BYBLICAL BRIEFS 10
The dedication of babies is a practice excercised in the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement by which babies are dedicated to God instead of being baptized with water. This is not a Biblical practice, although Mark 10:16 states that Jesus did bless little children by laying hands on them. Furthermore, it is expected of believers to bless others (1 Pet. 3:9), though, this should not be regarded as a dedication to make you part of something in the Body of Christ, or whatsoever. Children can be consecrated to God as Hannah consecrated Samuel to God, for example, but this is something altogether different to what parents’ aim is with the event of dedication. Children of true believers are in any case sanctified, according to 1 Cor. 7:1, and do not need to be dedicated to God by means of a formal event. Yet, this could be done to make it a special occasion for parents, grandparents, family and friends, in order to welcome the newcomer as part of the blessed of the Lord (Gen. 26:29; Matt. 25:34).
Dr. Tom Gouws
