Bible Question:
Many churches promote the belief in an "age of accountablitiy" for children. Usually that age is 12. According to that belief, children who die before reaching accountability (accident, illness, aborted) go to heaven. Where is this in the Bible? Is it a biblical idea? Or is it that each child's level of accountability is different according to many factors such as age, intelligence, maturity, responsibility? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!! |
Bible Answer: Hello, I am a member of the church of Christ. This is a truh that we teach from the bible by examples that we read. Such as in the Old Testament 2 Samuel 12 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. 15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. Here we see that David by comitting a sin against God, the Lord causes the child to become very sick. Verse 18 18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. Now if we believe that a child is a sinful being from birth, then we would have to say that this child when it died went to Hell. But read on, verse 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. Where do you think David meant he was going? We know that God chose David because he was a man after His own heart. Acts 13 22And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, "I have found David[1] the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will. And though David sinned he repented of them. So by this we can only know that David and his son are both in Heaven today. Two more scriptures that prove that babies and infants are not vile sinful beings. Matthew 18 3and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19 14But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus said this,are we suppose to think Jesus did not know what He was talking about? Speaking of unscriptual traditions that are not even found so as that we should speculate. Think about infant baptism. Thats where this "total depravity" thing lead to. There is no biblical reference to infant baptism, but the whole book of Acts shows and tells how we are to be saved. The question was even ask, Men and brethren what shall we do? And they were told to repent and be baptised. Now a baby can't ask that question. It does not know anything about sin or anything else for that matter until it grows up. And that is where the "age of accountability" comes from. This is not a biblical term but it is biblical in nature, for each man is accountable for his/her on actions. There is really no set age to when a child reaches this. Some might reach it by 10 others might be 15. But unless there is a mental problem with the child, by then they should know right from wrong and have entered into that time where they will be accountable for their actions. For the bible says, 2 Timothy 3 15and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you WISE FOR SALVATION through faith which is in Christ Jesus. I hope this has helped and if you have more questions please ask. Raven |
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Brethren | ||
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LISAROB25 | ||
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Amber_G | ||
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RAVEN | ||
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benjamite | ||
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Jungleman | ||
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AnnoitedAngel30 | ||
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justme | ||
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aurrance | ||
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aurrance | ||
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aurrance |