A Parent’s Commitment
During the dedication service parents are asked to make the following commitments…
I acknowledge that my child is a gift from God.
I will be a conduit for God’s love to my child.
I will communicate to my child that he/she matters to God.
I will pray for my child.
I will commit to do all I can to raise my child in a home that honors God, and support his/her spiritual growth.
Baby Dedication is a commitment service where parents promise to raise their child in a God honoring way.
Examples from Scripture: Luke 2:22-25 where we see that as a baby, Jesus’ parents dedicated Him to God’s work; and Mark 10:16 we see Jesus bestowing blessings on the children.
The Dedication ceremony is a time to publicly make a commitment to pray for the child, love the child and guide the child toward a personal relationship with Christ.
as parents are instructed to do in the following verses. (From Holman Christan Standard Translation. )
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Psalm 78: 2-7
2 I will declare wise sayings;
I will speak mysteries from the past
3 things we have heard and known
and that our fathers have passed down to us.
4 We must not hide them from their children,
but must tell a future generation
the praises of the LORD,
His might, and the wonderful works
He has performed.
5 He established a testimony in Jacob
and set up a law in Israel,
which He commanded our fathers
to teach to their children
6 so that a future generation—
children yet to be born—might know.
They were to rise and tell their children
7 so that they might put their confidence in God
and not forget God's works,
but keep His commandments;
Ephesians 6:4
4 And fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. (B) 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Great Bridge Baptist Church does not baptize children until they are old enough to articulate their understanding and belief. The Bible assures us that every baby is secure in the Grace of God. An age or time of personal accountability comes when the individual will decide whether or not to personally respond to the Grace of God offered in personal salvation.