We don’t baptize babies; we dedicate them. Oh, really? What’s the difference? The Bible teaches that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, apart from our own effort.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Some churches practice sacraments, we follow ordinances. Sacraments are rituals that are believed to be channels of grace. The apostle Paul indicated that a person is saved by grace which comes by faith, not through the effort of religious rituals. If sacraments brought grace, then we would be saved by our own works. On the other hand, ordinances are commands given to the church by Jesus Christ. There are two: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Christian baptism, by immersion, is an act of obedience symbolizing death to sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ. As a command, baptism is necessary for church membership and the fellowship of the Lord’s Supper (failure to be baptized after salvation would be disobedience, or sin). A baby is not able to realize his sin and seek forgiveness. He is not able to receive God’s grace by faith and be saved. Peter said, “”Repent, and let every one of you be baptized.” (Acts 2:38) Babies cannot repent of sin, not knowing right from wrong. So, an act of obedience symbolizing repentance is not yet necessary. Instead, we dedicate babies to the Lord as an act of commitment to train them in the Christian way. Why? Because we desire that one day they will come to realize their sin and need of a personal Savior. Then, saved by grace through faith, they will be baptized in obedience to Jesus Christ’s command. So, even dedication is less for the baby than the parents entrusted with the child.

Sin cera, Erik

Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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