Age of Accountability

I have found Mark 10:14 helpful in dealing with situations such as this. While is doesn't anwer the age of accountability question, I think a five year old is a child by any standard.

While we're on this subject, where does scripture address the matter of "age of accountability"?

 

I'm not sure it addresses it specifically by that phrase, if at all.

However, Jesus started teaching in the temple when he was 12 and that is why Jewish Bar Mitzvahs are held when a boy turns 12. That leads me to believe that 12 is a fairly good 'marker' for the age of accountability in the Bible.

I have known children that have gotten saved at a younger age, but a lot of them don't really understand and will get saved 'again' later in life.

It depends on the child and their maturity level, as well as how they are brought up. It stands to reason that when one is raised in a Christian home, they will understand salvation at an earlier age.

At age 5, I believe children are still under the protection of God's grace.

 

Minor correction here: Jewish Bar Mitzvahs are held when a boy turns 13, not 12. When a girl turns 12, she has a Bat Mitzvah. I was raised Reform Jewish...although I didn't have a Bat Mitzvah, my older brother was 13 when he had his Bar Mitzvah. That is the age when a boy "supposedly" becomes a "man"...so I was told by our rabbi. I went through Confirmation when I was 15...both boys and girls get confirmed at age 15.

 

Thus saieth the prophet Scribe.

 

Depends on were you are in some states like in northern N.Y. Churches are few and far between

 

Praise the Lord that this is not always true. I would have to reconsider mine own testimony if this is true. However, I know that I know. :applause:

 

I love the quote, "they got mad door knocking skills"

That is great!

:laugh:

 

2 Peter 3:3 (KJV)
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

Nothing new from the mocker. :saint:

 

So tell us prophet, from whence dost thou derive 11-13? And if you are applying the passage to me, what am I lusting after? :laugh: You really are a master at tossing out random out of context scriptures and acting self righteous, aren't you?

 

Lust doesn't always me sex. And, the verse isn't out of context or being self righteous.

Bar Mitzvahs are held when a boy turns thirteen, that works for me. But by thirteen everyone is accountable.

 

This thing about age begs another question..... What about the retarded?

I think of accountablity and reaching the ability to understand right from wrong as being similar... but do I know this for sure; not really.

One thing I do know, God is holy. God is righteous. God is just. In all things I must learn to trust Him. He is sovereign. This veil of flesh shrouds him from my clear view, understanding, and knowledge. But I'm sure that He is as He says He is.... His Word proves true over and over!

Therefore, I must trust Him totally in those things which are not my business. If they are not my business.... then though I may make it my concern, it really should not be my concern.

How to comfort someone who doesn't trust God? I don't know. If they believe there's a God, if they think there's an afterlife, if they think there are future rewards and punishment..... its a tough call. For those who don't believe, listen to them, let them tell their stories and share memories, pray for them, give the gift of your presence to comfort in their loss, emphathise, be helpful, if opportunity opens to tell them of the hope you have in Christ Jesus then let the spirit guide:

Maintain your confidence when sharing that God loves them: God is just: God doesnot judge like we might judge... but our confidence is that His judgement is righteous. We may not know 'which way one went' but we do know Christ work on the cross was a completed work. An infant, a child, a youth... we may not know with certainty.... but we know what is past is past, there is no undoing or changing, and it does us no emotionally or spiritually any good to dwell and live in the past and 'what ifs?'.

God gives us each day, the present, the now: what counts are decisions we make 'now'. The plans for tomorrow are intentions but are not 'now'. Now is where we live and exist and make our choice before God and man. If and when a person believes in Jesus for his salvation, assurance and comfort can be given that 'all things work together for them who are the called according to his purpose' etc. Before such time of conviction and commitment, such a promise, other than sharing it as a statement of your own faith in the presence of adversity, would be premature.

We are so accustomed to wanting to know..... Sometimes we must 'accept' as an exercise of faith not to know everything and place our confidence in God.

(I don't think it pertains to this, but isn't there scripture regarding a marriage and one is saved and another not... yet if they're willing to dwell together.... their children are sanctified.... Always wondered 'bout that.)

 

Of course not, I never said it did. But you are avoiding answering the question.

Verse out of context. YOU, self-righteous.

Thus saith the prophet, Scribe. Thank God we have the prophet revealing truth to us.

 

Nope.

I will agree. I do tell people the truth.

 

But since when did Bar (or Bat) Mitzvahs become an issue of Scripture?

I'm not arguing against the Age of Accountability...I'm just questioning the reasoning behind saying "eleven to thirteen," and wondering if we are messing up by picking what seems to be a somewhat arbitrary age range.

 

It doesn't

How does one have adultery without sex?

 

Doesn't always mean sex. Typo. :smilewinkgrin:

Lust:a passionate or overmastering desire or craving (usually fol. by for): a lust for power. Lust after an object, money, power and so on.
Ardent enthusiasm; zest; relish: an enviable lust for life.
Desire; inclination; wish.
to have a yearning or desire; have a strong or excessive craving (often fol. by for or after).

 

Hi friend,
I am a firm believer in the age of accountability. I find scriptures that support it. I do not feel there is an exact age, I find it to be when the Lord visits (Or speaks to) a person. This is when they have the knowledge and are accountable for their sins.
The blood of Christ cleansed all of the penalty of the original sin of Adam. Until a child comes to the understanding, they are covered by the blood of Christ.

A few scriptures that may help is:
1 Tim 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe

Mat 18:3 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

My prayers are with this family. God bless.