“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.
“Proverbs 22:6 (NASB)
While Baby Dedication is not mandated in Scripture as is Baptism and Communion, it is a special time for the parents and for children.
“Behold, children are a gift from God, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” Psalm 127:3
The idea of dedicating infants comes from the fact that Jesus was presented to God in the temple shortly after His birth, see Luke 2:22. It was the tradition of the Jewish people to present the first born son to the Lord on the 40th day, after the completion of the days of the mother’s purification per Jewish law. Only the first born was presented to the Lord by the Jewish people.
Baby Dedication is a tradition and not a commandment for the Christian. It is an opportunity for the new parents to thank God for their child and to promise publicly to raise the child in the ways of the Lord. The congregation is challenged to assist the parents in any way needed in raising the child. The child is then presented to God, anointed and prayed over by the pastor and elders. It is a time of celebration for the child’s family as well as the congregation.
Children do not need to be newborn to be presented in dedication to the Lord. Any parent wishing to dedicate their children to the Lord should contact the pastors/elders to discuss and schedule the blessed event.
FWC does not believe in water baptism or christening of infants. An infant would not aware of what is happening to him/her. We believe one must make a public decision for Christ before being water baptized, and an infant cannot do that.