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I'm wondering what the general beliefs regarding this are. It's a very sad thing when a young child or baby passes, do you think they go to heaven?
I believe they do go to heaven. While a young child has sinned they have not reached a point where they can understand it violates the law of God and sin is not counted against those without the law. Since salvation is all accomplished without our need to do anything or perform any act other than accept when we understand it, I see no reason a baby or young child would not go to heaven.
I'm wondering what the general beliefs regarding this are. It's a very sad thing when a young child or baby passes, do you think they go to heaven?
Yes. Babies go to heaven. When king David's infant died, David knew that he would see him again. Here is the passage.
2 Samuel 12:21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22] He said, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.' 23] "But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."
While Old Testament saints went to the Paradise side of Sheol, also referred to as Abraham's Bosom, they were transferred to heaven when Jesus ascended after He was resurrected.
But what about babies? And what about anyone, regardless of age who dies without having the mental capacity to even be able to comprehend the idea and existence of God? God does require a positive volitional response to the gospel message concerning Jesus Christ in order to receive eternal life.
Acts 16:30 Then he escorted them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31] They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." [Each member of the jailer's household personally received Christ as Savior and was saved.]
You must receive Jesus Christ as Savior in order to spend the eternal future in the presence of God. But if a person simply can't make that required volitional response to the gospel because of lack of mental capacity, then, because God is just, and fair, and cannot be unjust, a person who lacks the mental capacity to respond to the gospel is automatically saved. It is often referred to as the age of accountability, but there is no specific age. It is instead at whatever point in a person's life when he is able to conceive of the idea of God that he becomes accountable to God for his attitude concerning God. When a person reaches the point of what I call God consciousness, if he is positive at that point then God will give him the opportunity to hear the gospel at some point in his life so that he can hear about Jesus. And that person, having heard the gospel will either receive Christ as Savior, or he will not.
IMO, small children, babies and mentally deficient folks live in God's grace and will spend eternity in 'heaven' with Him. I'm less certain about the accuracy of our traditional worldly perceptions of 'heaven' and living in God's presence. Don't misunderstand me. I'm firmly committed to the scriptural revelation of heaven and eternity following this life, but, suspect that our perception of how it will appear and what it will be like .... is somewhat skewed by our earthly frame-of-reference.
I believe they do go to heaven. While a young child has sinned they have not reached a point where they can understand it violates the law of God and sin is not counted against those without the law. Since salvation is all accomplished without our need to do anything or perform any act other than accept when we understand it, I see no reason a baby or young child would not go to heaven.
Humm, do they stay babies in heaven, never grow, never marry?
Or could they be the ones who are resurrected to earth (Acts 24:15) and grow up as normal children?
I'm wondering what the general beliefs regarding this are. It's a very sad thing when a young child or baby passes, do you think they go to heaven?
Scriptures teach as to what enables any person entrance into heaven
(1) through baptism
Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with himthrough baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
1 Peter 3:21 and this water [referring to the water of Noah's time] symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Matthew 28:19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
(2) and also to include by faith
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faithcomesfrom hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ
Galatians 5:5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
False teachers \ theologies reject what God says and instead come up with alternative gospel plans ... which many have been already presented in other posts. Plans like:
"everybody goes to heaven" ... otherwise God isn't fair \ just or incompetent failure
a limited version of "everybody goes to heaven" ... otherwise God isn't fair \ just or incompetent failure
limited to (for instance)
a person who lacks the mental capacity
a person that reaches the point of God consciousness
small children, babies and mentally deficient folks
It is a Satanical lie that appeals to the humanistic view that some or all of humanity are automatically saved.
Last edited by twin.spin; 12-30-2013 at 02:23 PM..
Reason: spacing gremlins
False teachers \ theologies reject what God says and instead come up with alternative gospel plans ... which many have been already presented in other posts. <Snip> It is a Satanical lie that appeals to the humanistic view that some or all of humanity are automatically saved.
Hello twin.spin.
So...just for the sake of clarity, your answer to the original question is a resounding "no," correct? I don't suppose that you have a stance on what DOES happen to an infant or child who passes away before he or she is old enough to willingly accept Jesus and be baptized?
It is enough for me to know God loves babies , young children, among others. His plan is perfect and His clock keeps perfect time.
I do have an opinion but it's just mine and in no way can I or anyone "speak" for God. This is God's dominion and His judgement will prevail.
2 Samuel 12: 22 He (David) answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
I will go to him (in heaven) but he will not return to me (on earth). That's how I read this.
See I understand that when anointed Believers of Christ pray the cleansing of the blood of Jesus on babies most youth and the elderly and mentally disabled and people who knew Jesus but became pushed out of the body of Christ by disabilities , and then even animals all of these before they pass from this life , and then Jesus will collect these people souls and prepare and plan for their eternal life with Jesus , and from the understanding from Jesus Spirit Jesus has the authority to save these people from being lost to God ............ But I repeat there must be prayer of cleansing of Jesus blood and prayers from righteousness of Jesus believers praying before these people pass from this life in the earth and praying after will be hopeless .......... So it is believed that Jesus does have people praying for these youth and lost sheep in the world to save these ones
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