Confirmation is a sacrament practised by several orthodox Christian denominations. Woman Editor, Temitope David-Adegboye was at St. John the Evangelist (Anglican) Church, Akowonjo last Sunday to witness the confirmation of 120 parishioners.
Some of the comfirmed members
Some 120 members of St. John the Evangelist Church, Anglican Communion, Akowonjo, Diocese of Lagos West, last Sunday received the laying on of hands by the bishop, thereby affirming their faith and visibly connecting to the broader body of Christ.
The act, which is known as confirmation, is a sacrament or rite of passage practised by several Christian denominations.
Confirmation is a rite of initiation in several Christian denominations, normally carried out through anointing, the laying on of hands, and prayer, for the purpose of bestowing the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In Christianity, according to Wikipedia, confirmation is seen as the sealing of the covenant created in baptism. In some denominations, confirmation also bestows full membership in a local congregation upon the recipient. In others, it “renders the bond with the Church more perfect”, because, while a baptised person is already a member, “reception of the sacrament of confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace”.
This sacrament strengthens or deepens one’s relationship with God. It is for the matured minds that partake of the Holy Communion and it signifies membership of the Anglican Communion. Confirmation is a popular practice in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and other orthodox churches where infant baptism is also performed.
Presided over by Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, James Odedeji, the service, which also marked the second anniversary of the church, was witnessed by a large number of parishioners and Christians from other churches as well as non-Christian invitees.
As a general rule, anyone who is over 13 years old and can answer for themselves could be ready for confirmation.
The candidates for confirmation were drawn from St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Idimu; St. John the Evangelist Church, Akowonjo; St. Luke’s Egan; St. Michael’s Church, Obadore, ACOTA Isuti; St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Ikotun; St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Orisumbare; and St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Shasha.
In his sermon, Odedeji defined baptism as the acceptance of individuals into the church. He stated that an individual who is not confirmed neither eats the bread nor drinks the cup (the Holy Communion).
Those who do not get confirmed in the Anglican Communion, the bishop revealed, include polygamists and cultists.
He stated that Christianity is a race that does not require looking back, once begun. He, therefore, encouraged the confirmation candidates to do only those things that edify themselves with the help of God and also look unto Jesus Christ for help, direction and wisdom.
“Once you profess to be a Christian, there is no going back to your former lifestyle. You must continually strive to do all that will please God, and that can only be possible if you ask for help, wisdom and direction from God. You cannot do it by yourself. Also know that the enemy will not rest on your cases, so you need to fortify yourself against his antics,” he said.
The cleric also enjoined the candidates to be spiritually watchful and not to allow the enemies to deny them their place in God through sin.
To run the Christian race to completion, the bishop outlined steps to follow:
*Acquiring the right knowledge of God through His word.
*Having the fear of the Most High God at all times and in all endeavours.
*Sharpening your spiritual antenna to receive spiritual signals from God always.
*Abstaining from Satan’s Identification Number (SIN).
Speaking on the reason for confirmation and before laying of hands on the confirmees, the cleric said the act follows the example of the Apostle of Christ in Acts 8:4-7. “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to a city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits crying with a loud voice came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralysed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.”
He stated that the scripture teaches us that a special gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed through the laying-on of hands with prayer. And for as much as this gift comes from God alone, Christians must pray to Almighty God, that He will strengthen them with His Spirit in Confirmation, he added.
“You then, who are to be confirmed, must now declare before this congregation that you are steadfast-purposed, with the help of this gift, to lead your life in the faith of Christ and in obedience to God’s will and commandments; and must openly acknowledge yourselves bound to fulfil the Christian duties to which your baptism has pledged.”
Highlights of the service also included the formal inauguration of the first five societies in the church, followed by thanksgiving by the candidates. The five societies are: Young Men Christian Association (YMCA), Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), Apostle of Peace, Fountain of Hope and the Busy Bees.
The church has over 52 societies in the cathedral which were set up for the following purposes: fellowship, identification, relationship, healthy rivalry and to care for people who are in need.