Need to Know
"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord ."
- I Sam. 1:27-28 "Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
- Matthew 28:18-20 "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."
- Acts 2:41 |
Understanding the Purpose of the Baby Dedication CeremonyDuring this service, parents affirm their own faith in Jesus Christ and promise to model and teach this faith to their children. Parents are asked to pray daily for their children, teach their children about God, and faithfully participate in Sunday worship with their children. At the same time, the church promises to support the parents in the task of raising their children.
Is there a scriptural precedent for baby dedications?Jesus, himself, was dedicated by his parents at the temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:21-40). Mary and Joseph presented him to the Lord, offering a sacrifice according to the Law of the Lord. At this time God announced his purpose for his son through the words of a devout Jew named Simeon. [This child would be] a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.
In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus declared the importance of faith in a child’s life. People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Not Infant BaptismWe believe the Bible teaches that baptism is only for those who have been taught the salvation message and have personally decided to become “disciples” or followers of Jesus Christ.
Baptism results from a person clearly understanding the salvation message. Infants and toddlers are not ready to make that decision, and we feel it is not a decision someone can make for them. |