Confirmation is an important spiritual step in a Christian’s life, where one confirms their faith in Christ and receives the Holy Spirit in a deeper way. The Bible contains many verses that reflect the significance of this moment and the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. Let these scriptures guide and inspire your journey toward deeper faith and commitment.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Wise Counsel
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the life of every believer. At confirmation, Christians are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, empowering them to live out their faith boldly. The following verses highlight the work and power of the Holy Spirit in confirming and strengthening believers.
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
John 14:26
“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
Romans 8:16
“For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.”
1 Corinthians 3:16
“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?”
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
“It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.”
Confirming Our Identity in Christ
Confirmation affirms our identity as children of God and members of the body of Christ. This sacred moment declares our belonging to Him. These verses reflect the significance of understanding and embracing who we are in Christ through confirmation.
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”
Galatians 2:20
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Ephesians 1:13
“And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Romans 8:15
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’”
Receiving the Seal of the Holy Spirit
At confirmation, believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a mark of belonging and a guarantee of their inheritance in Christ. These verses speak to the importance of being sealed by the Spirit, which confirms our salvation and future in God’s kingdom.
Ephesians 4:30
“And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”
2 Corinthians 1:22
“And he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.”
Ephesians 1:14
“The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.”
Romans 8:23
“And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.”
2 Timothy 2:19
“But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and ‘All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.’”
Strengthened in Faith and Boldness
Confirmation empowers believers to stand firm in their faith and live boldly for Christ. It is a time of spiritual strengthening, as we receive grace to witness and live out the Gospel. These verses highlight the boldness and strength that come with being confirmed in faith.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Acts 4:31
“After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.”
1 Corinthians 16:13
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.”
Ephesians 6:10
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
Joshua 1:9
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Living a Spirit-filled Life
Confirmation is an invitation to live a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, walking in the Spirit daily. These verses reflect how the Holy Spirit guides, leads, and strengthens us to live a life that honors God.
Galatians 5:16
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
Romans 8:14
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”
Ephesians 5:18
“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Galatians 5:25
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
1 Corinthians 2:12
“And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.”
Confirmation of God’s Promises
Through confirmation, we are reminded that God’s promises are trustworthy. This moment affirms our confidence in His promises of salvation, eternal life, and His abiding presence. These verses encourage us to hold onto the promises of God with unwavering faith.
2 Peter 1:4
“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”
Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”
Romans 4:21
“He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”
2 Corinthians 1:20
“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘Yes!’ And through Christ, our ‘Amen’ (which means ‘Yes’) ascends to God for his glory.”
Hebrews 6:18
“So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.”
Growth in Spiritual Gifts
Confirmation often brings with it an increase in spiritual gifts, enabling the believer to serve the church and advance God’s kingdom. These verses speak to the importance of spiritual gifts and their role in building up the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:7
“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”
Romans 12:6
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.”
1 Peter 4:10
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
1 Corinthians 12:11
“It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.”
Ephesians 4:12
“Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
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What Does the Bible Say About Confirmation
Confirmation is an important step in the spiritual journey of many Christians. It is a special time when a person publicly declares their faith and commits to following Jesus. In some churches, especially within Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions, Confirmation is seen as a way of receiving the Holy Spirit in a deeper way. It is a time for believers to confirm the promises made at their baptism, often when they were babies, and take responsibility for their own faith.
The Bible talks a lot about the importance of faith, commitment, and the role of the Holy Spirit. While the word “confirmation” might not be mentioned directly in the Bible, the meaning behind it is very biblical. In the Bible, believers are called to grow in their faith and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is a way of recognizing this growth and the work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life.
When a person is confirmed, they receive special prayers asking for the Holy Spirit to give them strength, wisdom, and the ability to live as a true follower of Jesus. This is often done through the laying on of hands by a bishop or a pastor. This action of laying hands on someone has a biblical foundation. It represents a blessing and a transfer of spiritual gifts. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of the Holy Spirit coming upon believers and helping them live out their faith in a more powerful way.
In the early Christian church, people were baptized and then received the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. This is similar to what happens in Confirmation. The Holy Spirit is given to help believers grow stronger in their faith and become more active in their Christian lives. The Holy Spirit is often described as a helper or guide, someone who gives believers courage, wisdom, and the ability to share their faith with others. In Confirmation, Christians receive this help in a special way.
Another important aspect of Confirmation is that it is a public declaration of faith. When someone is confirmed, they are standing before their church community and saying, “I believe in Jesus, and I want to follow Him.” This is important because faith is not something we are meant to keep to ourselves. Jesus calls His followers to be a light in the world, to share the good news with others, and to live out their faith in their everyday lives. By being confirmed, a person is saying that they are ready to take on this responsibility.
Confirmation is also a time when a person becomes more fully a member of the church. In many Christian traditions, it is a time when people can take part in certain church activities that they could not before, like receiving communion or being involved in leadership. It marks a moment when a person is seen as a mature believer, ready to serve and take an active role in the life of the church.
In summary, Confirmation is a meaningful and important part of the Christian faith. It is a time when believers receive the Holy Spirit in a special way, publicly declare their faith, and become more fully involved in the life of their church. It is a step of commitment and growth, where Christians are empowered to live out their faith with boldness and joy. Although the Bible does not mention Confirmation by name, its teachings about faith, the Holy Spirit, and commitment to following Jesus are deeply connected to the meaning of this important spiritual act.