Christening & Dedication

Ships are christened, not people!

Certain so-called Christian denominations teach an individual gets “christened” in the name of Jesus. This is not correct! They will lay claim to a person being set apart to follow Christ which is very close to a tenant taught about baptism but they use man-made reasoning to skirt the obvious. They will even try to site some bible passages claiming implicit support for their position, even though they are forgetting the primary one found in Matthew 28:18-20[2] which is explicit about baptism as being commanded by Jesus. Also consider Ephesians 4:3-6.[3]

It is unfortunate for those church communities practicing christening to use it as a substitute for the baptism of infants and small children. Yet given the cited scripture passage above, Peter the Apostle says that baptism is for ”you and to your children.” There is nothing explicit or implicit in scripture allowing for anything separate like christening to be a substitute for baptism.

As mentioned the idea of “Christening” people came well over 1500 years after Jesus gave a very clear command to the apostles which they followed and that was to baptize in the ‘Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ All those centuries baptism was in place before certain 'Christian' churches started using the idea of christening.

But where do we find its origin? At the onset of the idea, originally this was applied only to sailing ships. Ships were blessed for a safe journey. This blessing was a Christianized practice which stemmed from an older tradition. A tradition that had its roots in paganism.

What are the roots of the idea of christening?

I find it ironic that many "non-denominational churches" who practice christening, will allege falsely that certain practices of the Catholic church are from pagan roots, or allege some Catholic dogmas come directly from the pagan Romans. With regards to the practices of christening done by certain non-denominational churches, as they say, "The proof is in the pudding." For you see the idea of Christening does not come from the Apostles or the early centuries of the church, but, it came from an old and very pagan Viking practice.

Christening, (except it wasn’t called ‘christening’) gets its beginning from the pagan Vikings as a practice where they used blood from an animal or human sacrifice to a pagan god. The blood was splashed onto their ships as an appeal to their pagan gods for a safe voyage. The practice continued for some centuries. Later as the Nordic lands were Christianized the sacrifice aspect was discontinued, but the practice of ‘blessing a ship’ for a safe voyage continued. Instead of blood, red wine was used. Much later champagne was used instead of red wine because of the known roots and the use of red wine was an affront to the Blood of Christ as offered in the Holy sacrifice of the Mass.

It is at this later point in time, it is referred to as a christening. Its emphasis was a way of blessing the ship and its use. Soon that changed just as a way to name or inaugurate ships. In essence, the idea of “a christening” came from a pagan tradition which was Christianized (No more pagan sacrifices to pagan gods). Originally it was intended for ships and not people.

So when it comes to christening, who are the ones following a practice stemming from pagan roots and a manmade tradition?

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[2] Matt 18-20 : 18 Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.    19  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,  20  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

[3] Ephesians 4:3-6: 3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: 4 one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

The notion of dedication or being dedicated into or by a church is another man-made tradition not found explicitly in the Bible (At least as it concerns a substitute for infant baptism) which is used by "non-denominational churches” to skirt around the idea of infant baptism or baptism of small children, or baptism altogether. This is unfortunate because when Peter is speaking in Acts 2:38-41[1] he refers to “baptism” for those listening to Him and for “their children.” The word Peter uses for ‘children’ translated into the Greek does not segregate infants are small children but includes them!

The idea of “dedications” is not dark in its inception as "christening" but equally misses the mark of having a biblical and historical perspective. Perhaps the word is spreading amongst these churches about “Christening’s pagan roots.” So, now something different needs to be invented, or substituted because some denominations do not agree with infant baptism or baptism altogether. Instead of the Christ-given mandate to Baptize they use a man-made tradition to replace what Christ has commanded. There is no authoritative directive coming from Christ Himself or the Church regarding “Dedications.” This practice is not found within the centuries referred to as “The early Church.”

Like christening, the idea of dedicating strays far from the sacrament of baptism as commanded by Christ, given by the Apostles, promulgated by certain early church fathers and used in the church during those centuries up to modern days.

The idea of dedicating is a way for some churches to somehow establish that the parents are undergoing to raise their child in Christ. While the Bible does teach that the parents are to bring their children up in God’s way and that they are the primary educators of this, it does not present this in the context as a replacement for Baptism. The Dedication may be a nice thought, it is a more or less a feel-good ceremony. Interestingly, in the full baptism rite (Citing the Catholic Baptism as an example) the parents and godparents of an infant or child openly state their intention to raise their child in the light of Christ.

Proponents of the practice of "dedication" will quote from Romans chapter 12 where St. Paul is telling the Christians of Rome to be "Dedicated." The proponents use this as their basis to "Dedicate" infants and not baptize them. St. Paul in Romans 12 does not explicitly nor implicitly suggest this at all. Far be it from St. Paul to recommend a manmade “dedication” process as a replacement for baptism for infants and small children. In Romans 12 Paul is speaking to those already “Baptized” into the church, and wants to assert the idea to be dedicated (committed or applying themselves) to follow Christ. Also, consider what St. Paul says in Ephesians 4:3-6,[2] there is to be "One Baptism!"

The use of this passage in Romans to support the idea of "dedicating infants" is taken so far out of context it just isn't funny. Romans 12 refers to being dedicated (committed practice) to a Christian lifestyle. In other words, once baptized you must remain a committed Christian. In a similar way, how the word would be used today to express someone's wholehearted commitment to a cause or their job, or even their convictions in faith. The word dedicated and its use has nothing to do with an initiation into Christianity.

The only time "Dedication" is used as a way to set something apart for the purpose of serving God, is found in the Old Testament. And it was usually buildings that were dedicated. In the Old Testament’s feast of Dedication (referred to today as Hanukah). This feast applied to the Jewish Temple (a place, a building) being set apart for the worship of God. Therefore, buildings are dedicated not people.

Different cultures in the past and present would dedicate buildings. In today's secular world, there is the concept of building dedications. For example, a public library, theater, or public office building may not necessarily be dedicated to the purposes of God. This secular practice has its parallel practices found in the Bible as well as practices coming from other ancient civilizations.

Babies, small children, older children, youth and adults are to be Baptized! This is what Christ commanded!!

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[1] Acts 2:38-41: 38 Peter [said] to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit.  39  For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.”40  He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41  Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.   

[2]  Ephesians  4:3-6  "3... striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: 4 one body and one spirit, as as you were also called to the one hope of your call, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and father of all who is over all and through all and in all.