*Click on the references to read the Scripture passages.*

We believe that the dedication of infants and children to the Father, while not an ordinance, is a spiritual act, and it shall take place periodically (Matthew 19:13-15Matthew 19:13-15

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.).

The presentation of children to the Lord is an occasion for parents to seek God’s blessing upon their children, as well as for the parents to obtain His grace to raise their children in a godly way.

• Raising children is an honorable but challenging task (Psalm 127:3Psalm 127:3
  
  Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.; Proverbs 22:6Proverbs 22:6
  
  Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.; Ephesians 6:4Ephesians 6:4
  
  And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.). For this reason, parents are wise to present their child to the Lord at their earliest convenience after the child is born.
• As Hannah did with Samuel, parents present their child to the Lord and acknowledge that He has entrusted them as stewards over their child’s life (I Samuel 1:24,27-28I Samuel 1:24, 27-28
  
  Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. And the child was young. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.).
• Dedication of one’s child to the Lord is not the same as a christening or infant baptism.