The Sacrament of Confirmation and Pentecostal Spirit Baptism
First Statement of Responsibility
Alex R. Mayfield
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Place of Publication, Distribution, etc.
Leiden
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Brill
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
This paper offers a comparison of the Roman Catholic practice of confirmation and the classical Pentecostal understanding of Spirit baptism. It begins by examining the biblical texts which provide the basis of each ritual, and then moves on to develop each practice historically in reference to their ecclesial and personal significances. Despite obvious differences, a comparison of the practices illustrates that they serve both to empower believers for future service and to enter into a fuller ecclesial communion. The paper concludes with a reflection on the theological significance these practices, namely that they are ritual expressions of the transjective experience of the Spirit. This paper offers a comparison of the Roman Catholic practice of confirmation and the classical Pentecostal understanding of Spirit baptism. It begins by examining the biblical texts which provide the basis of each ritual, and then moves on to develop each practice historically in reference to their ecclesial and personal significances. Despite obvious differences, a comparison of the practices illustrates that they serve both to empower believers for future service and to enter into a fuller ecclesial communion. The paper concludes with a reflection on the theological significance these practices, namely that they are ritual expressions of the transjective experience of the Spirit.