Consecration Meaning: Importance, Beliefs and Practices

Consecration is transforming an object from a mundane and nonreligious function into a sacred one or dedicating an object or person to the service and honor of God. Consecration entails performing rituals, prayers, and rites. The practice of consecrating individuals to Divine service and objects for use in the veneration of God has been traced back to historical times. Consecration is connected with Christianity and Judaism, although almost every culture and religion has some type of purifying ritual.

Consecration in Christianity, particularly the Catholic Church, changes people or things from a normal or earthly state to one of holiness and divine protection. It differs from other blessings because it is serious, lasts long, and uses holy oils. The ceremony marks the beginning of a new life, whether it’s the consecration of a priest, a church, or the Holy Mass when bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ. These things are given spiritual power, making them always fit to worship God when consecrated. Consecration is a holy link between the human and the divine, showing that God’s grace is always present in the Church and its rituals.  

What is Consecration?

Consecration is the permanent dedication of an object or person to the sacred through the separation from secular or profane use, accomplished through the observance of rituals, prayers, and ceremonies. It is the official ordaining of a person to be a priest, pastor, or missionary in religion. The description suggests that dedication is something that only a certain group of people are capable of. Consecration is something that all Christ-followers are capable of and ought to undergo, according to the New Testament.

Consecration is not restricted to mature or spiritually enlightened Christians. Even people recently saved must sanctify themselves to the Lord to increase their intimate knowledge of Christ and develop in the divine life. Consecration is the foundation of all spiritual experiences. Consecration entails presenting oneself to the Lord in the form of a “living sacrifice,” according to Paul in Romans 12:1: “Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the grace of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God; this is your reasonable service.”

Offerings were consecrated to God in the Old Testament through their placement on the altar. One voluntarily surrenders all ownership of said item by presenting an object to God. It was God’s, intended for His gratification and utilization. People become living sacrifices when they present themselves to the Lord today in supplication. It signifies that humans entirely place themselves in His hands. People declare to Him by offering themselves to the Lord as a living sacrifice, “Lord Jesus, my life is devoted to You.” I have lost all sense of belonging to the universe, myself, and all things. I am present to ensure your satisfaction.”

What is Consecration in the bible?

Consecration in the Bible is setting oneself apart from uncleanliness and sin to live in purity and holiness, dedicated to God. The concept is deeply intertwined with sanctification and is emphasized across the Old and New Testaments. For instance, the Israelites were instructed to consecrate themselves before crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land in the book of Joshua, symbolizing a fresh start and readiness for God’s miraculous works (Joshua 3:5). The act of bathing and changing clothes as prescribed to the Israelites and observed by David after he confesses sin (2 Samuel 12:20), is a powerful metaphor for spiritual renewal and purification from sin, reflective of leaving behind old ways and embracing a sanctified life.

Consecration involves transforming life where believers are called to live as sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, distinct from worldly influences in the New Testament (Romans 12:1-2). The transformation is achieved through the renewal of the mind, allowing believers to discern and live according to God’s will. The imagery of wearing new spiritual attire in the Christian Bible (Colossians 3:5-14; Ephesians 4:26-27) further underscores the idea of taking off the old self with its practices and embracing a new, holy way of living that reflects God’s purity.

Consecration is fundamental for Christians, entailing a dedicated, holy lifestyle that honors God and visibly sets them apart from secular norms. A devoted life signifies purity and a deep personal commitment to God, and it positions believers to experience and manifest God’s power and promises in their lives.

What is the Importance of Consecration in Christianity?

The importance of consecration in Christianity is fundamental to spiritual life and discipline. Consecration involves a deliberate commitment to align oneself with God’s interests and purposes, distinguishing it as a crucial act of the Christian’s will. The concept, as described in the teachings of Oswald Chambers and illustrated through biblical texts like Numbers 7:1, emphasizes consecration as a personal initiative where one resolves to focus on matters that concern God alone. The action is seen as the human counterpart to divine sanctification, where God’s Spirit works to mold and impart Christ-like qualities to the believer.

Consecration is not just about personal holiness but extends to all aspects of life, including marriage, daily living, and communal worship, as seen in the various forms of consecration described in Numbers 5 through 7. It is about setting apart one’s life to God, starting from the heart and extending to all relationships and responsibilities.

The practice of consecration is deeply intertwined with the experience of God’s grace, which empowers believers to live out these commitments. Consecrating oneself to God is portrayed as an ever-deepening process reflecting God’s grace-driven pattern of living Godly, underlining its crucial role in Christianity.

How does Consecration differ from Ordination?

Consecration differs from ordination in significance and purpose. Consecration and ordination are concepts frequently encountered in religious observances, specifically within the Roman Catholic tradition. They signify separate facets concerning the initiation and empowerment of clergy, although they share a common meaning. The “Episcopal Consecration” process was employed to denote the act by which a bishop was conferred with the “Plenitude of the Priesthood” throughout history. The term effectively encapsulates the magnitude of the spiritual power and ecclesiastical authority bestowed upon a priest. The term embodies an enduring tradition traced back to the Middle Ages. It emphasized the sanctity and permanence of the bishop’s position, as it was believed that consecration bestowed the bishop’s ordination and a memorable spiritual character.

There was a preference for the term “Episcopal Ordination” to emphasize the cohesive and uninterrupted nature of the ordination process as a clergy member due to the reforms implemented during the Second Vatican Council. It encompasses the phases of deacon, priest, and bishop. Ordinal is the procedure through which individuals are consecrated, or set apart, to perform a variety of religious rites and ceremonies, as stated by the Council. It emphasizes that ordination signifies a progression through different ranks of clergy, with each level-whether deacon, priest, or having particular duties and responsibilities.

The application and implications of consecration and ordination help to clarify the distinction between the two. Consecration is seen as separating and making holy for a divine purpose with a greater context. It includes people, things, and places, giving them a holy quality. Ordination is the sacramental act by which a person is made a church member in one of the three orders, deacon, priest, or bishop, specifically in the context of Vatican II. Every ordination is final and unique, and the highest level is episcopal ordination, which is sometimes thought of as a form of consecration but is the most outstanding level of ordination in the Church. It gives the priesthood more power than a consecration did before.

Vatican II told churches to change the rites and texts used for ordinations to better reflect the holy nature of the ceremony and the language and culture of the ordained people. It was done to make the ceremonies more pastoral and open to everyone. The terms sometimes appear to have the same meaning in church language, but they each have different historical and theological meanings that influence how members of the faith community think about and carry out their roles.

How is Consecration Performed?

Consecration is performed in various religious ceremonies to impart spiritual authority or sanctity to an individual or an object. Christian faiths recognize that consecration is a ceremony with big responsibilities for the person doing it and any other bishops who help them. The Book of the Gospels is opened in the ceremony and placed over the anointed’s neck and shoulders to symbolize its authority and weight. The consecrator and auxiliary bishops then execute the sacrament of imposition of hands, placing their hands on the elect’s head and reciting “Receive the Holy Ghost.” The rite’s central act is thought to confer episcopal dignity and authority. Ceremonies in some civilizations, such as the Greeks, explain such conduct. The ceremony includes the sung “Veni, Creator Spiritus” and the anointing of the chosen with sacred chrism on the crown or tonsure and then the hands to signify the holy Spirit’s gifts. The elect’s spiritual purity is symbolized by entwining and wrapping the anointed hands in linen.

Consecration is acknowledged through organized and solemn rituals that fit the situation, whether for a person or a holy object, in various Christian traditions. Consecration includes a set of liturgical actions in the Catholic Church, such as prayers, putting on hands, using holy oils, and more. Consecration is especially important during the ordination of bishops. These ceremonies make it clear that people and things are dedicated to God’s service, marking them as holy and set apart for divine purposes.

What are Considered Consecrated in Christianity?

The considered consecrated in Christianity are listed below.

1. The Altar: The consecration of altars is an important Christian ritual that designates the altar as a sacred location for worship and the observance of the Eucharist. The altar is revered as a sacred area where devout individuals are granted a unique encounter with the divine presence following the consecration. It assumes the role of the central focus of devotion within the church, serving as a symbol of Christ’s presence and the sacrificial offering of the Eucharist. The consecrated altar is central to the liturgical activity of the Christian community and is held in the highest regard.
2. Churches: Canon law has required new churches to be consecrated to God or blessed before holding services since ancient times. Judaism’s official consecration rite is based on Solomon’s Temple dedication. Reading particular psalms opens the doors. The lights are always on, and the Torah books are put away. The sabbath service is often the focus of US dedication festivities. Protestant church dedications include Bible readings, prayers, and anointing. Chrism is applied to the walls when a Roman Catholic church is dedicated. Twelve crosses mark the anointing sites.
3. Kings: The book of 1 Kings says that Solomon was made king of Israel before David died. The oldest of these rituals in the Christian church happened soon after Christianity became popular in the Roman Empire, according to records. The patriarch of Constantinople made Theodosius II king in 450 CE. Pope Leo III made Charlamagne emperor. Coronations are only considered consecrations in the broadest sense.
4. Bishops: The Second Vatican Council’s “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church” (Lumen Gentium; “Light of the Nations”) stated, “By Episcopal consecration, the fullness of the sacrament of Orders is conferred.” “That fullness of power, namely, what both in the Church’s liturgical practice and in the language of the Fathers of the Church is called the high priesthood, the supreme power of the sacred ministry.” Theology requires three bishops to ordain a new bishop since the inception of the Christian church. Consecration is done by touching, according to the New Testament (Acts 13; 2 Timothy 1).
5. Anointment: Anointing makes an ordinary person holy before war, when wild animals threaten them, when they are dying, and on other occasions. “He’s “set aside” for a holy and wonderful relationship.” A blessing is often given by anointing persons and things. Altars, sacred items, temples, weapons, and garments are anointed to serve the divine and reveal that the divine is present and joyful in the holy place. Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches have historically ritually anointed the ill and elderly. Unction was traditionally reserved for the dying in the Roman Catholic Church. It is how “extreme unction” was named. Gentler readings permitted non-sick persons to be anointed later. Eastern Orthodox churches have never dubbed the sacrament “extreme unction,” but its healing components have always been essential. Healthy people are sometimes administered the sacrament to prevent illness, in the Greek Orthodox Church.

Who has the Authority to Practice Consecration?

Bishops, deacons, and priests have the authority to practice consecration in Catholicism and Orthodoxy. They are trained to give sacraments and practice things like consecration the Eucharist or holy objects. The religious setting often determines who has the power to perform consecration. The process is different in some Protestant denominations. Preachers or pastors are often in charge of consecrations depending on their theological views and how the church is run.

The people allowed to do consecrations are very different from other faiths. For instance, a Brahmin priest does consecrations during different ceremonies and practices in Hinduism. Monks or lamas are usually the only ones in Buddhism who dedicate statues, shrines, and other holy things. Each religion sets rules and processes for people authorized to perform consecrations based on its theological teachings and historical practices.

Only people who give their lives to the Lord and His will practice dedication. Consecration means giving one’s life to God in Christianity, trusting His plans, and constantly seeking His will. The consecration was done through ceremonies led by prophets or leaders in the Old Testament. Christians are told to dedicate themselves to the Lord in the New Testament, understanding their role as new people in Christ.

Consecration is a personal reaction to turning away from sin and growing spiritually like David, Peter, and Nehemiah. It means thinking about God’s Word, asking Him to help individuals make choices, and living in a way that honors Him. Every believer has the power to dedicate themselves to God, making themselves available for His goals and wanting to honor Him in everything they do.

Is there a Consecration Ceremony?

Yes, there is a consecration ceremony. A consecration ceremony is a ritualistic employed in numerous cultures and religions, distinguished by the sacred and solemn procedures it involves. Consecration ceremonies, classified as “consecrations of persons and things” and feature distinct rites and applications of sacred substances like holy oils, are meticulously organized and structured within the Christian tradition, specifically the Roman Catholic Church.

For example, the consecration of a bishop, regarded as a sacrament, is conducted via the laying-on of hands and is accompanied by prayers that invoke the Holy Spirit. The ceremony does not involve the application of holy oils, a customary procedure carried over from earlier eras but distinct from the consecration of sacred vessels or altars. These objects are intended to be utilized perpetually in divine devotion, gaining spiritual significance and the ability to mediate divine grace after being consecrated. Consecration is distinguished from blessings by its permanence. Blessings are revocable and do not employ sacred oils to the same extent.  

How does Consecration vary from Various Christian Denominations?

Consecration varies from various Christian denominations in its methods and theological understandings. Consecration entails the setting apart of persons, objects, or places for divine service in the Roman Catholic Church. It covers the ordination of bishops, consecrated life for people in religious orders, and the sanctification of objects such as chalices or altars.

A vital rite of consecration is performed for church structures and altars. Transubstantiation occurs when the bread and wine are consecrated during the Eucharist, becoming Christ’s body and blood. Consecration is usually tied to the ordination of bishops, the dedication of church buildings, or the transformation of bread and wine during the Divine Liturgy in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. Various Protestant denominations, such as Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, and Presbyterians, practice consecration during the Eucharist, though their theological interpretations differ. Consecration in these traditions often involves invoking the Holy Spirit to sanctify the elements. Individuals consecrate themselves for specific roles within the church or as an act of devotion, with the ordination of bishops being particularly significant.

Consecration historically involved giving earthly belongings to the church, though such a practice is now rare in Latter-day Saint tradition. Members consecrate themselves and their blessings to build up the kingdom of God. The priesthood performs consecrations of oil for blessings and presides over the consecration of meetinghouses and temples. The underlying principle remains the dedication of persons, objects, or places to divine service and purpose, while the practices and theological nuances of consecration differ among Christian faiths.

How does Consecration Reflect Christian Beliefs and Values?

Consecration reflects fundamental Christian beliefs and values by embodying the call to live a life fully surrendered to God’s will and devoted to following Jesus Christ’s example. Consecration is viewed as a response to the Gospel that reflects Jesus’ characteristics of poverty, chastity, and obedience and is seen as a gift from the Father to the Church in the Christian tradition.

The obedient life, viewed as an act of faith filled with grace, seeks to reveal the depth of Christ’s mystery to the world and attract everyone to God’s kingdom. Bishops must exercise discernment and pastoral advice to meet the Church’s needs by listening to the Spirit in communion with the Holy Father in light of the forthcoming consecrated life synod. The discernment process is vital for managing the expectations and problems of the modern world, with new values and cultures influencing conventional beliefs.

Consecration is more than just an individual vow; it’s a community reaction to shifting circumstances to inspire bold, Gospel-centered behaviors in the face of a dynamic social environment. Christians try to renew their consecrated lives via discourse, prayer, and contemplation to stay true to the charisms of their founders while responding to the challenges of the present time. The ever-changing Christian faith is mirrored in the ongoing cycle of rebirth and adjustment; here, tradition meets modernity, and the universal principles of love, service, and devotion take shape in many cultural and geographical settings. Consecration testifies to the everlasting Gospel and the life-changing power of Christ’s love in a world searching for purpose and meaning.

Is Consecration Practiced in Evangelical Christians?

Yes, consecration is practiced by Evangelical Christians. The concept of consecration as it pertains to evangelical Christianity exhibits a notable divergence from the elaborate and formalized concepts of consecrated life that are expounded upon in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Evangelical Christians generally do not observe the specific forms of consecrated life emulation outlined in Catholic doctrine, including the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience observed by consecrated virgins, religious orders, or hermits. The phrase “consecration” is frequently interpreted as an individual pledge to lead a life guided by biblical principles and to devote oneself to the advancement of the Gospel and the service of God within evangelical communities.

Individual acts of devotion and commitment characterize such a personal consecration, as opposed to ecclesiastical ceremonies or vows sanctioned by a church authority. Evangelicals prioritize a personal, direct relationship with God via Jesus Christ. Their consecration practices emphasize spiritual development, active engagement in missionary endeavors, and personal piety. The two religions have a fundamental goal of strengthening one’s dedication to living following God’s will and furthering the global Christian mission, while the evangelical approach does not possess the organized ecclesiastical structure of consecrated life observed in Catholicism. These Christian traditions share thematic commonalities in their fundamental spiritual aims, although the manifestations and conceptualizations of consecration vary considerably.

Is Consecration Practiced in Lutherans?

Yes, Lutherans practice consecration. Lutherans observe consecration, specifically in the Eucharist and Holy Communion. Lutherans believe that the Eucharist is ineligible for sacramental recognition unless it is consecrated, distributed, and received according to Christ’s mandate following the Wittenberg Concord of 1536. The Wittenberg Concord of 1536 principle underscores the significance of complying with Christ’s directives concerning the sacrament.

Providing private communion to the ill and shut-in within Lutheran congregations frequently entails an additional observance of the Eucharist, during which the celebrant consecrates the sacramental components.  It remains a fundamental component of worship, with various congregations conducting it weekly, although Lutheran churches differ in the frequency of Eucharistic celebrations. Marriages, funerals, pastor ordinations, and bishop consecrations are common occasions for observing the Eucharist. Lutheran theology and practice place a great deal of emphasis on the Eucharist.

Lutheranism practices consecration, but the occasion and process vary. Theological academics disagree on what constitutes consecration during the Eucharistic ritual. Some focus on the celebrant, others on the Holy Spirit or the Lord. Lutheran beliefs include the Eucharist, which is a sacred ritual founded by Christ. Bread and wine become His body and blood via consecration despite these differences. The baptized gather for communion with the Holy One through the Bread and Cup, the culmination of all their worship, prayer, and confession.