to dedicate my child the pastor wants me to prove myself first, is that right in the bible?

Question

i dont think i should have to do nething in order to dedicate my child to the Lord, can anyone give me some verses from the bible that speaks of dedications?

Answer 1

Without more details of what was said, it is almost impossible to respond properly to your question.

First, since your church apparently dedicates infants instead of baptizing them, I assume it is a church that believes in adult baptism only. That baptism is done only after the person has demonstrated their faith in God and their willingness to live a Christian life.

I may be wrong, but I wonder if you are a regular church attender. As a pastor who does infant baptism, I have many parents who want their children to be baptized. However, they are not themselves committed to a Christian lifestyle.

I don't mean that judgmentally. I am simply saying that in the baptism service they promise to raise the child in a Christian home and teach them through example to lead a life of prayer and scripture reading. They also promise to raise the child within the church.

If those parents have not been active or have not lived the sort of life in which they are promising to raise the child, then there is a large probability that they will not fulfill their promises.

What is the meaning of a dedication if the promises made are not real or fulfilled. Under those circumstances the church is simply being used and to what purpose? What is the meaning of a dedication without the intent of devoting the life of the child to God?

If your pastor is simply asking that you take the time to develop your own spiritual habits and demonstrate to the church your desire to fulfill the promises you will make at the dedication, that seems entirely honorable to me.

This is where information is missing however. If you are in church every Sunday and are already an active participant in your faith, then the actions of your pastor make no sense. You have also not suggested what he is asking of you. Thus, it may be entirely reasonable or very unreasonable. A month or two of participating in the church on a regular basis to demonstrate your desire to fulfill the vows seems reasonable; a year or two does not.

You asked about the Biblical perspective. Interestingly the most obvious example that I remember of infant dedication in the Bible is the prophet Samuel whose mother in dedicating him as an young child gave him to the priest to raise. The other example is Jesus whose parents were devote and active participants in their faith.

Pastor John

Answer 2

I am also thinking about dedicating my child. However I just recently joined a new church. I am waiting untill I feel that I am more involved in that church and become a member before I ask my pastor. Maybe the pastor just meant that you become more involved. As for some of these other answers..Some were tasteless and downright rude. Look guys we all are free to choose whatever religion we want, but learn to be tolerant of others. P.S I challenge anyone to read the bible (all of it) and come back and say the same thing.

Answer 3

There is no 'dedications" in the bible. There is baptism. Baptizing you baby removes the stain of original sin. Later in life if your child wishes to continue in its religious education they are then confirmed when they reach the age of accountability. I have never heard of dedicating a baby.

Answer 4

Matt. 15:24, 27 In God's plan, the gospel could first be provided to the previous Covenant human beings, via fact of their calling and the household initiatives it entailed. the accumulating of Israel could precede and practice for the accumulating of the Gentiles. Luke 2:40 9, fifty one Jesus shows an understanding of His unique relationship to the daddy, as properly as a understanding of His project. even via fact the Son of God, Jesus remained below the care and coaching of His earthly mothers and dads. John 4:21-24 says You worship what you don't comprehend; all of us comprehend what we worship for salvation is of the Jews. Then Jesus spoke back and reported to them, "maximum in many circumstances I say to you, the Son can do no longer something of Himself, yet what He sees the daddy do; for in spite of He does, the Son additionally does in like way. (see John 5:19-23) Eph. 3:3, 6 says how that with the help of revelation He made primary to me the secret that the Gentiles could be fellow heirs, of a similar physique, and partakers of His promise in Christ for the duration of the gospel Matt. 7:6 the two metaphors (canines, swine) are Jewish. They talk with completely unreceptive persons, Jew or Gentile. Matt. 18:12-14 "For the Son of guy has come to shop that which became lost." The term babies is likewise related with lost and off beam with the help of the connective for, which starts off v. 11, calling for situation in the direction of members of the community who've fallen away. remark i'm blessed that I incredibly have won this question for i haven't been interior the Scripture for it sluggish. thank you be to God.

Answer 5

Lissa,
There is NOTHING in the BIBLE about such a practice. There is no "dedication" in the Bible. IT is a man-made practice. Children must make up their own minds and become Christians on their own. As a parent, we are to teach them about HIS WORD but we are not told to have such a practice in the Church. I am a Non-Denominational Christian and would be glad to help you find a Church in your area if you are interested in following ONLY what the BIBLE says. Have a great day!
Thanks,
Eds (Christian)


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Answer 6

That's like saying we have to get our lives right before we come to Jesus.
Child dedication is one of the greatest moments in life between a parent, child and God. I encourage you to not let man made rules damper this love offering you are about to perform. Peace be with you!

Answer 7

WHAT!! That is ridiculous- it sounds like it is a cult instead of a Christian church where a parent desires to dedicate their child to the Lord. What is it that he wants you to prove? WOW!!

Answer 8

when dedicating at my church, the parent's profess their DESIRE to be godly parents and raise their child to be a godly person. the congregation then says 'we will' - when asked by the pastor 'will we pray for this family and support them on their journey?'

all you can do is try, honey - even if you did do something to PROVE yourself first, what's to say you wouldn't mess up every step you took after that?

seems weird to me -- what is he gonna do? NOT bless your child?

edit:
you know, when a person who believes in God is asking another person who believes in God a perfectly valid question - people who don't believe in God should just leave them alone and go answer other questions. y'all are ruining the site for everyone - it amounts to graffitti (i don't go around messing with the atheist section)

Answer 9

It IS proving yourself that you even WANT to dedicate your child to God....the pastor is not the judge!

Answer 10

what cult is this you belong to? frankly I'd tell the pastor to take a long walk off a very short pier. You don't need him, or anyone else if you want to dedicate your child to anything. It is an inner spiritual promise you are making. No outward show is anything more than just a show.