We recently celebrated the lives of our youngest members. Not 1, but 2 brand new babies were dedicated in June! Baby dedications are ceremonies that symbolize the pledge from the parent’s to God to always teach their child to follow Christian morals and beliefs. Often times baby dedications are done in the church in front of the entire congregation. During the ceremony, scriptures are read, and the parent’s along with their immediate families are anointed and covered in prayer. The congregation also participates by responding to the family, by making a promise to help raise the child, as the old African proverb says, it takes a village to raise a child. This quote has been around for hundreds of years but still stands true today.
The scriptures support this ceremony in 1 Samuel 1:11 when Hannah promised to dedicate her child to God if He gave her a son. Also, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to dedicate him in Luke 2:22.
1 Samuel 1:11 (KJV)
“And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head”.
“And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head”.
Luke 2:22 (KJV)
“And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord.”
“And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord.”
Our first dedication on June 18th was for Minister Isaac Kwarteng and his wife Paulina. Ayeyi Agyapomah Kwarteng was born March 28th at 8:17 am in Boise. She was 5 lbs. 11 oz. and 18.25 inches at birth. The next dedication took place on June 25th for Jeremy Haynes and his wife Rebecca. Malachi Kingston Haynes was born May 24th at 8:39 am in Boise. He was 6 lbs. 13 oz. and 19 inches at birth.
Congratulations to the Kwarteng and Haynes families, and welcome to Agape little ones!
-Agape Media Team
REFERENCES:
The Holy Bible (King James Version)