Answer:
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.
Recommended Resources:
Logos Bible Software and
Safe in the Arms of God: Words from Heaven About the Death of a Child by John MacArthur.
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