Dedication of an Infant or a
Child
The Victory Gatherings
(All Bible references are from the New International Version)
What is the dedication of an infant or child?
The dedication of children is a commitment in which parents give their child to God for the purpose of having the Lord direct the spiritual growth and development of the child. It is a rite where parents, before the local
congregation, commit to raising their children in a loving Christian home. It is a commitment that the
parents will pass on the truths of the Christian faith to their children.
“(Jesus) said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not
hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” (Mark 10:14,
NIV)
Why child dedication and not infant baptism?
Although some congregations baptize infants, most Gentile Christians feel that Christ intended baptism to be for those who have come into the Christian faith through a personal commitment to follow Christ, which involves repentance and the new birth. Baptism is a voluntary expression that gives testimony of a personal decision of having become an authentic born again follower of Christ. Hence baptism should be reserved for those who have reached an age of understanding.
We at The Victory Gatherings follow the
Jewish recognition that children could not be held personally accountable to the law of Moses. They set the arbitrary age of twelve as the year when a child assumed adult status in religious matters.
“Those who accepted his message were baptized.” (Acts 2:41, NIV)
Is Child or Baby Dedication demanded by the Bible?
The Bible nowhere insists that children must be dedicated to the Lord. However parents, desiring that their children grow up to know God and to live lives that
honor Him and are blessed by Him, have long had a desire to state that aspiration formally before their local
congregation.
Further there is Biblical precedent for child dedication such as Hannah’s dedication of Samuel
(I Samuel 1:20-25) and Joseph and Mary’s presentation of Jesus (Luke 2:22).
What does this commitment do for the child?
The child that is dedicated to God is set apart for a special place of blessing and protection. God’s hand graciously comes upon the child to lead and protect the child. Even when the path seems to lead to tragedy, God is present to provide victory and fulfillment. God will not overrule the will of the child, but the parents prayers of dedication will serve to invoke God’s special watch and care over the child.
“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)
What does this commitment do for the parents?
The parents gain a peace and confidence that the child they have dedicated to God will be under His constant care and guidance. They also know that they are part of a
congregational family that will team up with them in their parental role of raising their child in the Christian faith.
“I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” (II Timothy 1:12b)
What preparation should be made before entering into this commitment?
A time of prayer and meditation should precede the formal dedication of a child to God asking the Holy Spirit to enable the parents to relinquish their hold on the child and to submit their wills to God so that wisdom can be imparted to them for the raising of their child.
“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat -- for he grants sleep to those he loves . Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.”
(Psalm 127)
What is the parent’s responsibility?
Parents are responsible to God to train their children to follow in the ways of God, to obey His commandments and to serve Him. By word and example they are to lead the child to experience the reality of the Christian life.
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
What is a God Parent or Sponsor?
A God parent or sponsor is an adult who is invited by the parents of the infant to be dedocated to commit herself / himself to be involved in the life of the child as a mentor in the Christian faith.
What are the responsibilities of a God parent or sponsor?
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To be a professing Christian.
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To understand and endorse infant dedication, it will be helpful for the God Parents or Sponsors to come with the parents to the pre-dedication session. However, if this cannot be done, the parents can share with the God Parents or Sponsors what they learned in the pre-dedication session.)
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To support the efforts of the parents in having a Christian marriage and family life.
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Through words and deeds to support the parents in their efforts to enable to child
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to be aware he / she is loved by God
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to understand herself / himself as a Christian
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to live a Christian life
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To stay in touch with the child throughout the child’s life.
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To pray frequently for the child and the parents of the child.
What role does the congregation play?
At The Victory Gatherings we stand with along side the parents in the dedication
of a child. By standing along side the parents, the congregation is saying, “We will assist you with this commitment you are making today. We will play a role in not only praying for your child but in actively aiding your child to come to know Christ as Saviour and to grow in his or her Christian faith.”
This call to whole community to raise up children to love the Lord with all of their heart and soul and strength is seen in this command given to the people of Israel, collectively:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 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. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
The Parent-Child Dedication Service
Pastor:
To All: The privilege of training a child belongs to both the parents and to those within this local Victory Gathering
To the Congregation: Do you covenant before God to always provide a place of teaching and worship that exalts Jesus Christ and magnifies God's Word, so that this child will be encouraged to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, say, "We do!"
Do you covenant to walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, by His grace lest your example cause this little one to stumble?" If so, say "We do!"
Do you further covenant before God to provide all the Biblical means possible to bring this child into a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ, including public worship and preaching, prayer groups, Bible teaching, evangelism and fellowship, while this child is among you? If so, say, "We do!"
To the Parents: Do you acknowledge before God and this congregation that Jesus Christ has all claim on your life and on the life of this child? If so, say, "We do!"
The Pastor will say to the parents: Believing that this child is a gift from God, and that He shall hold you accountable for him/her, do you now solemnly confess that it is your purpose to dedicate this child to the Lord and to His service? Will you pray with him/her and for him/her; instruct him/her faithfully in the doctrines of the Christian faith; teach him/her to read the Word of God; to pray and lead a holy life; take him/her faithfully to the house worship to attend its services; and do all that is in your power to bring him/her to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
The Parents will respond: We will.To the God Parents or Sponsors:
Do you the God Parents of this child
Profess to be a Christian.
The God Parents will respond: We Do
Will You:
Support the efforts of the parents in having a Christian marriage and family life.
Through words and deeds to support the parents in their efforts to enable to child
to be aware he / she is loved by God
to understand herself / himself as a Christian
to live a Christian life
To stay in touch with the child throughout the child’s life.
To pray frequently for the child and the parents of the child.
The God Parents will respond: We will.
To the Child: The Pastor then takes the child in his arms or places his hand on the child’s head and prays "having witnessed the commitments made by this congregation and your parents, I now dedicate you to the Lord, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. With this prayer that you will someday acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord!
Now that we understand what Child Dedication is all about, what do we do next?
If you’re interested in having your baby or child dedicated to the Lord and can sincerely agree to the commitment you will be asked to make, please contact the office at (937) 236-3363. Rev. Fennessy or one of the House Church Pastors will then get back in contact with you as to when the next date is available for a child dedication service. Child dedications take place in Sunday morning services.
Some Proverbs For Families
Proverbs 4:3-7, When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Proverbs 6:20, My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
Proverbs 10:1, A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
Proverbs 20:20, If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
Proverbs 22:6, Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 23:22, Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Proverbs 23:24, The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.
Proverbs 28:24, He who robs his father or mother and says, "It's not wrong"-- he is partner to him who destroys.
Proverbs 29:15, The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
Proverbs 31:1-9, The sayings of King Lemuel-- an oracle his mother taught him: "O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. "It is not for kings, O Lemuel-- not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."