Child Dedication

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

Question:

"We're parents and want to have our child either baptized or dedicated. What's the difference?

Answer:

Most parents who are concerned for the spiritual upbringing of their children will ask a question like this. The key to answering this is to consider what the Bible teaches about baptism and dedication.

Child Dedications

The dedication of infants and children is seen in both the Old Testament and New Testament.

In the Old Testament, Hannah took her son Samuel to the Temple (1 Samuel 1:24-28). In the New Testament, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (Luke 2:22).

The significance of infant and child dedication is to publicly present this little life to God. In doing so, the parents express their thankfulness to God and request His guidance in raising the child. In presenting a child before God, the parents commit themselves to raise the child in the Christian way of life. See the "Pledge of Dedication."

Baptism

Baptism is different from dedication. Baptism is practiced throughout the New Testament. People were baptized to demonstrate publicly their belief in Jesus as personal Savior (Acts 2:41; 8:36-38). Everyone baptized in the New Testament was a believer. Baptism is outward expression of an inward reality.

The Bible does not give any minimum age for baptism; however, for a child to be baptized, they must be old enough to understand the meaning of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection for them and have responded to Christ personally.

By Dedicating a Child:

• Parents are saying, "Thank you God for this gift of life." (Psalm 127:3-5)
• Parents are publicly dedicating their child to God and asking for His protection and involvement in the life of their child (1 Samuel 1).
• Parents are asking God's help and the church's support in the process of raising their child in the ways of the Lord (Ephesians 6:1-4).
• Parents are committing themselves to the Lord and pledging to model for their children a life dedicated to Christ and His church (Proverbs 22:6).

Dedications at Golden Hills Community Church

Because of the number of requests for infant and child dedications, one Sunday each quarter we will set aside time in each of our worship services to have parents and children come together, at the service of their choice, to be introduced and prayed for. We look forward to celebrating this special time with you.

Pledge of Dedication...

Parents, do you by this act of dedication, acknowledge that your children are a gift from God and are entrusted to you to raise in a manner pleasing to God?

Do you pledge to live your own lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ in such a way that your children will learn by your example that Jesus is to have first place in everything we do?

Do you further pledge that you will love each other, that you will pray together as a family, and that you will provide for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of your family, as God enables you, until Christ shall take you home?

If you have more questions about child dedication, or would like to schedule a child dedication, please contact Julie Andereggen at the Golden Hills Children's Minsitry Office, Email her, or call her at 925-516-0653 x140.