Divine Confirmation refers to the process by which God affirms His will, promises, or actions to individuals or groups, often through signs, wonders, or the fulfillment of prophecy. This concept is prevalent throughout the Bible, where God provides assurance to His people, reinforcing their faith and guiding them in their spiritual journey.

Old Testament Instances

1. Abraham and the Covenant: One of the earliest examples of divine confirmation is found in God's covenant with Abraham. In Genesis 15, God confirms His promise to Abraham through a vision and a covenant ceremony. "On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates'" (Genesis 15:18). This divine confirmation reassured Abraham of God's promise to make him a great nation.

2. Moses and the Burning Bush: In Exodus 3, God confirms His call to Moses through the miraculous sign of the burning bush. God assures Moses of His presence and mission to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. "And God said, 'I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain'" (Exodus 3:12).

3. Gideon's Fleece: In Judges 6, Gideon seeks confirmation from God regarding his role in delivering Israel from the Midianites. God responds to Gideon's request for a sign by performing the miracle of the fleece, first making it wet with dew while the ground remained dry, and then reversing the miracle. This divine confirmation strengthened Gideon's faith and resolve.

New Testament Instances

1. The Baptism of Jesus: Divine confirmation is evident at the baptism of Jesus, where God affirms Jesus' identity and mission. "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'" (Matthew 3:16-17). This event confirmed Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God.

2. The Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus serves as the ultimate divine confirmation of His divinity and the truth of His teachings. Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith" (1 Corinthians 15:14). The resurrection confirmed Jesus' victory over sin and death, providing assurance to believers of their future resurrection.

3. The Apostolic Signs: In the early church, God confirmed the apostles' message through signs and wonders. "And by the hands of the apostles the signs and wonders were performed among the people" (Acts 5:12). These miracles served as divine confirmation of the gospel message and the authority of the apostles.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in divine confirmation, guiding believers into truth and affirming their identity as children of God. "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children" (Romans 8:16). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit provides ongoing confirmation of God's presence and work in the life of a believer.

Faith and Divine Confirmation

While divine confirmation often involves miraculous signs, it also requires faith. Hebrews 11:1 states, "Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." Believers are called to trust in God's promises, even when confirmation is not immediately evident. The examples of divine confirmation in Scripture serve to strengthen faith and encourage believers to rely on God's faithfulness.