THE DEDICATION OF A BABY

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when
he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

The Dedication of a Baby is the acclamation of a decision made by parents to make a commitment to the Lord to raise the child in accordance with the Word of God. It is not just an offering of, but a returning to the Lord of the child and his life, both of which are to be for His glory. The Bible speaks to parents in bringing their children to the House of God to be dedicated to the Lord…. Mary brought Jesus, Luke 2:22; Hannah brought Samuel, 1Samuel 1:22; and Elizabeth brought John the Baptist, Luke 1:76-80.

The Purpose of Dedication:

• Child dedication is a public act and acknowledgment that the help of God and the church family is needed to raise the child. Thereby, committing to follow the Lord in the raising of the same.
• Is to acknowledge that the child is a gift from God, therefore is to be dedicated with thanksgiving to Him and for His glory.
• Child dedication is not, nor does it involve baptism. We do not practice nor does the Bible teach or instruct of infant baptism. Children are to be baptized only and when they themselves come to conscious awareness of who the Lord Jesus Christ is and His finished work on Calvary; Matthew 19:14, Romans 10:9-10, Deut. 1:39.

The Schedule

The Pastor will dedicate the child of members of the congregation in the Sanctuary during the Morning Worship Service. All dedications are scheduled by the Pastor and directed or conducted by him after conferencing with the parent(s).

The Godparents

The Godparents are those persons who will assume the stewardship responsibility to raise the child in the absence of the parents. Godparents should be selected with this in mind. Godparents must be married (to each other).