0000022092 00000 n Children and families are at the heart of the Kingdom of God and the gospel message itself. This may help you explain a baby dedication to your friends and family who may be unfamiliar with this practice. [11] This public commitment is followed by one or more prayers and a blessing by the pastor, often after the latter has taken the child into his arms. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. trailer /CropBox [ 0 0 612 792 ]
Resources and learning opportunities are provided for the new parents desiring to dedicate their child to the Lord.
I think the approach I’ve described removes the “sacramental” feel that accompanies infant baptism. This meant everything to them. Through Simeon [at Christ's dedication as a baby in the temple] it is revealed that the Messiah is to have no unobstructed passage through the world. Do you now dedicate your children to the Lord who gave them to you all, surrendering all worldly claims upon their lives in the hope that they will belong wholly to God?
I take the initiative to contact them. As you can see in the examples of Hannah and Mary, New Testament and Old, child dedication is in harmony with Biblical principals. In the time she lived, having children meant everything to a woman. /S 286
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778 326 556 641 ] ] The use of dedication varies widely from denomination to denomination. The Protestant denominations do not view infant baptism as an act of salvation and rather view infant baptism as a biblical sacrament akin to circumcision that requires faith whether at the onset or later. The parents are publicly pledging … You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.". 0000014124 00000 n What Does the Bible Say About Church Discipline? Do you promise to provide, through God’s blessing, for the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of your children, looking to your own heavenly Father for the wisdom, love and strength to serve them and not use them?
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A person will be remembered through the life of their descendants. Churches that practice this form of baptism view it as a sacrament of the church. Not only were Mary and Joseph doing what the Lord asked, but there were other people waiting to gain a blessing from the event. A closing hymn may also be sung by the congregation. 0000010181 00000 n Do you today recognize these children as the gifts of God and give heartfelt thanks for God’s blessing? 0000027837 00000 n endobj