Child dedication is not to be associated with infant-baptism.  There is no Biblical support for the practice of baptizing infants.  Due to the varied backgrounds and religious training that most people have gone through, it is important to stress that baby dedication is not a substitute for personal baptism. Finally, it is important to stress that the absence of child dedication does not ultimately hinder the child in their walk nor release them from their individual scriptural responsibilities.

There are only two particular scripture passages used to encourage baby dedication and they are found in I Samuel 1:11,20,27-28 and Luke 2:22-23.  The first passage recounts Hannah’s travail for a child and subsequent dedication of Samuel to minister to the Lord for the rest of his life.  The second passage deals with Joseph and Mary dedicating Jesus as their first-born son according to the Law.

It is important to understand that Jesus was dedicated to fulfill the Law, and Samuel, three years after fulfilling the same dedication was dedicated again as a permanent minister in the Temple. Neither of these passages, or any others, stress nor obligate that we dedicate our children as part of God’s New Covenant church.

So why do we do it?  Baby dedication is an opportunity for believing parents to dedicate themselves publicly to the raising up of their child in the ways of the Lord.  It is a public exercise of a vow made by parents and even the congregation themselves to provide a godly environment and example to the child.  In no way does this vow insure salvation.  Every child at the age of accountability must come to their  own decision to  make Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of their lives.