Why We Dedicate Infants At Forefront Church

Churches all over the world, practice something called, "Baby Dedication" or "Infant Dedication" as a statement of faith.

A Baby Dedication is a ceremony where parents make a commitment before God and the congregation to raise their child according to the teachings of Jesus.

"Ceremony" matters. It is not magical, but it is spiritual. The things that we believe and commit to have the power to change the trajectory of our lives. This is why Baby Dedication is important to us as a congregation.

An Example From The Bible

And she 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." 

- 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

SO WHY NO INFANT BAPTISM?

When we look into the scriptures, we see that people practice baptism when they reach an understanding of why and what they are committing to.

Baptism requires a "choice" based on an understanding of who Jesus was- what he lived, died, and rose to accomplish.  

As infants are not at a point in their understanding of God to be in a position to make this choice just yet, we practice infant dedication instead of infant baptism. The dedication is intended to be a commitment to raise the chid in such a way that when they reach that age of understanding, that they will choose to be baptized.

Have More Questions?

If you have more questions or would like to have your child dedicated at Forefront Church on March 22, please contact one of the Family Ministry Directors at either of our locations. 

For the Manhattan location, contact Marlee Walters.

For the Brooklyn location, contact Ashley Barnes.