Do you have to ask to be saved to go to Heaven?

Question

A religious education teacher told me this when I was still in school.

I have a few problems with this. My brother died very young. Does this mean he will go to Hell as he was to young to ask to be saved.

Also, what about people whit mental disabilities that prevent them from being able to ask to be saved.

On top of this there are so many millions of people who are born into a situation it is unlikely they will ever even know much about Christianity. How should they know what to do?

Isn't believing in the same stream... you still have to make a concious choice either way

For the record, I'm not sure either way, but this is one of my big issues with the church...

Answer 1

Hello lozzarino.. :)

If one is not at the age of accountability..I do not think God would deny anyone access to heaven.. :)

Matthew 18

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Only God knows someones heart..if their heart is pure in His sight, then yes, I believe that people with mental disabilities will not be denied.. :)

In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ.. :)

Answer 2

Well if your brother was to young to know how to ask or even know right from wrong then he is in heaven. As far as those with disabilities they are probably more spiritual than anyone will ever be. And its possible they have asked just no one knows. Kids born in homes where parents don't believe, I am sure some kid at there school is saved and has said things and they over heard or even asked. All of creation speaks of God. The word of God gets out to many people now thanks to missionary's and the internet. No one will be able to stand before God and said I didn't know.

Answer 3

Some scholars teach about an age of mental accountability. They say that God will not condemn a person who has never reached the age where they can know the difference between good and evil or have a basic understanding of the gospel message. These are some of the passages that they use to demonstrate this point.

2 Samuel 12:21 Then his servants said to him, "What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food." 22 He said, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, 'Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?' 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me."

Here David's baby boy was taken from him but David says that he will go to see his son after he himself dies. In the next passage we see that God takes note of the fact that young people don't yet know the difference between good and evil.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.

There is no specific age of accountability given in the Bible. Rather it is a stage of mental awareness so if someone had a mental disability it might be that they would never reach that stage.

Once you reach that stage you are accountable for the truth that you have received. If a person knows about Jesus and they don't trust in Him for salvation then the Bible teaches that they will be condemned.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Romans 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

I don't know how old your brother was, but when the Jewish people left Egypt and failed to trust God to enter the promised land, He said that anyone over 20 would die in the desert and the children would come in instead.

Numbers 32:10 And the LORD's anger was kindled on that day, and he swore, saying, 11 'Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, because they have not wholly followed me,

Answer 4

It would be hard to go to heaven if you were lost, the opposite of saved. Each is judged according to the amount of light that has been presented to them. A kindergartener would not be tested on Calculus. Thus, a baby is automatically saved until he/she reaches the age of accountability, knowing right from wrong and its consequences. That is why baptism should be at the age of accountability. Those who have never heard of Christianity are judged according to the light they have. God reveals himself to all people, through many avenues. Nature, family, friends, classmates, teachers, dictates of conscience etc. There are none with an excuse for sin. This would be calling God unfair. God is just and loving not willing that any should perish. He will not unfairly judge those who have not had the priviledges that we have. However, those who have had the opportunity to know Jesus and to whom the Bible is readily available will have a hard time justifying their ignorance.

Answer 5

You are obviously a believer and I respect your right to believe as you choose. It is crucial that any believer understand that the books on which organized religions are based, have been written by people (and not just one individual with a direct line to God).

Every priest, rabbi, imam or the Vatican provides human interpretation of God's word. Your questions are so important to understanding that your spiritual relationship with God is not dependent on certain man-made rules.

If there is a Heaven, the innocent, the damaged and the babies will all be there. I hope you find peace in this.

Answer 6

You too see the flaws in this silly idea.

Pretty stupid isn't it.

This is a lie that religion tells about God. It assumes a God so uncaring that He would take chances with the souls of little children and good people who just happened to be born in the wrong place.

It is a complete misunderstanding of God. It sees a creation that is separate from God. A line where God stops and something else begins.

Look around you. Every thing that you see is God.

Nothing exists outside of the idea of God.

Who exactly would this tiny God be allowing to be lost? Himself.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 7

If you believe in god and you believe that jesus died for you on the cross then you will be saved. Dont forget jesus died to save us all from sin.

And as for those with mental disabilities

"It is harder for the rich man to get into heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle"

I am sure if god loved us he would let all mental/disabled people who cant think for themselves into heaven. "for god so loved the world"

I hope this helps your question

god bless x

Answer 8

any one need to be save to enter the heaven , Jesus Christ said unless through me no one shall enter the Kingdom of God, so all need to know Christ saviour as their personal saviour so u shall submit and repent yr sins and live in peace

this is true for all

there are so many people died with out knowing Jesus you are right , but thBible clearly says with out knowing the Lord Jeus Christ no one shall ever enter kingdom

the world will come to end once the Gospel is preached to the end of earth and all are saved who really trust in God

Answer 9

if you have the mental capabilities, yes. God knows peoples hearts, if they are prone to doing good and die young then yes they will be saved. most mentally hadicapped people love God. before Christ comes back everyone will have had the chance to hear about Him, even in a bad situation if they choose to follow Him they will be saved.

Answer 10

Romans 10:13 you have to ask. Until the age of accountability or until you understand what Christ done for you and invite Him into your heart and life you are not accountable, but once you have heard the gospel and understand it you are accountable.