What is the Age of Accountability?

I'm sure others have said it, but I heard the term "condition of accountability" from John MacArthur. Since people mature differently, it makes sense to me. I have a 22 year old niece who has the mentality of around 9 or 10. I don't think we can point to a specific age and say that's it.

My five year old son has been struggling with the problem of evil. He asks me: "Why did God make sin?" It's been a difficult question to answer. Today I just asked him: "Son, do you trust the Lord? Maybe he has a reason that we don't understand. I think the important issue is whether or not we trust him." To which he responded: "I don't think I do. But I want to." Even in a five year old we see the seeds of both sin and grace.

jimmyjimmy said:

How old is a person who is "accountable", if you believe there is such an age.

Also, if a person dies one hour after he reaches this age, whatever it may be, and he is not a Christian, is he condemned?

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The Holy Spirit knows. My great-grandchildren know.

jimmyjimmy said:

Although you can't give a number, you do agree that there is such a thing, correct?

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Honestly, I don't know if I do. The Bible doesn't give a specific age, and we can't point to a specific age. I think it has to come down to a condition. I think we can probably point to an age we think someone would be held accountable. But I think it's all guess work since we don't have anything solid to point to.

I haven't read this whole thread, but like some others have mentioned it is a difficult question. I think it varies from person to person since people mature at different rates. When a person hits puberty could be it, but I'm not sure. When things like this comes up, I just leave it with God since He sees all and knows all.

There is no real answer. Just guesses. My guess is it at the point where you are able to understand who/what God/Jesus is. For example a 4 or 5 year old maybe understand that your talking about this Jesus person, but a 10 year old may grasp that this isn't just some fairy tale or silly thing you talk about. Its God, a real person (well God) that wants a real relationship with you. Then again maybe I am wrong. Maybe we don't understand that stuff until even later or maybe way earlier.

jimmyjimmy said:

How old is a person who is "accountable", if you believe there is such an age.

Also, if a person dies one hour after he reaches this age, whatever it may be, and he is not a Christian, is he condemned?

Click to expand...

Only God alone can determine or know ones "age of accountability" for anyone, even we cannot tell that for ourselves, let alone someone trying to judge that about someone else...

There are too many factors to consider, so many, that we cannot even tell about our own selves...

God Bless!

jimmyjimmy said:

How old is a person who is "accountable", if you believe there is such an age.

Also, if a person dies one hour after he reaches this age, whatever it may be, and he is not a Christian, is he condemned?

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According to Jewish law, when Jewish boys become 13 years old, they become accountable for their actions and become a bar mitzvah. A girl becomes a bat mitzvah at the age of 12 according to Orthodox and Conservative Jews, and at the age of 13 according to Reform Jews.

jimmyjimmy said:

How old is a person who is "accountable", if you believe there is such an age.

Also, if a person dies one hour after he reaches this age, whatever it may be, and he is not a Christian, is he condemned?

Click to expand...

I personally believe that you cannot put a date on it. Some kids mature faster than others. Some kids, with mental illness of physical mental limitations will never be at an age of accountability.

This is another item or attribute of each and every person ever born, that will be determined by God's supreme and unfailing ability to judge and be just. Only He will know or, for that purpose, need to know.

It's not up to us, or of any concern of ours. It is between that person and God.

jimmyjimmy said:

How old is a person who is "accountable", if you believe there is such an age.

Also, if a person dies one hour after he reaches this age, whatever it may be, and he is not a Christian, is he condemned?

Click to expand...

From the moment of conception.

I am unable to find any age of accountability found in the Bible.

I believe the AOC is 150. God's grace covers all those who dont get it right before they reach their 150th bday.

--The idea of 'age of accountability' is found in Romans 7:8-9.
--Man becomes a sinner in his 'youth' not at birth, Genesis 8:21
--Children are taught right from wrong Deuteronomy 1:39; Isaiah 7:15-16. Therefore there is no set age for children mature and learn at different speeds/levels.

There is the whole wilderness incident.....where only those below the age of, i believe 21, were able to make it out and into the promise land. Maybe this would also be a good number to use, for those willing to put an age on God's grace.

jimmyjimmy said:

Is there an age of accountability?

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You mean like an age to drive, an age to drink, an age to vote, an age to get Old age pension?

IMHO..... no, due to every human being different..... thank goodness.

jimmyjimmy said:

Is there an age of accountability?

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Since sin is in most peoples cases being revealed to them in levels and stages, and since some are blind to their own sin, and some are not, and some accept while others reject truth or levels of truth being revealed to them, and a host of other innumerable (to us) other host of factors to consider, as to why a person does this or why a person does that, I think it is something, if there is such, that only God can know, determine, and accurately judge, if there is...

We all should each proceed as if there could be, for us, but not be trying to determine or judge such, in another or others or each other, cause we just can't....

God Bless!

It seems God covered everyone by having accountability start at “twenty years old or more”, but in actuality some could start younger.

Numbers 32: 11 ‘Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of those who were twenty years old or more when they came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob— 12 not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed the Lord wholeheartedly.

Thought it was 12 or 13 for some reason - may have heard it somewhere else and it got ingrained.

Looking at the thread, doesn't seem like there is an actual listed number, but yes I believe in age of accountability and common sense when it comes to mental development.