Do Babies Go To Heaven Upon Death?

The relatively recent practice on Facebook of giving us reminders of things we had posted on this day in past years is good.  It gives us a chance to look back and see if there is reason to change our thinking based upon further studies of God's Word.

Recently, I was reminded of a question posted to my page by my Christian brother, Jonathan Benjamin, on January 19, 2012.  In that post, Jon asked me, "Hey brother Bill, I wanted to ask you if you believe in original sin?"   And, that question led me to write my Facebook Note titled "'Original Sin' Or 'Sin Nature' - Is There A Difference?"   Below is an excerpt from that Note:

"Original Sin" Or "Sin Nature" - Is There A Difference?
Bill Gray, January 20, 2012
https://www.facebook.com/notes/306589322720561/

Bathsheba had conceived a child which died in infancy.  Yet, in this passage David is sure that this child, innocent of the sins of his parents, would be in heaven - for David, who had repented of his sin before God, says of the child, "Can I bring him back again?  I will go to him, but he will not return to me."   David knew his child was with God - and that, one day, he would join that child in the presence of God.

And, in Luke 18:16, Jesus tells His disciples, and us, "But Jesus called for them, saying, 'Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.' "

From these passages, and knowing that God's love and justice are perfect - we know that He will bring all children who die early, before the age of understanding, into His arms.

Later that same day Jonathan replied: 

That's a very well detailed explanation of your position.  I want to thank you.  Also, I wanted to ask you about the portion on babies and young children.  It is commonly believed in the mainstream evangelical church that God would never send a child or a baby to hell.  They'll point to several passages like David lamenting over his baby or Jesus stating, "Don't deny those that come to me such as these."

But as I examined those verses I can't find exegetical reason to believe they state children go to heaven automatically.  Doesn't it go against certain solidified doctrines such as: Jesus is the only way to the father.  Any other way is trying to climb over the fence?  When a child gets to heaven and God asks, "Why should I let you in?" - from what I understand, if it's any reason other than Christ, they aren't getting in.  Does God have a soft spot in his heart for babies and young children?  I'm sure he does, but that doesn't mean it nullifies His Word, does it?  Thanks for responding!

First, I would question whether God would ask a child who has not yet reached an age where he/she is capable of understanding and believing in Jesus Christ, "Why should I let you in?"    But, that is just a personal position and not specifically Biblical.

True, the Bible does not tell us absolutely that unborn babies, infants, and children who have not reached the age of understanding, i.e., the age of accountability, will go to heaven.  But, I do believe there is enough evidence to believe that He does have a special dispensation for such.

Let's look at what several Christian leaders, teachers, and scholars have to say on this issue:

Do Babies And Others Incapable Of Professing Faith In Christ Automatically Go To Heaven?
John F. MacArthur, Grace to You
http://www.gty.org/resources/questions/QA101/do-babies-and-others-incapable-of-professing-faith-in-christ-automatically-go-to-heaven

 People often wonder about the eternal destiny of the unborn, babies, and those unable to intellectually understand the gospel.  That question is a difficult one.  Unfortunately, the Bible offers us no explicit answer.  However, based on several passages, as well as an understanding of God's character and His dealings with men, we can develop a good idea of how He works in such situations.  .  .  .

Second Samuel 12:23 is one of the passages often quoted to imply that babies go to heaven.  Though the verse doesn't explicitly say that, David clearly does expect to one day be reunited with his departed child.  Since we know David is a believer whose destiny was heaven, we can infer that his hope of reunion means he expected his child to be in heaven.  Thus, 2 Samuel 12:23 suggests strong evidence for a heavenly destiny of the unborn and children who die young.

If this were all we had to support our position, it would be admittedly less than stalwart.  However, there are other evidences that point us to the same conclusion.  First, the Bible clearly teaches that God cares deeply for children.  Passages like Matthew 18:1-6 (Jesus' discourse on humility like a child) and 19:13-15 (Jesus blesses little children) affirm the Lord's love for them.  Those verses don't state that children go to heaven, but they do show God's heart toward children.  He created and cares for children, and beyond that, He always accomplishes His perfect will in every circumstance.

However, another point may be helpful in answering this question.  While infants and children have neither sensed their personal sin and need for salvation nor placed their faith in Christ, Scripture teaches that condemnation is based on the clear rejection of God's revelation - whether general or specific - not simple ignorance of it (Luke 10:16; John 12:48; 1 Thess. 4:8).

Can we definitely say that the unborn and young children have comprehended the truth displayed by God's general revelation that renders them "without excuse" (Rom. 1:18-20)?  They will be judged according to the light they received.  Scripture is clear that children and the unborn have original sin - including both the propensity to sin as well as the inherent guilt of original sin.  But could it be that somehow Christ's atonement did pay for the guilt for these helpless ones throughout all time? 

Yes, and therefore it is a credible assumption that a child who dies at an age too young to have made a conscious, willful rejection of Jesus Christ will be taken to be with the Lord.

From the GotQuestions web site:
 

What about babies and young children who never attain the ability to make this individual choice?  The age of accountability is the concept that those who die before reaching the age of accountability are automatically saved by God’s grace and mercy.  The age of accountability is the belief that God saves all those who die never having possessed the ability to make a decision for or against Christ.  .  .  .  

A child has passed the age of accountability once he or she is capable of making a faith decision for or against Christ.  Charles Spurgeon’s opinion was that “a child of five can as truly be saved and regenerated as an adult.”

Bill Gray Note:  When my Friend, Pastor Sam Lacanienta, interviewed our five year old granddaughter, Elyssa, and decided she had the knowledge and understanding to receive Christ and to be baptized, I will admit that, as a relatively new Christian then myself, I wondered about his decision. 

However, when I now look at the young Christian woman, Elyssa, in her final year of getting her Teaching Credentials at a leading Christian college and engaged to a wonderful Christian man - I see that Pastor Sam knew a lot more than I did back then.  He was right - and Elyssa is living proof.

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.   (Where do I find the age of accountability in the Bible? What happens to babies and young children when they die?  http://www.gotquestions.org/age-of-accountability.html)

And, from the CARM (Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry) web site:

What happens to babies or infants who die?  Do they go to Heaven or Hell?
https://carm.org/what-happens-to-babies-or-infants-who-die

While the Bible does not explicitly say where young children go when they die in infancy, it seems to imply that they go to Heaven.

First, there is no verse in Scripture which states that those unbelievers will go to Hell because they were not old enough to believe.  Since God is just, it would appear that He would allow these infants to go to Heaven.

Second, perhaps the only passage in Scripture which explicitly speaks about where babies go who die in infancy is 2 Samuel 12.   In the context of this passage, David committed adultery with Bathsheba.  The prophet, Nathan, boldly confronts David about his adultery and tells him that the child that Bathsheba has conceived will die.  As a result of the confrontation, David confesses his sin, puts on sackcloth and ashes, fasts, and mourns the fact that he will lose his child.

When David receives news that the child has died, he quits mourning and fasting and changes his clothing.  The prophet, Nathan, comes to David and asks him why he quit mourning the loss of his son.

David replies, "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 will go to him, but he will not return to me"  (2 Sam. 12:22-23).  The text seems to imply that the child went to Heaven since David says, "I will go to him, but he will not return to me," and elsewhere Scripture indicates that David went to Heaven (Psalm. 16:10-11, Heb. 11:32-33).

Third, Scripture may allude to an age of accountability in Isaiah 7:15 which speaks of a child who "will eat curds and honey at the time he knows enough to refuse evil and choose good."  If a child dies before this "time" - it would seem that he or she would go to Heaven.

It is difficult to be dogmatic about this issue, but we can rest in the fact that God is holy, righteous, and just.  Therefore, whatever God chooses to do with infants will be best for them.1

1. References: Norman Geisler, "Infants, Salvation of," in The Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999, pp. 363-65.

In his book "Bible Doctrine" (Zondervan 1999 pages 216-217) Dr. Wayne Grudem tells us:

3. Are infants guilty before they commit actual sins?  Some maintain that Scripture teaches an "age of accountability" before which young children are not held responsible for sin and are not counted guilty before God.  However, the passages noted above about "inherited sin" indicate that even before birth children have a guilty standing before God and a sinful nature that not only gives them a tendency to sin but also causes God to view them as "sinners" in his sight.  "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me"  (Psalm. 51:5).  .  .

4. How can infants who die be saved?  But what do we say about infants who die before they are old enough to understand and believe the gospel?  Can they be saved?

Here we must say that if such infants are saved, it cannot be on their own merits, or on the basis of their own righteousness or innocence, but it must be entirely on the basis of Christ’s redemptive work and regeneration by the work of the Holy Spirit within them.  .  .  However it certainly is possible for God to bring regeneration (that is, new spiritual life) to an infant even before he or she is born.  

It is clear, therefore, that God is able to save infants in an unusual way, apart from their hearing and understanding the gospel, by bringing regeneration to them very early, sometimes even before birth.  This regeneration is probably also followed at once by a nascent, intuitive awareness of God and trust in Him at an extremely early age, but this is something we simply cannot understand.

We must, however, affirm very clearly that this is not the usual way for God to save people.  Salvation usually occurs when someone hears and understands the gospel and then places trust in Christ.  .  .

To this point, I agree with Dr. Grudem.  However, in the continuation of his teaching on infant death, I find it hard to stay with him.  For here, he falls back to the Reform/Calvinist teaching of Predestination, i.e., Elect and Reprobate.  The way I read this following excerpt from page 217 of Bible Doctrine, he is saying that only the children of the Elect chosen before the creation are saved.  That implies that the children of the Reprobate go to hell.

How many infants does God save in this way?  Scripture does not tell us, so we simply cannot know.  Where Scripture is silent, it is unwise for us to make definitive pronouncements.  However, we should recognize that it is God’s frequent pattern throughout Scripture to save the children of those who believe in him.  .  .  God’s ordinary pattern, the ‘normal’ or expected way in which he acts, is to bring the [infant] children of believers to Himself. 

With regard to believers’ children who die very young, we have no reason to think that it would be otherwise (see 2 Sam. 12:23 and Psalm. 23:6).  .  .  This should be of assurance to all believers who have lost children in their infancy, that they will one day see them again in the glory of the heavenly kingdom.

Regarding the children of unbelievers who die at a very early age, Scripture is silent.  We simply must leave that matter in the hands of God and trust him to be both just and merciful.  If they are saved, it will not be on the basis of any merit of their own or any innocence that we might presume that they have.  If they are saved, it will be on the basis of Christ’s redeeming work.  Salvation is always because of God’s mercy, not because of our merits (see Rom. 9:14-18).  Scripture does not allow us to say more than that.

As I have written many times before, I find it impossible to believe the Bible teaches that billions of people, i.e., the Reprobate, are condemned to hell with absolutely no opportunity to choose eternal life in Christ.  That is virtually impossible for me to believe regarding the God I worship - a God of perfect Love and perfect Justice.  

The Bible tells us that, until we breathe that last breath - even the most heinous of sinners can still choose to follow Christ into eternal life.  Jesus teaches of this in Matthew 20:1-16, the parable of workers hired at different times, i.e., those saved late, even just before their last breath, have the same eternal life in Christ.

However, when it comes to the unborn, infants, and young children -  how can we accept that God would have divided those infants into Elects and Reprobates knowing they would never reach an age of understanding?  How can we accept the teaching that my God would choose to condemn billions of these young babies to the misery of eternal hell.  

Think about it.  God is absolutely sovereign, God is absolutely omniscient, God is absolutely omnipotent.  So, why would God allow the unborn, infants, and young children to be born - knowing that He has already condemned them to suffer miserably in hell for eternity?   Is that really the God you worship?

From the Back To The Bible (Dr. Warren Wiersbe) web site:

What About the Age of Accountability?
Some people say that there is an age when children become accountable for their actions. But the Bible does not mention an "age of accountability." Children are culpable for sin when they draw their first breath, but are they accountable at that moment as well? I don't think so. We must make a distinction between culpability (liability for their sin nature) and accountability (liability for their sinful actions). Isaiah said, "For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings" (Isa. 7:16). It's evident that little children do not have the ability to make moral decisions and to take responsibility for their sins. Still, they are sinners and need a Savior. Perhaps the "age of accountability" should be called "the age of moral awareness." Children come to a point where they become morally aware; that is, they understand what's right and what's wrong.
So what happens if your child dies before he is aware of what is morally right or wrong? He is still guilty of his sins and must pay the penalty for his sins. That's where the blood of Jesus Christ comes in. Young children have not rejected the blood of Jesus as the heathen have. It is there for them, covering their sins, washing them clean, even though they have not had the ability to exercise faith in Jesus, which is required for the salvation of men and women who understand the consequences of their sin. A child's lack of understanding doesn't deter the power of Jesus' blood. Only rejecting the blood deters its power, and babies haven't done that.
- See more at: https://www.backtothebible.org/is-my-child-in-heaven#sthash.lpToUUww.dpuf

What About the Age of Accountability?  Some people say that there is an age when children become accountable for their actions.  But the Bible does not mention an "age of accountability."  Children are culpable for sin when they draw their first breath, but are they accountable at that moment as well?  I don't think so.  We must make a distinction between culpability (liability for their sin nature) and accountability (liability for their sinful actions). 

Isaiah said, "For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings" (Isa. 7:16).  It's evident that little children do not have the ability to make moral decisions and to take responsibility for their sins.  Still, they are sinners and need a Savior.  Perhaps the "age of accountability" should be called "the age of moral awareness."  Children come to a point where they become morally aware; that is, they understand what's right and what's wrong.

So what happens if your child dies before he is aware of what is morally right or wrong?  He is still guilty of his sins and must pay the penalty for his sins.  That's where the blood of Jesus Christ comes in.  Young children have not rejected the blood of Jesus as the heathen have. 

It is there for them, covering their sins, washing them clean, even though they have not had the ability to exercise faith in Jesus, which is required for the salvation of men and women who understand the consequences of their sin.  A child's lack of understanding doesn't deter the power of Jesus' blood.  Only rejecting the blood deters its power, and babies haven't done that.   (Is my child in heaven?   https://www.backtothebible.org/is-my-child-in-heaven)

Jonathan, I will offer this one last excerpt from Come Reason Ministries, for the man, Nick, seems to ask the same question you asked me earlier:

Do Babies Go To Heaven When They Die?

http://www.comereason.org/do-babies-go-to-heaven.asp

I just discovered your website, and as a believer, teacher, and advisor for the philosophy club at my school, I found your site valuable.  .  .  

1. Man has a sin nature.
2. Without salvation from his sin nature (see #1), he will go to Hell.
3. Upon salvation from his sin nature, he will go to heaven (after death or the rapture)
4. Man's life begins at conception. (We use this to argue abortion)
5. Therefore, at man's conception, he has a sin nature.
6. Therefore, aborted or miscarried babies do not go to heaven.

I don't like this conclusion; I don't think anyone does!  However, I can find no Biblical argument to the contrary.  Many try to formulate an "age of accountability" which I cannot find Biblical support for.  Some say, the Grace of God covers their yet unrepented sin nature, yet I can find no Biblical support for this. 

Any argument that seems to save these unborn children from Hell, also seems to argue a second way for salvation, or a compromise of some Biblical truth.  Can you help?  I asked the wisest person I know, and wisely, he said, "I don't know.  I guess I'll know when I get to heaven."   Thanks,  Nick

+++++++++++++++++

Hi Nick, There is probably no more plaguing difficulty to the doctrine of original sin, what is referred to as a "sin nature" - than the one you outline in your letter.  How can God, who is all-loving, condemn babies to hell?  We bristle at the conclusion - it doesn't seem to be in keeping with what we'd expect.

Naturally, because this is a controversial topic, there are different schools of thought depending on how you understand the concept of original sin. Different churches understand the doctrine differently.  So before we go further, I'd like to look at the main passages from where this doctrine stems.

The Basis for Belief in Original Sin:

• Romans 5:12, 19 - "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned .  .  . For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous."

Here Paul states that the sin of one man (Adam) has caused us all to be sinners.  Paul here links death and sin together and argues that we share in Adam's death because we share in Adam's sin.

•  Psalm 51:5, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."

Here we see the Psalmist noting that even at his birth he was considered sinful.  This idea is reinforced by the command in Leviticus 12:7 for a sin offering after having a baby.

St. Augustine brought the doctrine of original sin to prominence in his writings against the Pelagians and their heresies.  The Pelagians held that "every human being is by nature as pure as Adam was before he sinned."    Augustine argued against the Pelagians to show original sin existed in every person.   His argument can be summarized as follows:

1. Death is a consequent of Adam's sin (see Gen 3:19, 1 Cor. 15:21)
2. All men are Adam's progeny, inheriting Adam's conditions.
3. All men are mortal, prone to die.
4. Therefore, all men share in the consequent of Adam's sin.
5. Therefore, all men have inherited Adam's sin.

The Meaning of Original Sin:

So the doctrine of original sin seems well established, but we haven't really said what original sin is exactly, or what it means to us.  Some denominations maintain that original sin is merely a proclivity towards doing sinful things, not necessarily being in sin.  While I agree that we do have a proclivity towards sin (what Wayne Grudem terms "inherited corruption" ) I also see the Scriptures teaching that sin is an individual, spiritual condition. 

Romans 5 goes on to explain this in verses 18-19.  There Paul writes, "So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.  For as through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One many will be made righteous."

In this way we are directly imputed (attributed) with Adam's sin.  Adam was the representative for all mankind and his sin is imputed to us directly as if we had done it ourselves.  However, as Dr. Grudem points out, "if we think that it's unfair for us to be represented by Adam, then we should also think it is unfair for us to be represented by Christ and have his righteousness imputed to us by God."  And this is the key point in my answer as to your question.

Before I go farther, I must say that one of the reasons this question is so difficult is that we are not explicitly told that the pre-born, infants, those with serious mental impairments who cannot understand the Gospel, will be held accountable because they did not accept it.  Again, this strikes us as unfair and not what we'd expect from a just God. 

The Bible does give us an account of David's infant son dying (2 Samuel 12:23).  There, David makes the claim that he will join his son after death - and David was a strong believer who did rest in God for his salvation (Psalm 62:7).  Also, we read in the Gospel of Luke that John the Baptist was "filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb" (Luke 1:15).  From these passages we can at least deduce that it is possible to be saved as a pre-born infant. 

How God Can Save an Infant:

In your argument you make an explicit statement that salvation is "provided by God, through Jesus, to the repentant believing sinner."  This statement is true. However, it also must be noted that the Old Testament saints were saved although they did not have a complete knowledge of the salvation act (see 1 Peter 1:10-11).  So it is possible to be saved by God through Christ even if you don't understand all the facts of the Gospel.

Wayne Grudem supports this view as well.  He writes "God is able to save infants in an unusual way, apart from their hearing and understanding the Gospel, by bringing regeneration to them very early, sometimes even before birth.  This regeneration is probably also followed at once by a nascent, intuitive awareness of God and trust in him at an extremely early age, but this is something we simply cannot understand." 

Grudem continues, "How many infants does God save in this way?  Scripture does not tell us, so we simply cannot know.  Where Scripture is silent, it is unwise for us to make definitive pronouncements.  However, we should recognize that it is God's frequent pattern throughout Scripture to save the children of those who believe in Him."

Bill Gray Note:  Once again, we see Wayne Grudem leaning toward God saving only the children of the Elect.   Would God condemn billions of unborn and infant children to the misery of eternal hell without a chance for eternal life?  Not my God.

The salvation of those who cannot cognitively understand their sinful condition or God's cure is a mystery.  It is not clearly revealed to us.  But we have shown above that it is possible and has happened with at least David's son.  Beyond that, we must trust the fact that God is not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance.  .  .

I hope that this has shed a little light on a difficult issue.  I pray that God will continue to bless you as you seek to not only know Him, but teach His truth to others.

 
Let me close by offering this four minute video which I think is well done and speak to the issue of heaven or hell for babies:

Do Babies Go to Hell?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvQPsThF6zI

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill