The concept of the "age of accountability" is that children are not held accountable by God for their sins until they reach a certain age, and that if a child dies before reaching the "age of accountability,' that child will, by the grace and mercy of God, be granted entrance into Heaven. Is the concept of an age of accountability biblical? Is there such a thing as an "age of innocence"?

Frequently lost in the discussion regarding the age of accountability is the fact that children, no matter how young, are not “innocent” in the sense of being sinless. The Bible tells us that even if an infant or child has not committed personal sin, all people, including infants and children, are guilty before God because of inherited and imputed sin. Inherited sin is that which is passed on from our parents. In Psalm 51:5, David wrote, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” David recognized that even at conception, he was a sinner. The very sad fact that infants sometimes die demonstrates that even infants are impacted by Adam’s sin, since physical and spiritual death were the results of Adam's original sin.

Each person, infant or adult, stands guilty before God; each person has offended the holiness of God. The only way God can be just and at the same time declare a person righteous is for that person to have received forgiveness by faith in Christ. Christ is the only way. John 14:6 records what Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, except through Me.” Also, Peter states in Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Salvation is an individual choice.

What about babies and young children who never reach the ability to make this individual choice? The age of accountability is a concept that teaches those who die before reaching the age of accountability are automatically saved, by God’s grace and mercy. The age of accountability is a belief that God saves all those who die before reaching the ability to make a decision for or against Christ. Thirteen is the most common number given for the age of accountability, based on the Jewish custom that a child becomes an adult at the age of 13. However, the Bible gives no direct support to the age of 13 always being the age of accountability. It likely varies from child to child. A child has passed the age of accountability once he or she is capable of making a faith decision for or against Christ.

With the above in mind, also consider this: Christ's death is presented as sufficient for all of mankind. First John 2:2 says Jesus is “the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” This verse is clear that Jesus' death was sufficient for all sins, not just the sins of those who specifically have come to Him in faith. The fact that Christ's death was sufficient for all sin would allow the possibility of God’s applying that payment to those who were never capable of believing.

The one passage that seems to identify with this topic more than any other is 2 Samuel 12:21-23. The context of these verses is that King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, with a resulting pregnancy. The prophet Nathan was sent by the Lord to inform David that because of his sin, the Lord would take the child in death. David responded to this by grieving, mourning, and praying for the child. But once the child was taken, David's mourning ended. David's servants were surprised to hear this. They said to King David, “What is this thing that you have done? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” David's response was, “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.’ But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” David's response indicates that those who cannot believe are safe in the Lord. David said that he could go to the child, but that he could not bring the child back to him. Also, and just as important, David seemed to be comforted over this. In other words, David seemed to be saying that he would see the child (in heaven), though he could not bring him back.

Although it is possible that God applies Christ's payment for sin to those who cannot believe, the Bible does not specifically say that He does this. Therefore, this is a subject about which we should not be adamant or dogmatic. God’s applying Christ’s death to those who cannot believe would seem consistent with His love and mercy. It is our position that God applies Christ's payment for sin to young children and those who are mentally handicapped, since they were not mentally capable of understanding their sinful state and their need for the Savior, but again we cannot be dogmatic. Of this we are certain: God is loving, holy, merciful, just, and gracious. Whatever He does is always right and good.

http://www.gotquestions.org/age-of-accountability.html

Okay Frosbel, I am not here to argue; I seem to agree with you.

You have no certain position on the age of accountability with regards to the bible. This is what christianity does- leads to more unanswerable questions!



The catholics have a way out- Purgatory! If you did not hear about God's word and can claim ignorance, you're going to purgatory before heaven.



Anyways, you see how an atheist rids himself of this spiritual conundrum by not believing in it in the first place?

smh

on age of accountability, I think you shoot it too up by saying 13. To me, if Jesus is our perfect example to follow, and all scriptures are for our learning, then it may be way below. At 12years old Jesus was much accountable and about His Father's business. Daniel knew stuff as young as he was to be able to purpose in his heart and live a godly life in a strange land. It's a similar thing with young Samuel. it's unfortunate nowadays the ploy of the adversary, to make us not train up our children in the way they should go. The children church has become a play class struggling to meet up with the entertainment obtained in private schools, that's even where children church exist. Other places they just run and play all through church. Then we start to 'train' them when they are already formed into satanic tools. This is not right at all.

Image123: on age of accountability, I think you shoot it too up by saying 13. To me, if Jesus is our perfect example to follow, and all scriptures are for our learning, then it may be way below. At 12years old Jesus was much accountable and about His Father's business. Daniel knew stuff as young as he was to be able to purpose in his heart and live a godly life in a strange land. It's a similar thing with young Samuel. it's unfortunate nowadays the ploy of the adversary, to make us not train up our children in the way they should go. The children church has become a play class struggling to meet up with the entertainment obtained in private schools, that's even where children church exist. Other places they just run and play all through church. Then we start to 'train' them when they are already formed into satanic tools. This is not right at all.

Yet, you guys will be the first to say that Muhammad married a girl that was too young.

just kidding!

logicboy: Okay Frosbel, I am not here to argue; I seem to agree with you.

You have no certain position on the age of accountability with regards to the bible. This is what christianity does- leads to more unanswerable questions!



The catholics have a way out- Purgatory! If you did not hear about God's word and can claim ignorance, you're going to purgatory before heaven.



Anyways, you see how an atheist rids himself of this spiritual conundrum by not believing in it in the first place?

Purgatory?
Some believe that the idea of ​​purgatory was Jesus Christ ...
Purgatory was "invented" in the councils of Lyon (1274) in Florence
(1239) and Trent (1530).
You see, purgatory is not a biblical concept, nor of Jesus. It is an invention of Bishops, like many others cosas.Un Embrace, friend!
and ...
Vamo' arriba la celeste!

Image123: on age of accountability, I think you shoot it too up by saying 13. To me, if Jesus is our perfect example to follow, and all scriptures are for our learning, then it may be way below. At 12years old Jesus was much accountable and about His Father's business. Daniel knew stuff as young as he was to be able to purpose in his heart and live a godly life in a strange land. It's a similar thing with young Samuel. it's unfortunate nowadays the ploy of the adversary, to make us not train up our children in the way they should go. The children church has become a play class struggling to meet up with the entertainment obtained in private schools, that's even where children church exist. Other places they just run and play all through church. Then we start to 'train' them when they are already formed into satanic tools. This is not right at all.

Right.
You said that the Christian priests train children with satanic tools.
I did not say. ..

Look frosbel,All children carried within them karma from their previous earth lives which they must redeem since nobody on earth is here for the 1st time,how can God be sending new borns to this over-saturated sinful,evil world when the adults around are still frustrating him? .

logicboy:


Yet, you guys will be the first to say that Muhammad married a girl that was too young.

just kidding!

your point?

Image123: on age of accountability, I think you shoot it too up by saying 13. To me, if Jesus is our perfect example to follow, and all scriptures are for our learning, then it may be way below. At 12years old Jesus was much accountable and about His Father's business. Daniel knew stuff as young as he was to be able to purpose in his heart and live a godly life in a strange land. It's a similar thing with young Samuel. it's unfortunate nowadays the ploy of the adversary, to make us not train up our children in the way they should go. The children church has become a play class struggling to meet up with the entertainment obtained in private schools, that's even where children church exist. Other places they just run and play all through church. Then we start to 'train' them when they are already formed into satanic tools. This is not right at all.

lol, ur kid is a satanic tool.... pele..

musKeeto:
lol, ur kid is a satanic tool.... pele..

I'm serious here muskeeto. BTW, you're a satanic tool you know? In the bigger picture, one is either a servant of God or satan. Children take in a whole lot of information that forms them all through life in the ages of one to four already. i was only being general on how many Christian parents handle the spiritual lives of their children.