Shawnee Alliance Church does not baptize children because of the belief that baptism is an act of obedience that follows receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Therefore, we follow the teaching of both the Old and New Testament that children were dedicated to the Lord. Children are seen as a gift of the Lord and are to be brought to God, (Matthew 18:5) "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." In the Old Testament Samuel was dedicated by his parents Elkanah and Hannah "I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always" (I Sam. I:21). In the New Testament Jesus was dedicated by his earthly parents Mary and Joseph. "When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord" (Luke 2:22). When dedicating a child to the Lord, it is a high calling for the parents. When a child is dedicated, the parents are taking a vow that they will live a life dedicated to the Lord and as an example to the child. The parents are also stating in the dedication of the child that they are giving the child back to God for the child is a gift of God and created for his divine purposes.