Baby Dedication

Why 'Dedicated' And Not Baptized?

Children are a gift from God. Psalm 127:3 proclaims that "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him." As believers, we are called to recognize that children belong first and foremost to God. God in His goodness gives children as gifts to parents. They not only have the awesome responsibility of caring for these gifts, but they also have the wonderful privilege of enjoying them. Because children belong to God and are given by grace as gifts to parents, it is only proper and appropriate that children be dedicated back to Him.

Why "dedicated" and not baptized? The Bible calls for every person who has believed in Christ to be baptized. "...those who believed and accepted his message were baptized" (Acts 2:41). "But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women" (Acts 8:12). "Simon himself believed and was baptized..." (Acts 8:13).

The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ. Therefore, we do not baptize children until they are old enough to understand and believe. Until that time, we dedicate these wonderful gifts back to the Lord.

Our next dedication service will be Sunday, February 14.

Contact Debbie Turner in the church office at 281.376.1110, ext. 101 if you are interested in participating in this special event.