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.

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.

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.


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).

Of course not.. why would you ask me?


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.

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.

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.

No.

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)

I don't believe there are any specific provisions for that.

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.

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.

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..

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.


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

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?