Infant Dedication ????

[Gail 55]

I have a cousin that just had a baby. They wanted to have it Baptized, I was able to explain to them that it should be baby"s decision when she is old enough to know that is what SHE wants. SO the subject of Dedication came up. I DONT know if he parents are saved themselves or not. They dont attend Church. Can omeone help me with this. I will send them this thread. I dont want to tell them wrong. I Think there is more to it than just doing it.Thanks for all help. Gail

[TruthGiver]

I'm sure different churches may have different philosophies, but at my Church when someone dedicates their baby they are offering their child to God and making a commitment to raising the child according to the ways God has told us too. Then when the child is old enough it will make the decision to accept Christ and get Baptised .....or not.

[OwnedByJesus]

Why would someone want to baptize their baby if they do not attend church or are believers themselves? That would be a question for you cousin...it would be a good time to present the gospel to them and what it means to be born-again.

Our church does as TruthGiver's does.

[JIM]

Gail,
You wrote:I DONT know if he parents are saved themselves or not. They dont attend Church.
If the parents are believers dedication nor baptism would matter. My background is as a presbyterian where we baptise infants. But only the children of believers are baptised since only believing families could carry the responsibility, along with the covenant commuity, of bringing up that child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. As such I could tell you my pastor would not baptise the child. The same would be, or should be, with dedication where the parents are believers who promise to raise the child up in the faith, along with the church as well.

Owned, brings up a great point when they write:it would be a good time to present the gospel to them and what it means to be born-again.
I will pray for you as you try to address this question with your cousins that the Lord open their hearts to the gospel and use you as the instrument for their hearing and accepting the gospel.

If they are believers then I hope they would opt to baptise the child. Well what did you expect, I am a presbyterian after all!!:wave

Jim

[Ajani]

Why would someone want to baptize their baby if they do not attend church or are believers themselves? That would be a question for you cousin...it would be a good time to present the gospel to them and what it means to be born-again.

Our church does as TruthGiver's does.

Because they have the erroneous belief that baptism=salvation of the baby's soul, and they want that quick ticket into heaven for their child. It's peace of mind, "just in case" all that God stuff is actually right.

And our church does as ThruthGiver's does, too. The congregation also dedicates itself to coming alongside the family to help them raise the child in God's word and will.

[King of Kings]

I attend a Baptist church and on Mother's Day is when they dedicate those who were born that year. Dedication is a wonderful thing. It allows the parents to publicly say they will raise their child for God. It also allows the congregation to help with this. Support and accountability.

The child as he/she grows will have to make their own decision as to be baptised when that time comes.

I would prayerfully do as others have suggested in speaking with your cousins about their faith and walk. I would make sure they knew that baptism does not assure their child going to heaven on baptism alone as some believe.

[allforHim]

One of the parents would need to be a believer to have the child dedicated.You are offering the child to God and promising to raise the child as a Christian with Christian values.Doesnt sound like she'd be able to promise that.It does sound like a great opportunity to share the gospel though! I will say a prayer for your cousin and that the Lord will give you the right words. :nod

[CaiperLane]

Or maybe it's just a great excuse to throw a party and get presents....