Pastor Marsden holds the baby while Elder Lawrence reads from the Word of God during the Infant Dedication service.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

Dedication of children to God was practiced in biblical times and is practiced today in many churches. Hannah dedicated her child, Samuel, to God and to the service of His house (1 Sam 1:27, 28). Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple in “Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22). The Seventh-Day Adventist Church is true to this practice and still follows it today.

Christening is the old word for baptism. Therefore, Adventists use the terms Baby Dedication, Baby Blessing, or Infant Dedication. Adventists do not practice infant baptism – the person being baptized must be capable of knowing what they are doing and making a conscious decision to be baptized. The purpose of the ceremony is for the parents or legal guardians to publicly declare their intent to train their child to know the Lord. God-parents are not required to participate. Pastor Marsden will have dates set aside on his calendar for such services but he is also open and willing to accommodate parents at any time.