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BeNotAfraid
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How have babies sinned?
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Articles (2) from gotquestions.org
Question: "Did we all inherit sin from Adam and Eve?"
Answer: Yes, all people inherited sin from Adam and Eve, specifically Adam. Romans 5:12 speaks to this, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:19a declares further, “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners…” Adam and Eve were made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). As a result, all human beings are also in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 9:6). However, we are also in the image and likeness of Adam (Genesis 5:3). When Adam fell into sin, that resulted in every one of his descendants also being “infected” with sin (Psalm 51:5).
The fact that we are born sinners results in the fact that we all sin. Notice the progression in Romans 5:12: Sin entered the world through Adam, death follows sin, death comes to all people, all people sin because they inherit sin from Adam. Thankfully, Jesus Christ is the Savior from sin! “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-25a).
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 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, "I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin 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 that 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, but through Me." Also, Peter stated in Acts 4:12, "there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." Salvation is an individual choice.
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 the following: Christ's death is presented as sufficient for all of mankind. First John 2:2 says Jesus "is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those 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 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 can be seen as an argument 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 once again see the child (in heaven), though he could not bring him back.
Though the Bible leaves open the possibility, the one problem with saying that God applies Christ's payment for sin to those who can't believe is that the Bible does not specifically say that He does this. Therefore, this is a subject for which we should not be adamant or dogmatic. We can, however, be dogmatic about the fact that God ALWAYS does what is right.
Knowing the love and grace of God, God applying Christ’s death to those who cannot believe would seem consistent with His character. 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. Of this I am certain, that God is loving, holy, merciful, just and gracious. Whatever He does, it is ALWAYS Right.
Question: "Did we all inherit sin from Adam and Eve?"
Answer: Yes, all people inherited sin from Adam and Eve, specifically Adam. Romans 5:12 speaks to this, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:19a declares further, “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners…” Adam and Eve were made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). As a result, all human beings are also in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 9:6). However, we are also in the image and likeness of Adam (Genesis 5:3). When Adam fell into sin, that resulted in every one of his descendants also being “infected” with sin (Psalm 51:5).
The fact that we are born sinners results in the fact that we all sin. Notice the progression in Romans 5:12: Sin entered the world through Adam, death follows sin, death comes to all people, all people sin because they inherit sin from Adam. Thankfully, Jesus Christ is the Savior from sin! “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-25a).
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 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, "I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin 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 that 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, but through Me." Also, Peter stated in Acts 4:12, "there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." Salvation is an individual choice.
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 the following: Christ's death is presented as sufficient for all of mankind. First John 2:2 says Jesus "is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those 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 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 can be seen as an argument 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 once again see the child (in heaven), though he could not bring him back.
Though the Bible leaves open the possibility, the one problem with saying that God applies Christ's payment for sin to those who can't believe is that the Bible does not specifically say that He does this. Therefore, this is a subject for which we should not be adamant or dogmatic. We can, however, be dogmatic about the fact that God ALWAYS does what is right.
Knowing the love and grace of God, God applying Christ’s death to those who cannot believe would seem consistent with His character. 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. Of this I am certain, that God is loving, holy, merciful, just and gracious. Whatever He does, it is ALWAYS Right.
BeNotAfraid said:
1Corintians 15:42-58
42*So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43*it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44*it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45*And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46*Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47* The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48*As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49*And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50*Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51*Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52*in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53*For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54*So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56* The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57*But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58*Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Before we can answer the question we should first identify the state at which a person could be termed as a sinner...the bible tells us in the book of Romans that he who can identify the right from the wrong and can choose to do the right thing is righteous...in other words when we yield ouselves(our will,emotions...)to the holy spirit to do the right thing ,then we are on track.
But think about this.what a baby has is a residual of will,intellect,and emotion,that all lie dormant until some latter age..so they can never determine or distinguish between right and wrong,which means they dont KNOW SIN!!!
Joshua in his book says choose today who u would serve...i.e those set of people who have the capability of actaully choosing NOT babies at alllll...bless yah all
But think about this.what a baby has is a residual of will,intellect,and emotion,that all lie dormant until some latter age..so they can never determine or distinguish between right and wrong,which means they dont KNOW SIN!!!
Joshua in his book says choose today who u would serve...i.e those set of people who have the capability of actaully choosing NOT babies at alllll...bless yah all
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Thread 'The Myth of saying that God Loved all men in the world without exception !'
- Brightfame52
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