A question to my fellow Christians: What happens to babies that die without a chance to learn of Christ?

Question

Do they end up in Heaven or do they end up in Hell?

No criticism towards any opinions posted please.
Any abusive language and potentially hurtful words will be reported as abuse. Be as honest as you like but do remember that all netizens are free to read our opinions. Remember that you are Christ's body and we are to reflect Him at all times.

No one-liners please. Please state where God is in this situation, and support your statements.

bocasbeachbum - The question did not include issue of how real or made up heaven is. If you're of different faith or a person of no faith, I encourage you to seek thruth in your own way, but my question was directed towards fellow Christians, so please refrain from further inturrupting the discussion.

Friday - I did not imply in the question that I am oblivious to many that do not get a chance to meet Christ. But the Christian doctorine states that we can only find salvation in Christ, which makes this situation such an ethical dilema. The issue has been discussed by many of the greats in Christian theology. To name a couple, J. I. Packer and C. S. Lewis comes to mind. And yes, I have been to college where this issue was braught up in Christian theology class. And as for a difinitive answer, only God knows the extent of his ministry and the extent of His grace. I just wanted to see the Christian theology discussed in the matter, to see different responses than ones before to this age old question.

moosemose -Thank you for the response. However, the question was not 'What happens to a fetus that dies before leaning of Christ.'

^^^^^^^^^^

I meant 'learning of Christ'

Answer 1

Hello,

I know I have always wondered the same thing. Only God knows that. One day when we get to Heaven we can ask Him. God bless you!

Answer 2

All of mankind, including babies, are under a federal representation of Adam and are born into sin. NO ONE deserves or merits Heaven in any way.

The head of household in the OT was responsible for those in his household, and therefore, circumcision and baptism are both a covenant between God and His people. The Israelites did not skip the kids when it came to the "cutting off of sins" represented in circumcision. If we are "baptized for the forgiveness of sins," same exact meaning, different administration.

Those that are under the covenant are under God's authority. Those that are not under the covenant are also under God's authority. Man has no power over God. God is sovereign, and can choose His own, and he has done so before the foundations of the world were laid.

God is glorified in his election unto salvation, and He is glorified in his reprobation of those who will not believe. Whether He sends infants to Heaven or Hell is His prerogative, not ours. But make no mistake, God will do the right thing.

Answer 3

The “age of accountability” is a concept that teaches those who die before reaching the “age of accountability” are automatically saved, by God’s grace and mercy. The “age of accountability” is a belief that God saves all those who die before reaching the ability to make a decision for or against Christ. Thirteen is the most common number given for the age of accountability based on the Jewish custom that a child becomes an adult at the age of 13. However, the Bible gives no direct support to the age of 13 always being the age of accountability. It likely varies from child to child. A child has passed the age of accountability once he or she is capable of making a faith decision for or against Christ.

With the above in mind, also consider the following: Christ's death is presented as sufficient for all of mankind. First John 2:2 says Jesus "is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." This verse is clear that Jesus' death was sufficient for all sins, not just the sins of those who specifically have come to Him in faith. The fact that Christ's death was sufficient for all sin would allow the possibility of God applying that payment to those who were never capable of believing.

Answer 4

Babies/children are safe from hell until the age of accountability. That may be a different age for each child. It's when the child is aware that he can choose to do right or wrong and understands it is a conscious action on his part. Their cognitive brain doesn't developer until around 7 to 12, but they have to have the ability to reason and put it all together. Although some children may not understand they are accountable for their sins, they can understand the person of Jesus and the Holy Spirit reveals these things whenever He so chooses. I led a child of 5 yrs. old to the Lord once and no one, I mean no one, in the whole church doubted his conversion when he stood and prayed before the congregation. His prayer put us all to our knees. Nothing is impossible with God. But, back to your question, they are protected for a time from hell if they die.

Answer 5

While I respectfully disagree with those that say the babies are without sin (sin is the human condition, after all), but I believe by God's grace, we will see them once again in heaven. The same with babies that die unborn. It is the solace that we keep for those of us who have experienced miscarriages, etc. There will be a day when we will meet those children.

Answer 6

My personal belief is that they go to heaven...The reason why is because:

I believe God is merciful, and since babies lack the understanding to know that sin exist,etc...Then God isn't going to hold them accountable...

(I guess it really comes down the whole "suffer the little children who come unto me" clause...Christ welcomed little children...When people tried to keep them back, he rebuked them - Children are precious in the sight of God, and I don't think for one second that he'd bar either one out of his kingdom...)

Answer 7

Heaven, this question has been asked on here many times. The child would have to reach the age if accountability to be responsible for his actions. All young who die will be in heaven.

Answer 8

Aborted babies, infants and young children as well as those who are mentally handicapped go to Heaven and after the second coming will return to have a chance to live through the thousand year reign of Christ, so that they will have their chance to choose Christ. I believe this because all were promised a chance to make a choice.

Answer 9

They have not reached the age of accountability yet. They are in heaven with the Lord. Very good question to ask! The age of accountability is when we have reached an age of knowledge and once we have been given that we are resposnible for it. According to christian teaching that age is 12.

Answer 10

jesse duplanits had an out of body experience dvd/cd/book.
and many other who've died..and came back..speak in sameness.
all aborted babies and small child, ect..gone to heaven.
and grow..very slow..for there is NO TIME..no day and night setup in heaven.. there is NO MONEY.and NO time ticking or wasted.
children having a pure heart..at birth..and many years later..has the child like love, hope and joy and faith.
till they are taught..to fear..to hate..to steal....to lie..by our behavior or tv sitcom..ect.
that why it is vital..to protect..the innocent in public school of demonic..filthy knowledge..(same sex-BULL as being an option)

Answer 11

It seems that they get a free one way pass according to some believers

I think that the catholic church says that if the child is unbaptized then he/she will go to purgatory

and I am sure there has to be some sect that feels that if the child dies before it has atoned for original sin it will go to hell.