When parents present their children before the Lord for dedication, they consecrate themselves as parents to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. They vow to instruct them in the teachings of Jesus Christ and in the practice of prayer and to guide them in the development of a Christ like character. They also commit themselves to scriptural discipline of their children; that is to spare not the rod but to do so not out of anger but always with love. To the best of their ability they vow to shape the home life of their children, both by words and example, so that the children will at the timely spiritual age seek personal salvation.
The vow is taken before God, the ministry and the church congregation to dedicate children to the Lord Jesus and themselves to the task of rearing them for God. Parents must address themselves faithfully to this sacred obligation, with wisdom, patience, devotion and the Holy Ghost. Having made these vows, they are endowed with the blessing of Jesus our Lord and Savior upon themselves and their children.
God’s word is replete with scripture evidencing that children are to be dedicated to the Lord.
Genesis 18:19 says:
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he has spoken of him.”
In
Deuteronomy 6:6-7, we find these words about how we are to instruct our children concerning God: “
And those words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; And thou shalt teach them diligently unto they children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
Then, in
Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Matthew 19:13-15 says: “
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.”
In 1 Samuel 1:20 & 24-28 & 3:19, we find the story of Hannah and her son Samuel. Hannah had “… asked him of the Lord.” and therefore, named him Samuel. When he was still very young, the scriptures say she took him to the house of the Lord of Shiloh – Eli and, dedicated him to the Lord. She said, “… For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord, And, he worshipped the Lord there. And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.”
Then, in Luke 2: 21-2, we find passages where Jesus was presented to the Lord. The scriptures say, in part: “…his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb…. they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;”
Respect in any relationship is important and especially in marriage. In the Greek sanctified means venerate (respected) and Holy means blameless.
1 Corinthians 7:14 says: “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean, but now are they holy.” Here we find that the husband and wife are to be respected by each other and their children are blameless or holy in God’s eyes.
Therefore, with these truths in mind, we present our children to the ministry for their dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ.
