Baby Dedication (Implied In The Scriptures)

Luke 2:21-22, "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;"

Mary presented Jesus, her first-born son to the Lord in Jerusalem. Jesus was not baptized till He was 30 years old, but was presented when he was eight.

Hannah, the mother of Samuel dedicated her son to the Lord in this story:

I Samuel 1:24-28, "And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young. And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there."

Every parent should realize that children are a heritage from the Lord. They are a reward from God. Psalms 127:3, "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

It might be wise, but not necessary for a parent to "officially" dedicate their child to the Lord in a public service. That is between the parents and God.

The leadership of North Ridge Community Church recommends that parents take their children to Sunday School and church on a weekly basis (don't send them, take them). The leadership also recommends that parents strive to have a Christian home where each parent is a believer in Jesus Christ, a student of the Bible and a man or woman of prayer. No religious leader or religious ordinance or sacrament can make a child right with God. Only his or her faith in Jesus Christ can save them when they are of age.

Parents should not fear for the child, but for themselves that they will live a good example and testimony before their children while they are growing up so that child will not be turned off by hypocrisy.

Ephesians 6:4, "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."