Baby Dedication: What is it? Is it necessary?

 

What is baby dedication?

In the majority of Protestant denominations that practice it, child dedication is a symbolic ceremony undertaken by Christian parents soon after the birth of a child. Some churches perform these ceremonies en masse and have several couples and children participating at the same time. The rite is intended to be a public statement by the parents that they will train their children in the Christian faith and seek to instill that faith in them. The congregation often responds through responsive reading or some other method to affirm that they, as a church family, will also seek to encourage the parents to bring up the child in the faith. There is no implied salvation in the ceremony, and it varies from church to church.

The idea of dedicating a child to the Lord can certainly be found in the Bible. Hannah was a barren wife who promised to dedicate her child to God if He would give her a son (1 Samuel 1:11). Luke 2:22 begins the account of Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the temple after forty days in order to dedicate Him to the Lord. This was slightly more involved since it involved a sacrifice, but once again this ceremony did not indicate any level of salvation.

Child / baby dedication is not one of the two ordinances—baptism and the Lord’s Supper—required of Christians in the New Testament. As Christians, we are baptized and participate in the Lord’s Supper as outward and public signs of what Christ has done within us. While baby dedication is not an officially instituted ordinance of the church, there does not seem to be any conflict with Scripture as long as parents do not view it as assuring the salvation of the child.  (Source: gotquestions.com)

Hello, Friends. As this article explains, it is not something that is necessary to do. However, I believe it is a good thing we can do for our babies and even our older children, if we have come to Christ after they have passed the infant stage. 

My parents dedicated me as an infant, and I believe it was really the beginning of my love for Jesus. And as an 8-year-old my father led me to Jesus.

I can't say that my life has been perfect because of it. I have had many bumps along the way. But I can say that I believe God has been with me during all the years that the bumps have gotten in the way. He has been ever faithful to me, even when I haven't been faithful to Him. 

Revelation 15:8

8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled

And the temple; that is, the church, as temple most ordinarily signifieth in this book.

Was filled with smoke: by smoke, doubtless, is meant confusions and troubles.

From the glory of God, and from his power; caused by God’s glorious manifestation of his power, in bringing antichrist to ruin, who had so twisted his interest with that of the civil magistracy in several kingdoms, that there was no rooting him out, without a terrible shaking of all those parts of the earth where he set his foot.

And no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled; so as no part of the church could be at rest until God had fulfilled his ruin by these plagues: nor must any quiet state of the church be expected, until this great work be effected.

(Source: Mathew Pooles Commentary)

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. This will conclude our study of these subjects. I will be taking a break over the weekend and we will begin a new study on Monday, September 7th. I am not sure where our next subject will land, so pray with me, that I will find what God would have us look at.  Have a wonderful weekend. God Bless!

Infant Baptism

 

What does the Bible say about it?

The Bible is silent on infant baptism, or paedobaptism (also spelled pedobaptism). There is no record of a baby being baptized in the New Testament. Nevertheless, infant baptism has been practiced by many Christian churches throughout history and as early as the second century.

By Augustine’s time (AD 354—430), infant baptism was accepted as a standard procedure in Christianity. Today, Roman Catholics, most Orthodox churches, Lutherans, Anglicans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Reformed traditions, and Methodists practice infant baptism.

However, during the Protestant Reformation, infant baptism came under examination. Many Protestant groups, particularly the Anabaptists, challenged the idea of infant baptism, believing that baptism should be reserved for those who first make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. This view is known as believer’s baptism, or “credobaptism.”

Jesus was baptized by John (Matthew 3:13–17; Luke 3:21) and taught His disciples to baptize those who repented of their sins, believed in Him, and received salvation in His name (Acts 2:4, 38; 9:17–18; Matthew 28:19). Those who hold to believer’s baptism see it as an important initial act of obedience that a person makes after accepting Jesus as Lord—baptism is a public testimony of faith. And baptism by immersion clearly shows one’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (see Acts 2:38–41; 16:29–34; and Romans 6:3–4). Pouring or sprinkling, the method used in infant baptism, fails to illustrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Those who oppose infant baptism stand on the New Testament’s repeated emphasis on repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. An infant cannot repent and place his or her faith in Christ. A newborn cannot understand the gospel and consciously decide to obey and submit to Jesus. Babies are unaware of the spiritual significance of water baptism. Credobaptists insist that baptism, being an act that follows salvation, should only be performed on those who have chosen to believe in and follow Christ.

Since the original word translated as “baptize” means “to dip or immerse in water,” believer’s baptism is usually done by total immersion. Infant baptism typically involves sprinkling with water or pouring water over the forehead. Thus, it’s a stretch to say the definition of baptism covers the methodology employed in infant baptism.

Many Christian traditions that support infant baptism do so because they understand baptism to be the New Covenant equivalent of circumcision. Just as circumcision joined Old Testament Hebrews to the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, baptism is believed to join a person to the New Covenant of salvation through Jesus Christ. This view is based on the apostle Paul’s statement in Colossians 2:11–12: “When you came to Christ, you were ‘circumcised,’ but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead” (NLT).

GotQuestion’s view of this passage is that Paul is not replacing the Old Testament rite of circumcision with the New Testament ordinance of baptism; rather, he uses both circumcision and baptism as analogies of spiritual truth. The fact that circumcision does not equate with baptism is shown in Paul’s teaching that Christians have been both circumcised and baptized. The circumcision is, of course, spiritual, “made without hands” (Colossians 2:11, ESV). And, again, being joined to the New Covenant requires a volitional act of faith—something infants are incapable of doing. Faith in Jesus Christ, and not works such as baptism (or circumcision), enables one to enjoy the blessings of the New Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 9:15).

Churches that practice infant baptism often hold that baptism is how a person receives the Holy Spirit. They base this belief on Peter’s words in Acts 2:38: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” According to many paedobaptists, baptism sets the child apart and secures salvation. They also cite household baptisms in the New Testament as evidence that whole families were saved and baptized (assuming that children and babies were included), and not just adults (see Acts 11:14; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:16). But this assumption goes beyond what the text of the Bible says.

Neither infant baptism nor adult baptism can save a person. We are saved by grace through faith and not by works (Romans 3:28; 4:5; 5:1; Ephesians 1:13; 2:8–9; Galatians 2:16; 3:24; Philippians 3:9). It does not matter if you were baptized by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling—if you have not first trusted in Christ for salvation, baptism (no matter the method) is insufficient to save.

If Christian parents wish to dedicate their child to Christ, a baby dedication service is appropriate, but there is no biblical mandate or example of baptizing a baby. Whether an infant is dedicated or baptized or both, he or she will, at some point in the future, still have to make a personal decision to repent of sin and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.

Hello, Friends. Before we leave this study on Baptism, the afore article above mentions Baby Dedication and gives us a link to that. You are most welcome to use it to read  about what this if, if you do not know. However, I will use that as my post for tomorrow, if you do not have or want to take the time to go to it today.

Revelation 15:7

7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 15:7 depicts a heavenly scene where one of the four living creatures gives seven angels seven golden bowls filled with God’s complete and righteous wrath, symbolizing the execution of divine judgment.

Context and Imagery

In this verse, John’s vision places us in the heavenly realm, specifically in the presence of God’s temple, surrounded by worshiping beings including the four living creatures and twenty-four elders. The four living creatures are powerful, obedient beings who continually worship God and act as intermediaries in executing His will (Revelation 4:6-8) Bible Hub+1. The seven angels are prepared to carry out the final judgments on earth, each holding a golden bowl filled with God’s wrath godsbless.ing+1. The number seven symbolizes completeness and divine perfection, indicating that God’s judgment is total and comprehensive bible.art.

Symbolism of the Golden Bowls

The golden bowls recall sacred temple vessels, once used for incense representing prayers (Exodus 25:29; Revelation 5:8). In Revelation 15:7, these bowls now contain God’s wrath, showing that divine justice responds to human sin and the prayers of the faithful Bible Hub+1. The phrase “full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever” emphasizes that God’s judgment is righteous, measured, and rooted in His eternal nature, not arbitrary anger godsbless.ing+1.

Theological Significance

This verse highlights several key themes:

• Divine Justice: God’s wrath is a response to sin and rebellion, ensuring that justice is upheld across creation bible.art.
• God’s Sovereignty: Nothing proceeds without God’s authorization; the living creature hands the bowls to the angels only after God’s timing is perfect Bible Hub.
• Final Judgment: The pouring out of the seven bowls, described in Revelation 16, represents the culmination of God’s judgment, paralleling the plagues of Egypt and demonstrating His consistency in dealing with evil Bible Hub+1.
• Encouragement for Believers: The scene reassures the faithful that God’s justice is complete, perfectly timed, and rooted in His holy character Bible Hub+1.

Summary

Revelation 15:7 portrays a solemn handoff in heaven where divine judgment is prepared and authorized. The four living creatures give the seven angels bowls filled with God’s wrath, symbolizing the completion of His righteous judgment. This imagery underscores God’s holiness, justice, and ultimate authority, reminding believers of the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine justice while offering assurance that God’s plan is perfectly executed Bible Hub+2.

Thanks for coming by as always and may God bless your day!

Baptism (In Conclusion/part seven)

Conclusion

The context of 1 Corinthians 15, the agreement with Bible theology and the explanation on punctuation by Dr. Lanier allows us to understand the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:29. This evidence shows us that Paul wasn’t actually promoting baptism for the dead, but rather in 1 Corinthians 15, his main point was showing that the resurrection of the dead was an actual event in which the Corinthian believers could put their faith and hope in.

Why should you care?

Baptism for the dead introduces a dangerous concept, that salvation can come from your own or someone else's works and not through Jesus. Baptism for the dead deceives us into thinking we may have a second chance for salvation after we die. This idea also places our salvation into the hands of another human and not solely into the hands of Jesus Christ.

The Bible says, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). We can only receive salvation through the gift of Jesus. Nothing but Christ can provide salvation.

(Source:bibleinfo.com) 

Revelation 15:7

7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 15:7 depicts one of the four living creatures giving seven angels seven golden vials filled with the wrath of God, symbolizing the execution of divine judgment.

Textual Context

In Revelation 15:7, the verse reads in the King James Version: “And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever” (BibleHub, BibleRef, KingJamesBibleOnline). Other translations use “living creatures” and “bowls” instead of “beasts” and “vials,” but the core imagery remains consistent Bible Hub+2. This verse occurs within a vision of heavenly worship and the preparation for the final judgments upon the earth.

Symbolism

• The Four Living Creatures: These beings, described earlier in Revelation 4, represent powerful, divine agents in God’s heavenly court. They are often interpreted as symbols of God’s omnipotence, vigilance, and the fullness of creation biblerepository.com.
• The Seven Angels: The number seven in biblical literature signifies completeness and divine perfection. These angels act as God’s messengers, tasked with carrying out His final judgments biblerepository.com.
• Golden Vials/Bowls: The golden vessels symbolize both the purity and the solemnity of God’s judgment. They are filled with His wrath, indicating that the forthcoming judgments are righteous and deliberate, not arbitrary biblerepository.com.
• Wrath of God: This wrath is a response to sin, injustice, and rebellion against God’s order. It reflects God’s holiness and commitment to justice, rather than human-like impulsive anger biblerepository.com.

Theological Significance

Revelation 15:7 emphasizes that God’s judgments are executed through His appointed agents in a controlled and purposeful manner. The verse sets the stage for the pouring out of the seven plagues described in Revelation 16, demonstrating God’s authority over creation and the certainty of divine justice BibleGateway.com. It also highlights the balance between God’s wrath and His ultimate plan for redemption, showing that judgment is part of His righteous governance.

Summary

Revelation 15:7 portrays a pivotal moment in the apocalyptic vision where divine judgment is prepared. The imagery of the four living creatures, seven angels, and golden vials conveys the seriousness, completeness, and holiness of God’s wrath, reinforcing the themes of justice, divine authority, and the fulfillment of God’s plan for the world biblerepository.com.

Hello, Friends. This concludes this particular study on Baptism. However, there is one more part of Baptism that I want to cover before we move on to the next bible study. 

And that is Infant Baptism

So many churches baptize their infants. They believe that an infant must be baptized to enter heaven.

Perhaps you yourselves were baptized as infants. But, Is it necessary? Is it even biblical?

This will be tomorrow's topic. So please come back for that lesson, 

Thanks for coming by today, and as always, God bless!