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Philippians 2:16

Trinity Reformed Baptist Church

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Do Babies Go To Heaven

2 Sam 12:22-23

King David  said, "While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me". [KJV]  

Introduction  Some Positions Related To This Matter:

Roman Catholic Church Position Rejected Although Catholics have long believed that children who die without being baptized are with original sin and thus excluded from heaven, the Church has no formal doctrine on the matter. Theologians, however, have long taught that such children enjoy an eternal state of perfect natural happiness, a state commonly called limbo, but without being in communion with God.

Pope Benedict approved the findings of the International Theological Commission, a Vatican advisory panel, which said it was reassessing traditional teaching on limbo in light of "pressing" pastoral needs primarily the growing number of abortions and infants born to non-believers who die without being baptized.  

While the report does not carry the authority of a papal encyclical or even the weight of a formal document from the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, it was approved by the pope on Jan. 19 and was published on the Internet an indication that it was intended to be widely read by the faithful.  

Baptized Infants Only. This view is held by sacramentalists, who believe that baptism is necessary for salvation.  Some Roman Catholics, some Lutherans, and Anglicans espouse this erroneous position, as it can not be supported by scripture. 

“Elect Infants” Only. Another view asserts that among infants only “elect” babies go to heaven. Since Protestants believe in only two possible destinies, this implies that all non-elect infants go to hell. Many who hold this view are agnostic about whether some or all infants are “elect.”  They take this position  because the Bible is silent on the issue. Christians who take this view are in the covenant theology tradition like Presbyterians.

Some Who Emphasize Election in a Calvinistic Manner, Do believe all babies can go to heaven.  John MacArthur is such a person.  

No person can be dogmatic about their position on this subject since scripture does not give us any proof text on which to take a firm position.  Many people use The Age Of Accountability, but that is not the best term to use.  Probably The Age Of Ability To Reason may be a better point of acceptance. 

A Study Of These Scriptures Seem To Indicate That Babies Do Go To Heaven!  

The Word To The Infants Of Israel. Deut 1:38-40. Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it. But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea. [KJV]

The Word About The Son Of King David. 2 Sam 12:22-23. And  he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. [KJV]

1. King David Knew He Could Not Bring The Child Back To Life.  v 23a  

2. He Believed He Could Go And Be With The Child.  v 23b  

3. David Believed He Would Go To Heaven: a. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the  LORD  forever. Psa 23:6. [KJV]   b. Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in Heaven but Thee?  and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. Psa 73:24-25.  [KJV] 

God Expressed Concern For The Children Of Nineveh.  Jonah 4:10-11.  God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.  Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night: And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than six score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; [KJV]

Jesus Tells Of A Child’s Guardian Angel.  Matt. 18:10-11. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in Heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. [KJV]

Jesus Invites The Children To Come To Him.  Matt 19:13-15. Then were there brought unto Him little children, that He should put His hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. And He laid His hands on them. [KJV]

Jesus Praised The Father For Revealing Truth To Infants.  Matt 11:25-26  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight. [KJV] 

Jesus Said All Must Be As Children In Order To Enter Heaven.  Matt 18:2-5  And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them,  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth Me. [KJV]

1.  This Relates To Humility, and Trust of a child.

2.  It May Be Including The Child Under The Blood Of Christ.

3.  It May Also Be Saying Something About A Child’s Innocence Related To Personal Sin.  

Jesus Redeems From Every Nation.   Rev 5:9.  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; [KJV]

1.  There are few  Places Where The Gospel Has Not Been Written In Their Language.

2.   However, today there are People Groups That Have Not Heard The Gospel; Unless They heard by Radio.

Conclusion

1. The Bible Teaches Adam's sin and guilt, was imputed to every single human being. 

2. This explains why every person is born as sinner into this world, without exception..

3. The Bible clearly teaches that every person will be judged for his or her own sins, not for Adam's sin.

4. According to the Bible, Hell is a place of punishment for all our sins that occur during our earthly lives.    

5. We are told that we will be judged according to deeds committed in our body when we stand before God.

6. The Judgment Of Christians for their rewards:  2 Cor.5:10-11.  "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences". [KJV]

7. The Judgment of Sinners that will take place at what the Scriptures refer to as the Great White Throne Judgment and will be according to each persons deeds.  Rev. 20:11-12 "And I saw a Great White Throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works". [KJV]

I believe that a child you or another may have  lost through death went to heaven. And by the grace of God you may also go.  The sacrifice of Christ will cover your many sins.  

But you must surrender to your life Him.  Please acknowledge Him as the Lord of your life today and prove your salvation by daily taking up your cross and following Him, as He instructs you through His Word. Salvation is not only a profession, but a daily possession of  a new life honoring your Lord and Saviour, and obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ, by growing in grace and knowledge of Him.   Have you ever surrendered your life to Christ? 

The Bottom Line In All Of This Is The Mercy Of God.  

I Do Not Believe Any Of Us Are More Merciful Than God; Nor

That We Need To Be Concerned That God Will Not Show Mercy

To A Child That Has Never Willfully Sinned.   

Please also consider 

Burial or Cremation

This article is a true eye opener!

Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness,

and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Psa 107:8