As a theologian, I take interest in the beliefs of different religious groups, especially on what it takes to go to heaven. I was intrigued by the Catholics after hearing about their confirmation ritual. Since I was wondering whether they believe confirmation is necessary to go to heaven, I decided to conduct more research on this. I visited a Catholic church to learn more about this ritual and their beliefs and was privileged to talk to priests. Last month, as I was teaching my college students about confirmation, one of them asked me whether a person can go to heaven without being confirmed. Another was curious to find out whether confirmation was necessary for salvation. Having conducted in-depth research on this, I had all the right answers at my fingertips. So, can you go to heaven without being confirmed?
Yes. The key to getting to heaven is not getting confirmed but believing in Jesus as your savior and repenting your sins. Once you do this, you get saved and become a child of God (Romans 10:9). According to the Catholics, confirmation is a ritual that young people go through to be official members of the church. However, getting confirmed does not guarantee that you will go to heaven.
In this article, I invite you to join me as we examine whether you can go to heaven without confirmation. Keep reading to find out whether catholic confirmation is necessary for salvation if the Bible talks about confirmation in relation to salvation, and much more!
Is Catholic Confirmation Necessary for Salvation?
No. Confirmation is not necessary for salvation. For one to get saved, one must believe in the existence of God and believe that Jesus is his son. You must believe that Jesus died for your sins, and he was raised from the dead (Romans 10:9).
Catholics believe that confirmation is a sacrament that initiates them into the church. According to them, when a person is confirmed, they become a disciple of Christ and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. However, nowhere in the Bible states that confirmation is necessary for salvation.
Does the Bible talk about confirmation and its relation to salvation?
No. The Bible is silent on the matter of being confirmed in relation to receiving salvation. The Catholics believe that when a young person gets confirmed, this deepens their baptismal life and strengthens their relationship with Christ. However, the Holy Book does not say one must be confirmed to get saved.
According to most Biblical scholars, we are confirmed by the Holy Spirit that lives within us. When one accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within him, and the Spirit bears witness with his spirit that the person is a child of God (Romans 8:16). Therefore, based on the Bible, confirmation is not related to salvation.
Does getting confirmed guarantee my salvation?
No. Many Biblical scholars believe that getting confirmed does not guarantee one’s salvation. They believe that one receives the seal of the Holy Spirit after they accept Jesus as their savior. Therefore, according to most Biblical scholars that are not Catholic, there is no distinct work of grace called confirmation that can guarantee salvation. Though the Catholics argue that confirmation is a gift of grace essential to Christians, it is not a guarantor of your salvation.
What happens if I don’t get confirmed according to the Catholic Church?
Though the Catholic Church urges young people to get confirmed, some do not go through this ritual. According to this church, if you did not get confirmed, you do not qualify for the religious life. This means you cannot become someone like a priest or nun. Additionally, you cannot serve as a godparent in a Catholic baptism.
In some regions, getting confirmed is a requirement before entering a marriage. Since the Catholic Church believes that the confirmation ritual bestows the gift of the holy spirit to those that go through it, you lose out on this opportunity if you do not get confirmed.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
