St Peter Anglican Church confirms 33
By Ben Ngwakwe
Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Bolari, Gombe, held a historic Confirmation Service, where 33 candidates were confirmed by Bishop Cletus Ajigba Tambari.
The Confirmation Service drew people from far and near, including parents and godparents, to witness the affirmation of the Holy Spirit as released by Bishop Tambari, assisted by other clergymen.
In the Anglican tradition, the ceremony of confirmation is a sacramental rite where a baptized person confirms their faith and commitment to God. It’s a public affirmation of one’s baptismal vows, typically performed by a bishop.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that during confirmation, the bishop lays hands on the candidates, praying for the Holy Spirit to strengthen and empower them for their Christian journey. This rite of passage usually marks a person’s transition from childhood to adulthood in the faith.
In essence, confirmation in the Anglican tradition is centered on biblical injunctions, where Jesus Christ asked his disciples to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, which would enable them to carry out seamlessly the tasks of evangelization, healing, prophecy, power, authority, and empowerment.
The confirmation ceremony involves:
– Confirming baptismal vows
– Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit
– Publicly declaring one’s faith
– Marking a deeper commitment to Christian discipleship
There are several types of confirmation in the Anglican Communion, including adult confirmation, youth confirmation, private confirmation, conditional confirmation, reaffirmation of baptismal vows, transfer of confirmation, and emergency confirmation.
In the Anglican tradition, the laying of hands and prayers by the presiding bishop invokes the Holy Spirit, who is understood to be the third person of the Trinity, co-equal with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son.
The functions of the Holy Spirit in Anglican theology and practice include conviction and conversion, regeneration and sanctification, empowerment and enablement, guidance and illumination, and comfort and assurance.
The sermon by Dr. Pham. Samson Anaeri, a scholar and priest from Nsukka Diocese, emphasised Anglican theology, worship, and practice. The service included prayers, beautiful songs, and admonitions, with frontline prayers by Bishop Cletus Ajigba Tambari.
