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mudweise,
The idea of that comes from the bible.
Jesus was one of thousands of children that were dedicated to God as the Holy Scripture instructed.
In other cases a child born was believed to be the Lord's and the parent could buy back the child who would work on the farm or whatever.
It is an ancient practice.
Another is as the child ages giving that child the opportunity to be exposed to various faiths to see if the child is interested in any of them.
Peace and kindness,
Fred
Albear,
Here is what i think the difference is... the child has NO say in the dedication....it is simply something that parents do to show the Lord they want to raise them to belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. Again, you will NOT find this "dedication" thing in the NT writings of the Apostle Paul to the Church. It is something that some churches or parents want to do.
Baptism is different. It is something a Christian does after he becomes saved. The Lord Jesus asked us to be baptized. It is an outward showing of an inward change. Many people baptize their children as infants or before they understand or before they even have had the chance to accept Christ. I personally do not believe it is biblical. It is biblical to wait until the person accepts Christ and then follows in believers baptism.
Do you have to present your child[ren] to the Lord?
No.
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Where in the bible does it say that you have to go to the alter of a church and present your child?
It doesn't say a thing, though in the OT God said to "Consecrate to me every firstborn male." That is what Joseph and Mary did when they presented Jesus in Jerusalem. As others have said it's a decision by the parents to dedicate their child to God and raise the child "up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Eph 6:4)
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As a parent, if you do not do this are you damned to hell?
I don't believe there are any specific provisions for that.
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A Christian friend keeps insisting I do this, and I disagree completely.
Christian friends often have good intentions and I'm sure this was the best of intentions, but Christian friends should also just butt out some times. It's a great thing to dedicate your kids to God, but it doesn't take any public ritual to do that. That's between you and God.
Albear,
Here is what i think the difference is... the child has NO say in the dedication....it is simply something that parents do to show the Lord they want to raise them to belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. Again, you will NOT find this "dedication" thing in the NT writings of the Apostle Paul to the Church. It is something that some churches or parents want to do.
Baptism is different. It is something a Christian does after he becomes saved. The Lord Jesus asked us to be baptized. It is an outward showing of an inward change. Many people baptize their children as infants or before they understand or before they even have had the chance to accept Christ. I personally do not believe it is biblical. It is biblical to wait until the person accepts Christ and then follows in believers baptism.
right ok that makes sense ,i agree with you about being baptised, that the person should decide and not their parents, when they can make their own choice (i was baptised as a baby, and i dont believe their is a god, although im open to the posibility of their being one)
A child should be presented before the Lord at the age of accountability. Usually around eight years old in the laws of our church. This has given both child and parents time to think about what it means.
When a child has been baptized, and been blessed with the Holy Spirit it only can offer us a peace of mind . We as parents are following Gods Commandments.
If we ignore our duties, there can be adverse affects. For example , the child gets sick, God knows him, but as parents you failed to do as you were commanded to do in faith. Dies , will the child be taken care of under the covenants ,of HIS ( Gods)laws ( not mans) .Do you know when your ticket will be punched? your childes? I am sure that is what your friend is thinking.
A child should be presented before the Lord at the age of accountability. Usually around eight years old in the laws of our church. This has given both child and parents time to think about what it means.
Fiddlesticks! Hogwash! Poppycock!
At the age of 8; common' now. At 8 years old I was still learning how to multiply! How could it be expected that an 8 year old would understand religion, sorry Christianity.
What are children taught when it comes to Christianity?
Don't lie, cheat, steal, murder? Well I you don't need a God to tell you that- it's a matter of having morals. If you as parents are Christians, then that's one thing but to "make" your child go up to follow some religious ritual is ridiculous in my opinion. Why not let the child grow up knowing that he can do so when feels right to? If anything I see this as a way for parents to show off how Christian they are, it's more of a people pleaser if you ask me.
8 years old seriously..
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When a child has been baptized, and been blessed with the Holy Spirit it only can offer us a peace of mind . We as parents are following Gods Commandments.
For one didn't Jesus get baptized at a LATER age. A baptism should be for adult men and women who make a deliberate choice of doing so.
Once again if a child at 8 years old can honestly say "I want to be baptized" without ANY pressure then that's fine.
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If we ignore our duties, there can be adverse affects. For example , the child gets sick, God knows him, but as parents you failed to do as you were commanded to do in faith. Dies , will the child be taken care of under the covenants ,of HIS ( Gods)laws ( not mans) .Do you know when your ticket will be punched? your childes? I am sure that is what your friend is thinking.
Now this part completely confuses me. It makes no sense.
Are you telling me that if we ignore our "biblical" parental duties and our children get sick and die it's OUR fault as parents?! Now that is BS.
A child should be presented before the Lord at the age of accountability. Usually around eight years old in the laws of our church. This has given both child and parents time to think about what it means.
When a child has been baptized, and been blessed with the Holy Spirit it only can offer us a peace of mind . We as parents are following Gods Commandments.
If we ignore our duties, there can be adverse affects. For example , the child gets sick, God knows him, but as parents you failed to do as you were commanded to do in faith. Dies , will the child be taken care of under the covenants ,of HIS ( Gods)laws ( not mans) .Do you know when your ticket will be punched? your childes? I am sure that is what your friend is thinking.
You couldn't be more wrong. There is NO WHERE in the NT under Christianity where a child SHOULD be presented before the Lord AT ANY AGE. Salvation is a personal choice...i can't make it for my boys anymore than they can make it for me. What I can do and what I do do...is lead them, teach them, pray with them. THAT is my ONLY duty before the Lord. It is NICE to stand before a church and let everyone know that I am raising my child to believe in the LOrd Jesus. NICE! not mandatory...not necessary and more importantly....it doesn't save them or mean they will choose to follow. The Holy Spirit is the ONLY one that can convict them and lead them to salvation in Christ alone.
,i agree with you about being baptised, that the person should decide and not their parents, when they can make their own choice (i was baptised as a baby, and i dont believe their is a god, although im open to the posibility of their being one)
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