Confirm/Confirmation

<<ratify, reinforce>>

It is essential to establish the truth or accuracy of what you are taught (Act 17:11). Ask questions or do some research to establish the genuineness of information given if it is to be acted on. People can be sincere yet sincerely wrong! It is essential to remove all uncertainty, so your faith and trust can withstand all the onslaughts that would try to destroy your confidence in the Lord.

The truth will stand up to scrutiny. A solid foundation is necessary for a building to stand (Mt 7:24-27). The disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed [backed up] His word by the signs that accompanied it” (Mk 16:20; Jn 20:30,31; Act 14:3). The results proved and showed to the world the power of God, and that His words are to be taken seriously “By believing you may have life in His name”. “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Pet 1:8).

“The Spirit Himself witnesses [confirms] with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Rom 8:16, 9:1; 1 Jn 5:9,10). “Make every effort to confirm your election” (2 Pet 1:10). Live in a way that proves you are a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). The fruit of our life reveals what is the source (Mt 3:8, 7:20).

Do I know the witness of the Spirit within?

With guidance we need to ascertain, “this is the way, walk in it” (Isa 30:21). Often called a ‘witness in the spirit’ this is recognised as an inner feeling of peace about the rightness or lack of peace about the wrongness of some matter in question. Jesus said we will hear His voice within (Jn 10:3-5,27).

In some denominations, confirmation is the formal invoking of divine blessing on another, as a witness to others that the person is identifying with or wanting to walk with God and the commissioning for such. It is usually accompanied by the laying on of hands as a symbolic action of spiritual blessing flowing from one person to another, such as Jesus to the children, the sick, or the setting apart for a particular blessing or ministry (Mk 10:16, Lk 4:40, Act 6:5, 2 Tim 1:6).