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NASB | Acts 16:31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 16:31 And they answered, "Believe in the Lord Jesus [as your personal Savior and entrust yourself to Him] and you will be saved, you and your household [if they also believe]." |
Bible Question: How can we be sure that children go to heaven if they die even without baptism? |
Bible Answer: Hi Zach, There is some disagreement over whether they do or do not. I believe that the answer is found in Romans 5: Paul takes us through a simple(?) progression. Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned-- All people born have inherited Adam's fallen nature, and all will sin, and all will die. Rom 5:13 for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. But until the Law was given, sin was not imputed, and here a principle is given. Sin is not imputed when there is no law. Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. The only law that had been given was the prohibition against eating of the tree in the center of the garden, and no one could do that because the way was blocked. But people still died, because sin kills. Sin is intrinsically wrong. I'd like to go through this whole passage, but neither time nor space will permit me to. So skipping to the most relevant verse to our discussion: Rom 5:18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. Jesus atoned for original sin. Some people will hotly dispute this, so take care to study the Word for yourself. Through Adam's one sin, condemnation spread to all men. Through Jesus' one act of righteousness, justification of life went to all men. This is fundamental. This is not talking about salvation. The next verse is talking about salvation, and correctly says "many", while this verse says "all": Rom 5:19 For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Verse 19 tells us "many" will be made righteous. Verse 18 tells us that "all" received "justification of life", and this is compared to the condemnation that followed from Adam. If verse 18 were of salvation, that would be teaching universal salvation which we know is not true. There is a universal condemnation towards everyone, but there is also a universal justification towards everyone. So two points are established here that have great relevence to your question. One is that Jesus atoned for original sin, and therefore, original sin is not accounted against you. That leaves you with another big problem, your own sin. But this passage also says that sin is not imputed, or counted against you, when there hasn't been Law given. Basically, God does not count against us that which He hasn't told us not to do. I hope I am expressing this clearly! Now, we know that there are two ways the Law is given, one through the written Word, and the other written on men's hearts: Rom 2:14-15 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, This is where we come to the so-called "age of accountability". We understand this to be that age at which one understands the requirements of the Law. Breaking the Law after this point in a person's life results in the imputing of sin against them. Before this time sin is not imputed. As the angel announced Jesus' birth, he said "He will save His people from their sins." - not another's sins. Luke 18:16 But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. At the great white throne judgment, the dead will be judged according to their works, not anothers. I hope this helps! Love in Christ, Mark |