Do you have to present your child[ren] to the Lord?

Where in the bible does it say that you have to go to the alter of a church and present your child?

As a parent, if you do not do this are you damned to hell?

http://ctmi-scotland.org/img/baby%20dedication%20brazilian%20church_2.JPG



A Christian friend keeps insisting I do this, and I disagree completely.

I'm curious to know your opinions or if you have done it yourself or as I have chosen not to do it.

Thanks.

Sarah

Is your friend referring to baptism?

The Bible talks about Baptism and some sects, Like Catholicism believe that you should baptize your child.

Is she Catholic?

No she's Pentecostal.

To dedicate your child is when you basically ask the pastor to lay hands on your child and dedicate your child to God.

I don't really have all the information on how it is done, but I know that it is not a baptism.

Sarah

Ohhhh THOSE guys...

(sorry, that pic didn't come up when I was first in here)

Yeah, I think that's pretty secluded to the Pentacostal church. I have seen similar things in the Protestant Church I was raised in but there it was just a prayer for the baby... nothing that was mandatory for the child's or the parents salvation.

As for you, you probably have bigger things to worry about getting "damned to Hell for" than not doing that :D

Are you a Christian? Do you want your child to be a Christian?

What's it supposed to represent?
I understand baptism is washing away the sins... sort of

But to me it sounds like your asking an old man to fondle your kids? - sorry if that's offensive but that is what it sounds like

I'm Agnostic, however I do relate more to being a Unitarian Universalist.

Here's something I got from the net:

As parents presenting your child to the Lord, you signify your own personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. You show a desire to see God's will carried out in the life of your child.

To answer your question Dr.J, No I do not want to choose my child's faith. I believe that children should grow in an open-minded environment where children aren't reprimanded for "unholy" thoughts, nagged if they forgot to pray or fear an entity up above.

Sarah

Regardless of what religion or belief you subscribe to, I would think it unfair that one's eternal destiny is, in any way, altered due to the actions of another... parent or not.

I would hate to find out that I was right and my parents were wrong but since they dedicated me to their church, I was damned to whatever Hell-Equivalent eternity was awaiting me.

I'm Agnostic, however I do relate more to being a Unitarian Universalist.

Here's something I got from the net:


To answer your question Dr.J, No I do not want to choose my child's faith. I believe that children should grow in an open-minded environment where children aren't reprimanded for "unholy" thoughts, nagged if they forgot to pray or fear an entity up above.

Sarah

Sounds like peer preasure to me, doing it to show other people

To answer your question Dr.J, No I do not want to choose my child's faith. I believe that children should grow in an open-minded environment where children aren't reprimanded for "unholy" thoughts, nagged if they forgot to pray or fear an entity up above.

Sarah

It sounds to me like your beliefs seem more reasonable than your friends ;)

A child dedication is the parent(s) of the child telling God that they intend to raise the child up in the truth and knowledge of the Lord.(As did the mother of Samuel) In most protestant churches there is no laying on of hands. Since you admittedly don't know what the truth and knowledge of the Lord is, it would certainly be pointless and meaningless to make this peer pressured gesture.
Regardless, the parent never actually chooses the child's faith. God bids us all to choose on our own. A christian isn't a christian because the parents were, or that they attend a church, or were dedicated, or baptized or "walked forward" at an evangelistic meeting. A christian is one that has been born again by the spirit of God entering and residing in that person. A baby has no knowledge of the word of God.
I'm sorry if you think Christianity is about reprimanding children for thinking unholy thoughts, nagged if they forget to pray or to fear the creator that loves them - this is not what true christianity is about.

A child dedication is the parent(s) of the child telling God that they intend to raise the child up in the truth and knowledge of the Lord.

So really this is a way for the parents to use their child to "come in good graces with God" themselves and has absolutely nothing to do with the child?

My grandbaby pushed the enter button on my comment to homesells reply.

**Exactly anything done for God should be a desire from the heart anything short of that is vain, for show and people pleasing.

The Church that I was attending when my children were babies didn't do baby dedication. I simply dedicated my children to the Lord in prayer. I don't think it is wrong to dedicate a child to the Lord. It only means you want your child to walk with the Lord Jesus and follow Christianity. I do NOT believe one MUST do it. It is a person choice. I have not found anything in the NT where the apostle Paul says we MUST do it or we shouldn't do it. It is NICE to do... that is all.

(note) I'm talking about a dedication to the Lord Jesus not baptism.

I believe you can dedicate your child yourself... but its not required... basically all you are doing is saying 'i will raise my child in the name of the lord and raise her to know, obey, and believe in our savior'

This can be done privately, or at a church, or not at all.

The Church that I was attending when my children were babies didn't do baby dedication. I simply dedicated my children to the Lord in prayer. I don't think it is wrong to dedicate a child to the Lord. It only means you want your child to walk with the Lord Jesus and follow Christianity. I do NOT believe one MUST do it. It is a person choice. I have not found anything in the NT where the apostle Paul says we MUST do it or we shouldn't do it. It is NICE to do....that is all.

(note) I'm talking about a dedication to the Lord Jesus not baptism.

Agreed.

In addition, in many churches they also emphasize three things:

- Acknowledgment that the child belongs to the lord and that ultimately the child is His.
- That the parents commit themselves to raise the child in the knowledge of and the ways of God.
- That the community within the church commit themselves to support the family in their Christian walk and to support them in their efforts to raise the child into a man or woman of God.

So again, this still seems like a practice that solely benefits the parents and not the child.

I mean, if it is written that the parents do not choose the faith of the child, then this dedication has no emphasis on what the child will choose to believe.

It is just the parent saying to the pastor and to the community that they are a good Christian and they will try to teach their child to be the same.

It benefits the child if the parents DO follow through in teaching their kids.
Sort of like if a parent says I promise I will always make sure my kid makes it to their karate class either they follow through and get their kid there every class or they miss the mark on their promise.

It only benefits the child if the child grows up to share the same beliefs as the parents.

With the OP, we have someone who is not a Christian and is being pressured by a Christian friend to dedicate her child to a Christian Church.. or, in my opinion, even worse.. a Pentecostal Church.

Either way, the parents will raise the child the same whether they get up in front of their congregation and make this claim or not.

It's unfortunate to see people do such acts with pride... feeling the need to go before others and say "look at me... Im a good Christian because..."

There was once a pastor at the Christian Church that I was raised in since birth that was starting the offering to raise a certain amount of money needed for a missionary project.

During his prayer asking God to lay upon the hearts of the congregation as He saw fit, he raised his hand and said aloud in all his pride and vanity, "And I will start it off with my own donation of $10,000".

Very sad.

With the OP, we have someone who is not a Christian and is being pressured by a Christian friend to dedicate her child
Very sad.

EXACTLY. They mean well but they are so far off point to think that it would benefit the child. Dedication is for parents who understand, believe and desire it.

or, in my personal opinion, even worse.. a Pentecostal Church.
Very sad.

And I could say the same thing about YOUR church! That has to be one of the rudest comments that I have read on this "Christian" forum in a long time!

So again, this still seems like a practice that solely benefits the parents and not the child.

I mean, if it is written that the parents do not choose the faith of the child, then this dedication has no emphasis on what the child will choose to believe.

It is just the parent saying to the pastor and to the community that they are a good Christian and they will try to teach their child to be the same.

DrJizzle,

The child must eventually make a choice himself... you are correct to say it is more for the parents. I believe it is a way to show the Lord Jesus that you want to raise your child to believe the Bible and Christian teachings. Utlimately it is UP to everyone to decide what they will do with the Lord Jesus Christ.


Personally, I was never dedicated to the Lord as a baby because my parents didn't get saved until later. It really had no impact on my salvation. It is a NICE thing to do before the Lord.

So really this is a way for the parents to use their child to "come in good graces with God" themselves and has absolutely nothing to do with the child?
Are you just trying to be argumentative on this subject?
There are lots and lots of people who go to church on Christmas, mothers/fathers day and Easter and believe that they are Christians. Does not make it so!

The church I belong to believes that baptism is reserved for the time in a persons life when they become fully aware and make the decision to follow Christ. At a young age, parents will bring their child before the congregation and dedicate them. All that means is that they as parents are telling God that they will make every effort to raise that child in a godly home and to understand God and his son Jesus Christ. The congregation is also making a promise to the Lord that they will do what is necessary to help the parent(S) in this process.

And I could say the same thing about YOUR church! That has to be one of the rudest comments that I have read on this "Christian" forum in a long time!

I don't go to church and I am fully entitled to my opinion. This "Christian" forum is not restricted to posts BY Christians... simply posts ABOUT Christianity.



DrJizzle,

The child must eventually make a choice himself....you are correct to say it is more for the parents. I believe it is a way to show the Lord Jesus that you want to raise your child to believe the Bible and Christian teachings. Utlimately it is UP to everyone to decide what they will do with the Lord Jesus Christ.


Personally, I was never dedicated to the Lord as a baby because my parents didn't get saved until later. It really had no impact on my salvation. it is a NICE thing to do before the Lord.

Right... and on the same note, I WAS dedicated to the Church (which I didn't even know about until I asked my mom following this thread) and here I am in my own beliefs (that would contradict those of the Church to which I was dedicated).


Are you just trying to be argumentative on this subject?


Of course not.. why would you ask me?




There are lots and lots of people who go to church on Christmas, mothers/fathers day and Easter and believe that they are Christians. Does not make it so!

And I would hope that no one is arguing that very obvious point.

The difference is that many people simply go to church as a social thing to do because it is part of their belief. Go to church more as a social/moral obligation and follow the church tradition.
Other people go to church with a real desire to follow Christ and be and live an example.

Nohelp,

Big difference in head knowledge and a heart relationship. BIG difference. So many people in church's today can tell you how to get saved but I wonder how many really are. So many show up for the "Christian Holidays" but they have NO relationship with the Lord Jesus.. . I want my walk to be from the heart.. not the head. Going to church never DID save a soul... going to church and having the Holy Spirit convict and enlighten certainly has saved many! It is the same with dedicating our children... it won't save the child.. but it is a step the Lord can see and I don't think He takes it lightly. That is my opinion...

[QUOTE=DrJizzle;1828547]I don't go to church and I am fully entitled to my opinion. This "Christian" forum is not restricted to posts BY Christians... simply posts ABOUT Christianity.

.. or, in my opinion, even worse.. a Pentecostal Church. [quote]

So it is, But you do not have the right to go around making uneducated snide remarks about a persons Christianity or church without being called on the carpet for it.

If you want to debate different religions within the christian faith, by all means start a new thread. Or stick to the topic without your editorializing remarks.

So it is, But you do not have the right to go around making uneducated snide remarks about a persons Christianity or church without being called on the carpet for it.

If you want to debate different religions within the christian faith, by all means start a new thread. or stick to the topic without your editorializing remarks.

My remark was neither uneducated nor snide.

And I am free to speak my opinion just as you are free to "call me on the carpet" all you wish.

If we were discussing child dedication in the Church of Satan, I am sure you would have a similar opinion and feel the freedom to voice it.

Now, back on topic...

If you can't be respectfull of anothers opinions/beliefs, then maybe this isn't the thread/board for you to be on...

*i say this generally, not to one specific person*

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

As a Christian I believe that our son is God's son, 'cause He gave him to us.
So when our son was born, me and my wife stood outside under the night sky, I lifted him up towards the sky and said , '' Lord, this is the son that you gave us and his name shall be called... We thank You and dedicate him to You because he is Your's and we ask You to help us raise him the way You want us to, so that You can glorify Yourself in him''.
But this comes from people who have faith in Jesus Christ.Also this is not a must but I think that this comes as a need after I realize that raising a child is out of my hands and I am totally unworthy and uncapeable.

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

So what's the difference between this and baptism?

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.


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)


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.


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 don't believe there is a god, although I'm 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..


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.



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.

Please explain yourself.

Sarah

adam7gur,
Beautiful!!
Peace and kindness,
Fred

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.

If you can do those things mentioned you can do much worse things as well.

There has been many young children taken over by evil Spirits at a very young age.
Who cares to dispute it.
If So, why not good ones as well?

If you can do those things mentioned you can do much worse things as well.

Your not making sense.

Am I the only here that's confused :confused:

Sarah

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.

So by your logic, there should be no 'non- christians' alive on the earth because god would have killed us all. Hmmmm wonder why that isn't the case?

Your not making sense.

Am I the only here that's confused :confused:

Sarah

Deffinetly not, :)

(Psalm127:3)
Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

We as parents will be held accountable before God for the discharge of the obligations we have as Husbands, Wives, Fathers and Mothers. Families are ordained by God. For us to deny our Saviours teachings, is like his coming to have died for nothing. Was jesus not Perfect in every way? Did he really need to be baptized? He did it to show and teach us what we needed to do .

(Psalm127:3)
Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

We as parents will be held accountable before God for the discharge of the obligations we have as Husbands, Wives, Fathers and Mothers. Families are ordained by God. For us to deny our Saviours teachings, is like his coming to have died for nothing. Was jesus not Perfect in every way? did he really need to be baptized? He did it to show and teach us what we needed to do .

So...

There has been many young children taken over by evil Spirits at a very young age.
Who cares to dispute it.
If So, why not good ones as well?

Are you suggesting presenting my child before the Lord in a church will keep them from evil spirits? Please give me the verse that backs up your thoughts.

Another thread that has gotten completely off the track of the OP's question. Why is that?
The basic question has been answered over and over again. There is NO WHERE in the Bible where it is demanded to present/baptize/dedicate/sprinkle a child. Baptism is reserved for after the age of accountability. Which varies with each child, but generally speaking is somewhere around the age of 13/14. Why do you think that the Jewish nation still practices the barmitzva ritual ? After that in Gods eyes, children have reached a point of knowledge that makes them accountable for their own actions with regards to spiritual things. They can freely choose to accept or reject God.

classyT,
I do agree with you.
Fred

MY TURN AT THIS: I've about heard enough--------------------- Anyone with Christian faith, abides by the traditions of the church; if the church 'dedicates' a child in the name of the Lord in front of the congregation it is showing that the parents and witnesses acknowledge in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, that they "WILL" raise their children in a Christian home, teaching them without reservation of the teachings of God and the Bible. THIS IS A PROMISE to GOD.
There are many in this thread that speak 'of' religion, IT IS NOT religion, it is belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. AND HIS Teaching.
Those that question these teachings you must seek a Man of God (Pastor) to talk to and GET educated; for all the others, MAY God bless you and the children.

Anyone with Christian faith, abides by the traditions of the church

Thankfully, that is not true.

There are many traditions in many churches under the Christian faith and I would bet that even you do not abide by, nor believe in, them all.


There are many in this thread that speak 'of' religion, IT IS NOT religion, it is belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. AND HIS Teaching.

Precisely. But how many of these "traditions" were born of the Church and not of Jesus Christ Himself?

Do you have to present your child[ren] to the Lord?

Where in the bible does it say that you have to go to the alter of a church and present your child?

Sarah

The story of how the baby Jesus himself was presented to the Lord is written in chapter 2 of Luke. It was done to accomplish the law of Moses in circumcising the child and the custom of naming the child before the Lord.

Luke 2:23-24 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

As we understand today, God does not want burnt offering and sacrifices, but instead we come to do thy will, O God. For God taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. This is written in Hebrews 10.

Hebrew 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

What I trust as being important, is doing the will of God, and holding stedfast with full assurance in Faith of Christ Jesus. It is written refer: Phl 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

So presenting the child to the Lord by name, and giving thanks to God for the blessing He has given to the parents, would be an act of love to our Lord in praise of His glory.

sndbay,
I very much agree.
Fred