Theological Glossary
Six Christian traditions define Confirmation below — each in its own words, paraphrased from its official documents. These are attributed positions, not assertions of fact.
The Catholic Church teaches that confirmation is a sacrament that seals the baptized with the gift of the Holy Spirit, imprinting a spiritual character and strengthening them as witnesses of Christ. It holds that confirmation completes baptismal grace and is ordinarily conferred by a bishop through anointing with chrism.
Source: CCC 1285–1321 ↗
The Orthodox Church does not separate confirmation from baptism: the mystery of chrismation — anointing with holy chrism — is administered immediately after baptism, even to infants. It holds that chrismation confers the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit, completing Christian initiation at once.
Lutherans practice confirmation as a solemn rite — not a sacrament — in which baptized young people, instructed in the catechism, publicly confess their faith. They hold that confirmation strengthens faith through instruction and prayer but does not confer grace ex opere operato.
The Reformed tradition does not practice confirmation as a sacrament; it teaches that the Spirit's sealing is received in baptism and through faith. It holds that public profession of faith by instructed youth is commendable, but confirmation confers no additional grace.
Source: Westminster Confession 27.4 ↗
Baptists do not practice confirmation, teaching that believer's baptism itself is the full public profession of faith. They hold that no additional rite is needed to complete initiation, since the believer has already testified to faith in Christ through baptism.
Source: Baptist inference from BFM 2000, Art. VII (BFM does not mention confirmation) ↗
Methodists practice confirmation as a rite in which baptized persons — often youth — confirm the vows made at their baptism and take personal ownership of the faith. They hold that confirmation is a means of grace through which the Spirit strengthens believers, but not a sacrament.
Source: Articles of Religion, Art. XVI; UMC What We Believe ↗
See how the traditions compare on related topics: