Dedicating Children and Infants

at Grace Bible Church

 

By Errol Hale

 

WHY DEDICATE CHILDREN AND INFANTS?

      Dedicating children and infants is not a practice prescribed in the New Testament.  It is therefore not something Christian parents should feel obligated to do.  Dedicating children and infants is most likely a hold-over from the practice of baptizing children and infants.  This practice, observed by Roman Catholics and several Protestant churches, is is not observed by Christians who believe in Believer's baptism, as we do at Grace Bible Church.  Even in many churches that practice Believer's baptism, rather than infant baptism, there is a desire to recognize the birth of an infant in a Christian home by dedicating the infant, or in the case of older children in homes that have come to the knowledge of Christ, to dedicate children.  The biblical connection is best seen in the Old Testament practice of bringing the first born to the Lord (Exodus 13:2) as practiced by Joseph and Mary with their Son Jesus (Luke 2:23).  Another New Testament defense of dedicating children and infants may be made by looking at Jesus' blessing of the children in Mark 10:14-16.  These notwithstanding, dedicating children and infants is not commanded of Christian parents in scripture.  It is therefore not necessary.

      Why do it at all then?  The answer is that while it is not commanded, it is not forbidden and so long as it is observed in a manner that is Christ honoring, and as long as the practice is not assigned a significance that is unbiblical, there is no harm in it.  There is no New Testament command regarding wedding ceremonies or funerals services, yet we would not say that these are wrong because they are not commanded.  Those who desire to dedicate their children or infants are invited to do so.  Those who do not, need not give it a second thought.

WHAT IS THE POINT THEN?

      Those who desire to dedicate their children or infants do so as an act of consecration of themselves and their children to the glory of God.  Dedicating a child or infant is not a waterless baptism.  It does not save the child or add one thing to the child's spiritual standing before God.  Every child, whether dedicated or not, must at some point, receive Christ as Lord and Savior themselves if they are to be saved. 

      Parents who choose to dedicate their children are doing the following.  First, they are recognizing that the children are the Lord's, on loan to parents for a time.  As Christians, we understand that all we have has been given to us from God.  What we have is not ours.  It is His.  We will answer to Him for how we have managed the gifts He has entrusted to our care.  This includes our children.  Dedicating children is an act of humble worship, as we acknowledge His complete Lordship over all we are and have.

      Second, parents who bring their children or infants for dedication come asking for God's blessing on the children's lives.  Just as the people brought their children to Jesus so that He might touch them and bless them, we seek His blessing on our children's lives.  Dedicating children is an act of prayer, as we ask for His blessing.

      Third, parents are making a sacred vow to bring the children up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).  This is a serious thing, as according to Solomon, "It is better not to vow, than to vow and not pay" Ecclesiates 5:5).  When parents stand before the Lord and His church to dedicate their children, they are publicly vowing to train their children in the ways of the Lord.  This is far more than a one-time religious experience.  It is more than promising to bring the children to church while they are young.  It is a vow to live a Christian life as an example to the children, teach the children the Word of God, and lead them to faith in Christ.  Since it involves a life-long commitment to be godly parents, and since it involves the children's souls, dedicating children is a serious step.

      Fourth, and perhaps the most overlooked aspect of a child dedication service, is the commitment made by the local church.  While the responsibnility to raise children in the Lord rests squarely on the shoulders of parents, the church, as a community of believers shares, in the responsibility.  The congregation pledges to support, encourage and hold parents accountable to their vow to raise their children in the ways of the Lord.

WHAT DO WE DO?

      Dedication services are not private.  They take place in one of the regularly scheduled worship services of the church.  The family (including other children) is invited up onto the platform and is presented to the congregation.  The pastor officiating the service will say a few words about what we are doing and why.  A charge is given to the parents, after which they are invited to say a few words if they desire.  Then the pastor will hold the child, asking the congregation if they will pledge themselves to be a support for the family.

      The pastor will then pray over the family.  A certificate of dedication will be presented to the parents.  At this point the dedication service is concluded.

WHO MAY BRING THEIR CHILDREN FOR DEDICATION?

      As said at the outset, dedicating children and infants is not commanded.  Not everyone desires to have their children dedicated.  It is a personal decision.  However, there are those who should not bring their children for dedication.  Parents who are not believers should not because they will be making a vow concerning the upbringing of their child that they cannot keep.  Those who have no particular commitment to the church shouldn't bring their children for dedication either, since raising a child in close association with the church is a vital part of raising a child in the ways of the Lord.

      When a child has one parent who is not a believer and one who is, the believing parent may desire to bring the child for dedication.  While this is good, the parents should both understand that for the non-believing parent to stand in a church service and make a vow to raise the child in the Lord would be hypocritical, and therefore not a good idea.  We have had beautiful services at Grace Bible Church in which the believing parent brought the child for dedication while the non-believing parent observed (frequently taking pictures) from the front row, but not standing up front.  Understandably, this is a delicate issue.  We do not want to exclude anyone, but if the purpose of the dedication service is understood, we would hope that unbelieving parents would ask themselves a couple of questions. 

      The first might be: "Why do I want to dedicate my child to the Lord Jesus Christ if I do not want to dedicate myself to Him?"  Secondly, "If I do want to dedicate my child to Jesus Christ, why don't I dedicate myself to Him as well?"  Questions regarding this sensitive issue and further counsel regarding how to handle the situation may be discussed with the senior pastor.

PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER THESE THINGS

      Most likely, you are reading this because you are a parent and are considering bringing your child for Christian dedication.  I hope this pamphlet has been instructive in helping you understand and subsequently decide what you should do next.  If you have further questions or would like to schedule a dedication, please contact the church office.  May God bless you and your family as you seek and serve Him.

 

e:\booklets\dedicating children and infants.pub  2.0a  11/2004