What is "Age of accountibility"

[BBAS 64]

Good Day, All

This was posted about in another thread, and has been discussed as of late in my Churches Sunday school class. I attend an Independant Baptist church and this was thrown about last Sunday with very little Scripture only to be said it was some thing that was understood. I took great exception to this weak argument, just because it is "understood" or presupposed does not make it a Biblical teaching.

It seemed that most people read the scriptures that this "thing" is used to interpret Scripture, but Scripture does not allow for it.

1. What does it mean?
2. Where did it come from? Did some web searches of historical Baptist writing could not find it.

http://www.pbministries.org
http://www.spurgeon.org/mainpage.htm

3. Do you believe it, if so why?

Peace to u,

Bill

 

[Ave Maria]

According to Catholics, it is set at the age of 7.

 

[ZiSunka]

Biblically, it is 21 years old, and this was historically understood until the 1960's.

When Moses was told that none of the adults among the Hebrews (except Caleb and Joshua of course) would enter the promised land, do you remember what age the cutoff was? Yep, 20. Everyone 20 and under would be allowed to enter the land after everyone 21 and above had died off. This is because 21 is the age of accountability, the age at which you become an adult, responsible for your decisions and actions.

This is reaffirmed elsewhere in scripture and I will let you find where so that you will remember them. If I merely list them, you'll read them and forget.

 

[SonOfThunder]

What happens to babies and young children when they die? Where do I find the age of accountability in the Bible?



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Question: "What happens to babies and young children when they die? Where do I find the age of accountability in the Bible?"



Answer: The Bible nowhere specifically mentions an age of accountability. It is commonly assumed that children are automatically taken to heaven when they die until they reach the point in which they are able to make a decision for or against Christ. King David had a child die, and he comforted himself with the thought, “Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Sam 12:23). David knew that he would see his child in heaven one day. From that statement, we can assume that babies and young children were, by grace, covered for salvation by Christ’s death. The Word of God does not specifically say this, however. But knowing the love and grace of God, this would seem consistent with His character. 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 they are capable of making a faith decision for or against Christ.

Recommended Resource: Safe in the Arms of God: Words from Heaven About the Death of a Child by John MacArthur.


I found this, hope it of interest

James

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[Sword-In-Hand]

Also Romans 7, verse 7 in particuarly, explains that if you do not know the law, then how can you know sin?

 

[jubilaki]

hmmm i've never really thought about this topic, 7 that seams so youg to me, my sister is 7 and she wouldent have a clue about giving her life to christ....

 

[Ave Maria]

Personally, I think that because our God is a God of justice and mercy, He will judge each one personally. Therefore, the age of accountability would probably differ from person to person. Some people such as the severely mentally incapacitated never reach the age of accountability even though they may live a full life.

 

[HiredGoon]

Do you who believe in an age of accountability believe ignorance saves one from hell?

 

[Ave Maria]

Do you who believe in an age of accountability believe ignorance saves one from hell?

I don't believe that. I believe that if one is totally ignorant of the Gospel then God will judge them mercifully and justly. Whether or not they make it to Heaven is up to God and God alone!

 

[arunma]

Do you who believe in an age of accountability believe ignorance saves one from hell?

Well, there's a difference between ignorance, and an inability to understand the Gospel. Clearly, a human infant has no hope of understanding the Gospel. As for older children, I suppose it depends on the individual. I know some really smart seven year olds, and some really dull fifteen year olds.

 

[BBAS 64]

Also Romans 7, verse 7 in particuarly, explains that if you do not know the law, then how can you know sin?

Good Day, Sword in Hand

So would it be fair to say we are only sinfull, based upon our subjective knowledge? There is no such thing as objective sin fullness no matter the perspective?

Peace to u,

Bill

 

[Ave Maria]

Good Day, Sword in Hand

So would it be fair to say we are only sinfull, based upon our subjective knowledge? There is no such thing as objective sin fullness no matter the perspective?

Peace to u,

Bill

I know this post isn't directed at me but what do you mean?

 

[Lockheed]

I don't believe that. I believe that if one is totally ignorant of the Gospel then God will judge them mercifully and justly. Whether or not they make it to Heaven is up to God and God alone!

What is the standard of judgment for those who have not heard the Gospel?

Can anyone keep that standard?

What is a just judgment of a human being who has not believed in the Son of God?

 

[Lockheed]

Well, there's a difference between ignorance, and an inability to understand the Gospel. Clearly, a human infant has no hope of understanding the Gospel.

So there are two ways to be saved: faith in Christ, or ignorance?

As for older children, I suppose it depends on the individual. I know some really smart seven year olds, and some really dull fifteen year olds.

So its a sliding scale? If you're ignorant enough you'll be saved?

 

[Lockheed]

[font=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Answer: The Bible nowhere specifically mentions an age of accountability. It is commonly assumed that children are automatically taken to heaven when they die until they reach the point in which they are able to make a decision for or against Christ. King David had a child die, and he comforted himself with the thought, “Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Sam 12:23). David knew that he would see his child in heaven one day. From that statement, we can assume that babies and young children were, by grace, covered for salvation by Christ’s death. The Word of God does not specifically say this, however. But knowing the love and grace of God, this would seem consistent with His character. 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 they are capable of making a faith decision for or against Christ.

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I usually love John MacArthur, but because of emotions, he missed this one by a long shot. Through one transgression all are condemned. Everyone, including infants, need a Savior.

 

[RED that's ME]

John MacArthur is not the only pastor/Bible scholar to teach this. I agree with his teachings.
We cannot understand the mind of God nor can we truly understand what being judge justly truly means.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I'm not convinced that there is an "Age of Accountability".

But I trust that God is a just God and will judge children who die fairly.

 

[BBAS 64]

I know this post isn't directed at me but what do you mean?

Good Day, Holly

Are we sinners because sin is subject to our understanding of what sin is or is not. Or is there some other standard "objective" by which we are all sinners in fact?

For all have sinned

Is that truth or is it dependant on our understanding of what sin is?

Does that help,

Peace to u,

Bill

 

[kyzar]

You guys have definately brought up some good points... I have always thought there was an age of accountability but nver really looked into it. I thought it would vary from person to person as no two people are the same.
However looking at it in the light that "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" makes me really question this. The only way I can start to look at this in a different light is to say that God's grace saves the child. In which case God's grace would save us (which it does...) but following that line of thought, we would have no say in our salvation... That then brings up the issue of man's "free will"...

I do not believe this, but I have heard it said that the parent's faith covers the child until they "repent or reject"... Which I know doesn't work on many levels...
Grasping at straws here!!!

 

[Dmckay]

When I went through the inquisition of my Ordination Counsel this question came up. Probably the next 45 minutes defending my answer, because I said that I didn't believe that Scripture teaches an age of accountability. I believe that this is a doctrine that has been formed out of whole cloth by pastors/ministers who copped out on their responsibility to teach from Scripture even on the more difficult topics.

One of the Pastors present asked me, "What about David's assurance that he would see his child in heaven." My response, "I don't believe that we can dogmatically teach a doctrine based on one passage of Scripture uttered by a man in the depths of emotional depression. Especially when there was NO confirmation mentioned from the Lord that David was correct.

The idea mentioned earlier was brought up about those under the age of Joshua and Caleb not being judged was proof of an age of accountability. I pointed out that there in no indication that there was anything special about their age. Paul wrote to Timothy, "let no man despise thy youth..." when Timothy was probably around 35 years old, and that considering that, those under the age of Joshua and Caleb were probably given a measure of grace because of Joshua and Caleb's faithfulness.

Then they tried the tactic of asking, "Are you saying that if you have a young couple in your church lose one of their children as a baby you're going to tell them that their child is in hell because it died before it had a chance to accept Christ?" I told them, "No! But, neither am I going to lie to them and tell them that they can be sure that their child is in heaven because of some doctrine that doesn't have Scriptural support."

Then I asked them, why do you preach and teach against abortion if you are so convinced that a baby that dies automatically goes to heaven? Wouldn't that mean that you should support abortion because it assures that more will be in heaven?

Shortly after my ordination a family in the church did lose a child 13 days after birth. When they asked if their baby was in heaven I told them that I couldn't honestly answer their question because Scripture isn't clear about that question. I told them that we know that G-d is both completely Holy and Just and that what we could be sure of is that He will do the right thing, no matter what that was.

At the graveside service, there were tears and grief over the loss. but it was subdued and controlled. A short distance from the graveside the was another young couple sitting at the side of a grave. (I should have mentioned that this area of the cemetary was exclusively for babies) During the entire graveside service this couple were placing flowers and toys on this other grave. Both were crying uncontrollably.
Later, out of curiosity I went over to the other grave to see how long it had been since they had lost their child that they were still so unconsolable. Their baby had died more than 6 years previous to their display of grief.