Children and the Age of Accountability

March 10, 2010

I’ve always believed in an age of accountability for sin. Children and babies who die don’t go to hell, period, and John Piper does a wonderful job of explaining why in ultra-simple terms.

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: age of accounability, children, john piper, salvation, Theology, video

Kerrie Smith

I really enjoyed this, Pastor Brandon. I was also listening to Dr. David Jeremiah last week when he finished his series on Heaven and I think it was the last message in that series he talked about children and infants going to heaven because they haven’t learned enough of the gospel yet. I’m thankful that we have a God who is both just and loving towards us. Oh, in talking about people with a mental disability going to Heaven, I will make mention that I had a cousin who died in 1986 because of schizophrenia. Of course, we realized he wasn’t accountable for his actions. He committed suicide, but his schizophrenia was really bad.

http://www.brandonacox.com Brandon

Yes, I do think God differentiates between those who make volitional choices and those whose directions in life are affected by uncontrollable bio-medical issues.

http://pastorcory.wordpress.com Cory McCaig

I think this is probably one of the best explanations on the age of accountability. I have always believed it, but I haven’t been able to wrap my brain around it. (Not that I have fully now!) However, this has opened a door to help me understand this wonderful act of grace on God’s part to little children and those who can’t understand.

Thanks Brandon for passing it on!
.-= Cory McCaig´s last blog ..Book Review: Busy Mom’s Bible by Lachelle McCaig =-.

http://www.brandonacox.com Brandon

No problem bro!

david parks

With respect i submit that the Age of Accountability is no where in Scripture. It is not even hinted at. It is a man centered creation what was necesary becuase the true way of eternal salvation is not taught or understood anymore.

The fact is that we are born into this world as enemies of God and condememed to hell on the basis of Adam’s sin (Rom 5:12). we are concieved in sin (Ps 51:5). A baby is just as guilty before God as a 90 year old man.

The popular, but incorrect, way of eternal salvation taught today is that one must beleive in Jesus in order to made into a child of God and therefore enter heaven eternal. thus, it is our free will deciison that lands us in heaven. However, to accept this beleif one will find an impossible contradiction when you examine John 3:3, John 1:13 and 1 Cor 2:14 as just three examples).

The fact is faith is a response to the inward wotk of Grace that God does in the heart (Gal 5:22-23).

The fact of Scripture is that those whom God chose by His infinate love and mercy to save would be placed in Christ. He decided this before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4-6,11). Jesus came to do the will of His Father which meant He would redeem all that the Father had given Him (John 6:37,39). Check out John 17:2 as well. He, and He alone, quickens those who are dead in trespasses and sin (Eph 2:1). a dead man can do nothing.

when we see that God eternally decicded whom He would place in Christ from the foundation of the world we need not wonder anymore about babies or mentially handicapped people. He saves with no cooperation from us at all.

Please read carefully Romans 9 (the entire chapter). also, see Acts 13:48.

God saves a baby eternally in the same manner as He saves a old person. Your faith is the RESPONSE of that inward work of grace.

By the way, faith is a work of the Law to which we know NO ONE will be saved (Rom 3:20). It is a work John 6:28-29, 1 Jn 3:23 and Matt 23:23.

be blessed and to God be the Glory.