What is Confirmation?

The Anglican Church requires a public and personal profession of the Faith from every adult member who believes in Jesus Christ. Confirmation or Reception by a Bishop is its liturgical expression. Confirmation is clearly grounded in Scripture: the Apostles prayed for, and laid their hands on those who had already been baptized (2 Timothy 1:6-7; Acts 8:14-17; 19:6).

In Confirmation, through the Bishop’s laying on of hands and prayer for daily increase of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, God strengthens the believer for Christian life in the service of Christ and his kingdom. Grace is God’s gift, and we pray that He will pour out His Holy Spirit on those who have already been made His children by adoption and grace in Baptism.

At the direction of the Bishop, and after public reaffirmation of their baptismal promises, those having made adult professions of faith in other Christian traditions (including those confirmed in other traditions) are received into the Anglican Church with prayer and the laying on of hands by a Bishop.

Maturity and Mission

At its most basic, Confirmation refers to the rite in which, after a believer has been baptized, they make a mature commitment to the faith, and receive an increased gifting of the Holy Spirit through the bishop’s prayer, laying on of hands, and anointing. As the Catechism puts it beautifully: when asked, “What grace does God give you in confirmation?” the response is, “In confirmation, God strengthens the work of the Holy Spirit in me for His daily increase in my Christian life and sends me out on mission to fulfil my Christian vocation."

How can I be Confirmed or Received?

If you are interested in this rite of faith, we invite you to contact Fr. Astor at your earliest convenience, by calling the church office at (818) 846-8633, or by sending an email to FrAstor@stdavidsanglican.org.