In an earlier post, I stated that I believe that those who die as infants and early childhood go to Heaven when they die.
But what about children being sinners? Doesn’t the Bible teach that we are “all sinners” and deserve Hell? Isn’t Jesus the only way to Heaven and unless an individual receives Jesus as Savior, they have no hope of Heaven? Those statements are all true. However, certain aspects of sin, children and the atonement need to be considered to formulate a Biblical conclusion.
An understanding of what has been termed “original sin” needs to be considered.
The Bible teaches that the sin of Adam has caused all to be sinners. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners…” (Romans 5:12, 19). Original sin is not only the inclination toward sin, but Scripture teaches that sin is an individual, spiritual condition. Sin is the inbred disease of the human race. Through the sin of our central ancestor Adam, we all became sinners. Every baby born into the world is born a sinner, guilty of Adam’s sin, deserving eternal punishment.
However, the Bible never teaches that anyone is sent to Hell because of Adam’s sin. Hell is reserved for those who transgress against the truth God has revealed. Every promise and warning in the Bible is given to people who are responsible for their own actions. All the threats of Hell in Scripture are given to those who have sinned knowingly and willingly (Romans 1:29-31; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8). Though all deserve God’s wrath because all are sinners by nature, none are ever said to be judged guilty except those who willfully transgress His law. It appears that God will not eternally condemn anyone solely on the basis of Adam’s sin. The Lord said, “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin” (Deuteronomy 24:16).
An understanding of children needs to be considered.
Jesus taught that “unless ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). He also said about children, “…of such is the kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 19:14). By comparing believers to infants, Jesus was teaching that we must come to God with a spirit much like that of an infant – completely dependent, without any resources of our own, and with full trust. God is favorable to children who have no choice but to depend on others for all their needs. I cannot imagine that the same Jesus who blessed little babies and said, “…of such is the kingdom of Heaven,” would not see they went to Heaven.
An understanding of the atonement needs to be considered.
Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the whole world. “And he (Jesus) is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2; also 1 Timothy 4:2). This passage teaches the unlimited atonement of Christ’s death. Since Christ died for all sin, the only sin that can keep a person separated from God is the sin of unbelief or rejection of Christ. But a baby or young child cannot understand that he or she is a sinner nor can they reject Christ. So, since Christ paid for their sin by His death on the cross, those little children enter Heaven on the basis of the atonement of Jesus Christ.
I realize that some of these explanations may bring up more questions than you had before. But I hope this helps you understand a few concepts about children, death, and Heaven.
I will talk, in a later post, about ‘the age of accountability’, the Book of Life, and why the Bible isn’t clear about the eternal destiny of children.
Also read Do Children Go To Heaven When They Die? Part One, Do Children Go To Heaven When They Die? Part Three?
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