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NASB | Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 3:23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, |
Subject: Can a toddler go to heaven? |
Bible Note: Greetings Disciplerami! Thanks for the response and the questions my friend! Rom. 5:12-21 is the theological foundation for the statements I made about original sin and the atonment of orignal sin. This passage compares and contrasts the acts of Adam and Christ, along with the consequences of each. The entire passage makes the point that the extent of Christ's act is the same as the extent of Adam's sin. Adam's sin brought death and condemnation to all men, in the same way, Christ's death brings life and righteousness for all men. One of the key verses is Rom. 5:18, "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." Now, there are two ways to view this statement. First, one could say that all are saved by Christ's death. Secondly, one could say that Paul is speaking of the effects of Adam's sin. The second choice is the correct one because Rom. 5:17 indicates that the gift of God must be received or accepted. Therefore, not everyone is automatically saved. So, my understanding is simply this: Christ atoned for all sin. But, He also atoned for original sin, so that no one is condemned for what Adam did. So, every baby is covered by Christ's atonement until such a time as they will to sin against God. This actually isn't a new position. Augustus Hopkins Strong said the following: "The atonement has come to all men and upon all men. Its coextensiveness with the effects of Adam's sin is seen in that all creatures, such as infants and insane persons, incapable of refusing it, are saved without their consent, just as they were involved in the sin of Adam without their consent. The reason why others are not saved is because when the atonement comes to them and upon them, instead of consenting to be included in it, they reject it. If they are born under the curse, so likewise they are born under the atonement which is intended to remove that curse; they remain under its shelter till they are old enough to repudiate it; they shut out its influences as a man closes his window-blind to shut out the beams of the sun; they ward them off by direct opposition, as a man builds dykes around his field to keep out the streams which would otherwise flow in and fertilize the soil." Source: "Systematic Theology", pg. 773. Well, I have some work to do now! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |