Chrismation. Bible Understanding School

Chrismation Bible Understanding School https://goo.gl/u3kd5t

Overview 1. An Overview of Holy Chrismation 2. Discuss the Institution of the Sacrament Looking at Old Testament (briefly) and New Testament 3. Administration of the Sacrament 4. A Look at the Church Fathers (briefly) 5. Chrismation and Our Salvation 6. A Greater and more Perfect Tabernacle

Revisit the Problem

Overview Chrismation is the second Sacrament received immediately after baptism; from the Greek word, which means "anoint." In the sacrament of chrismation the newly baptized person receives the seal of the Holy Spirit through anointing with Chrism/Myron (Holy Oil) by the bishop or priest. Chrismation, which is often referred to as one's personal Pentecost, is the Sacrament which imparts the Holy Spirit in a special way. The Holy Spirit aids him/her to grow in spiritual life.

What is Chrismation? Chrismation is the fulfillment of Baptism as Pentecost is of Easter. Chrismation is receiving the Holy Spirit Who will dwell in us to enable us to live a godly life into which we are born through Baptism. Chrismation is the Sacrament by which our bodies are made temples of the Holy Spirit. The whole body is anointed, sealed and sanctified as a temple. Chrismation is the sacrament by which we are ordained into the body of Christ.

SEAL of the Holy Spirit The Seal of the Holy Spirit consecrates your body; they are sealed / dedicated to the service of God. The Seal of the Holy Spirit is the signature of God upon His new creation; imprint of the One Who owns us. Every anointed person has been sealed with the Seal of the Holy Spirit to denote that he/she is the property of God, elected and chosen by Him as His personal belonging. From the moment we receive the Seal of the Holy Spirit, we do not belong any more to ourselves but to CHRIST.

Chrismation of Infants The Orthodox Churches administer Chrismation immediately following baptism in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Bible and the Apostolic Tradition, but the Roman Catholic Church has started since the 13th century to delay the confirmation of infants until they are 7 or 12 years old and consequently delays their participation in the Holy Eucharist.

Why Baptism comes first? In the biological order, a creature must first be born, and then it must grow. Likewise, in the spiritual order, we are born again in Baptism and then we must grow in the spiritual life and bear the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). We also need to acquire the spiritual power that will enable us to overcome Satan and his army for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph 6:12). Our body becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) who helps us grow in the spiritual life.

Institution of the Sacrament: Old Testament In his sermon on Pentecost, St. Peter, quotes the well-known prophecy of Joel, "I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh." (Acts 2:17 and Joel 2:28) This promise was significant because under the Old Covenant, the gift of the Spirit was given only to a few - the patriarchs, the prophets, and some of the judges. This was fulfilled at Pentecost, for Saint Peter exclaims, "this (outpouring of the Spirit) is what was spoken by the prophet Joel." (Acts 2:16) 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezekiel 36:25-27) Ezekiel's passage ties together the water and the Spirit in a prophetic version of baptism and chrismation.

Institution of the Sacrament: New Testament Our Lord Jesus Christ repeatedly promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to His disciples. 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given,because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39) 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (Jn 14:16-17) 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. (Jn 16:7)

Institution of the Sacrament: New Testament Christ promised the Holy Spirit would reveal truth to the Church. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. (John 16:13-14) 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (Jn 14:26) 26 But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. (Jn 15:26)

Other New Testament References You have an anointing from the Holy One. (1 Jn 2:20) The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you... the same anointing teaches you concerning all things. (1 Jn 2:27) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Eph 4:30) St. Paul also wrote about Holy Chrismation when he said: He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (2 Cor 1:21-22)

Administration of the Sacrament This Sacrament was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ when He said, 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:38-39)

Laying of Hands Our fathers the Apostles administered this Sacrament by laying on of hands directly after Baptism as mentioned in the Holy Book of Acts 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14-17 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:5-6

Laying of Hands As laying hands for the dwelling of the Holy Spirit is a specific rite of the fathers the Apostles and their successors the Bishops, and as the regions of mission increased, consequently the number of believers and those who entered the faith increased. It was not possible for the Apostles to wander all the countries and cities to lay hands on the baptized, so they established anointment by Myron as an alternative for laying hands for the Holy Spirit dwelling.

36 anointments The baptized is anointed 36 signs on his joints and senses so the Holy Spirit dwells on him/her, his body and soul becoming a temple of the Holy Spirit. The anointing of the forehead signifies the sanctification of the mind, or thoughts. The anointing of the chest signifies the sanctification of the heart, or desires. The anointing of the eyes, ears, lips signifies the sanctification of the senses. The anointing of the hands and feet signifies their sanctification to good works and the walk in the way of His commandments. Specific parts of your body were sealed with Chrism, that all your strength and abilities might be given to the service of God. 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God s. (1 Cor. 6: 20)

The Contents and remaking of the Holy Chrism (Myron) The Holy Myron consists of about 28 kinds of ointments including myrrh, aloes, cassia (see Psalm 45:8), and pure olive oil. The Holy Myron was first made by the disciples and apostles. They took the spices and fragrant oils which were on the Holy Body, and mixed them with the spices that were brought by the women (see Luke 23:56 & Luke 24:1), they added pure olive oil and sanctified the mixture with their prayers. They made it a Holy ointment to grant the talent of the Holy Spirit to the baptized, as is used in the Sanctification of Baptismal water, ordination of Churches, altars and vessels. Their successors the Bishops renew making the Myron whenever it is about to end, by adding the remainder of the original, so it never finishes in the Churches. This process has repeated only about 28-30 times in our church.

The Fathers and Chrismation The flesh is washed, so that the soul may be made clean. The flesh is then anointed, so that the soul may be dedicated to holiness. The flesh is signed so that the soul to may be fortified. (Tertullian) By the Seal of the Holy Spirit are sealed all the entrances into your soul; by the Seal of anointing all you members are sealed. (St. Ephraim the Syrian)

The Fathers and Chrismation For as Christ after His Baptism, and the visitation of the Holy Ghost, went forth and vanquished the adversary, so likewise ye, after Holy Baptism and the Mystical Chrism, having put on the whole armour of the Holy Ghost, are to stand against the power of the adversary, and vanquish it, saying, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (St. Cyril of Jerusalem) Whoever is baptized should be anointed by Myron, to become anointed for God and is granted the grace of the Holy Spirit. (St. Cyprianus) After going out of the Baptismal water, we are anointed by Holy Oil according to old tradition. The anointment is accomplished externally on our bodies to bear spiritual fruits. (St. Tertullian)

Chrismation & Our Salvation H.H. Pope Shenouda III said, We can never be saved without this gift of the Holy Spirit because our whole spiritual life is the response of our will to the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Unless we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, all our life will be futile and subject to perdition. Chrismation nourishes and strengthens the baptised in the spiritual life. Just as a child needs the guidance of its parents, so a newly baptised soul receives the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit. In Holy Chrismation, God imparts to the believer those gifts of the Holy Spirit necessary for his or her own sanctification, and for whatever work or ministry God has appointed that person to carry out.

Chrismation & Our Salvation In Orthodox Christian teaching, our baptism is not merely cleansing but it is a change in our human nature. We are united to Christ in both His death and Resurrection. Likewise, just as the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ, when a person is Chrismated the Holy Spirit descends upon him/her too. The Holy Spirit bestows grace and power to live the new life in Jesus Christ.

Chrismation & Our Salvation Baptism and Chrismation are not magical one-time acts that set us for life. Rather, they are just the beginning of a new God-centered life that must be nurtured each day through prayer, each week through worship, and a continual self-sacrifice through repentance and giving to others. It is through the "sealing" of the Holy Spirit that we are equipped and ready to truly be called Temples of the Holy Spirit. Having received both of these Mysteries or Sacraments (Baptism and Chrismation) we become full members of the Body of Christ the Church and are able to participate in the other sacramental mysteries, especially the Eucharist Holy Communion.

The Greater and more perfect Tabernacle Looking at Exodus chapters 25, 26, 27, we find detailed information about the nature of temple worship. But knowing that our Orthodox Churches and our Divine Liturgy today are based on the ancient Jewish practice, which is based on the revelation of God to Moses, which is patterned after heavenly worship, what does that mean to me? Why is that important for me? All of this important because the worship of God in heaven is not something out there. Worship is not something that goes on outside of me. God seeks to conduct His heavenly liturgy not just up there somewhere, but right here, in my heart, in your heart.

The Greater and more perfect Tabernacle 20Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21). 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1Corinthians 3:16) 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1Corinthians 6:19)

Closing Thought Jesus cannot conduct the liturgy on the altar of our heart if we have not cleaned it off from the passions and the sins, if we have not heard Him speak to us in the Scriptures and if we have not invited Him in by receiving the Eucharist. The greater and more perfect tabernacle is not just out there. It s in our heart, in our soul. And through it God has established with us a most personal and direct relationship.