing very clearly that salvation is an unmerited favor from God, not the fruit of human effort. "Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of
9672-435: The special section on infant baptism in his Large Catechism Luther argues that infant baptism is God-pleasing because persons so baptized were reborn and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Lutherans [WELS] believe that babies are conceived and born sinful and therefore need to be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven. Through Baptism, the Holy Spirit works rebirth, creates faith in them, and saves them. Although some deny
9776-523: The text, connection between the gift of the Holy Spirit and the gesture of laying on of hands appears even more clearly. Acts 8:18–19 introduces the request of Simon the Magician in the following way: "When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands". In Acts 19, baptism of the disciples is mentioned in quite general terms, without the minister being identified. Referring to 1 Corinthians 1:17, it can be presumed that Paul left
9880-421: The traditional order of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. Even where a later age has been set, a bishop may not refuse to confer the sacrament on younger children who request it, provided they are baptized, have the use of reason, are suitably instructed and are properly disposed and able to renew the baptismal promises. The Catholic Church Anglo-Catholics teach that, like baptism, confirmation marks
9984-538: The unity, catholicity and apostolicity of his Church, and hence the connection with the apostolic origins of Christ's Church. The main reason why the West separated the sacrament of confirmation from that of baptism was to re-establish direct contact between the person being initiated with the bishops. In the Early Church, the bishop administered all three sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation and Eucharist), assisted by
10088-441: The visible covenant community. Presbyterian, Congregational and Reformed Christians consider children of professing Christians to be members of the visible church (the covenant community). They also consider them to be full members of the local congregation where their parents are members and members of the universal church (the set of all true believers who make up the invisible church) unless and until they prove otherwise. Baptism
10192-590: The wider sense of that word, beyond the original 12 Apostles. A late tradition describes him as settling at Tralles in Anatolia , where he became the bishop of that church. "St Philip the Deacon" is commemorated on October 11 in the Eastern Orthodox Church , in the Roman Rite , the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod , and in the Anglican communion including, for example, the U.S. Episcopal Church , and
10296-571: Was official permission given to change the traditional order of the three sacraments of Christian initiation: the Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments then allowed, where necessary, that confirmation be administered after first Holy Communion . This novelty, originally seen as exceptional, became more and more the accepted practice. Thus, in the mid-20th century, confirmation began to be seen as an occasion for professing personal commitment to
10400-506: Was revised in 1971, mention of this gesture was omitted. However, the French and Italian translations, indicating that the bishop should accompany the words "Peace be with you" with "a friendly gesture" (French text) or "the sign of peace" (Italian text), explicitly allow a gesture such as the touch on the cheek, to which they restore its original meaning. This is in accord with the Introduction to
10504-568: Was seen as a way to incorporate newborn babies into the secular community as well as inducting them into the Christian faith. Due to high rates of infant mortality, it is important to note that canon law denied unbaptized infants a Christian burial in sacred ground. Different Christian denominations who practice infant baptism attach different meanings to the sacrament and explain its efficacy in different ways. The Catholic Church considers baptism, even for an infant, so important that "parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptized within
10608-471: Was to answer for them. From at least the 3rd century onward Christians baptized infants as standard practice, although some preferred to postpone baptism until late in life so as to ensure forgiveness for all their preceding sins. Based on their understanding of New Testament passages such as Colossians 2:11–12, Christians who baptize infants believe that infant baptism is the New Testament counterpart to
10712-481: Was told by an angel of the Lord to go to the road between Jerusalem and Gaza . There he instructed and baptized the Ethiopian eunuch ; next he was "caught away" by the Spirit and "found at Azotus" ( Ashdod ); and then "passing through he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea" ( Acts 8 ). Here some years afterwards, according to Acts 21:8–9 , where he is described as "the evangelist" (a term found again in
10816-591: Was visited by Paul the Apostle ( Acts 21:8–9 ). Philip bore a Greek name . He is first mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles ( 6:5 ) as one of " Seven Deacons " who were chosen to attend to certain temporal affairs of the church in Jerusalem in consequence of the murmurings of the Hellenists against the Hebrews . After the martyrdom of Stephen he went to "the city of Samaria ", where he preached with much success, Simon Magus being one of his converts. He afterwards
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