Do Babies go to Heaven?

[Walter]

Luke 18:15–16 tells us that “they were bringing even infants” to Jesus; and he himself related this to the kingdom of God: “Let the children come to me . . . for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

When you Baptists speak of “bringing someone to Jesus you mean leading him to Faith. But Jesus says “even infants” can be “brought” to him. Even you Baptists don’t claim your practice of “dedicating” babies does this. The fact is, the Bible gives us no way of bringing anyone to Jesus apart from repentance and baptism.

Thus Peter declared, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children” (Acts 2:38–39)

The apostolic Church baptized whole “households” (Acts 16:33; 1 Cor. 1:16), a term which would absolutely encompass children and infants as well as servants. While these texts do not specifically mention—nor exclude—infants, the very use of the term “households” (and understanding what constituted a household) indicates an understanding of the family as a unit. Even one believing parent in a household makes the children “holy” (1 Cor. 7:14).

 

[Brightfame52]

Can tell I you something from my understanding in the spirit, what have seen, experienced and meditated on for many years. This is deeply personal, and an insight into Jesus and The Fathers heart that I haven’t shared with anyone. And as a Catholic, I have to leave final judgement to the Church’s ruling. So it’s not private interpretation in any way.

What I have experienced in the field visiting the sick, outside abortion clinics, street ministry, nursing homes and the behaviour of Angels is all I have. I don’t have any theological training, all I have is the scripture preached to my ears each day at church, and my experience doing handover to Jesus to recommend me. So I am holding out a bit of a pearl to people, but I’m among brothers who love Jesus and it has to be said.



Their merit is their innocent victimhood “ Lambs to the slaughter “, who do they resemble when they leave this earth and appear in the Hands of The Eternal Father who formed them in the womb with unfathomable love.
What does a helpless, rejected, forgotten and misunderstood in pig ignorance, bloody mess resemble, what does The Eternal Father see when He fixes His gaze on these helpless victims.

The Father is Transfixed by The Son, He is The Most Loving of Fathers.

People think of The Father as hard and unyielding, like the God of the Old Testament. Totally, totally wrong. It is man that is hard and unyielding, stubborn and proud.

One drop of Jesus blood would have easily paid the price. But Jesus gave all to save all.
Nailed innocent and fixed helpless on the Cross to save the innocent and helpless. The voiceless nobodies. The drug addict, I saw Jesus Face. The spastic girl, I saw Jesus Face. What is done even to the least of these nobodies, is done to Jesus.

Jesus said that when He was lifted up, that He would draw all men unto Himself, the Aborted, rejected, defective, nobodies and losers, Jesus Loves, wants and claimed, ransomed them all in His soul rending cry out to The Father with all His might.

People forget that The Father sees a very long way off and goes out a great distance to meet His Son, I call it The Father’s prerogative.

With these innocent victims that never had a chance, I see The Father going much further to make up the distance to His Son.

We have sacraments in the Church to help save people in the ordinary way, but God is not bound by the Sacraments, He can act outside them. Man wants to impose rules, but don’t get between The Father and The Son.

The distance The Father runs to greet His limping or collapsed prodigal Son wherever he is, is His prerogative entirely.

Yes there are House Rules in The Fathers House, but a long way off from The House The Father will make fit what He recognises as His Son, with sandals, ring and Robe.

It was Jesus that made us recognisable to The Father. Love Him and thank Him forever.

So again, some, as its being told here, enter salvation by the innocence of their flesh, and not through the merits of the redeeming death of Christ.

So no infant will be able to join the heavenly eternal praise described here will they Rev 5:9-10

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;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

 

[Brightfame52]

Luke 18:15–16 tells us that “they were bringing even infants” to Jesus; and he himself related this to the kingdom of God: “Let the children come to me . . . for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

When you Baptists speak of “bringing someone to Jesus you mean leading him to Faith. But Jesus says “even infants” can be “brought” to him. Even you Baptists don’t claim your practice of “dedicating” babies does this. The fact is, the Bible gives us no way of bringing anyone to Jesus apart from repentance and baptism.

Thus Peter declared, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children” (Acts 2:38–39)

The apostolic Church baptized whole “households” (Acts 16:33; 1 Cor. 1:16), a term which would absolutely encompass children and infants as well as servants. While these texts do not specifically mention—nor exclude—infants, the very use of the term “households” (and understanding what constituted a household) indicates an understanding of the family as a unit. Even one believing parent in a household makes the children “holy” (1 Cor. 7:14).

Why should infants be brought to Jesus ? He came to save sinners ? John the Baptist preached repentance.

 

[Salty]

... Even you Baptists don’t claim your practice of “dedicating” babies does this. The fact is, the Bible gives us no way of bringing anyone to Jesus apart from repentance and baptism. ....

Actually "Dedicating babies" is an incorrect term.
What really is happening is that the parents are dedicating their lives to raise their child in the Lord.

and coming to Jesus is simply by repentance -- Baptism is simply the outward action - with no saving grace.

 

[MrW]

So they dont need to be Justified by the Blood of Christ, their merit is infancy and mental deficiency ?

God will handle it. Just trust Him. He has NOTHING against babies nor mentally handicapped.

 

[Brightfame52]

God will handle it. Just trust Him. He has NOTHING against babies nor mentally handicapped.

No doubt Christ loved and shed His Blood for some infants and mentally handicapped, however to hear you say it, they dont need Jesus Blood, they can be saved on the merits of their infancy and retardation.

 

[robycop3]

If a newborn baby dies - will he go to Heaven?
Why or why not - or do we even know?
This would include babies who have been aborted

Some talk about the age of accountability
Granted that is not a solid Bible doctrine -
but does Scripture allude to it?

In addition - lets consider those who are
mentally retarded - specifically those whose mental
age is less than 10 years of age. Would such an individual
be on his way to Heaven - if he never understood about
salvation and repentance?

Lets keep this discussion very civil
AND THIS IS "A C vs A FREE DISCUSSION!"
(c vs a is subject to immediate deletion!)
(if you want to go in that direction - feel free to start a new thread)

IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND C vs A - that specifically means for this thread that
we will not bring up the doctrine of election. --- If you want to go in that direction - start a new thread.

This thread is now open for discussion

2 Samuel 12:22 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

Remember, David was also a prophet.(Jesus Himself said so..) So Dave knew the child had gone to paradise, and what applied to him applies to all other babies who die very young.

 

[George Antonios]

So they dont need to be Justified by the Blood of Christ, their merit is infancy and mental deficiency ?

You're the one who thew in "merit" into the mix to build a strawman.

 

[George Antonios]

So seems here some folk go to eternal glory through their innocence ! Thats for their own righteousness !

You're the one who threw in "righteousness" into the mix to build a strawman.

 

[Brightfame52]

You're the one who thew in "merit" into the mix to build a strawman.

Well some of us will get into eternal life and salvation through the merit of the Person and work of Jesus Christ.. Its called His meritorious work indicating all He did to obtain Salvation for His People. Evidently babies and the mental retarded dont need that, am I correct ? If not then they get in on their own merit, innocence.

 

[Brightfame52]

You're the one who threw in "righteousness" into the mix to build a strawman.

Well Jesus set the standard, righteousness. Matt 5:20

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus was of God made righteousness to some 1 Cor 1:30

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Babies and the mental retarded dont need this righteousness through Christ, is that correct ? They have their own innocence, God excepts that for them.

 

[Brightfame52]

2 Samuel 12:22 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

Remember, David was also a prophet.(Jesus Himself said so..) So Dave knew the child had gone to paradise, and what applied to him applies to all other babies who die very young.

On what basis do you believe David knew that ? Why do you think David thought that, because the baby was innocent ? Or did he believe that the baby was one of Gods elect that Christ would die for ?

 

[MrW]

No doubt Christ loved and shed His Blood for some infants and mentally handicapped, however to hear you say it, they dont need Jesus Blood, they can be saved on the merits of their infancy and retardation.

Anyone (everyone) who is saved is saved by the Lord Jesus. John 14:6. People with minimum brain power, and babies who can't even understand English, much less exercise faith, are still saved by the Lord Jesus. There is no second way. I think you might have selective "hearing".

I believe that was David's belief because he (better than most of us today) knew the power of God's lovingkindness and mercy, having experienced it himself, firsthand.

 

[Brightfame52]

Anyone (everyone) who is saved is saved by the Lord Jesus. John 14:6. People with minimum brain power, and babies who can't even understand English, much less exercise faith, are still saved by the Lord Jesus. There is no second way. I think you might have selective "hearing".

I believe that was David's belief because he (better than most of us today) knew the power of God's lovingkindness and mercy, having experienced it himself, firsthand.

Why do babies need to be saved by Jesus Christ if they are innocent of sin?

 

[George Antonios]

Evidently babies and the mental retarded dont need that, am I correct ? If not then they get in on their own merit, innocence.

Non sequitur.

 

[Cathode]

Cathode - that statement is so wrong while being so sad.
First - define the "Church" - is it one mans decision.- Over the past 17 centuries. the RCC has made many decisions - which has many exemptions: for example - a priest must not be married . From Wiki: the Vatican acknowledged that the policy has not always been enforced and that rules had been secretly established by the Vatican to protect non-celibate clergy who violated their vows of celibacy.[2][3][4] Some clergy have also been allowed to retain their clerical state after fathering children.[2][3][4]

That’s because celibacy is a discipline after Paul’s teaching example of being celibate in the service of the Lord, not a Dogma.

I don’t see your point here Salty.

 

[Cathode]

You could really blame Paul for pushing the idea of celibacy in the service of the Lord, so that people could serve the Lord undivided with family obligations.

Not Protestants or Baptist’s favourite teaching of Saint Paul.

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”

People are freed up of wife and children for the sake His Name and service to Him.
Having a family is the least thing they give up, many will take vows of poverty, and obedience, even silence.

They make a living sacrifice of their lives, very much in-line with the Gospel message.

 

[HeirofSalvation]

Why do babies need to be saved by Jesus Christ if they are innocent of sin?

Because in Adam all die, and it is only in Christ that they shall be made alive.
It is Christ's death and resurrection which achieves Eternal life.
It is only in Christ that anyone is resurrected. (Even the wicked, for the judgement and second death)
Read I Cor. 15

 

[Brightfame52]

Job asked:

. “How then can man be justified with God; or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?” {Job 25:4} “

Easy Job, some say babies are clean and innocent before God as they are born of a woman !

The word clean here corresponds with the word justified before it, and its the hebrew word zāḵâ which means:

to be clean, be pure, be clear

1. (Qal)
   
   
   1. to be clean, be pure
      
      
   2. to be clear, be justified
      

Again in the book of Job Job 15:14

What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

Yet some people believe that babies enter into the world , born of a woman clean, pure, Justified before God based not on Christs righteousness imputed, but by the pureness of their flesh, their natural innocence. Those people know better than Job did.

 

[Brightfame52]

Because in Adam all die, and it is only in Christ that they shall be made alive.
It is Christ's death and resurrection which achieves Eternal life.
It is only in Christ that anyone is resurrected. (Even the wicked, for the judgement and second death)
Read I Cor. 15

In Adam all die because in Adam they sinned Rom 5:12

12 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:

So did babies sin in Adam and contracted death ?