Are little children hellbound?

[Guest TIMGUY]

Hi I recenctly got into a discussion about this subject and I was wondering if you all agree with my conclusion.

Firstly those who do not believe in Jesus Christ go to hell for their sins. Now what of a baby that is born but then dies straight away? My conclusion is that they have not yet sinned so therefore they will go to heaven.

Secondly what about young children? What if a one two or even six year old dies without believing in Christ? My conclusion is that because Jesus said "Be like these little children" then therefore the little children were sinless, because why would Jesus say 'be like sinners'? So therefore I think God only judges us for sin when we have the knowledge of that sin. When we have this knowledge, is up to God to decide. Because how can a 2 year old know the difference between right and wrong, when they are yet to develope intelectually? I just don't think that God would cast someone into Hell who doesn't know good and evil. There is also a new testament scripture that says something along the lines of 'now that you have clamied that you know good an evil, you will be held accountable', perhaps this is going along the same lines?

These are just my thoughts, if anybody could please help me that would be great

Thanks

[Gerioke]

Are little children hellbound?

Depends on who you ask

I say no, but some people around here think I should just shut up

[book_wirm]

This subject has been discussed recently in some depth. A word of caution if you intend to proceed....TREAD LIGHTLY! The fate of all is best left in the hands of God. What we understand that fate to be is ultimately of no importance.

But, since you've raised the question...

Now what of a baby that is born but then dies straight away? My conclusion is that they have not yet sinned so therefore they will go to heaven.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Then why do they die? Death only comes by sin. Mind you I am NOT saying that these little ones have some grevious sin to their charge, but that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"[1] is a fact most plainly stated. Every human ever to have lived, no matter how long, has at the least a sin nature passed on from Adam.

My conclusion is that because Jesus said "Be like these little children" then therefore the little children were sinless, because why would Jesus say 'be like sinners'?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Paul also instructs us to be like him, yet he was a sinner. Understand what it is about the children and Paul that we are to be like. Of children, we must mimic their simpleness of faith. Of Paul we must follow his uncompromising dependence on Christ. This statement of Jesus' does not elevate the young to sinlessness.

...how can a 2 year old know the difference between right and wrong, when they are yet to develop intelectually? I just don't think that God would cast someone into Hell who doesn't know good and evil.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How then shall they be judged who have never heard the gospel, or even the name of Jesus. "No man cometh to the Father but by"[2]Jesus.

I would summarize my belief like this: age neither assures nor prevents salvation. All that the Father has chosen will be saved. I see some good reasons to believe that infants are afforded eternal life HOWEVER I do not believe those reasons to be conclusive. I am open to the possibility that there will indeed be some who die in infancy and are not granted eternal life.

Ultimately, then, it is best to leave the salvation of the young in the Father's infinitely wise hands.

In Christ,

Eric

[ColleenLovesMischief]

Sorry I do not believe that children are hellbound since they are not old enough to decide if they want Christ for themselves or not.

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

He that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him its a sin...How do the aborted babies know to do good???Eric,I totally disagree with alot of what you are saying.

[Guest shiloh357]

He that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him its a sin...How do the aborted babies know to do good???Eric,I totally disagree with alot of what you are saying.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have to concur with bloodbought on this. Any baby whether a victim of abortion or one who is still born or the product of a miscarriage goes immediately to be with the Lord.

I personally think that the notion that infants unable to make a decision or know right from wrong are sent to hell, is abominable, and that's putting it lightly. I will never be convinced otherwise. I know my who my Father is, and I know His heart. I have complete faith in His Character and wisdom. There is no way that His justice will allow babies to be eternally separated from Him.

[Trust & Obey]

1Co 7:13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

1Co 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

I believe that children in a Christian home are sanctified by the believing parent(s).

But, what about the children of non-believers? It could be that God, in His foreknowledge, knew what path the children would have taken had they not died prematurely. Then the question comes up.... "if the child dies at 6 years old, then they never had 'a future' for God to look upon in order to determine this.

Whatever happens we know that God is just, righteous, and fair.

[Guest Enchiridion]

Sorry I do not believe that children are hellbound since they are not old enough to decide if they want Christ for themselves or not.

If my salvation is contingent on something I decide, isn't that the same as saying my salvation is a result of something I do? Wouldn't that make it a work? Eph 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Further, are you all (except Eric) saying that at some point in our lives, our sinfulness doesn't matter to God? PS 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. The psalmist doesn't rejoice "But that's okay with you God," he acknowledges that he has been fatally stained with sin from the moment he came into being and he begs for cleansing and for God's mercy.

To say that sin doesn't matter to God --whomever is stained by it-- totally negates the complete holiness of our creator. God is so fully holy that bringing anything into His presence that is not also fully holy results in that thing's destruction. There is no Biblical support to say otherwise.

RO 5:20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.

Paul's discussion of the Law in Romans 5 & 6 is clear that just because a person doesn't have the Law it doesn't mean he is exempt from the Law. Also, in Romans 5 Paul tells us that Christ died for sinners. Are you all then saying that since, in your opinion children aren't sinners, Christ didn't die for children? Doesn't that sound ridiculous?

No, it says "ALL have sinned," not "all adults." Everyone needs Jesus, not just the grown-ups.

So what does that mean for babies (even those who are pre-born) who die? Everything I read in the Bible seems pretty clear that even babies who are saved are saved by grace. So if Grace --by faith-- doesn't come to us by something we decide, how does it come to us?

RO 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ

And

RO 6:3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through 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.

RO 6:5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

And

JN 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

MT 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."

Or to put it succinctly, grace comes to us by (1) hearing the Word and/or (2)baptism and/or (3) the Lord's Supper.

Can a baby inside his mother's womb hear the Word? We know babies in vitro can hear, so it's a logical conclusion they can hear the Word. So hallelujah! PS 139:14 I praise [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; [His] works are wonderful, I know that full well. and He has provided a means for salvation even to babies and those unborn, because they need it too.

God bless you all,

Enchiridion

[Ovedya]

I am only closing this thread because this is a hot-button isue that has recently been debated at length. Please check the apologetics forums and this one respectively to see what has been posted before.

Please read: Calvin vs. Arminius

and, :Age of Accountability

Also, there is a discussion in the Controversial Issues forum titled "Is Ignorance and Excuse?" that deals with this issue. Unfortunately newer members will not be able to access the forum until they have reached 1,000 posts. Sounds unfair, I know, but hey, it gives you a reason to stick around, right?