Age of Accountability and Children Getting Saved

[Perry]

I'm interested to know your opinions on the issue of the age of accountability (the belief that children under a certain age will go to Heaven if they die because they are too young to accept Christ) and how old a child should be before he accepts Christ. I have only recently became aware of the corruption of fundamentalism, and have been thinking about the things said on this site. I have also been in an IFB church for the majority of my life. That being said, I don't know how other Christians view this issue. As far as I know, the "age of accountability" isn't mentioned in the Bible (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong), and in my fundy church, children as young as 4 have been talked into "praying the sinner's prayer". I seriously doubt God would let an infant go to hell, but young children getting saved somewhat concerns me. I would love to hear your views on this subject. How do those outside the IFB think of this?

I hope this didn't sound too crazy. But I would love to know what everyone thinks about these things. I've always heard it discussed by preachers, but I have never seen any Biblical account of it.

[Don]

I can't believe in setting some arbitrary age and making a blanket statement that all are accountable after this age. I would say it is a point of knowledge rather than age. When a child is mature enough to understand the Gospel and what it means, when they can understand what sin is, then I believe they become accountable for that knowledge.

One of the greatest peeves I have is the IFB's systematic manipulation of children in order to get decisions. My twins were in 3rd or 4th grade when the IFB Christian School they were in had the Seniors (for class credit) speak in each class and findout who was not "saved" by raising their hands. Then asked who wanted to be "saved?" and then took those individually and read them a CEF tract... had them pray the prayer... had them sign and date it to carry home to mom and dad... and told them they were saved. Everytime I think about it now I get so upset. Looking back that was one of the things that began my journey out of IFB. That was totally and completely spiritual, emotional and mental manipulation. You will have to ask Bubba1 about his experience with this and how it has affected him.

Can Children be saved? Yes, I believe with all my heart they can be. I believe it is a work of grace that is done in their heart and lives and not some cheap grace decision that is done under emotional stress. I believe that manipulators like Phil Kidd and his ilk are responsible for many false decisions and responsible for driving may away from truth. One day false teachers and preachers like him will have to answer for the manipulation they have perpetrated on innocent children and susceptable adults.

[Tony R]

I have pondered this subject as well. Here is my thoughts on the subject…

Ephesians 6:1 and 2 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise”

To my knowledge, this (mirrored by Colossians 3:20) is the only command that the Bible gives specifically to children. This leads me to believe that as long as children, under the authority of their parents, are obeying their parents they are within God’s will. Once that “child” is no longer under their parent’s authority (free to make their own decisions), they are accountable for their own actions, beliefs, etc. The age of that “child” will vary based on when his/her parents transfer that authority. Therefore, I tend to lean toward the “age of accountability” (not mentioned in the Bible) is more around the ages of 18-20 rather than the ages of 4-6 whichis so often preached.

[exIFB]

I know I was wilfully making some pretty sinful decisions before the age of 8

[LutheranEmily]

Baptism saves infants.


Whole households were baptized, and that included infants. Baptism is not a work of man, but a promise from God. They can choose to reject their baptism, but there is no reason to deny an infant baptism. Baptism works rebirth.

Rebirth is not from a decision that man makes. That is a very new idea.

L

[LutheranEmily]

I'll be back on later to post scriptures to go along with that idea, but for now, it's Saturday and I must grocery shop!

A very good, entertaining, scripture filled and informational podcast that goes through all the scriptures involved with this topic can be heard here.

Baptism is definitely for the children of believers. Its a promise.

[Tony R]

(01-29-2011 09:54 AM)LutheranEmily Wrote:  Baptism saves infants.


Whole households were baptized, and that included infants. Baptism is not a work of man, but a promise from God. They can choose to reject their baptism, but there is no reason to deny an infant baptism. Baptism works rebirth.

Rebirth is not from a decision that man makes. That is a very new idea.

L

I’m sorry LutheranEmily, I don’t want to be argumentative, but just for the record, I can’t agree with a single word of this.
That is all I will say.

[Tony R]

(01-29-2011 12:23 AM)exIFB Wrote:  I know I was wilfully making some pretty sinful decisions before the age of 8

Many people, of every age, willfully make some pretty sinful decisions even after they are saved.

1Corinthians 7:13-14 says, “And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”

If the children of a “mixed marriage” (wife saved, husband not saved) are holy, why wouldn’t the children of a saved married couple be holy?

[supernova8610]

I was 4 when I got saved, but it wasn't through any kind of manipulation. I did it on my own without any kind of prompting from anyone/anything.

[LutheranEmily]

Tony,

I wouldn't expect any different. Most people have had it hammered into them that it is only symbolic. Scripture does not say that.

I would encourage everyone to go through all the verses on baptism and see what it says. Baptism saves. It is absolutely scriptural. Its just not common. But it is true.

And apart from scripture clearly showing that infants are capable of having faith, we have history. Historically, babies of bleievers have always been baptized. It was not until the radical reformation that this was contested.

Also, listen to the podcast. It is really really good, and full of scripture.