Untitled Sermon (2)

1. WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL PURPOSE AND HISTORY OF A CHILD DEDICATION?

We find Scriptural support of baby dedication in 1 Samuel 1:27–28 (NASB), where Hannah prayed year after year for God to give her a child. He answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel. When Samuel was born, Hannah prayed these words:

"For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord."

In Luke chapter 2 of the New Testament, following the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple and dedicated Him.

In both Scripture passages, the parents entrusted their child completely to God.

The writings of Moses found in Deuteronomy 6:5–9 describe God's plan for how a parent should raise up a child:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

Responsibilities of Christian Parents

The responsibilities God has entrusted to Christian parents include:

· A petition for the congregation and pastors to support you as parents, and to pray for the Lord’s direction in both your life and your child’s.

· Continuously praying for their children (Job 1:5[SK1] )

· Instructing them in the way of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6[SK2] )

· Setting a Godly example (Proverbs 20:7[SK3] ) by modeling their own faith through the practical application of biblical truths, and by showing their children the meaning of fellowship and servanthood through involvement in their church.

· Disciplining them as the Lord would discipline us (Proverbs 29:15, 17; 23:13, 13:24[SK4] ).

Parent and Child Dedication is NOT...

· A way for your child to receive salvation. Salvation is not based on any performance of duties or any ritual that we go through (Eph. 2:9), but it is a result of one’s personal decision to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ. When a person is old enough to see that they are responsible for their sin before God and understand that Christ’s death and resurrection provides a remedy for this, they are faced with a choice to trust and follow Jesus or continue in their sinful ways. This is a decision your son or daughter must make as they grow older.

· A substitute for baptism. Baptism does not occur until a person is old enough to know and understand that their sin has separated them from a saving relationship with God, and have chosen to accept God’s life-giving grace by becoming a follower of Jesus. Baptism is simply an outward sign of an inner commitment that has already taken place.

· Only for members of Journey of Faith. As a believer in the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your own life, it is our privilege to share in your decision to dedicate your child to the Lord.

· Only for newborn babies. Many times parents who have come to know the Lord, or re-dedicated their lives to the Lord after they have had children, desire to dedicate their children to God, even though they may be older. This is appropriate, and we are glad to share in this joy.

Parent and Child Dedication is...

· a recognition that children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3)

· a public declaration as parents that you will raise your child up in the principles of God’s Word. (Deut. 6:5-7; Eph. 6:4)

· a time of prayer for God’s blessing, protection and guidance for your child’s life.

· a petition for the congregation and pastors to support you as parents, and to pray for the Lord’s direction in both your life and your child’s.

Frequent Question About Parent/Child Dedication

5. DOES JOURNEY OF FAITH BAPTIZE INFANTS?

Scripture provides evidence that Baptism follows an individual’s decision to trust Christ alone for salvation (Acts 2:41, 8:12, and 10:47–48). And the New Testament records the baptisms of adult believers only.

In the Bible, we find parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them, prayed for them, and told us to welcome them. But He did not baptize them and He did not tell anyone else to baptize them. Shiloh Baptist believes Baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to trust Christ alone for their salvation, once they have the maturity and ability to understand what that means.

Dedication is not a sacrament; nor does it impart grace or salvation to a child. Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ as each person recognizes their sinfulness and receives forgiveness and eternal life through Christ and His work on the cross.

Rather than baptizing infants or children, Shiloh encourages Christian parents to dedicate their children. This is a ceremony in which parents formally call upon God’s blessing for their child and publicly commit to raise him or her in accordance with Scripture. One key step in marking your desire to nurture your child in the ways of God is to dedicate him or her to God publically, through a child dedication ceremony.

2. WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING A CHILD DEDICATION CEREMONY?

During the dedication service, parents express vows before God, their family, and the church, declaring their desire to raise their child in a God-honoring way. Because parents are the key role models for their children, they play a primary role in the dedication service.

Parents will be asked to affirm the following commitments:

· Do you (Chang and Sanghee) vow by God's help and in partnership with the church, to be passionately committed to your marriage, provide (Ian) a Christian home of love and peace, to raise him in the truth of our Lord's instruction and discipline, and to encourage him to one day trust Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord? If you accept this responsibility, please respond by saying "we do."

The congregation of JOF will be asked to affirm the following commitments

· Do you, Journey of Faith, vow by God's help, to be faithful in your calling as members of the body of Christ, to help (Chang and Sanghee) be faithful to God, and to help teach and train (Ian) in the ways of the Lord so that he might one day trust him as Savior and Lord? If you accept this responsibility, please respond by saying "we do."

[SK1]5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. [SK2]6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. [SK3]7 The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! [SK4] 15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. 17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart. 13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. 24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.[a]