Age of accountability

Actually, I think it comes from Paul's discussion of the law and sin in the book of Romans. For instance, in Rom. 1:20, it is when the things that are made have an understanding of God as Creator that they become without excuse.

Again, in Rom 5:13, sin is not imputed when there is no law. So, if you take a young child who has not yet reached the ability to understand right from wrong (i.e. "the law"), then certainly he cannot be held accountable.

 

Does anyone actually know the history of the
origin of this idea, rather than supposing what its
origin may be?

Does anyone know if the age was originally set as
a particular age or if it was assumed that everyone
is different and maturity decided when this "age of
accountability" occurred?

What were the consequences of reaching this "age
of accountability"?

Do a great number of churches teach this idea as
one occurring at a particular age today?

What Scriptures support a particular age of a
child being that at which it occurs, other than
the age of our Lord when He was at the Temple
with the rabbis (which is certainly not related to
an "age of accountability" in my mind)?

(While it may have been loosely based upon the
age of bar/bat mitzvah, it is so different from the
idea behind bar/bat mitzvah thaat it is, in reality,
totally unrelated, unless it was related meerly in
the originator's mind, so I am not asking about
this.)

 

bump

 

Abiyah,
Virtually every civilized society has a time in the life of its young males that has an associated "rites of passage" ceremony for when he passes from child to young adult or from child to warrior, etc. It is that 'mystical' age when the male is to put away childish things and take on some of the responsibilities of "manhood". It is not clear when it started, but since every society and race has such an event, It must have its origen in pre-Tower of Babel humanity when all the people had a common language.

Just a thought

 

Yes, I recognize that, Yelsew. I probably was not
clear in asking my question. My intention was to
ask what Scriptures support a specific spiritual
majority age and what churches support that there
truly is one. Personally, I do not believe that there
is one and that this "age of accountability" is a
mere myth, but I would like to see if I am wrong,
I have been wrong before.

 

In the "Life and Times of Jesus Christ" series, there is some discussion of the "age of majority", but without having all the referenced hard-copy material it is difficult to follow. It simply recognizes that among the Jews it is recognized that such an age or time of life exists, and that it is "celebrated" as a milestone of life.

 

Yes, this is the bar mitzvah, as you likely already
know. But what I am thinking, really, is that the
churches haven't a "leg to stand on" to declare a
paticular "age of accountability." I have seen all
kinds of particular ages suggested for the belie-
vers' "age of accountability," anywhere from 12
(based upon both the bar/bat miztvah and our
Lord's age regarding the incident at the Temple)
to in their thirties, based upon when He began His
ministry. I find no Scripture to support any of
this.

Certainly, the bar/bat mitzvah is great in the Jewish
culture, as a time of taking responsibility for one's
own spiritual growth, but it is merely tradition, not
backed, as far as I know, by specific Scripture.

 

There is no such thing as age of accountability. It is a concept that is taught nowhere in the bible. Of course, since I don't believe it is we who have to accept Christ to be in heaven, then I have no problem with there being no age of accountability.

From sin we were conceived and through sin we will die. All of us. If a baby was without sin, he wouldn't die. Death is caused by sin, we all die, therefore we are all sinners.

Will there be babies in hell? I can't say for sure. I also can not say what other age groups will be in hell. But, you know what, I'm not worried about it. I have the sweet hope that I won't be there.

Why don't we read the bible for what it is and says and stop inferring things into it that are not there.

 

If one believes that an individual needs to repent and accept Christ as Savior in order to obtain salvation, then the question arrises, "how early can one do this?" Since we can't even communicate with newborns (what new mother doesn't know that!), surely a newborn cannot understand the idea nor choose to be saved. I cannot imagine our loving God not accepting these little ones in His kingdom, should they pass from this life. As the child gets older, he/she understands things better, but all do not understand the idea of sin, repentance, and God's grace as well as others.

I was seven when I decided that I had to take my own stand for Christ, and was baptized shortly thereafter, having passed the questioning of the deacons. Now another 7-year-old might not grasp what we are talking about. It would be different for each child.

So the answer is, to teach the Gospel to even the youngest we can converse with, in as simple terms as we can find. The Holy Spirit will convict and draw to the Lord all who understand and are willing, whatever their age.