What is chrismation, and is it biblical?

TL;DR:

Chrismation is an Orthodox Church rite symbolizing the reception of the Holy Spirit, usually performed alongside baptism. While chrismation has spiritual significance within Orthodoxy, the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is received at salvation through faith in Christ, making chrismation unnecessary.

what does the bible say?

Chrismation represents the anointing of believers with the Holy Spirit, a practice deeply symbolic in Orthodox Christianity. However, the Bible does not command or describe such a rite for receiving the Spirit. Instead, Scripture emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is given freely to all believers at salvation through faith in Christ (Galatians 3:2-3; Ephesians 1:13-14). Although the Bible includes passages connecting the baptism rite to receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Acts 10:44-48), it doesn’t proscribe such rites for that to happen. The indwelling of the Spirit is not dependent on external rituals but on God’s grace.

from the old testament

Joel 2:28: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." This prophecy points to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, fulfilled at Pentecost, and emphasizes God’s sovereign act of giving the Spirit without human mediation.
1 Samuel 16:13: "Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward." Anointing with oil in the Old Testament served as a symbol of God’s Spirit coming upon individuals for specific purposes, illustrating that the act itself was secondary to God’s work.

from the new testament

John 14:16–17: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." Jesus’ promise of the Spirit reveals that the Holy Spirit comes to indwell believers as an ongoing presence, granted by God, not tied to rites or ceremonies.
Ephesians 1:13–14: "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit at the moment of faith, signifying their salvation and assurance of eternal life. This is a spiritual act, not as a result of a tradition or rite.
Romans 8:9: "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." Here, Paul identifies the Spirit’s presence as a defining characteristic of a believer, received through faith in Christ alone.

implications for today

Chrismation highlights the Orthodox Church’s desire to emphasize the Holy Spirit’s role in the believer’s life, yet it is not a biblical requirement. Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit is given at the moment of salvation, demonstrating that salvation and the Spirit’s presence are entirely by God’s grace. The focus on chrismation as essential for receiving the Holy Spirit risks obscuring the biblical truth that no human action can earn or facilitate the Spirit’s indwelling.

For Christians today, this distinction reminds us to rely on the Word of God as the ultimate authority on spiritual matters– not tradition or human thinking. Trusting in the sufficiency of Christ’s work and the Spirit’s gift at salvation provides assurance and freedom from dependence on rituals. While traditions can be meaningful, they must be in accordance with biblical truth, ensuring that faith is rooted in God’s promises rather than human customs.

understand

Chrismation is a tradition or rite of the Orthodox Church where believers are anointed with the Holy Spirit.
Chrismation is not biblical.
The Holy Spirit indwells believers at salvation not through human tradition or special rites.

reflect

How do you view the role of rituals or traditions in your spiritual life?
How does the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, given at salvation, shape your relationship with Christ and your daily walk with Him?
How can you strengthen your understanding of the sufficiency of Christ's work in your life, especially in the context of traditions and rituals that may not align with biblical teachings?

engage

How can we encourage each other to focus on the direct relationship we have with the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ, rather than relying on rituals or traditions for spiritual assurance?
How can traditions such as chrismation be a helpful expression of faith, while still ensuring they align with the biblical truth that the Holy Spirit is received at salvation?
How do we navigate conversations with others who might view rites like chrismation as essential to receiving the Holy Spirit? How can we respectfully share the biblical perspective on this?