This past Sunday we had the joy of having a baby dedication at Lakeside. I heard from family and friends that there was a lot of uncertainty over what a baby dedication is, and so I wanted to take a moment to clarify what is really happening in a baby dedication.
The Parents' Commitment
I remember when my wife and I were preparing to leave the hospital with our firstborn we were required to watch a video instructing parents not to shake their baby, and that was the sum total of the instructions they gave us on parenting. We knew we were supposed to keep the baby alive, but what else were we dedicated and committed to?
A baby dedication is a way for parents to answer that question and commit to loving and pointing their child to Jesus. We asked our parents these questions:
Do you today recognize these children as the gifts of God and give heartfelt thanks for God’s blessing?
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?
Do you commit to set an example by being quick to forgive, quick to repent, and by continually pursuing Christ in your own life through the means of grace God has given – His Word, Prayer, and His people, the church – so that by watching you, they may learn how to grow in wisdom, grace, and love for Christ?
Do you pledge as parents that, with the help of the Spirit, you will seek to love and train these precious gifts in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Praying regularly for their salvation. And always seeking their good?
Even if you are not participating in a baby dedication, I would challenge you to do these things for your children or the children around you.
Not a "Dry Infant Baptism"
Sometimes I have heard Catholics or Presbyterians joke that Baptists might say they disagree with infant baptism, but their baby dedications are simply "dry infant baptisms". However, I want to clarify that a baby dedication does not do anything to save the children. It does not grant them grace. Instead, the parents are simply "surrendering their worldly claims upon the children in the hope that they will belong wholly to God", and they are dedicating themselves or committing themselves to point their children to Jesus. So, no, a baby dedication is not a dry infant baptism. It has no connection to baptism, since baptism is a public profession of faith and an entrance into the church that a believer in Christ makes. In addition, baptism clearly follows the individual's repentance which is why Peter said in Acts 2:38, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Since the child cannot repent and believe the gospel of Christ, this is not their baptism.
It may also help to point out that a baby dedication is not a scriptural command, but simply a helpful moment for parents to commit to do what God has called them to do. There is also one more important element of a baby dedication.
The Church's Commitment
The baby dedication happens within the gathered church for a reason. Yes, parents bear the primary responsibility to disciple their children and help them follow Jesus, but the church also has a role to play. We are called to love, help, and encourage parents in this task. So, at the end of the baby dedication the church made this commitment.
We commit to be faithful to our calling as members of the body of Christ, praying for these parents and the salvation of these children, seeking to show the goodness of Christ so that these children and all other children in our midst may grow up in the knowledge and love of Him. So that they see and know and feel the love of Christ through us.
Children are a sweet blessing from the Lord, and so I hope that you will take time to pray for them and encourage their parents. Maybe that is through a baby dedication, but it could also be through an encourage note, an offer to babysit, serving in the children's ministry, or through helping the parents follow Jesus.
And Parents, whether you participate in a baby dedication or not, please take the commands of scripture seriously (ex. Dt 6:4-9 or Eph 6:4). Be committed not just to your child's physical wellbeing but also their spiritual wellbeing as you seek to lead them to Jesus. Do what Psalm 78 describes, "tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done", and may this lead them to "set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep his commandments."
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