Our Policy for Dedicating Babies and Children

Our Policy for Dedicating Babies and Children

At Jesus Chapel, we do not baptize or “christen” children. We believe baptism is for adults who understand its full meaning. However, we do dedicate babies and young children to the Lord, because we see this in the scriptures. In the Old Testament, God gave clear direction about how babies were to be presented to Him. And in the New Testament, even our Lord Jesus Christ Himself was presented in the Temple. (See Luke 2). For this reason, we are happy to present infants before the Lord and the congregation and pray God’s blessing upon them. However, in saying this, we must also point out that the very best way to “bless” a child is not simply to have a minister pray over them one time, but rather, it is to have godly parents who live a godly and spiritual life before their children and who routinely pray for them and for the entire family. For this reason, when we dedicate a child to the Lord, we always start by asking the parents if it is their intent to raise the child as the Bible teaches, “in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Upon their acceptance of this responsibility, we always pray first for the parents and extended family, that God might help them be that godly example and be those intercessors their child is going to need all of their life. Only then do we turn and pray for the child and dedicate them to the Lord.

If you agree with this approach, and would like your child presented to the Lord in a service, all you need do is contact one of our pastors and make arrangements, and as soon as it is feasible, we will be happy to pray over you and dedicate your child.