Age of accountibility

[tsth]

calamity

Babies, and children who are too young to know the difference between good and evil do not have the capabililty of making a choice or of repenting of something they don't even realize is wrong. Therefore, they are not accountable until they reach that understanding. Then, they must make a decision. It's plain silly, IMO, to think that a baby, a newborn baby can "be saved" or "not be saved". They are in God's hands, while they are in this "unaccountable" age, and would certainly go to heaven if they died, but not because they consciously made a decision about something they had no understanding of yet.

Then, there's that matter of repentance:

That's what I think too Calamity.

Being in the mission of Children's Evangelism, I would like to add that it is dependent upon the maturity of the child.  But the prominent factor is...........whether or not the child is old enough to grasp the concept of "sin".  If they do not understand that, then they cannot understand the sacrifice that Christ paid for them.  In other words, if a child cannot grasp sin, then he/she cannot take hold of the fact that they are a sinner themselves.  That is a foundational point for a child to be lead to the Lord, they must be able to understand why Christ died on the cross.  I lead several after-school Bible studies and we witness to children every day.  You can really see, when a child understands, and when they don't.  You know "most of the time" when they understand the concept of sin, because one who is not old enough, does not grasp it, or does not understand yet, that they have sinned themselves.  The ones who do, can quite clearly talk about their own sin, and very readily do.  But the age varies.  I would have to say that 12 is a good standard though, simply because by then, the child has the mental capacity to understand sin.

From current children's ministry studies and research, here's some current statistics for those who profess to have come to know Jesus and their ages:

Ages 0-4 1%

4-14 85%

15-30 10%

30+ 4%

In His Love,

Suzanne

Hey shadow, I'm surprised you saw that too!!! I think that was quite a while back.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Guest mcm42]

It's plain silly, IMO, to think that a baby, a newborn baby can "be saved" or "not be saved".

Could this be because you think you have to do something to get saved? I believe that repentance, prayers etc. etc. are a result of true conversion. Because I don't believe in certain works (to choose, to repent, etc.) may be internal in nature, but that are "actions', or things that you do.

I don't believe we do anything for salvation, and therefore there is no reason for a baby to do anything either. that's just my opinion and it settles this issue for me pretty nicely, I understand others believe differently, that's cool, I don't believe in an age of accountability, I believe we are accountable from birth for our sin nature, inherited from adam, and the only thing that can change that is God's choosing, again my opinion!

God Bless

[Guest Calamity]

It's plain silly, IMO, to think that a baby, a newborn baby can "be saved" or "not be saved".

Could this be because you think you have to do something to get saved? I believe that repentance, prayers etc. etc. are a result of true conversion. Because I don't believe in certain works (to choose, to repent, etc.) may be internal in nature, but that are "actions', or things that you do.

I don't believe we do anything for salvation, and therefore there is no reason for a baby to do anything either. that's just my opinion and it settles this issue for me pretty nicely, I understand others believe differently, that's cool, I don't believe in an age of accountability, I believe we are accountable from birth for our sin nature, inherited from adam, and the only thing that can change that is God's choosing, again my opinion!

God Bless

This may have already been covered, I'm not sure I've read this whole thread, but do you believe a baby that is not chosen, that dies at birth or shortly thereafter, goes to hell?

[Guest Calamity]

Maybe Frank would say, "If you had not murdered me before I had a chance to be born, God had plans for me. I would've been an evangelist, or a missionary, or witnessed to thousands of people......"

I think you are getting to close to Frank But hey he is a nice guy :oww:

These verses that you posted referance people talking after they were old. I will say that it is hard to accept that people could cease to exsist. Things that happen to you thoughout your life make you what you are now. Maybe the intent of that child (because trust me God knows) was to help to mold you to be a better person. (I say you not meaning calamity but anyone). I think you would agree that God knows Frank is going to be aborted long before it ever happens. Thus Frank could not say I could have been a missionary or anything because he couldn't have been. From day 1 he was going to get aborted. I have never had an abortion which is good since I'm a guy...but I have never gotten someone pregnant..(that makes more sense). So I'm not in that position or have feelings so strong one way or the other. Do you know of/or can you find any bible versus representing people who go to heaven due to lack of knowledge? I don't recall anything referanceing that but I could be wrong.

OK, bobtep, what about the Garden of Eden? It would have been entirely different if things had stayed the way God made them. Adam changed it when he - of his own will - sinned. The baby that's aborted today could have been a missionary, the way I see it, if man had not stepped in and cut it short. Yes, God KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN, because He has FOREKNOWLEDGE of everything about everyone.

[Guest LarryCucumber]

I'm not sure I've read this whole thread, but do you believe a baby that is not chosen, that dies at birth or shortly thereafter, goes to hell?

I believe that's up to God personally. Maybe all babies are chosen? Maybe the ones that aren't were "vessels meant for destruction".

I think we are accountable from conception, and God handles the ones that are "less capable" of response.

that's how I see it, maybe it's these glasses thought

[Guest zhavoney]

xyz

[electric lemon]

i think that its whenever they hear about God and understand what He did for them. Then they really know whether to believe or not

[cricket]

Age accountability? There is no limit to the Holy Spirit.