People who die as infants go to Heaven, right? Is there a good argument to the contrary?

Ain't Zwinglian · May 26, 2025

RDKirk said:
Infants are profoundly ignorant. They cannot knowingly reject God.

All infants born are born FAITHLESS which of course is a transgression of the first commandment. Guilty from the get-go and by nature reject God.

Radagast · May 27, 2025

Dan Perez said:
Here are two verse for your consideration # 1 Eph 1:4

and Rom 9:11 !

I don't know what those verses are supposed to prove.

Traditionally, Christians have argued for baptised children going to Heaven, either on Covenantal grounds, or based on the efficacy of Baptism.

Beth77 · May 27, 2025

RDKirk said:
What we do see in scripture is that God's merciful judgment takes ignorance into strong consideration.

"And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left..." — Jonah 4:11

Here, God justifies His mercy on the Ninevites not by their righteousness, but by their lack of understanding. He is patient with them because they don't know better. The implication is that moral ignorance, not willful rebellion, was a key reason for God’s mercy.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” --Luke 23:34

Jesus prays this on the cross for His executioners. Again, ignorance—“they know not what they do”—is cited as a reason for forgiveness. Jesus appeals to the Father's mercy on the grounds of their lack of understanding.

“And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating.” -- Luke 12:47–48

This parable clearly illustrates graduated responsibility: the more knowledge you have, the more accountable you are. Those in ignorance are still responsible—but less severely judged. (This is also a passage of great caution for those of us who think we know what God wants from us.)

"Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.’" -- John 9:41

If they truly lacked knowledge or understanding (spiritual blindness not by choice), they wouldn’t be held fully accountable. Since they claim to know, they’re morally responsible for rejecting the truth. When Jesus says, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt,” He’s affirming that true ignorance can mitigate culpability.

Paul introduces the same principle—that God judges based on what people know—in Romans 1, but he frames it negatively to highlight human guilt and the fairness of divine judgment.

Romans 1:19, 20 is the negative mirror image of the same moral principle: that God judges according to what people know. But here, Paul is not talking about those who are ignorant. Instead, he condemns those who had enough knowledge of God to respond rightly—but chose not to.

"For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." -- Romans 1:19, 20.

Paul is saying that God has made certain truths universally visible in creation, everyone knows—at least at a basic, intuitive level—about God’s power and divine nature, but they refused to acknowledge Him, and thus they are without excuse. The implication is certainly that those who are profoundly ignorant do have an excuse.

The biblical principle illustrated in these passages that God considers ignorance and understanding in judgment strongly supports the view that God is merciful to infants who die. Infants do not yet know "their right hand from their left" (Jonah 4:11), nor can they understand God’s will or even recognize His existence from creation. Infants are profoundly ignorant. They cannot knowingly reject God.

Great post! Thank you!

Sam91 · May 27, 2025

Ain't Zwinglian said:
All infants born are born FAITHLESS which of course is a transgression of the first commandment. Guilty from the get-go and by nature reject God.

I'm not so sure that they are born faithless. They are born totally dependent, without ego or pride. Jesus didn't act like they were corrupt when he said:

Matthew 19:14
New International Version
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Have seen all three of my children get corrupted by school (the fallen world). Have witnessed the complete faith and acceptance of their belief and willingness to praise the Lord at toddler age. Have seen how kind, selfless and pure my children were and seen the devastation at nursery when they first experienced unkindness from others. Unkindness they hitherto hadn't known, nor imagined, the existence of.

Ain't Zwinglian · May 27, 2025

Sam91 said:
They are born totally dependent, without ego

Infants are born totally EGOCENTRIC FOR SURVIVAL. They only think of themselves....

Credobaptists tend to believe original sin is the first sin of the will....as all sins are. Whereas, paedobaptists believe infants are born into a condition of sin. And the twain shall never be reconciled. And the debate goes on and on.

Radagast · May 27, 2025

Ain't Zwinglian said:
Infants are born totally EGOCENTRIC FOR SURVIVAL. They only think of themselves....

Credobaptists tend to believe original sin is the first sin of the will....as all sins are. Whereas, paedobaptists believe infants are born into a condition of sin. And the twain shall never be reconciled. And the debate goes on and on.

"Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me." (Ps 51:5, CSB)

d taylor · May 27, 2025

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It is amazing how many people are still hung up on sin and that sin is keeping a person from eternal life.

If this is news to these people, Jesus has taken away the sin of the world (all sin) so sin is not a factor that is keeping someone from eternal life.

So babies do not have a sin problem or a baptism problem, etc... if child dies before the age of accountability they receive God's free gift of eternal life.

____________________________
First, does the Bible teach that there is an age of accountability? Yes, it does. The clearest example is found when the new nation of Israel sent in a dozen spies when they were at Kadesh Barnea. Because they listened to the ten unbelieving spies, everyone twenty and over died over the next thirty-eight years, except for the two believing spies, Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:29ff.). None of those people were allowed into the Promised Land.

All those under age twenty got to go into the Promised Land. That is telling.

There is no other text that gives us an age of accountability. I think it is twenty. But it could be thirteen or ten or it might vary from child to child. Many think it is the age at which a child can distinguish between fantasy and reality. But remember Kadesh Barnea.

Second, there is a general principle in the Bible that God does not hold people accountable for that which they are unable to do. So, we know that small babies and infants who die will not be eternally condemned. However, the principle from Kadesh Barnea is that God is much more gracious than that. Most likely even teens who die before coming to faith in Christ will not be eternally condemned. (I know some of you are gasping at this point. How could God be that gracious? Well, He was at Kadesh Barnea. But we do not have a clear statement other than that, so maybe the age of accountability is younger than that.)

Sam91 · May 27, 2025

Ain't Zwinglian said:
Infants are born totally EGOCENTRIC FOR SURVIVAL. They only think of themselves....

Credobaptists tend to believe original sin is the first sin of the will....as all sins are. Whereas, paedobaptists believe infants are born into a condition of sin. And the twain shall never be reconciled. And the debate goes on and on.

Yes, I don't profess to have answers or particular wisdom on it. But can one have an ego without language to think yet, just feel? It's not until 7-10 months before signs of separation anxiety kick in. Before that there seems to be unwavering trust in whoever is cooing over/caring for the infant.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

Earlier in the chapter we are invited to buy without money what He freely provides. It is by Grace we are saved.

ESV
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that ANY should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

The thief on the cross was saved via very little from himself and all through Jesus:

"40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[d]”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” "

Luke 23:40-43

I imagine a baby meeting Jesus will show the same faith and not recoil. Who knows, but the God of the Bible is a just, merciful, righteous God. In Him we are told to trust. Jesus loved the children, I'm sure He has a plan for them.

Sam91 · May 27, 2025

Just went away to do my dishes and remembered that childlike faith. I wasn't from a Christian home but a rudimentary understanding of God and Jesus was absorbed through society. I loved God and I remember skipping home from Nursery/first year of school thinking of God controlling us from the Heavens like when I played with dinosaurs/army figures and marvelling at how 'powerful' God must be to look after everyone (I don't think I gave it a particular word other than childlike awe). Placing us in our different positions. Just wanted to share that delightful memory triggered by this thread.

Neostarwcc · May 27, 2025

There actually is scripture on this topic. 2 Samuel 12:15-23 most notably 22-23 which says

"22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’
23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

When God killed Davids son David was fully confident that he would see his son again and God didn't correct him. There is life for infants and the bible proves it. Why? Because dead infants dont have the chance to commit a sin yet therefore they are just as sinless as Jesus.

I know you're saying "But Neo Infants sin in the womb!" perhaps. You got me there. But, theres a reason and perhaps thats not it but there is a reason why God saves infants yet he does not spare children or adults. Who knows? But scripture does state that david saw his son again when he entered glory.

RDKirk · May 27, 2025

Ain't Zwinglian said:
All infants born are born FAITHLESS which of course is a transgression of the first commandment. Guilty from the get-go and by nature reject God.

You invoke the Law.

I'm going to say again, and I say this in a particular way: What we do see in scripture is that God's merciful judgment takes ignorance into strong consideration.

His grace can cover the Law, His grace does cover the Law.

Scripture indicates that God's grace allows faith to cover the Law; scripture indicates that God's grace also allows profound ignorance to cover the Law.

RDKirk · May 27, 2025

d taylor said:
-

It is amazing how many people are still hung up on sin and that sin is keeping a person from eternal life.

If this is news to these people, Jesus has taken away the sin of the world (all sin) so sin is not a factor that is keeping someone from eternal life.

So babies do not have a sin problem or a baptism problem, etc... if child dies before the age of accountability they receive God's free gift of eternal life.

But what is the "age of accountability?" No particular number of years is suggested by scripture.

But scripture does indicate that one is accountable according to one's level of knowledge.

At some point, each person has accumulated enough knowledge, even through creation, to either acknowledge God or reject God...that is the age of accountability for that person.

Ain't Zwinglian · May 27, 2025

RDKirk said:
I'm going to say again, and I say this in a particular way: What we do see in scripture is that God's merciful judgment takes ignorance into strong consideration.

Ignorance is NOT BLISS when it comes to the Scriptures. (Lev. 5:17). Ignorance does not change guilt into innocence. No person can possibly understand how corrupt we are before God....“Who can discern his errors?” (Ps. 19:12). “Who can understand [the heart]?” (Jer. 17:9).

d taylor · May 27, 2025

RDKirk said:
But what is the "age of accountability?" No particular number of years is suggested by scripture.

But scripture does indicate that one is accountable according to one's level of knowledge.

At some point, each person has accumulated enough knowledge, even through creation, to either acknowledge God or reject God...that is the age of accountability for that person.

-

The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in. But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised.

RDKirk · May 27, 2025

d taylor said:
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The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in. But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised.

But does God establish that as a universal age of accountability, or was that a circumstantial cut-off point relative to the age the Hebrews were able to abandon the Egyptian slave culture?

Is there a second witness?

d taylor · May 27, 2025

RDKirk said:
But does God establish that as a universal age of accountability, or was that a circumstantial cut-off point relative to the age the Hebrews were able to abandon the Egyptian slave culture?

Is there a second witness?

-

That is not stated.

RDKirk · May 27, 2025

d taylor said:
-

That is not stated.

Correct. No purpose was stated, nothing about it being a universal sign of anything, and there is no second witness.

DragonFox91 · May 28, 2025

DragonFox91 said:
The popular answer nowadays is yes.

I want to say yes, I believe that, but I am not so sure. Historically it's been more of a debate.

Salvation isn't based on your parents. So if a child w/ Christian parents isn't necessarily going to be saved, it makes sense to believe that not all infants who pass away as infants will be saved either. Perhaps it is a reminder it's not based on the parents.

I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble, I don't want to be harsh, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, I don't think it's a fault of the parents, & I don't agree they're all doomed, & I am quite confident many are saved, but it's also a reality Christian parents have children who don't become Christians.

If hell be torment for an adult, what difference does it make if it's torment for babies. He picks someone or he doesn't.
If all babies can just enter heaven, you're better off dying as baby.

Strong in Him · May 30, 2025

Ain't Zwinglian said:
Infants are born totally EGOCENTRIC FOR SURVIVAL. They only think of themselves....

They haven't learned to relate to other people, don't know the concepts of sharing and thinking of others and have not wilfully rejected God.

Strong in Him · May 30, 2025

Radagast said:
"Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me." (Ps 51:5, CSB)

Context.
David was writing that after his affair with Bathsheba had been discovered and was feeling guilty.

The same David also wrote, "you knit me together in my mother's womb .... I am fearfully and wonderfully made", Psalm 139:13-14. And "what is mankind that you are mindful of them? You made them a little lower than the angels", Psalm 8:4-5.

People who die as infants go to Heaven, right? Is there a good argument to the contrary?

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We are saved purely by the work and grace of God.

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