Question concerning an age of accountability?

Question

We all know that everyone is born into sin by nature.....because of the fall of mankind in Eden.

There is no Scripture & verse per say concerning an age of accountability but.........would you agree that God is merciful enough to save a child who has died.....either by abortion or by some other natural cause?

And does this age of accountability change depending on the upbringing of the child? (i.e. a child born into a Christian family as opposed to a non-believing family)

Thanks,

Primo

Answer 1

I believe that the Scripture is silent on this. I also believe that our sovereign God, the Judge of all the earth, will do what is right. I trust that no matter what he does in the case of infants who die (within or outside of the womb), He deserves all the praise.

This is also what my mother believes, who had to bury her 3-day-old first born son.

Those who believe that all babies go to heaven usually base their thought on II Samuel 12, verse 23, where David says, "But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."

However, I have always understood this verse to refer to David's joining his infant eventually in death, whereas the baby could not come back to life. I do not think King David is giving insight into his baby's eternal resting place.

Deuteronomy 29:29 ~ The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

For "Barry M," "outta here," & other skeptics: Romans 3:23 -24 ~ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Answer 2

Yes I think there is an accountabiblity age- I do not know exactly what for the Bible does not say, but we do know one must "understand" the gospel before he or she is saved-- one cannot be saved without knowing WHY they are being saved- or it is in vain.

Romans 10:17 says "Faith comes from hearing and by hearing the word of God"
A small child has no comprehension of knowing what the Bible says. They have to be a certain age to "know" fully why they need Jesus. So yes I believe that God has definately taken many children with him when they have died.

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

I personally deep down feel that your conclusions on aborted children and what not are excepted and sent directly to heaven.

I know that in Catholic churches and others children are baptized upon birth; however in my church you are not baptized till you are aware of what the significance of it is. That being said I think God is omnipotent and all knowing and he knows where a child's heart is; God decides essentially if that child is going to heaven and therefore the age of accountability is whenever the child turns away from innocent acceptance of God. For most people I would venture to say this was around the age of teen hood.

Is there any wonder human kind is built in with the inane sense to question what exists that is greater then themselves.

Answer 5

Its impossible to answer definitely since there is no scripture on it. You would think that God would put something in the bible about this. Im assuming its a case by case basis since there is no definitive stand. If the child has an understanding of sin, etc. then the judgement would be different.

Answer 6

We always limit God--always! We really cannot fathom how holy He is, else we would pop like ants under the heat of a magnifying glass from the Sun. We do the same with His justice and judgments as well. Whether they are natives in remote locations who have never known, or an aborted child, or a person in a coma. In all case scenarios, God will judge rightly so that there is absolutely no question that it is indeed right and true. We base our opinions on a physical plane of reality which is highly limited, biased and without the full picture. God judges from the standpoint of eternity. Like a child who thinks her parents are tyrants for not letting her chat online with a cool guy who wants to meet her--her world view is limited and skewed.

So it is with mankind. God wiped out an entire people, so He must be a tyrant, right? Then let one of those people go free, and they breed a people that seeks to commit genocide on the Jewish people.

Now to the question. God is just. Even as Abraham proclaimed to the Messenger in Genesis 18:25...

"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

We know from the proclamation of David that little babies will go to be with the Lord. (ref. 2 Sam 12:22) As for an age of accountability, I believe it is different from child to child. However, I feel as long as you are under the roof of your parents, and the children honor their parents accordingly, they are under the protection of their parents salvation. I gain this from Deuteronomy 5:16 which is the only commandment with a promise that "it will be well with you".
For those in unbelieving households, I strongly hold to the knowledge that God imparts MORE grace, as He did with Madeline Murray O'Hara's son, and with Rosie O'Donnell's little boy (a big lover of the dreaded Holy Bible).

God has His way, and none will slip through the cracks. As Jesus prayed to the Father so plainly, "Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost..."

Of all the things to be concerned about in this world, God's judgment is far from one of them.

Answer 7

I believe God looks at the person's heart. However, God has in the past used an age of accountability: see Numbers 14:29.

Answer 8

dude this thought process is why christianity doesn't make sense. If God found sex to be a sin then why does he allow us to procreate. and if Adam and Eve were just zapped here then why doesn't he zap everyone else....oh yah b/c of the whole eating the apple from the tree of knowledge. It's stupid and it doesn't make sense. Every singel creature on the face of this Earth (all God's Creatures) have sex to procreate....so why is it a sin. Guess what, it's NOT....man only claims it to be...i go into more reasons why the Roman Catholic Church came up with this little bedtime story about procreation and sex being a sin, but that's for another time.

Yes, God accepts unborn children and children who died during child birth into Heaven. In fact, God accepts ALL into Heaven, YOU are the only one that may not think u r worthy of Heaven b/c of the life you live. I believe God holds a mirror up to you at the Pearly Gates when you die and asks YOU if you think u are worthy to be accepted into his kingdom...he forgives you, but can you forgive yourself is the question? If not...looks like you haven't learn your lesson and have to do it all over the again.

Answer 9

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 10

I agree with the first poster Doug.

I think that at some point everyone chooses to accept or deny God in their heart. At that point (not baptism) that person is either saved or still has the chance to be saved.

I believe that there is an age that God gives to an individual to accept Him and prior to that, He allows those that die to be with Him.

After that, no excuses....