What is the Difference Between Child Dedication and Baptism?

This is a question many parents have regarding their newborn infant or young child. And since families of Old Town come from various religious and cultural backgrounds, this explanation has been prepared.

PART I

CHILD DEDICATION/DEDICATION OF CHILDREN

This service is actually a Parent Commitment Service. "A promise of parents to offer their child (usually in infancy) to the Lord and to dedicate themselves to the rearing of the child for the glory of God."

Parent Commitment/Child Dedication

1. This is meant to give parents of young children an opportunity to recognize God's gift of a child to them. (Psalm 127:3)

2. The parents' declaration of their intent to raise their child in a Christian environment. (Deut 6:5-7)

3. A challenge to parents to religiously guide and educate their child. (Eph. 6:4)

4. A challenge for parents to lay a foundation of learning about God.

As parents we cannot 'decide' our child's salvation for them. Each person must make their own decision about their relationship with Christ. When a child becomes old enough to understand the concept of sin and their responsbility for that sin before God, they are then ready to make a decision about salvation.

Parents can, however, lay a foundation by their teaching and example that helps a child to be ready to make that decision when the time comes. (An illustration of this is marriage. We don't decide when or if our child will marry and we can't guarantee a happy marriage. However, our positive example can lay a foundation for them making a good decision when the day comes.)

This dedication is not a Baptism. It is not a sacrament. It does not impart salvation to the child.

Child Dedication-Parent Commitment Services is viewed as a confirmation between the parents and the church to raise the child in a Godly way until the child is old enough to make their decision and accept Christ as their personal Saviour.

The dedication of children is taught in the Bible. As a baby, Jesus was dedicated by his parents (Luke 2:22-25). Jesus also bestowed "blessings of the children". (Mark 10:16)

PART II

BAPTISM

A. WHO is to be Baptized?

All believers are to be Baptized. (Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:13) Only faith in Christ makes you a believer. The only requirement for baptism is belief in Jesus Christ. We do not baptize children until they are old enough to understand and believe.

B. What is Baptism?

It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian (1 Cor. 15:3, Colossians 2:12, 2 Cor 5:17, Romans 6:4)

C. Baptism does not make you a believer.

It shows that you already are one.

D. Baptism does not save you.

Only your faith in Christ saves you: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith...it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)

PART III

WHAT IF A BABY OR YOUNG CHILD DIES?
(A question of concern for some parents)

A baby does not need to be baptized. He is totally under God's spiritual care until he makes his own decision in older childhood. Yours is the task to commit yourself to raising your child in God's love.

Salvation is granted to children who die in infancy or before the age of accountability (understanding). "This belief is based not on specific scripture, but on an understanding of the nature of God as revealed in Christ. Since an infant does not have the power of self determination, he does not have personal guilt. He has not yet come to the age when he can, of his own free will accept or reject Christ. Therefore, Christ's atonement covers all who die young before reaching the age of accountability."

By: Donald H. Dinninger, Pastor

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Old Town C.O.C. Missions Ministry
The goal of the Mission's Ministry at Old Town C.O.C. is to have a strategic part in fulfilling the great commission by reaching the lost by showing god's love in our communities and beyond..



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