why do we practice baby dedications?
Why do we do baby dedications?
First off, baby dedications are not a commandment in Scripture, although they are practiced in the Bible. Baby dedications do not save the child, that comes when they get to an age where they trust Jesus as their Savior.
The reason we do baby dedications though, is because of the precedence we see set in Scripture for us. For example, we know in the Old Testament, that Hannah dedicated young Samuel, who would grow up to be the prophet of God, and would eventually anoint David as Israel's king. In 1 Samuel 1:26-28 Hannah says to Eli the priest, "O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD: as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD." So they worshiped the LORD there."
So we see here that Hannah dedicated her first born son, Samuel to the Lord. In that offering of her son, it meant that she would make the things of God the most important part of his life. This is what baby dedications are all about. Offering your child to God, and then making the things of God the most important part of your life and your child's life.
So we see here that Hannah dedicated her first born son, Samuel to the Lord. In that offering of her son, it meant that she would make the things of God the most important part of his life. This is what baby dedications are all about. Offering your child to God, and then making the things of God the most important part of your life and your child's life.
We also have an example of baby dedication in the New Testament. In Luke 2:21-22 we read that Jesus was dedicated to God as a baby as well. "And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord." The Bible then tells us that by the age of 12 Jesus was teaching God's Word to the Bible scholars of Jerusalem (Luke 2:46-47), and that "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52).
This is the also the goal of every parent. Raising their child to be self-sufficient, even at the age of 12, like Jesus was, and to have an understanding of God's word. The bible says that at the age of 12, Jesus was without His family for 3 days, which means that he had to find a place to sleep, and food to eat, and to be protected from harms way, and He successfully did so (cf. Luke 2:41-50). Furthermore, he was able to discuss and even teach the things of God to adults. (Not that God is necessarily calling your child to be a bible teacher by the age of 12, but it is biblical to say they should be able to understand God's word, and convey it to others)
This is the also the goal of every parent. Raising their child to be self-sufficient, even at the age of 12, like Jesus was, and to have an understanding of God's word. The bible says that at the age of 12, Jesus was without His family for 3 days, which means that he had to find a place to sleep, and food to eat, and to be protected from harms way, and He successfully did so (cf. Luke 2:41-50). Furthermore, he was able to discuss and even teach the things of God to adults. (Not that God is necessarily calling your child to be a bible teacher by the age of 12, but it is biblical to say they should be able to understand God's word, and convey it to others)
In both of these examples we see parents dedicating their baby to God, with the intent of raising them in the admonition of the Lord, and at the same time setting the example for their children of what it means to follow God. And because they were committed to doing this, we see the fruit of their labors through their child's life. Their children grew to not only be used by God, but to inspire the world to do the same.
Obviously we cannot raise our children to be Jesus, but we can certainly raise them to be like Jesus, and to also be like the prophet Samuel who represented God, and powerfully proclaimed God's Word. Simply put, we try to encourage parents to raise their children, "in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). This is what we ask of the parents who choose to dedicate their babies to the Lord, and this is also why it is important for believing parents to dedicate their children to the Lord.
It is a public profession of accountability to the Lord, to commit their lives to raising their children in a way that honors God. While at the same time it is also an opportunity for them to publicly present their children to Jesus, so that the body of Christ can come along side of them, and encourage them in this awesome and difficult task of raising godly kids.
In addition to this, we know that Jesus Himself laid hands on children and prayed for them. In Matthew 19:13-15 the Bible says; Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." And he laid his hands on them and went away.
So we see from the Bible that Samuel and Jesus were both dedicated to the Lord as babies, and when Jesus was doing ministry He also laid hands on and prayed for children.
It is a public profession of accountability to the Lord, to commit their lives to raising their children in a way that honors God. While at the same time it is also an opportunity for them to publicly present their children to Jesus, so that the body of Christ can come along side of them, and encourage them in this awesome and difficult task of raising godly kids.
