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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Confirm; Confirmation
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kon-fuÌ‚rm, konfẽr-mā´shun: In the Old Testament represented by several Hebrew words, generally with reference to an increase of external strength, as “c. the feeble knees†(); “c. the kingdom†(); “c. inheritance†(). In the New Testament, this external, objective sense is expressed by βεβαιοÌω, bebaioÌoÌ„, as in ; . The strengthening of mind, purpose, conviction, i.e. the inner or subjective sense (; , ) corresponds to ἐπιστηÏιÌζω, episteÌ„rıÌzoÌ„ÌŒ. Used also of ratifying or making valid (κυÏοÌω, kuroÌoÌ„) a covenant (). The noun is used in the second sense (; ). Confirmation, the rite, in some denominations, of admission to the full communion of the church, which the Roman church has elevated to the place of a sacrament, has only ecclesiastical, but no Scriptural, authority. It is grounded, however, in the Scriptural precedent of the laying on of hands after baptism. See HANDS, IMPOSITION OF.