Last weekend Ezra was dedicated. It was a very special day for us as a family. Most of our siblings were there. We were disappointed that it didn’t work out for Corey’s parents to be there, and some of my siblings, but there will be more children and more dedications!
The week before the dedication, we took a class at which the group of parents were divided in their plans- some would baptize their children, some chose to dedicate. One would think that it would be difficult to be in a situation like that, however, I was surprised- refreshed- moved- and challenged to reconsider my preconceived ideas about what child dedication and infant baptism truly mean.
I grew up with a family background of dedication. Corey grew up with a background of infant baptism. So how would we decide what was best for our children? Initially it was a decision of who feels the strongest about “their way”? I came away from the class with an entirely different perspective. Both dedication and baptism in their core essence are the same thing. One who follows Christ knows that their child is not their own, but a gift from God, which should be offered back to Him as a sign of surrendering to His will, and a recognition of the gift received. The act of both dedication and baptism is also to allow the child to receive the gift of grace which God gives to all people who open themselves to Him. Whether a child is sprinkled with water or simply receives the laying on of hands, they are still receiving the same gift of grace from God.
Yes there may be some technical differences. Those who are sprinkled as infants or children do not also participate in “believer baptism” at an age where they can understand what it means to be”saved by grace” and become a follower of Jesus and publicly announce that through dunking/baptism. They do however take time to study scripture, learn of Jesus ways, and make a decision to confirm their faith publicly in the presence of their church community. A child who is dedicated should also go through that same education, growing learning period and when ready to declare their faith in Jesus, they go through believer baptism. Both ways recognize that an individual must personally receive the gift of grace from God, and both ways encourage a person to publicly announce that to their church family.
By dedicating Ezra last weekend at our church [Quest] Corey and I are recognizing him as a gift, just as Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple. We also dedicated him in order that he might receive the gift of grace from God, and walk in that knowing he is a child of God all his life. And we dedicated him in our church community because we know that raising a child is not an endeavor we can take on alone. As pastor Eugene would say, we are not an island and if Corey and I ever think we have it all together, we are the perfect parents, or as I used to say, I can do it ALL by myself, somebody please rebuke us! We need the love, care, wisdom and encouragement of our family, friends, and church.
And when Ezra chooses to receive the gift of grace that has been offered to him, but asking Jesus into his heart, we will REJOICE! And when he chooses to publicly announce his faith, we will REJOICE! And we rejoice with the people who have helped us along the way.
