How the Church Got Here · Chapter 7
Where did confirmation come from, and what does it really mean?
Many people are baptized as babies, before they can talk, and someone else makes promises for them. Confirmation is when you stand up and say yes for yourself, to a promise God already made. Not baptized yet? You belong here too, and a leader at your church would be glad to talk with you.
Start this chapterWhy we confirm
In the early church, adults who wanted to become Christians spent months learning the faith. Then they were baptized, often on Easter. Later, most people were baptized as babies. So the church added a second service when they were older, led by a bishop. It came to be called confirmation.
Luther came to teach that there are two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Jesus commanded both and tied his promise to them. Luther didn't count confirmation as a sacrament. But he cared a lot about teaching young people the faith.
In 1529 Luther wrote the Small Catechism so parents could teach the basics at home: the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer, each with the question “What does this mean?”
In the ELCA the confirmation service is called Affirmation of Baptism. You're not earning anything. You're saying yes to the promise God made to you at the font.
Read it in your Bible
- Isaiah 43:1. God tells the people not to be afraid: God has called them by name, and they belong to God.
Words to know
- Baptism. The sacrament where God first claims you by name, with water and the word. Luther said to remember your baptism every day. God's promise never runs out.
- Sacrament. A holy act Jesus commanded, with an earthly sign and God's promise. Lutherans usually count two: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
- Catechism. Luther's little book from 1529 for teaching the faith at home. Luther wrote it so parents could teach it at the kitchen table. That includes yours.
- Affirmation. The ELCA's name for the confirmation service: saying yes to your baptism. You're answering a promise, not passing a test.
- Sponsor. Someone who stands with you and prays for you at baptism or confirmation. Nobody says yes alone. The whole congregation promises to walk with you.