Baptism Info
What is a Baby Dedication?
What is a baby dedication?
Many Christian churches practice Baby Dedications instead of infant Baptism. A Baby Dedication is a ceremony for babies younger than 5, in which a Christian father and mother make a commitment before the Lord to submit a child to God’s will and to raise that child according to God’s Word and God’s ways. As a parent, you have the greatest influence in your child’s spiritual upbringing, teaching your child what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus. We are so excited to come alongside you as you begin this parenting adventure.
Responsibilities involved in a baby dedication?
Christian parents who dedicate a child are making a promise to the Lord to do everything within their power to raise the child in a godly way, prayerfully until he or she can make a decision on his or her own to follow God. Parents who make this vow of commitment are instructed to raise the child in the ways of God and His Word, and not according to their own ways. Some of the responsibilities include teaching and training the child in God’s Word, demonstrating an example of godliness, disciplining according to God’s ways, praying earnestly for the child, and faithfully bringing them to Church.
Examples of baby dedications in scripture:
Hannah dedicated Samuel to God. “And she Hannah made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 1 Samuel 1:11 When God answered Hannah’s prayer by giving her a son, she remembered her vow: “As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life, he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:26-28 Jesus was dedicated in the Temple. Luke 2:22, “When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.”
If you are interested in a baby dedication please contact Pastor Jordan at forstonj@verizon.net
Water Baptism
Baptism doesn’t make you a member of God’s family, it shows you are part of God’s family. It’s about going public with your faith. Christ called it our first step of obedience– an outward expression of your inner commitment to God. Here’s an overview of what you should know before getting water baptized.
There are three steps to following Jesus:
- Decision with your mind. The most famous Scripture in the Bible is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.” When you believe, that is a decision that is made in your mind.
- Repentance in your heart. Repentance happens in your heart when you are remorseful and turn from your sins to God.
- Baptized with your body. Being baptized is something we do with our bodies. When we get baptized, we are making a public declaration with our bodies what God has done in our minds and in our hearts.
Jesus asks each of us to declare our faith in Him in this incredible and exciting way. It’s an awesome occasion and one that we can’t wait to celebrate with you. If you haven’t been baptized as an adult, now is a perfect time.
The Standard of Water Baptism
The biblical pattern was to first make a decision to follow Jesus and get water baptized right away or shortly afterward. (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47-48, Romans 6:4) Most followers of Jesus in the New Testament were baptized immediately. The only requirement that we have for baptism is that you have made the decision to follow Jesus.
The Source of Water Baptism
The practice of baptism by immersion is taught in the Bible. All who followed Christ were baptized. They declared to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in the newness of life.
The Symbolism of Water Baptism
Water Baptism is an outward act that symbolizes an inner work of salvation. It symbolizes that our old life is buried with Christ and we rise up as new creations in Christ.
The Significance of Water Baptism
We are free from the power of sin. We now have the power to say “yes” to God and “no” to sin. We are declaring that we are new creations in Christ.
If you are interested in being baptized please email Pastor Jordan at forstonj@verizon.net