Confirmation

The verb 'confirm' is u.sed in a very general sense in the AV, serving as a rendering of no fewer than eleven words in the original languages — seven Heb. (I'Tij, "gj, piij, [o, x'Pt. """V. ^'P in their proper conjugations) and four Gr. (^e^aiitij, ^iriarripi^ui, Kvpduj, fjL(iTiTevtij). The OT group of words suggests the idea of establishing and strengthening ; though in some cases the more tech- nical notion of a legal or authoritative confirmation comes in, esp. when the word D'p is used {e.

g. Ru 4', Est 9="- "'• =^). In the NT /9e/3oi6a> and ^irdTTTjpifu are used in the general sense of strengthening and estab- lishing, while Ki'/)6ui is used in the sense of giving power or validity (2 Co 2', Gal 3"), and /jifiriTeuw is employed in its natural meaning of acting as a mediator (He 6"). The substantive 'confirma- tion' (/3t;3a/uiri!) is used in the two senses of making firm, establishing (Ph 1"), and givinj; authoritative validity (He G'").

It is not used in the Bible to describe an ecclesiastical rite. In the Acts refer- ence is made to St. Paul ' confirming the souls of the disciples' (14'-''-), and ' confirming the Churches' (1,')*') ; and it is stated that ' Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them' (15'''') — forms of ^TiaTTipl^u being used in each case.

There is no indication that any ceremony was performed on these occasions ; the narrative would ratlicT suggest the jjencral idea of strengthening and estaU lishing Bpintuully. But although the laj-ing on of hands (^Trifltirit tuv x'^P^") is not connected with the word confirmation, it appears in as.sociation with the gift of the Holy Spirit to discijiles by apostles subsequent to baptism (Ac 8""'' 19°- '), and as a rite following baptism, in He 6'.

This 1R6 CONFISCATION CONGREGATION was after the example of the Jewish method of blessing {e.g. CJn 48''' '*), which was recognized by the mothers who brought their children to Jesus thiit He might 'lay his hands on them,' etc. (Mt 19"). According to the Talmud, a father laid his bunds on his child, after which the elders also blessed him (I'u.vtorf., i'yn. jKrf. 138). As late as TertuUian the laj'ing on of hands was closely ast^ociated with baptism as almost part of the same rite {de Bnp. c.

8 ; rfe Rcsurr. Cam. c. 8). W. F. Adeney.