by Ed Ostrom

Created on: May 11, 2009

The Bible does not record one example of child baptism on its sacred pages. Child baptism is a human practice commenced by the humanistic church. The Bible does give examples a beautiful Christian ceremony known as Dedication. This is a very meaningful spiritual exercise and practice. There are at least two examples of it found in the Scriptures:
1. Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord in 1 Samuel 1: 25-28. Then they slaughtered a bull and brought the child to Eli, and she said O my lord, as your soul lives my lord, I am the woman who stood by you, praying to The Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord. So they worshiped the Lord there.

2. When Jesus was eight days old Joseph and Mary brought Him to the Temple to present Him to Lord. Luke 2 25- 35 describes the event when Jesus was brought to the Temple and presented to God. This was a dedication ceremony.

3. Genesis 22:1- 13 describes another example of dedication, howbeit in this case it was not a baby, but was Abraham's son, Isaac, who probably was age 30 when this presentation took place. Genesis 221-2says Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham and said to him Abraham! And he said Here I am. Then God said Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.

I have had the honor in the Pastorate of conducting a number of dedication ceremonies. I have now been retired four years, but from time to time have seen dedication ceremonies in church. Last night I had the joy and privilege of conducting the Dedication ceremony of my five week old grandson In White Rock, British Columbia.

During the ceremony I shared with my daughter and son-in-law and the congregation in the Worship service the thought That there are four essential elements involved in the dedication of one's child to the Lord.

1. Element #1 Giving your child back to God is a Declaration of your love for God. In Genesis 22:2 Abraham was asked to offer to God, his son Isaac, whom he loved. God was saying to Abraham,Prove to me that you love me more than you do your son. This points ahead to the declaration of Jesus in Matthew 10:37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of Me, and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is

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