Confirmation - Gift of the Holy Ghost

The following is taken from the Bible Dictionary.

Confirmation. See Laying on of hands. 

The word is not found in the N.T., though the rite itself is mentioned in several places. (1) We are told (Acts 8:14–17) that after Philip had baptized the converts in Samaria, Peter and John prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost; they then laid their hands on them, and the Holy Ghost was given. (2) On Paul’s arrival at Ephesus (Acts 19:1–6) he found men who had received a form of baptism that they incorrectly supposed had come from John the Baptist. After they had been properly baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, the Apostle laid his hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

In these instances there is illustrated the greater authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, compared to the Aaronic Priesthood. The latter has authority to baptize in water, but not the power to lay on hands to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Melchizedek Priesthood has power to do both (JS—H 1:70–72). Baptism of water without the bestowal of the Holy Ghost would be incomplete, and would be but half a baptism (HC 5:499).

No information is to be found in the Bible as to any special age for confirmation, but it is clear that it followed close after baptism. Confirmation includes more than conferring the gift of the Holy Ghost. To confirm means to “make more sure.” 

See also Baptism.

Where do we get the Belief that only Authorized Personel can Perform Baptisms??

Two levels of Priesthood.

"11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
13For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
...
21(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)"
-- Hebrews 7:11-15,21

There are two Priesthoods, the Aaronic and the Melchizedek. The Law of Moses was under the Aaronic or 'lesser' Priesthood, while the New or Higher Law the Christ taught in the Sermon on the Mount is under the Melchizedek or 'Higher' Priesthood. See also Hebrews 5:4.

"1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."
-- Acts 19:1-6

Here Apollos had been baptizing without having the authority, and without giving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. When they learned that there was more to it, they were each Baptized again by the Proper Authority. This was done by Paul, who had that Priesthood Authority.

If Sacred ordinances are not performed by those to whom God has given the Priesthood, then those ordinances are not recognized by God.

Much like having a Drivers License, you might know how to drive, but without that License that gives you authority to drive you will get a ticket for 'driving without a License'. God works the same way.

What is Priesthood Authority and Why Does it Matter??

What is the Priesthood?  Who has the Priesthood?  What is the Priesthood used for?  Why is it so important?  When was the Priesthood established?  Where is the Priesthood valid?  How do you get the Priesthood?

I will endeavor to answer these questions as simply as I possibly can.  Just remember, it is a rather complex subject. ;)


What is the Priesthood?

The Priesthood is the Authority to act in the name of God.

"And there were great and marvelous works wrought by the disciples of Jesus, insomuch that they did heal the sick, and raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the children of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesus."
-- 4 Nephi 1:5

What is the Priesthood used for?

The Priesthood is used to serve and bless the lives of others.  It cannot be employed for the sole benefit of the one who holds the Priesthood.  Christ used the priesthood to Heal, Feed Thousands, Kill and Destroy, as well as to Teach others, such as when He Walked on Water.

When was the Priesthood established?

The Priesthood of God has been there from the Beginning.  It is the power by which God created the Heavens and the Earth. (Colossians 1:16)  Even as God is from Everlasting to Everlasting, so also is His Priesthood. (Psalms 90:2)

 "all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."
-- 2 Peter 3:4

Where is the Priesthood valid?

Because God is omnipresent, His Authority is also omnipresent.  It does not matter where someone who holds the priesthood is at, it is not the priesthood of man, it is the Priesthood of God.

How do you get this Priesthood Authority?

A man may receive the Priesthood by what is called the Laying on of Hands.  After receiving the Priesthood, most ordinances are also performed by the Laying on of Hands.

"Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God."

-- Acts 8:17-21

The Priesthood can not be bought and sold as a thing of the world, because it is not of this world.  For a man to have and use the Priesthood, he must have his heart right with God.


"That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God."

-- Doctrine and Covenants 121:36-38

"And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses."
-- Numbers 27:23

Who has the Priesthood?

"And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron."
-- Hebrews 5:4, (see above photo)

The Priesthood is for those to whom it is given, and they are to use it to bless the lives of others.  No one can simply say that they have the priesthood and expect God to recognize the ordinances they perform.

For example, if you are driving down the road and some guy in an ice cream truck flips on that annoying yankee doodle song with some flashing lights trying to pull you over.  Well maybe there is something important that he needs to tell you, so you pull over.

He then tries to give you a speeding ticket.  You were speeding, and you did pull over for him.

Are you going to pay that speeding ticket?  NO. 

Now rather a Highway Patrol car starts up his siren and lights.  You pull over because you were speeding.  The office then writes you a ticket. 

Are you going to pay that speeding ticket?  YES.

This is because the Officer had the Authority of whatever state he was employed in to enforce the law. 

On the other hand the ice cream guy, even with his good intentions of making the roads safer, did not have the authority to do so.

So even with good intentions, if a Baptism is performed by someone without the Proper Priesthood Authority, that Baptism is not recognized by God any more than a speeding ticket from the ice cream guy.

Why is Priesthood Authority so Important?

When you do not have the Priesthood Authority to do something that requires it, you end up in a bad situation.  This often means immediate consequences whether you see the connection or not.

"Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded."

-- Acts 19:13-16


When did the Restitution of all things happen???????

The Aaronic Priesthood was restored to the earth by John the baptist on May 15, 1829.  The Melchizedek Priesthood was restored through Peter, James, and John shortly thereafter.

"Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."

-- Luke 9:1-2

Christ set apart apostles in His day. 

We still need them in our day.

Scriptures on Priesthood Authority : Mark 6:5, 4 Nephi 1:5, Colossians 1:16, Psalms 90:2, 2 Peter 3:4, Acts 8:17-21, Doctrine and Covenants 121:36-38, Numbers 27:23, Hebrews 5:4, Acts 19:13-16, Ephesians 4:11-14