membership

Baby Dedication

Infant dedication is a ceremony containing some basic core beliefs;

  • That children are a precious gift from God. Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. (Psa 127:3 NLT)
  • That parents are responsible for teaching their children the way of the LORD. Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. (Prov 1:8 NIV)
  • That parents are stewards of this precious gift. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Cor 5:10 NIV)
  • The desires on the part of the parents for their precious gift to one day walk as a follower of Jesus Christ. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4 NIV)
  • The invitation on the part of the parents for others in the church family to help with prayers, godly advice and timely and loving help in the journey called parenthood. Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. (Col 3:16 NLT)

Infant dedication is different from baptism. The true biblical meaning of baptism teaches that it should take place after a person has knowingly made a personal decision about becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. (Acts 18:8 NIV) This is just one of several places in Scripture where baptism follows belief. Since an infant is too young to indicate belief, baptism is reserved for a later time in his/her life.

The following is a list of Scriptures that describe what it means to "bring your children up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

  • Both parents share in the responsibility of teaching the children about the Lord. My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. (Prov 6:20 NIV)
  • Lead by example as well as by word. Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." (Gen 18:18, 19 NIV)
  • Make sure your own heart is right with the Lord as you impart him to your children. Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. (Deu 4:9 NIV) These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. (Deu 6:6 NIV)
  • Use the classroom of live to teach your children about the Lord. Don't limit yourself to regimented class based lessons. Teach your children about the Lord on a situational basis not just a systematic basis. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deu 6:7 NIV) And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.'" Then the people bowed down and worshiped. (Exo 12:26, 27 NIV)
  • It is never too early to start teaching your children about the LORD. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim 3:14, 15 NIV)
  • Teach your children in accordance to their temperament and maturity level. Don't try to force them to learn and do things that are not age appropriate or things that don't fit their temperament. Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Prov 22:6 NIV) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Eph 6:4 NIV)
  • Don't be afraid to discipline your children. Discipline shows love and removes rebellion. Don't fail to correct your children. They won't die if you spank them. (Prov 23:13 NLT) If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don't love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them. (Prov 13:24 NLT) A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but discipline will drive it away. (Prov 22:15 NLT) Read Hebrews 12:5-11.

Please read over all the information above. Once you've read it over, give me a call and we'll set a date for your child's dedication ceremony. The actual ceremony will most likely go like this; I'll call you up to the front of the church and after introducing you and your child, I'll remind the people of the numbered points of the baptism ceremony. Then I'll ask Once you have read over this information and have decided to proceed with an infant dedication ceremony, give me a call and we'll work out the date, time and details. I encourage you to pick a service that the people most important to you can attend. We'll take a few moments during the service to bring you and your child up front. During this time we'll do a few things; briefly summarize the above numbered information, provide you a chance to declare that it is your belief that this child is a gift from God, that you desire to raise this child in a Christ centered and biblically based home and that you invite the partnership of the church family to help in this process. Then, I'll pray for you and your child. Make sure you bring a camera or video camera if you desire. Hope to hear from you soon.

God Bless You,
Pastor Bob

What we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us, we will not hide from our children. We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power and the wonders he has done. Psalm 78:3, 4.