The setting for the confirmation should be easily accessible. It is best for the minister to arrive at the location before the individual(s) to be confirmed. Greet the person(s) to be confirmed warmly and put them at ease. Confirmation is a joyous ceremony, and the minister should set a positive tone. Be sure to meet any relatives or friends who come to witness the confirmation.
Ceremony
Confirmation is a public ceremony, affirming one’s personal decision to live in the faith of Jesus, thus confirming the previous baptism as an infant or child into Jesus’ baptism. Confirmation subjectively roots an individual closer to the Triune God, unites one more firmly in Christ, confirms the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and strengthens our bond to the church as the Body of Christ. It serves as a reminder of our witness for Jesus, our confession of Christ, and our ascension with Jesus Christ into the presence of God.
As the apostle Paul stated in his letter to the Philippians,
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains of defending the and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me” (1:3-7).
(One or more of the following scriptural passages may be read.)
Matthew 28:16-20
John 8:31-36
John 10:27-30
John 14:15-26
John 15:5-17
Romans 8:31-39
Galatians 3:16-18, 26-29
Ephesians 2:8-10
Philippians 1:8-11
Col. 3:17; 23-24
In a short prayer, the officiant asks God’s blessing on this joyous occasion.
Officiant might say some words of explanation to the group:
Christ purchased the life of each person nearly 2,000 years ago, through his life, death and resurrection on behalf of all humanity. The Holy Spirit has been working in this person’s life already, and confirmation is simply the ceremony by which we publicly acknowledge the truth of who we are—that we already belong to Christ, that he has already washed all our sins away, and that he has already given us new life. It is a happy occasion in which we rejoice in what Jesus has done for each of us.
After the prayer, the officiant asks: “Do you, [person’s full name], believe that God has forgiven all your sins for the sake of Jesus Christ, and that Jesus is your personal Savior?”
Individual responds: “Yes.”
Officiant asks: “Do you believe that Jesus is in the Father, and you are in Jesus, and Jesus is in you?”
Individual responds: “Yes.”
Officiant asks: “Do you believe that your Father in heaven has adopted you in his Son Jesus, baptized you in his Holy Spirit, and made you his beloved child in Jesus?”
Individual responds: “Yes.”
Officiant asks:“ Do you affirm your commitment to the life of Jesus Christ and to our Triune God?”
Individual responds: “Yes.”
Officiant states: “ _______________________ (person’s full name), I confirm your ongoing commitment into the life of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and your place in the covenant that was confirmed by God in Christ for all of us. Amen.”
The officiant concludes the service by laying hands on the shoulders or head of the person who was confirmed and offering a prayer of thanksgiving for the believer, for God’s love in sending Jesus for our salvation, and for the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sends to be with us and in us.