NEXT STEPS
BABY DEDICATION
The Mission Church
In the book of 1 Samuel we read about a woman named Hannah who prayed for a Son. When God answered her prayer, with a son who she named Samuel she prayed the following prayer found in 1 Samuel 17:27-28: 27 For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there. In the New Testament we see Mary and Joseph bring baby Jesus to the temple to present Him to God in Luke 2:22. In addition, children were brought to Jesus and he blessed them.
WHAT IS BABY DEDICATION?
The act of dedicating a child to the Lord lets God know that you recognize this child as a gift from Him and your desire is to bring your child up in God’s ways. The dedication ceremony is a public event where parents before God and all present acknowledge and are an example that they are committed to raising up their child according to God’s holy word and with the Holy Spirit’s help.
IS BABY DEDICATION THE SAME AS WATER BAPTISM?
We find in the scriptures where parents brought children to Jesus and he welcomed them. Baptism for children is not found in the scriptures. We believe water baptism should follow a confession of faith unto salvation. At The Mission Church we generally baptized those who are at least 12 years of age and up.
CAN A SINGLE PARENT DEDICATE A CHILD?
A parent whether single, widowed or married may dedicate their child to the Lord. The act of dedicating a child to the Lord represents a commitment on behalf of the parent(s) to bring up their child according to the word of God. We do encourage all single parents to communicate with the other parent if possible, to let them know that you are endeavoring to raise up your child in God’s ways. The Mission Church strongly supports all families married, widowed, single as they strive to provide a Christian foundation for their children.
DO I HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE MISSION CHURCH?
You do not have to be a member of The Mission Church, however, we do ask that you be a member that regularly attends, an adherent.
AT WHAT AGE CAN A CHILD BE DEDICATED?
We don’t have a set age, however, we normally see infants being dedicated. We occasionally have an older child being dedicated because they were not dedicated as an infant or parents wanted to wait and dedicate the child with their sibling. There is no hard rule with age.
WHO CAN I SPEAK TO IF I HAVE OTHER CONCERNS?
If you have any more questions regarding child dedication, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the church via email info@missionchurch.com or 845-878-3380.
Take the next step and dedicate your child(ren) today!