What is the difference between baptism and dedication of a child?
Child baptism is a sacrament of the church that recognizes the parents’ intention to raise their child in the faith and instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the hope that the symbolism of baptism will one day prove true in the soul of the child. This sacrament also affirms the congregation’s responsibility to be a supportive community of faith. In recognizing the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3,4) infant baptism trusts that through the faith of the parents and the presence of the Holy Spirit, children will be sealed in God until the day they personally accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. Child dedication is a celebration of the church that recognizes many of the same things as child baptism, while placing greater emphasis on the child’s decision to receive Christ and to be baptized when he or she is old enough to understand what that means.
