Results 1 - 6 of 6
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | AGE OF ACCOUNTIBILITY | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 9106 | ||
Greetings Teria! Like you, I am new to this thread! I appreciated your comments on a very difficult subject. The issue of accountability is really an issue of original sin. Romans 5, among other verses, makes it abundantly clear that all human beings have a sin nature. This sin nature is a result of the fall of Adam and has been passed down through all of his descendants. As you correctly pointed out, this is the reason for the virgin birth - that Christ would not come into life with a sin nature. The question that the age of accountability addresses is this : How does original sin effect me? Do I die and go to hell because of Adam’s sin? Does a baby, who has not had a choice to accept or reject Christ, get punished, not for their sin, but for Adam’s? Here is my understanding of the theological basis for an "age of accountability." Romans 5 makes it clear that the extent of the "gift" corresponds exactly with the extent of the fall. Romans 5:18 says, "Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men." There are differences between the fall and the "gift", but they each effect all of us. This has led many, including myself, to the falling conclusion: Christ paid the debt for all men’s sins on Calvary. This does not mean that all men are saved. It simply means that no of us will be sent to hell simply because of Adam’s sin. That debt has been atoned for by Christ. My denomination’s (United Brethren in Christ) official position on depravity is this: We are all born depraved, but not culpable. It is only when we reach the point that we know to accept or reject Christ that we become "guilty." This means that infants, who have not yet had the opportunity to accept or reject Christ, are covered by Calvary. Thus, my take on this issue is that infants are covered by God’s grace until they reach an age (and no one knows when this is, it will be different with each child) where they are old enough to either accept or reject Christ. My personal opinion is that this takes place sometime very early on in the child’s life. I accepted Christ when I was six. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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2 | AGE OF ACCOUNTIBILITY | Bible general Archive 1 | Makarios | 9113 | ||
Greetings Tim! You have made yet another very well written post my friend! :) I agree that the 'age of accountability' occurs at a stage sometime in early childhood. I made a conscious choice to follow Christ when I was about seven years old and my father promptly bought an NIV, which became my first Bible. I wore it out! Four NIVs and two NASBs later, I'm still reading God's Word and growing spiritually! The choice to accept Christ was very simple for me.. I really wanted to know more about God! And of course, I was curious about all things that had to do with God. I praise the Lord everyday for giving me a solid start by giving me parents who introduced me to Christ! Blessings! Nolan |
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3 | AGE OF ACCOUNTIBILITY | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 9121 | ||
Greetings Nolan! Thank you for your testimony. If any good comes from this thread, I pray that we come away with a better awareness of the importance of sharing the Gospel with young children. While I was pastoring, I had a young nephew (about 7) approach me one day. He shared with me that he wanted to accept Christ, but his parents didn't think he was old enough. He immediately asked me if I would pray with him. I did and he accepted Christ. Two years ago, at VBS, we had an altar call at the end of our closing service and 14 young kids came to the altar and accepted Christ. I found a survey once that revealed how badly many churches are missing the boat on this issue. This survey showed that 75 percent of all Christians come to Christ between the ages of 7 and 11. Yet, churches probably use 75 percent of their resources to reach those older than that age. I am convinced that churches (and individuals) need to start making a more concentrated effort to reach young children. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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4 | AGE OF ACCOUNTIBILITY | Bible general Archive 1 | Makarios | 9129 | ||
Blessings Tim! Thank you for sharing how you came to Christ! Yes, I agree, the church as a whole is much too focused on older aged children (high school, college age) and needs to focus more on the much younger age (6 years and up)... When children are this age, they are much more impressionable and need something that will give them not only a sense of security but love! And what better thing to build one's life around than a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? I am in agreement here with you and I hope that the church as a whole can pick up on this and make the most of evangelism during these impressionable years of a child's life! But it sure helps to have Godly parents around who are a witness to the child and can be responsible for a child's salvation (changing their lives forever) on any day of the week.. :) Your Brother in Christ, Nolan! |
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5 | AGE OF ACCOUNTIBILITY | Bible general Archive 1 | glory777 | 9144 | ||
Thak you for sharing, brothers. And you are right, it is imperitive that we reach the little ones in such a way that they can understand the gospel. I know with my grandson (who is two and a half) that they are so capable of absorbing things of God. They are not able to realize consequenses of their actions, other than the fact that they may be punished and if they do physical things to people, they can inflict harm, so until the time they see the moral implications of their words and deeds, they are not responsible for their own salvation. Praise the Lord for His blood which covers them. But when the time comes when they can understand, if they have a knowledge of God, and know that He loves them, they will be eager to ask Him into their hearts. My grandson understands that communion represents Jesus' body and the cup as His blood which He gave for us so we can go to Heaven. Very rudementary, but it is a start. Teaching him that when he does something wrong, it makes God sad is another thing we are working on. I don't believe it is ever too early to start, as long as they are taught the joy of the Lord also. Debbie |
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6 | AGE OF ACCOUNTIBILITY | Bible general Archive 1 | Makarios | 9154 | ||
Blessings Debbie! That is wonderful to learn that your grandson has accepted Christ and at so young of an age! When I was that little, I did not understand everything either (communion, etc). But I did know that Jesus loved me! :) And we build from there.. Jesus loves all the little children! Praise the Lord! Nolan |
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