What Are The Rites Of Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation?
If you've been part of Christ the King Church for any length of time, you've likely heard us talk about Confirmation services when the bishop visits, usually in February. But you may have also heard us mention "Reception" and "Reaffirmation" in the same breath, and wondered: what exactly are these rites, and how are they different from one another?
These three distinct but related rites—Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation—all involve the bishop laying hands on individuals and praying for them during a special service. While they share some common elements, each serves a unique purpose in the life of faith. Let me walk you through what makes each one special and who they're designed for.
Understanding Confirmation
Confirmation is perhaps the most familiar of these three rites. The ACNA Book of Common Prayer 2019 describes it this way: "In Confirmation, through the Bishop's laying on of hands and prayer for daily increase in the Holy Spirit, God strengthens the believer for Christian life in the service of Christ and his kingdom."
This rite has deep biblical roots. In Acts 8:14-17, the apostles Peter and John laid hands on believers who had been baptized, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Paul references this practice in 2 Timothy 1:6-7 when he reminds Timothy of the gift given through the laying on of hands.
In Anglican practice, Confirmation serves as a public profession of faith. For those baptized as infants, it's the moment when they personally claim the faith their parents and godparents professed on their behalf. For those who come to faith as adults, Confirmation often happens shortly after baptism.
The Prayer Book makes clear that those being confirmed must "know and affirm the Nicene Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments; and have received instruction in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and the Catechism of the Church." This preparation equips believers to live as mature followers of Jesus.
During the service, candidates reaffirm their baptismal vows, renouncing evil, turning to Jesus Christ as Savior, and promising to follow Him as Lord. The bishop then lays hands on each person, praying that they would be defended, strengthened, and filled with the Holy Spirit's power. Think of it as the ordination of the laity, receiving the empowerment of the Holy Spirit so that you can take up your life, role, and responsibility in the church specifically and in the Kingdom of God more broadly.
What About Reception?
Reception is designed for Christians who have already been confirmed in another apostolic tradition—such as the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, or certain Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches—and are now joining the Anglican Church.
If someone has already made a mature profession of faith and has been Confirmed in one of these traditions, we recognize that sacramental act. We don't ask them to be confirmed again. Instead, we "receive" them into the Anglican communion.
During Reception, the candidate makes the same public profession of faith as those being confirmed. They renew their baptismal vows and publicly commit to the Anglican expression of Christian faith. The bishop lays hands on them and prays for them, asking that the Holy Spirit would strengthen them for service alongside us in God's mission.
The Gift of Reaffirmation
Reaffirmation might be the least understood of the three rites, but it's a beautiful provision for those who are already confirmed Anglicans. Life is long, and our journey with Christ goes through many seasons. There are times when we need to publicly recommit ourselves to the Lord—after a period of wandering, at the beginning of a new chapter of life or ministry, or when we sense God calling us to deeper commitment.
The Prayer Book 2019 explains that those "experiencing a renewal of Christian commitment or significant life transition" may reaffirm their pledges to Christ and His Church with prayer and the laying on of hands by the bishop.
Think of it like a married couple renewing their wedding vows. They're already married, but there's something powerful about standing before witnesses and saying those vows again with fresh meaning and deeper understanding.
In Reaffirmation, the individual publicly renews their baptismal promises and receives the bishop's prayer and laying on of hands. The bishop prays that the Holy Spirit, who has already begun a good work in them, would continue to direct and empower them by His grace.
Why Does This Matter?
The Anglican tradition values both unity and particularity. We recognize that people come to this moment from different places in their spiritual journey. Someone baptized as an infant needs something different than someone confirmed in the Catholic Church years ago. Someone returning to faith after time away needs a different acknowledgment than someone making a first-time profession.
These three rites allow us to honor where each person has been while calling them forward into deeper commitment. They're all moments of grace, when we gather as the body of Christ to support and celebrate individuals taking important steps in their faith journey.
Moving Forward
If you're considering Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation, I encourage you to reach out. These rites require preparation—not because we're trying to make it difficult, but because the commitment you're making deserves careful thought and spiritual preparation. You'll learn about what it means to be an Anglican Christian, study the foundations of our faith, and have space to ask questions and grow.
Whether you're a young person ready to claim faith as your own, a newcomer to Anglicanism from another tradition, or a longtime Anglican feeling called to renew your commitment, there's a place for you in this ancient and life-giving practice.
In all three rites, we pray the same fundamental prayer: that the Holy Spirit who has begun a good work in you would continue it, directing and empowering you by His grace. That's the heart of it all—God's continuing work in our lives, His Spirit empowering us for faithful service, and the church community gathering to witness, support, and celebrate.
May the Lord bless you and strengthen you as you consider your own next step in following Jesus.
Grace and peace,
Charlie+