I saw this being discussed in another thread and figured I would make a poll. It was stated that all Calvinist believe that babies that die go to hell. I was curious on that and what everybody thought about babies going to hell or heaven.
Where do babies go when they die?
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by jbh28, Oct 26, 2010.
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Heaven, I'm a Calvinist
7 vote(s)19.4% -
Hell, I'm a Calvinist
0 vote(s)0.0% -
Heaven, I'm not a Calvinist
25 vote(s)69.4% -
Hell, I'm not a Calvinist
1 vote(s)2.8% -
I'm not sure, I'm a Calvinist
3 vote(s)8.3% -
I'm not sure, I'm not a Calvinist
0 vote(s)0.0%
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What if?
What if God could look down the path of that infant even though he did die as if he didn't? -
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Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Have you read Spurgeon's sermon on this...Im sure it's on the internet. Its his opinion that they go to Heaven. BTW, he was a Calvinist.
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Iconoclast Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
3._____ Elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit; who worketh when, and where, and how he pleases; so also are all elect persons, who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.
( John 3:3, 5, 6; John 3:8 )
4._____ Others not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither will nor can truly come to Christ, and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men that receive not the Christian religion be saved; be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature and the law of that religion they do profess.
( Matthew 22:14; Matthew 13:20, 21; Hebrews 6:4, 5; John 6:44, 45, 65; 1 John 2:24, 25; Acts 4:12; John 4:22; John 17:3 ) -
We don't know for a certainty where babies go. The reformed calvinists believe that infant baptism is a covenant promise and the children of believers go to heaven based on that Abrahamic covenant.
On the other hadn some adopt a concept of "age of responsibility". All children are covered by the cross until they reach that "age of responsibility". This would include most arminians.
Spurgeon espoused the age of accountability theory.
The chief problem is original sin for one who does not accept covenant theology and infant baptism. We must accept that "all the elect will be saved" and they are covered by the cross without a verbal confession.
I am afraid, we just don't have sufficient to draft a hard and fast doctrine on this point, and we are left to our own concoction based on the love and grace of God.
Cheers,
Jim
PS. My very first funeral was an infant and I wrestled hard with this question. Thankfully the parent were firm believers, and this helped. -
I would assume they would need to be born again being they were born of the flesh.
Lets see David said speaking of his child, I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. On the day of Pentecost about fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus where did Peter say David was? Men [and] brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
How did David put this? Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell,(Hades) neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
I assume David as he said went to his child. -
David's expression of going to his son,,,,is the only verse used to support the "age of responsibility" theory. You won't read many lengthy theological discussions on the topic.
Cheers,
Jim -
Flaw
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It is clear from the poll that you are trying to pick a fight with certain types of belief. I say that because your poll was sort of slanted and did not offer enough options so I could not respond. However I can say that the bible is simply not clear. If one really understands the extent of the fall and the condition of the human race and what is required for salvation no mater the age then one can only deduce that babies are not saved. And any hard line belief to the contrary is simply based on emotional values not scripture.
However at the same time there are at least two or maybe three passages that could be understood that the very young (babies) if they die have been provided for by some other method then what we are given in the scriptures.
Now because of what I have stated and what scripture gives us I would hold the position that it is possible that babies go to heaven (and I hope they do) when they die, but I would never form an absolute doctrine on it without further revelation which will only come when we meet the Lord. :smilewinkgrin: -
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Is it possible that the bible doesn't say much about infants & salvation because it's simply not an issue with God?
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David's expression of going to his son,,,,is the only verse used to support the "age of responsibility" theory. You won't read many lengthy theological discussions on the topic.
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This statement stands as written.
Cheers,
Jim -
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