From earliest times the church has practised
chrismation immediately following baptism. In the sacrament of chrismation
(Gr. chrismatis, "anointing") the newly baptised person receives
the Holy Spirit through the anointing with oil by the bishop or priest.
The roots of this sacrament are clear in both the Old and New Testaments,
and are especially brought to light on the Day of Pentecost.
Promises of the Holy Spirit from
the 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; see Joel
2:28). This promise was significant because under the Old Covenant,
the gift of the Spirit had been given only to a few - the patriarchs, the
prophets, and some of the judges. Certain leaders of Israel were indwelt
with the Holy Spirit to accomplish their tasks. Joel, however, prophesied
that the Holy Spirit would be given to all God's people, "all flesh." This
was fulfilled at Pentecost, for Peter exclaims, "this [outpouring of
the Spirit] is what was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts
2:16).
Other Old Testament prophets who
speak of this same promise of the Spirit include Jeremiah (Jer.
31:31-34) and Ezekiel (Ezek. 36:25-27).
In fact, the Ezekiel passage ties together the water and the Spirit in
a prophetic vision of baptism and chrismation.
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit
Our Lord Jesus Christ repeatedly
promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to His disciples. Early in His public
ministry He said: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.'
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will
flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit ..."
(John 7:37-39). Jesus also said, "I will pray
the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with
you forever" (John 14:16).
Christ promised the Holy Spirit
would reveal truth to the Church. "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. He will glorify Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare
it to you" (John 16:13, 14). Jesus says
the Holy Spirit will bring glory to Christ. This gives us an excellent
means of testing whether or not acts attributed to the Holy Spirit are
indeed valid.
The last words of Christ before
His Ascension include a promise: "John truly baptised with water, but
you shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now"
(Acts 1:5). This word was fulfilled ten days
later on the Day of Pentecost.
How is the Holy Spirit given to
us?
The people who heard Peter speak
at Pentecost asked him how they might receive salvation. He answered, "Repent,
and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts
2:38). We repent (turn from our sins and toward Christ); we are
baptised; we are given "the gift of the Holy Spirit", chrismation.
That practice has never changed.
In Acts 8, Philip, the deacon and
evangelist, preached in Samaria (Acts 8:5-8).
Many believed and were baptised (Acts 8:12).
The apostles came and later confirmed these new believers with the gift
of the Holy Spirit through the laying of hands (Acts
8:14-17). Here is the sacrament of chrismation following Holy Baptism.
Later, the Apostle Paul met some disciples of John the Baptist who had
not been present when Peter spoke at Pentecost (Acts 19:1-7). They believed
in Christ, "were baptised" (Acts 19:5)
and "the Holy Spirit came upon them" (Acts 19:6), again through the hands
of the apostle. The promise of God includes both our union with Christ
in Holy Baptism and gift of the Holy Spirit at chrismation.
