Bible Question: Do babies and little children go to heaven at the moment of death? |
Bible Answer: Dear Nolan, I can find no direct reference to babies and children going to heaven. Often, babies are referred to as 'cherubic.' As to the salvation of children, it becomes a bit sticky. First, children of the unsaved: Regarding children, unborn or born of the unsaved, there is little Scriptural indication that they are considered 'innocent.' In fact, the Word says we are "by nature children of wrath." There is the place where Jesus says, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." in Luke 18:16, but this Scripture is often quoted as speaking of believers, not literal children. Suggesting a dual-meaning could be dangerous. Verse 15 might mean the literal children of believers, while verse 17 leads us to a figurative meaning of believers in Christ, but neither seems to mean 'all' children. In the book-movie "Left Behind," all children, born and unborn, of saved and unsaved were 'raptured.' I find this hard to support Biblically. Please, I am not being unfeeling, judgmental, or proclaiming that children of the unsaved will go to Hell. I am just saying that the *assumption* that all children are innocent and all deserve to go to heaven is hard to back up. God will save whom He will save. Next, children of the saved: The main scripture that might give hope to parents is 1 Corinthians 7:14 "...but now they are holy." MacArthur writes: 'They would be unclean if both parents were unsaved, but the presence of one believing parent exposes the children to blessing and brings them protection. The presence of even one Christian parent will protect children from undue spiritual harm, and they will receive many blessings, and often that includes salvation.' My personal hope is that it guarantees salvation. If we try to say that children are saved through infant baptism, then the unborn or unbaptized would not be saved. (Note: not an argument against infant baptism, only against baptism required for salvation) It is my belief that if our children are saved, they will be in heaven. Finally, when are they no longer children? I do not believe there is a set age. My experience with kids suggest that they can really know Jesus (as compared to know about Jesus) between 12 and 15. (Please, people with 11 and younger children, don't jump on me! Every Christian parent wants their children to be personally saved earlier than that :-) But truly, children are children until they begin to shoulder the burdens and responsibilities of adult life. This would include marital, financial, parental, social, church fellowship, and spiritual burdens. Those who are 'in between' phases, are just that, and God is much more aware of their situation than anyone else. They are His. Trust God to do the right thing. "Let God be true...!" In Christ Jesus, charis |