In Luke 2:22, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be dedicated according to the instruction of the Bible. Baby dedication is a public statement parents make before their church family and God where the parents:
- thank God for their child, acknowledging that they are a gift from God.
- commit the child into the Lord's care and instruction.
- commit themselves to be godly parents, modeling their faith for their child.
Dedicating our children to the LORD is a great way of seeing ourselves as stewards of our children, not owners. God loves our children far more than we ever could. He has placed them into our care to train and nurture them. Ultimately, our job as parents is to raise our children the way the LORD wants us to raise them; with His love, forgiveness, patience, and care. Our children truly are a gift from God:
"Behold children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3
Why baby dedications?
Christian parents have been given a tremendous responsibility by the LORD to raise and nurture their children according to biblical standards. We recognize that salvation only comes to a child through that child’s own trust in Christ as Savior and Lord. It is not passed on to a child through dedication. Through the act of dedication, however, is a parents covenant to the Lord to raise their child(ren) by modeling Godly principles with the desire that one day, their child(ren) will become followers of Jesus Christ themselves. It is also a covenant act of entrusting that child into the community of the church.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
What's the difference between a dedication and a baptism?
Baptism is a ceremony that symbolizes our salvation as Christians. When we accept Christ as our Savior we choose to be baptized to show that we have already made the decision to follow Christ. Baptism does not save us, it declares we have already been saved. It is an outward symbol of an inward decision. Since infants are not old enough to understand salvation, we do not baptize infants or young children. We generally wait until they are old enough (based largely on parents' judgement) to accept Christ on their own. Dedication is a wonderful way for the parents to commit to raising the child so that at the earliest possible moment the child can accept Christ. To understand better our church's understanding of baptism you can watch or listen to a sermon preached as we went through the church's doctrinal statement.
What can you expect at a baby dedication?
You will be invited to the platform (both of you and your child). A brief description will be given to the congregation concerning the meaning and purpose of the dedication ceremony.
You will then asked the dedication questions of commitment:
- Do you present your child in dedication to God's purpose?
- Realizing that no one is perfect, will you do your best to model for your child a life of obedience to God's purpose?
- And when they are old enough, will you work to lead them to make their own decision to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior?
Following the commitments made before God and the congregation, a pray will be offered up for each child being dedicated.
Finally, the church will be asked to make a vow as well. The church will be asked to commit to praying for and doing its part to support you, provide resources, and help train your child in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord.
Then before leaving the platform, you will be given a simple certificate as a reminder of this day when you dedicated your child to the Lord.
If you any questions or would like more information, please contact me.
