Baby Dedication

To bring your child before the Lord in the presence of the congregation as a means of dedicating them has been practiced by the church for many years.

While this is not a command or an ordinance of the church, it is certainly seen in scripture.

We see a woman named Hannah who, the Bible says, “the Lord closed her womb”, and yet she prayed.

1 Samuel 1:11 ESV

11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

And this was a special case no doubt, yet we also see in scripture that it was customary for parents to present their children before the Lord and offer sacrifices. This was done in even Christ’s life...

Luke 2:22 ESV

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

So we see that there was obligation out of law observance, yet it has become the tradition in some circles to bring children before the Lord in a public manner and pray asking God to save them while stating our intentions as parents to do our best to raise them to know the Gospel of Jesu Christ.

we do this publicly because we as a congregation of members to the Local church also would affirm that we will help these parents to raise their children to know the Lord.

Parents here are a couple verses that we hope will encourage you as you love your child and do your best to serve them by teaching them scripture and praying for them daily.

Psalm 127:3 ESV

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 8:2 ESV

2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

Psalm 127:3–5 ESV

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

psalm78.

Psalm 78:4–7 ESV

4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. 5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, 6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, 7 so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;