Editing Confirmation (section)

==Christian denominational views==
===Catholic Church===
{{main|Confirmation in the Catholic Church}}
[[File:Firmung 1679.jpg|thumb|German wood cut depicting confirmation service (1679)]]
In the teaching of the Catholic Church, confirmation, known also as [[chrismation]],<ref name="vatican1">{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3Q.HTM|title=Catechism of the Catholic Church – IntraText|website=vatican.va|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012102259/http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3Q.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref> is one of the seven [[Sacraments (Catholic Church)|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:

{{Blockquote|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 [[Twelve Apostles|apostles]] on the day of [[Pentecost]].

From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
*it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15);
*it unites us more firmly to Christ;
*it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
*it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
*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:

{{blockquote|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 the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts.|style=font-size:inherit;}}
|Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1302–1303<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catechism of the Catholic Church – IntraText - III. The Effects of Confirmation |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3S.HTM |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=The Holy See |at=Paragraphs 1302–1303 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917135757/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3S.HTM |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

In the 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 [[priest]]s the faculty to administer the sacrament, although normally he is to administer it himself or ensure that it is conferred by another bishop.<ref name="intratext1">{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P31.HTM|title=Code of Canon Law: text – IntraText CT|website=intratext.com|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208064642/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P31.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, the law itself confers the same faculty on the following:

{{blockquote|[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 the Catholic Church;
in respect of those in danger of death, the parish priest or indeed any priest.<ref name="intratext1"/>}}

"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."<ref>''Christian Initiation of Adults'', 34</ref> Administration of the two sacraments, one immediately after the other, to adults is normally done by the bishop of 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"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2V.HTM|title=Code of Canon Law: text – IntraText CT|website=intratext.com|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=13 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113214345/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2V.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref> 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, the law gives the faculty to confirm to the following,{{nbsp}}... 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."<ref>Rite of Confirmation, 7</ref>

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 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.

{{blockquote|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 the unity, catholicity and apostolicity of his Church, and hence the connection with the apostolic origins of Christ's Church.<ref name="vatican1"/>}}

====Rite of confirmation in the West====
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 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.<ref>Ronald Minnerath, "L'ordine dei Sacramenti dell'iniziazione", in ''[[L'Osservatore Romano]]'', 23 May 2007</ref>

After 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.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=21K7EEXAivMC&pg=PA91 Kay Lynn Isca, ''Catholic Etiquette'']{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (Our Sunday Visitor 1997 {{ISBN|0-87973-590-2}}), p. 91</ref> In the 18th century, in France the sequence of sacraments of initiation was changed. Bishops started to impart confirmation only after 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 the easy access to the Eucharist for children, in his Letter {{Lang|la|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 {{Clarify|text=2nd grade and confirmation in middle or high school|reason=what ages are meant? Grades and types of school will vary widely between countries|date=November 2021}}.<ref name = SAM>{{cite journal | author = Samuel J. Aquila | title = Confirmation as a Sacrament of Initiation | url = http://www.ewtn.com/library/BISHOPS/sacinitiat.HTM | journal = L'Osservatore Romano | access-date = 4 July 2018 | volume = 2012 (14), 4 April | page = 5 | archive-date = 24 September 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180924182933/http://www.ewtn.com/library/BISHOPS/sacinitiat.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CIC 1917: text – IntraText CT |url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/LAT0813/_P2G.HTM |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=www.intratext.com |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035241/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/LAT0813/_P2G.HTM |url-status=live }}</ref> Only on 30 June 1932 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 {{em|after}} [[first Communion|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 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."<ref name="usccb1">{{cite web|url=http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2.htm|title=Catechism|website=usccb.org|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=2 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802202711/http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

On the [[Canon law (Catholic Church)|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 [[Sacraments of the Catholic Church|sacrament]] is to be conferred on the faithful at about the [[Age of reason (canon law)|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 the judgement of the [[Catholic minister|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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P3G.HTM|title=Code of Canon Law: text – IntraText CT|website=intratext.com|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229102833/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P3G.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref> and first Holy Communion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P38.HTM|title=Code of Canon Law: text – IntraText CT|website=intratext.com|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=5 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905100605/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P38.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref>

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 the traditional order of the three sacraments of Christian initiation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/BISHOPS/ordsacinit.htm|title=The Restored Order of Sacraments of Initiation|website=ewtn.com|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=1 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201211703/http://www.ewtn.com/library/BISHOPS/ordsacinit.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=24839 Confirmation before communion, Liverpool decides] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411202541/http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=24839 |date=11 April 2013 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/journal/firs_com.shtm Interchurch Families] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003045214/http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/journal/firs_com.shtm |date=3 October 2011 }}</ref><ref name = SAM/> 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.<ref>Letter of the [[Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments]] published in its 1999 bulletin, pages 537–540</ref>

====Effects of confirmation====
The Catholic Church teaches that, like baptism, confirmation [[sacramental character|marks 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 (Christian)|communion]] with 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".<ref>''Catechism of the Catholic Church'', 1303.</ref><ref name="usccb1"/> This effect was described by the Council of Trent as making the confirmed person "a soldier of Christ".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cin.org/users/james/ebooks/master/trent/tsacr-c.htm|title=THE CATECHISM OF TRENT: The Sacraments – Confirmation|website=cin.org|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=28 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828093758/http://www.cin.org/users/james/ebooks/master/trent/tsacr-c.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The same passage of 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.<ref>{{cite web| last = Sullivan| first = Tom| title = Sacrament of Confirmation (What is it all about?)| website = EWTN| access-date = 3 March 2011| url = http://www.ewtn.com/library/CATECHSM/CONFIRM1.HTM| archive-date = 5 June 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110605043057/http://www.ewtn.com/library/CATECHSM/CONFIRM1.HTM| url-status = live}}</ref> In this connection, the touch on the cheek that the bishop gave while saying "{{Lang|la|Pax tecum}}" ({{Gloss|Peace be with you}}) to 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: "{{Lang|la|Deinde leviter eum in maxilla caedit, dicens: Pax tecum}}" ({{Gloss|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,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sacrosanctum concilium |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=www.vatican.va |archive-date=21 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221180735/https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the confirmation rite 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 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".

====Tradition====
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 is taken is henceforth considered to be a [[patron saint]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}


===Eastern Churches===
{{main|Chrismation}}
[[File:Baptism at a Georgian church.jpg|thumb|Chrismation of a newly baptized infant at a [[Georgian Orthodox church]]]]
The [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]], [[Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodox]] and [[Eastern Catholic Churches|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 {{Lang|it|cresima}}. Eastern Christians link chrismation closely with the [[Sacred mysteries#Eastern Christianity|sacred mystery]] of baptism, conferring it immediately after baptism, which is normally on [[infant baptism|infants]].

The [[Sacred Tradition|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 [[religious conversion|converts]] grew, it became physically impossible for the apostles to lay hands upon each of the newly baptized. So the Apostles laid hands upon a vessel of oil, bestowing the Holy Spirit upon it, which was then distributed to all of the [[presbyter]]s (priests) for their use when they baptized.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Pomazansky |first=[[Protopresbyter]] Michael |year=1973 |publication-date=1984 |title=Orthodox Dogmatic Theology |page=272 |place=Platina, California |publisher=Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood |lccn=84-051294}}</ref> 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 [[primate (bishop)|primates]] of certain [[Autocephaly|autocephalous churches]] on [[Great Thursday]]) and it 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 and Anglicans, convert to Orthodoxy, they are often admitted by chrismation, without baptism; but, since this is a matter of [[economy (Eastern Orthodoxy)|local episcopal discretion]], a bishop may require all converts to be admitted by baptism if he deems it necessary. Depending upon 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 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 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 in Christianity|Holy Spirit]]. Amen." Then the priest will place his [[epitrachelion]] (stole) over the newly illumined and leads them and their [[godparents|sponsors]] in 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).<ref>{{bibleverse|Galatians|3:27|KJV}}</ref>

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 [[emergency baptism|baptized ''in extremis'']] (in 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 [[sacramental character|may not be repeated]].
 
In 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Learn about the Orthodox Christian Faith – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America – Orthodox Church |url=https://www.goarch.org/library |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America |language=en-US |archive-date=19 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119113153/http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7101 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Eastern Orthodox Christian Baptism – explanation, service, scriptures |url=https://www.orthodox.net/articles/baptism.html |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=www.orthodox.net |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511173150/https://www.orthodox.net/articles/baptism.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Lutheran Churches===
[[File:Konfirmation Ystad-2011.jpg|thumb|Confirmation in St. Mary's Church, [[Ystad]], [[Sweden]] 2011.]]
{{main|Confirmation (Lutheran Church)}}
[[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] confirmation is a public profession of faith prepared for by long and careful [[Catechesis|catechetical instruction]]. In English, it is called "affirmation of baptism", and is a mature and public profession of the faith which "marks the completion of the congregation's program of confirmation ministry".<ref>[[Lutheran Book of Worship]] – ''Ministers Desk Edition'', p.324</ref> The [[German language]] also uses for Lutheran confirmation a different word ({{Lang|de|Konfirmation}}) from the word used for the sacramental rite of the Catholic Church ({{Lang|de|Firmung}}).

The Rite of Confirmation of the Lutheran Churches includes:<ref name="Folkekirken2009"/>

{{quotation|
The confirmands are addressed.<br />
The Creed.<br />
Confirmation vows.<br />
Blessing of each confirmand.<br />
The Lord’s Prayer.<ref name="Folkekirken2009">{{cite web |title=Confirmation |url=https://www.interchurch.dk/_Resources/Persistent/4/d/9/3/4d930ca30bc4383cd78c3e6c9883b89a4cd3a015/Confirmation.pdf |publisher=[[Church of Denmark|Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark]] |access-date=17 May 2025 |date=2009}}</ref>}}

The Lutheran rite of confirmation enjoins the [[laying on of hands]] upon each of the candidates, with certain Missals such as [[Evangelical Lutheran Worship]] including an invocation of the [[Holy Spirit]] to stir up in the confirmands the [[Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit|Gifts of the Holy Spirit]] received in the sacrament of Holy Baptism: "Stir up in them the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever."<ref name="Muzzin2025">{{cite web |last1=Muzzin |first1=Susanna |title=Confirmation |url=https://aglc-warren.org/new-page-2 |website= |publisher=Amazing Grace Lutheran Church |access-date=17 May 2025 |date=2025}}</ref><ref name="PPLC2022">{{cite web |title=Rite of Confirmation |url=https://www.princeofpeacedublin.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/05.22.22-Rite-of-Confirmation-Easter-6-Large-Print.pdf |publisher=Prince of Peace Lutheran Church |access-date=17 May 2025 |page=17 |date=22 May 2022}}</ref>

Lutheran Churches treat confirmation as a [[rite (Christianity)|rite]], not as a dominical sacrament of the Gospel, considering that only [[Baptism#Refmormation|Baptism]], [[Eucharist in the Lutheran Church|Eucharist]] and [[Confession (religion)|Confession and Absolution]] can be regarded as sacraments. Some popular Sundays for this to occur are [[Palm Sunday]], [[Pentecost]] and [[Reformation Sunday]] (last Sunday in October).

===Anglican Communion===
[[File:Anglican confirmation in Helsinki.jpg|thumb|[[David Hamid]], suffragan bishop in Europe, administering an Anglican Confirmation at the [[Mikael Agricola Church]] in Helsinki]]

Article 25 of 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://anglicansonline.org/basics/thirty-nine_articles.html |title=The 39 Articles |access-date=7 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429054944/http://anglicansonline.org/basics/thirty-nine_articles.html |archive-date=29 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

In Anglicanism, confirmation is the culmination of [[catechesis|catechetical instruction]] provided to the candidate, an emphasis made prominent under the guiding reformer of the [[English Reformation|Protestant Reformation]] in England, [[Thomas Cranmer]].<ref name="Osmer1996">{{cite book |last1=Osmer |first1=Richard Robert |title=Confirmation: Presbyterian Practices in Ecumenical Perspective |date=1 January 1996 |publisher=Geneva Press |isbn=978-0-664-50000-9 |page=99 |language=en}}</ref> Under the influence of [[Martin Bucer]], the 1548 Catechism emphasized confirmation "as an examination of those who have been instructed in the articles and commandments of the faith and are ready to make a profession of the promises made on their behalf at Baptism."<ref name="Osmer1996"/>

"[T]he renewal of the baptismal vows, which is part of the Anglican Confirmation service, is in no way necessary to Confirmation and can be done more than once.{{nbsp}}... When Confirmation is given early, candidates may be asked to make a fresh renewal of vows when they approach adult life at about eighteen."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.katapi.org.uk/ChristianFaith/LVI.htm|title=The Christian Faith: Ch 56- Confirmation|website=katapi.org.uk|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=2 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602044430/http://www.katapi.org.uk/ChristianFaith/LVI.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The 1662 ''[[Book of Common Prayer (1662)|Book of Common Prayer]]'' of the [[Church of England]] employs the phrase "ratify and confirm" with respect to these vows which has led to the common conception of confirmation as the renewal of baptismal vows. As with [[Lutheranism|Lutheran theology]], the Anglican prayer book makes it "clear that Baptism involves full initiation into the church, including the gift of the Holy Spirit" and "Confirmation involves prayer for the 'daily increase' of a gift already given."<ref name="Osmer1996"/>

Though confirmation is seen as a [[Rite (Christianity)|rite]] by many Anglicans (especially those of an Evangelical Reformed churchmanship), Anglicans of [[Anglo-Catholicism|Anglo-Catholic]] churchmanship count the confirmation as one of the sacraments. While most provinces of the Anglican Communion do not make provision for ministers other than bishops to administer confirmation, [[presbyters]] can be authorized to do so in certain South Asian provinces, which are [[United and uniting churches|united churches]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csimichigan.org/PDF/CONFIRMATION.pdf|title=e.g. The Church of South India, Book of Common Worship (2004)|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=8 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508133936/http://www.csimichigan.org/PDF/CONFIRMATION.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, the American [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]] recognizes that "those who have previously made a mature public commitment in another Church may be received by the laying on of hands by a Bishop of this Church, rather than confirmed."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.episcopalchurch.org/files/documents/2015_candc.pdf|title=Canons of the General Convention 2015, Title I, Canon 17, Section 1(c)|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110184220/https://www.episcopalchurch.org/files/documents/2015_candc.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, at its General Convention in 2015 a resolution advancing presbyteral confirmation was referred to committee for further review.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://extranet.generalconvention.org/staff/files/download/15664|title=Journal of the 78th General Convention, 371|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=17 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017051212/https://extranet.generalconvention.org/staff/files/download/15664|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Methodist Churches===
In the [[Methodist Church]] confirmation is defined by the [[Articles of Religion (Methodist)|Articles of Religion]] as one those "Commonly called Sacraments but not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.methodist.org.uk/who-we-are/baptisms-weddings-and-funerals/baptism-and-confirmation|title=Baptism and Confirmation|year=2014|publisher=The Methodist Church in Britain|quote=There is no obvious difference in understanding, for example, between the Methodist Church and the Church of England about Confirmation itself.|access-date=23 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707201151/http://www.methodist.org.uk/who-we-are/baptisms-weddings-and-funerals/baptism-and-confirmation|archive-date=7 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rethinkbishop.com/tag/the-united-methodist-church/|title=Where The Line Is Drawn: Ordination and Sexual Orientation in the UMC|last=Pruitt|first=Kenneth|date=22 November 2013|publisher=Rethink Bishop|access-date=27 April 2014|quote=Sacraments for the UMC include both Baptism and Eucharist. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions count five more, which many Protestants, including the UMC, acknowledge as sacramental: Confession/Absolution, Holy Matrimony, Confirmation/Chrismation, Holy Orders/Ordination, and Anointing/Unction.|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428000914/http://rethinkbishop.com/tag/the-united-methodist-church/|archive-date=28 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="Thompson2010">{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Andrew C. |title=Generation Rising: A Future with Hope for The United Methodist Church |date=1 October 2010 |publisher=Abingdon Press |isbn=9781426731242 |page=93 |quote=Meanwhile, we can also say that confirmation is sacramental: it is a means of grace (if not an actual sacrament) in which God has been known to show up – and thus it has importance for both our justification and sanctification.}}</ref><ref name="Bicknell2008">{{cite book|last=Bicknell|first=E. J.|title=A Theological Introduction to the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England, Third Edition|date=1 January 2008|publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers|isbn=9781556356827|page=359|quote=Then it proceeds ''Those five, commonly called Sacraments, that is to say Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are not to be counted for the Sacraments of the Gospel.'' We notice that the Article does not deny to them the name sacraments. 'Commonly called' is not in the language of the Prayer-Book necessarily derogatory. We find, ''e.g.'' 'The Nativity of our Lord, or the Birth-day of Christ, commonly called "Christmas day".' All that the Article insists is that these rites are not to be counted equal to the other two.}}</ref> also known as the "[[Anglican sacraments|five lesser sacraments]]".<ref name="Blunt1891">{{cite book|last=Blunt|first=John Henry|title=Dictionary of Doctrinal and Historical Theology|year=1891|publisher=Longmans, Green & Co.|page=670}}</ref> The ''Methodist Worship Book'' declares that:

{{blockquote|In Confirmation, those who have been baptized declare their faith in Christ and are Strengthened by the Holy Spirit for continuing discipleship. Confirmation reminds us that we are baptized and that God continues to be at work in our lives: we respond by affirming that we belong to Christ and to the whole People of God. At a Service of Confirmation, baptized Christians are also received into membership of the Methodist Church and take their place as such in a local congregation.<ref name="MCGB2014">{{cite web|url=http://www.methodist.org.uk/who-we-are/baptisms-weddings-and-funerals/baptism-and-confirmation|title=Baptism and Confirmation|year=2014|publisher=The Methodist Church in Britain|access-date=23 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707201151/http://www.methodist.org.uk/who-we-are/baptisms-weddings-and-funerals/baptism-and-confirmation|archive-date=7 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>|title=Baptism and Confirmation, The Methodist Church in Britain}}

''By Water and Spirit'', an official United Methodist publication, states that "it should be emphasized that Confirmation is what the Holy Spirit does. Confirmation is a divine action, the work of the Spirit empowering a person 'born through water and the Spirit' to 'live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ'."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/by-water-and-the-spirit-a-united-methodist-understanding-of-baptism|title=By Water and the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism|year=2008|website=The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church|publisher=The United Methodist Church|access-date=17 May 2014|archive-date=20 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020223017/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/by-water-and-the-spirit-a-united-methodist-understanding-of-baptism|url-status=live}}</ref> The Methodist theologian [[John William Fletcher]] saw confirmation as a [[means of grace]].<ref name="Wood2002">{{cite book|last=Wood|first=Laurence W.|title=The Meaning of Pentecost in Early Methodism|date=23 September 2002|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=9781461673200|page=339}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=An Anglican-Methodist Covenant|year=2001|publisher=Church House Publishing|isbn=9781858522180|page=41|quote=Fundamentally, however, as our liturgies show, confirmation is regarded by both churches as a means of grace within the total process of Christian initiation. For both churches, confirmation includes the reaffirmation of the baptismal promises by the candidate, accompanied by the prayer with the laying on of hands that God will strengthen the candidate in his or her discipleship through the work of the Holy Spirit.}}</ref> Furthermore, confirmation is the individual's first public affirmation of the grace of God in baptism and the acknowledgment of the [[Born again (Christianity)|acceptance of that grace by faith]].<ref>{{cite book|title=We Believe |year=2007|publisher=Bristol House|isbn=978-1885224064}}</ref> For those baptized as infants, it often occurs when youth enter their 6th through 8th grade years, but it may occur earlier or later.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = At what age are children confirmed?
  | publisher = [[United Methodist Church]]
  | url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1360
  | access-date = 30 September 2013
| archive-date = 24 February 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120224143638/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1360
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> For youth and adults who are joining the Church, "those who are baptized are also confirmed, remembering that our ritual reflects the ancient unity of baptism, confirmation (laying on of hands with prayer), and Eucharist."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/what-is-the-appropriate-age-for-baptism-and-for-confirmation|title=What Is the Appropriate Age for Baptism and for Confirmation?|year=1996|publisher=The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church|quote=What if a youth or adult has not been baptized? Can he or she be part of the "confirmation preparation"? Yes, the unbaptized can share in the same experiences. By ''Water and the Spirit'' puts it this way: Youth who were not baptized as infants share in the same period of preparation for profession of Christian faith. For them, it is nurture for baptism, for becoming members of the Church, and for confirmation. Those who are baptized are also confirmed, remembering that our ritual reflects the ancient unity of baptism, confirmation (laying on of hands with prayer), and Eucharist. "The ritual of the baptismal covenant included in The United Methodist Hymnal makes clear that the first and primary confirming act of the Holy Spirit is in connection with and immediately follows baptism." (By Water and the Spirit)|access-date=4 April 2019|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404124018/https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/what-is-the-appropriate-age-for-baptism-and-for-confirmation|url-status=live}}</ref> Candidates to be confirmed, known as confirmands, take a class which covers Christian doctrine, theology, Methodist Church history, stewardship, basic Bible study and other topics.<ref>{{cite book|title=We Believe|url=http://www.bristolhouseltd.com/we-believe-student/|access-date=17 May 2014|year=2007|publisher=Bristol House|quote=Confirmation classes provide a great opportunity to give students a broad view of basic Christian beliefs including the characteristics of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the importance and nature of the Bible; the need to trust in Jesus Christ for salvation; and the significance of the church. We Believe Student includes these topics as well as general church history and the responsibilities of discipleship and church membership. It offers students a basic but thorough understanding of what it means to be a Christian in the United Methodist tradition.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517120611/http://www.bristolhouseltd.com/we-believe-student/|archive-date=17 May 2014|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

While the Holy Spirit strengthens the believer in confirmation, in Methodist theology, it is though [[entire sanctification]] that a believer is [[Baptism_with_the_Holy_Spirit#Methodism_(inclusive_of_the_holiness_movement)|baptized (filled) with the Holy Spirit]], thus being made perfect in love and wholly devoted to God, cleansed of original sin (the carnal nature), and empowered to accomplish all to which they are called.<ref name="UMC2012">{{cite web |title=Guidelines: The UMC and the Charismatic Movement |url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/guidelines-the-umc-and-the-charismatic-movement |publisher=[[The United Methodist Church]] |access-date=31 July 2019 |language=en |date=2012 |quote=The Methodists were also first to coin the phrase baptism of the Holy Spirit as applied to a second and sanctifying grace (experience) of God. (Cf. John Fletcher of Madeley, Methodism's earliest formal theologian.) The Methodists meant by their "baptism" something different from the Pentecostals, but the view that this is an experience of grace separate from and after salvation was the same. |archive-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731112659/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/guidelines-the-umc-and-the-charismatic-movement |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PHC2000">{{cite web|url=http://www.pilgrimholinesschurch.org/doctrine.htm|title=Doctrine|date=15 December 2000|publisher=Pilgrim Holiness Church of New York, Inc.|language=en|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=2 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502115615/http://www.pilgrimholinesschurch.org/doctrine.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> John Fletcher saw the attainment of entire sanctification as being the goal of the vows made at the ordinance of confirmation.<ref name="Wood2002"/> [[John Wesley]] laid emphasis "upon a personal, non-ceremonial experience of sanctifying grace" and this second work of grace—entire sanctification—distinguishes Methodism.<ref name="Wood2002"/>

===Presbyterian, Congregationalist and Continental Reformed Churches===
The [[Presbyterian Church in America]] process of confirmation is not necessarily public, and depends on the congregation as to the nature of confirmation. In practice, many churches require and offer classes for Confirmation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/16653/is-confirmation-part-of-the-presbyterian-church-in-america-pca-doctrine|title=Is confirmation part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) doctrine?|website=christianity.stackexchange.com|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007120616/https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/16653/is-confirmation-part-of-the-presbyterian-church-in-america-pca-doctrine|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)]] confirmation process is a profession of faith that "seeks to provide youth with a foundational understanding of our faith, tradition and [[Presbyterian]] practices".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcusa.org/resource/we-believe-professing-our-faith-confirmation-curri/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607034942/http://www.pcusa.org/resource/we-believe-professing-our-faith-confirmation-curri/|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 June 2011|title=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – Resources – We Believe – Professing Our Faith: A Confirmation Curriculum Sample Package|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref>

===Irvingian Churches===
In the [[New Apostolic Church]], the largest of the [[Catholic Apostolic Church|Irvingian]] denominations, Confirmation is a rite that "strengthens the confirmands in their endeavour to keep their vow to profess Jesus Christ in word and deed".<ref name="NAC"/> Confirmation is celebrated within the Divine Service and in it, confirmands take the following vow:<ref name="NAC">{{cite web |title=The Catechism of the New Apostolic Church |date=18 December 2020 |url=https://nak.org/en/abouttheNAC/catechism?_ld=1&id=b02f8881-fb9e-4ffd-abd7-8bee0e4368ff |publisher=[[New Apostolic Church]] |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=English |archive-date=27 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527021659/https://nak.org/en/abouttheNAC/catechism?_ld=1&id=b02f8881-fb9e-4ffd-abd7-8bee0e4368ff |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{quotation|I renounce Satan and all his work and ways, and surrender myself to You, O triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in belief, obedience, and the earnest resolution to remain faithful to You until my end. Amen.}}

Following the recitation of the vow, "young Christians receive the confirmation blessing, which is dispensed upon them through laying on of hands".<ref name="NAC"/>

===United Protestant Churches===
In [[United Protestant Church]]es, such as the [[United Church of Canada]], [[Church of North India]], [[Church of Pakistan]], [[Church of South India]], [[Uniting Church in Australia]] and [[United Church of Christ in Japan]], confirmation is a [[Sacrament|rite]] that is "understood as a Christian person assuming the responsibilities of the promises made at baptism."<ref>{{cite web |title=Sacraments Elders |url=https://united-church.ca/sites/default/files/handbook_sacraments-elders.pdf |publisher=[[United Church of Canada]] |access-date=28 March 2021 |page=13 |language=English |date=2020 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125204541/https://united-church.ca/sites/default/files/handbook_sacraments-elders.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints===
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 is sacramental.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Ordinances|title=Ordinances – the Encyclopedia of Mormonism|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117012144/http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Ordinances|archive-date=17 January 2018|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> Church ordinances are understood as administering grace and must be conducted by properly ordained clergy members<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Administration_of_Ordinances#Administration_of_Ordinances|title=Ordinances – the Encyclopedia of Mormonism|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117012117/http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Administration_of_Ordinances#Administration_of_Ordinances|archive-date=17 January 2018|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> through [[Apostolic succession (LDS Church)|apostolic succession]] reaching back through Peter to Christ, although the line of authority differs from Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Priesthood|title=Priesthood – the Encyclopedia of Mormonism|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117012128/http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Priesthood|archive-date=17 January 2018|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Authority|title=Authority – the Encyclopedia of Mormonism|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117011939/http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Authority|archive-date=17 January 2018|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Baptism|title=Baptism – the Encyclopedia of Mormonism|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117012139/http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Baptism|archive-date=17 January 2018|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> Through baptism by water, sin, and guilt are washed away as 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 the [[Confirmation (Latter Day Saints)|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.<ref name="Archived copy2">{{Cite web|url=http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Confirmation|title=Confirmation – the Encyclopedia of Mormonism|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117131128/http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Confirmation|archive-date=17 January 2018|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref>

The ceremony is significantly simpler than in Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches and is performed by an ordained clergyman as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/duties-and-blessings-of-the-priesthood-basic-manual-for-priesthood-holders-part-b/priesthood-and-church-government/lesson-5-performing-priesthood-ordinances?lang=eng|title=Lesson 5: Performing Priesthood Ordinances|date=7 January 2011|publisher=churchofjesuschrist.org|access-date=15 January 2019|archive-date=23 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123145045/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/duties-and-blessings-of-the-priesthood-basic-manual-for-priesthood-holders-part-b/priesthood-and-church-government/lesson-5-performing-priesthood-ordinances?lang=eng|url-status=live}}</ref>

# Lays his hands upon the individual's head and states the person's full name.
# States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the [[Melchizedek Priesthood]].
# Confirms the person a member of the LDS Church.
# Bestows the gift of the Holy Ghost by saying, "Receive the Holy Ghost."
# Gives a [[priesthood blessing]] as the Spirit directs.
# Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Other actions typically associated with confirmation in Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy, such as the reception of a Christian name, anointing of body parts with chrism, and the clothing of the confirmant in a [[Confirmation dress|white garment or chiton]] are conducted separately as part of a ceremony called the [[Initiatory]].