what does scripture say about salvation as regarding babies or people (mentally challenged) that cannot accept

Question

Jesus? what verse or what passage articulates this more?

Answer 1

Children are children no matter how old their bodies are. I think we can all agree to that. The Bible has the one passage I cling to at the lose of a child.

Mark 10:19
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.


Jim

Answer 2

The specific idea behind salvation is that the KEY to recieving it is to accept it, or reject it and not recieve it.

So, to that thought, a baby or mentally handicaped person has no mental capacity to understand what the salvation plan is, or how to accept or reject it.

So, how can they get into heaven if they are still full of "sin"? The Bible says Christ died for EVERYONE, that would include babies and the mentally challenged, wich would mean they can still be "cleansed" so to speak, merely because of Gods grace. The lack of salvation comes from rejecting, not knowing.

Same argument goes for people in foreign countries, who have never had the chance to hear the word. No knowledge does not mean no salvation, but rejection does. No verse to site, many many many lead to that conclusion though.

Answer 3

There is no verse or passage to describe this. They do not have to accept, for their souls are already saved. It's like animals, they do not have a choice to do what they do, they do not sin. I think babies and mentally challenged people are the same. Babies are the fruit of life, and the mentally handicapped are angels fallen to earth. I believe that mentally handicapped people are acctaully better off than anyone. They do not need to worry about heaven or hell, they are going to heaven just for trying to live.

Answer 4

I believe it is the uniform testimony of Scripture that those who are not capable of making a decision to receive Jesus Christ, and who have died, are now with Christ in heaven, resting in His tender arms, enjoying the sweetness of His love. There are numerous factors supporting this viewpoint.
It is highly revealing that in all the descriptions of Hell in the Bible, we NEVER read of infants or little children there. Only adults capable of making decisions are seen there. Nor do we read of infants and little children standing before the Great White Throne judgement, which is the judgement of the wicked dead and the precursor to the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15). The complete silence of Scripture regarding the presence of infants in eternal torment militates against their being there.
Jesus and the children. As we examine instances in which Christ encountered children during His earthly ministry, it would seem that children have a special place in His kingdom. Jesus even said, "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mat 18:3) He also said, "Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me (verse 5). I don't think there is any way someone could read through Matthew 18 and conclude that it is within the realm of possibility that Jesus could damn such little ones to hell!

Answer 5

Right off hand I cannot think of any scripture in the Bible. I do believe God will take care of them while on earth and when they go to heaven. I heard Billy Graham say one time he was answering a ? on how old does a child have to be to be saved and his answer was at the age of accountability. When they know right from wrong, but with the mentally challenged I think they will go to heaven.

Answer 6

Those who believe in free will are required to come up with an answer for those who cannot decide for themselves, therefore the only answer they can give for babies and developmentally deficient adults (DDAs), is that they go to heaven. I disagree.

If God hated Esau, and the psalmist was "conceived in iniquity" in Psalm 51:5, and if we all are as filthy rags, and if none seeks after God, and I don't think we have much choice but to say that children are included with being under God's judgment. I'll use kait's own argument of "Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me (verse 5)", if Jesus is getting a free pass to the children, then why would he even beckon them to himself? "No thanks, Jesus, no need for them to come to you, the kids are already covered". I would have to conclude that children need a Savior, too.

To send children and DDAs to heaven automatically is to disregard God's sovereignty and ability to make His own decisions about our eternal destiny. God required circumcision of the babies in the Old Testament within Israel. What of those that were outside of his chosen people? What difference would it have made what age or mental capacity those people had if they were not chosen? God had a covenant with Israel, and I believe he kept that covenant with a few minor exceptions of those who had indeed been circumcised, but God did not accept that since he cannot be controlled by man. God is sovereign. We cannot make decisions like this for him. We trust him to do the right thing.

Answer 7

Matthew 18:1-6 talks about becoming like a little child to enter heaven. He was answering a question asked, and he said that unless you become humble as a little child, you wouldn't enter the kingdom of heaven. To me, it isn't saying that you have to be innocent, just teachable and able to accept truth as it comes to you.

I haven't found one yet about mentally ill people, but they don't have the capacity of reason to know or accept fully the teachings of Christ.

Answer 8

The scripture doesn't say but he may give us hints.
First of all it depends on your view, the view that we are born with sin or My beliefs that we are not but born with nature to sin.
So from my view i would say i dont know the honest truth!
But the problem with that we are born with sin if we died before we were accountable how can God be a Just God?
Its all about accountability...

Answer 9

They aren't really judged because it's not their fault for not being able to understand what they learned so they go start to the Celestial Kingdom in the Mormon religion. They are always innocent in God's eyes because they didn't really comprehend much when they were on Earth.

Answer 10

Leviticus 21:16-23 [Eunuchs and other disabled not holy or allowed near altar.]
The LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron: 'For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God. No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed; no man with a crippled foot or hand, or who is hunchbacked or dwarfed, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles. No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any defect is to come near to present the offerings made to the LORD by fire. He has a defect; he must not come near to offer the food of his God. He may eat the most holy food of his God, as well as the holy food; yet because of his defect, he must not go near the curtain or approach the altar, and so desecrate my sanctuary. I am the LORD, who makes them holy.