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Why do Catholics have to be confirmed after baptism? What's the secret behind it?
In Catholicism and other Christian religions, baptism and confirmation are important rites of passage in the life of faith. Baptism represents joining the body of Christ, while confirmation is seen as the solidification of that covenant. Confirmation ceremonies usually include the laying on of hands, which is designed to empower believers with the power of the Holy Spirit that accompanies baptism. This process often makes people think deeply: Why is confirmation so important after baptism? What is the hidden meaning behind it?
Confirmation is a special infusion of the Holy Spirit that gives believers the strength and courage they need in their journey of faith.
The implications and practices of confirmation in different Christian denominations are noteworthy. For Christians who practice infant baptism, confirmation is seen as a reinforcement of the covenant created by baptism. In this ceremony, the believers who are confirmed are called confirmers, and this process is a confirmation of faith for adults. Confirmation plays an important role in every Christian tradition, but its specific implementation and interpretation vary.
Biblical Basis for Affirmation
The roots of confirmation can be traced back to the teachings of the New Testament. In John 14, Jesus mentions the coming of the Holy Spirit, an event that has become an integral part of Christian identification. When Jesus was resurrected, He breathed upon His disciples, empowering them with the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Book of Acts, the disciples gave the Holy Spirit to other believers by laying on their hands, which had already formed a certain tradition in the early church.
In Christianity, the coming of the Holy Spirit is considered to be the fulfillment of the Messianic era predicted by the prophets.
Views from different religious sects
In the Catholic Church, Confirmation is one of seven holy sacrifices designed to strengthen an individual's connection with God. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paragraph 1302–1303), confirmation is effected by a special descent of the Holy Spirit that intensifies the grace of baptism. During this ceremony, Catholics believe their faith is further strengthened.
Confirmation not only unites us more closely to Christ, but also strengthens our courage to defend our faith in the face of worldly challenges.
In Catholicism and other traditional Christian denominations such as Lutheranism and Anglicanism, confirmation is often seen as a necessary step toward full membership in the church. Meanwhile, in denominations that reject infant baptism, such as Baptists, confirmation is not practiced, making confirmation a confession of faith, especially during adolescence.
Confirmed social and cultural significance
In many Christian traditions, confirmation is not only a religious ceremony but also part of a rite of passage. This ceremony is usually held in the community outside the church and can be seen as a metaphor for faith and social identity. During this process, many people choose to be named after the saints they admire, meaning that they have a guardian from then on. This tradition deepens the sense of identity of faith.
ConclusionConfirmation, as an important ritual in the Christian faith, is deeply rooted in historical background and doctrinal tradition. It is not only the consolidation of personal faith, but also the connection of the church community and the confirmation of the identity of believers. Does this mean that in our faith journey, confirmation is not just an external ritual, but a true calling of inner spirituality?
