From definitions, to references used, to artifacts imbued with mystical power that are all attached to money, including their so-called sacraments, the Roman Catholic Church sounds like a ball of confusion. Let us examine what they call “confirmation.” What is to be confirmed and when?
But how should we define terms first? Is it anyway we like it? A disciplined Christian would go as far back and refer to the Authority on Life and check on His words.
Notice that this source, Modern Catholic Dictionary, in defining the term, “confirmation,” arrogates unto itself the authority to redefine others. May we highlight the terms at issue for easy reading -
“Laying on of hands” is not “confirmation,” according to the Bible. When the Lord Jesus laid His hands upon the children which action the apostles were trying to forbid, it was not a rite nor sacrament so that the apostles were even trying to prevent the children. If it were a sacrament or a religious rite, the apostles, instead of preventing the children to come close, must be assisting them! Logical?
MATTHEW 19:13-15
13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
Again, “laying on of hands” is not “confirmation,” according to the Bible. It is the act of giving the recipient the trust and honor necessary for his God-given office.
NUMBERS 27:18-20
18 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;
19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.
20 And thou shalt put some of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
It is in this very sense that the Apostle Paul laid his hands upon Timothy.
II TIMOTHY 1:6
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
I TIMOTHY 4:14
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
You do not lay hands on children! How can such delicate trust and honor be conferred to children? Consider the age as discussed by Michelle Arnold -
Following recognition by the Holy See, the [USCCB] has decreed that the age for conferring the sacrament of confirmation in the Latin rite dioceses of the United States will be between "the age of discretion [‘considered to be about age seven’] and about sixteen years of age.’" (www.usccb.org)
This is really laughable! How can a child at seven be capable of the trust likened to what Joshua and Timothy received? Even if you say 12 or even 17, should you lay hands on them?
Here’s one of two children, both 12 year olds, that were confirmed by Pope Francis at a ceremony in St Peter’s Square in Rome (Ref: Stephen Rogers, Irish ExaminerDotCom, 4/29/2013).
The doctrine of “confirmation” that they refer to as one of their “sacraments” is one of many inventions of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). According to Catholic authorities, it is “not strictly necessary for salvation” but “there is a grave obligation to receive it in due time.” From this definition we are sure that this is an invented teaching of the Council of Trent.
Modern Catholic Dictionary Page 122
COUNCIL OF TRENT
JAMES 2:10
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
While the RCC is saying that their “sacrament of confirmation is not strictly necessary for salvation,” the truth is that all the teachings of Christ and His commandments must be observed, because defiance in one will make one guilty of all.
MATTHEW 28:20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
And note that “all teachings” of Christ must be shared without costs! Without costs! We underscore this fact because for every movement the Catholic priests undertake, there is payment. In other words, salvation in the RCC is to be had with monetary considerations – always. The Apostles of Christ preached the gospel freely. They did not require any payment for Church services.
II CORINTHIANS 11:7
Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
In contrast, the Catholic Church requires payment for their sacraments like “confirmation” and baptism. According to them “confirmation” is done in three ways: 1) Laying on of hands; 2) Anointing with chrism; and 3) Prayer. As in their other sacraments, there is again an artifact they attach so that money can be paid: Chrism. Without a Catholic bishop’s blessing, there is no consecration for a mixture in their sacraments. Show money first, then consecration comes.
Is this what the Bible says? “Anointing with chrism” is certainly not biblical. There is no such thing as “consecrated mixture of olive oil and balsam” used in any Christian rite of the first century! In its place is the strengthening of faith of one through the help of the Holy Spirit. Obviously, this is not acquired in the invented manner of the “sacrament of confirmation” of the Catholic Church!
Only one translation of the Bible in the New Testament uses the word ‘balsam’ in only one occasion when Mary used it on the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ. This clearly shows that it is not a sacred object or by any implication a “chrism” used by the 1st Century Christian church.
JOHN 11:2 (ETHERIDGE TRANSLATION)
It was that Mariam who anointed with balsam the feet of Jeshu, and wiped (them) with her hair, whose brother this Loozar was who was sick.
Let us refer to the Bible and learn from it. Faith is the very issue when one gets baptized. Faith is also the issue with every Christian after that. It is faith that should be strengthened as one matures because faith is not a one-shot process. What will you confirm then? One’s membership in the Catholic faith?
Here are conversations that showcase what we were saying all along (Ref: Zoe Ryan, “Views conflict on what age to confirm,” National Catholic Reporter, 5/13/2011). In conflicts about what age to confirm, younger age is the restored order, Catholic authorities decided. The following excerpt outlines the issue.
We quote here two authorities: Joseph Martos and Joe Paprocki. The first is a sacramental historian and an author of two books on Catholic sacraments. The second teaches an eighth-grade confirmation class and was a director of religious education.
The gist of Martos’ comments is that children are still children. They are confirmed in early adolescence and then they stop going to church, he observes. Here’s Martos on confirmation -
We have this ceremony ... and it doesn’t occur when it’s at a real change in the person’s life…. In other words, the problem is not theological. The problem has to do with the nature and purpose of ritual, especially rites of passages and initiation rituals.
Unless people, when they’re confirmed, are actually making a passage in their life, like from being not Catholic to Catholic, not married to married ... then there isn’t any meaning in the sacrament of confirmation, because the meaning comes from what’s going on in the person’s life at the time.
Meanwhile, confirmation is more to keep them in the Catholic faith, suggests Paprocki. However, he said confirmation needs to be looked into as far as children are concerned. Here is what he said in Zoe Ryan’s interview -
I think that tends to be the biggest fear: How will we keep them if we don’t have the sacraments? The problem with that is the sacrament of confirmation shouldn’t be a carrot on a stick. It shouldn’t just be the way we keep them. If we can’t keep them without confirmation, then I think there’s something wrong there. I think it would force us to reevaluate and look more closely at what we’re offering them.”
See? Even those charged to work on children in the Catholic institutions are worried sick of what they are doing. The biblical ways by which a Christian is strengthened in faith are:
1) Through exhortation and endurance in tribulations through faith.
THE ACTS 14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
This is affirmed by the Apostle Paul among the Romans.
THE ROMANS 5:1-5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
2) Through vigilance and prayer that strengthen the weaknesses of our flesh.
MATTHEW 26:41
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
THE ROMANS 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
3) Through the practice of unfeigned love that strengthens Christians.
EPHESIANS 4:16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
COLOSSIANS 3:14 (RSV)
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
All these biblical ways to strengthen a Christian will not apply to a seven-year-old child! He has still some growing up to do, some experiences to undergo. The faith of a Christian is revealed by time. The Bible confirms that.
I CORINTHIANS 3:13
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
Time is a very important essence in the strengthening of one’s faith. One has to grow through the years as one may experience what can threaten faith, what can derail it, as well as what can strengthen it. And time may confirm again and again one’s faith as long as one holds on to the teachings of Christ.
HEBREWS 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
For this reason, the Lord Jesus Christ tells Christians to endure until the end.
MATTHEW 10:22
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
How can a child of seven years experience all of these wonderful teachings of the Lord? Unless Stephen “Steve” Shott was ordained as priest when he was still seven!
More laughters to come, God willing.
