The age of accountability

I've heard some Christians talk about the "age of accountability"{but they don't actually give an age},saying that someone before a certain age doesn't understand salvation well enough to get saved, so God kind of "cuts them some slack",like if they die before this age they'll go to Heaven.Also, they site that Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come to Me, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."On the other hand,other Christians say,no, they are still of the direct descendants of Adam,and therefore have the fallen nature, and sin can't enter Heaven, and God can't compromise His justice.Also, those Christians point out about those who never heard the Gospel,"therefore they are without excuse, because Gods invisible qualities are seen from creation".I hear both sides. But is there anything in the Bible that actually addresses an age of accountability, or what that age might be? I kind of lean towards, God would go by what they would do if they WERE old enough to decide.But anything dogmatic here, or just speculation?

 

[Darnell]

We will give an account to God almighty for what we have done on earth. None of us is exempt from this. So, continue to serve the Lord, continue to love others just as Jesus loved us. Continue to visit the sick and those in prison. Jesus is right there waiting to see what you are gona tell them. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who serve the Lord with gladness and love Him with everything they have.

 

[Brother James]

I've heard some Christians talk about the "age of accountability"{but they don't actually give an age},saying that someone before a certain age doesn't understand salvation well enough to get saved, so God kind of "cuts them some slack",like if they die before this age they'll go to Heaven.Also, they site that Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come to Me, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."On the other hand,other Christians say,no, they are still of the direct descendants of Adam,and therefore have the fallen nature, and sin can't enter Heaven, and God can't compromise His justice.Also, those Christians point out about those who never heard the Gospel,"therefore they are without excuse, because Gods invisible qualities are seen from creation".I hear both sides. But is there anything in the Bible that actually addresses an age of accountability, or what that age might be? I kind of lean towards, God would go by what they would do if they WERE old enough to decide.But anything dogmatic here, or just speculation?

There isn't any place in the Bible that speaks of an age of accountability.

Psalms 58:3-4

The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

However, it is God who chooses to save us for Jesus will not lose anyone whom the Father gave to Him. In other words salvation is a gift to us so if we are doing our best to follow Jesus by doing His instructions then we have proof of our salvation in and through our Lord Jesus Christ.

If a child dies as an infant there is or can be a hope that God made provision through Jesus for them but more so especially to the child whom the Lord has saved the parents through Jesus for there are promises for us to save our house.

 

[Steven Bobb]

There isn't any place in the Bible that speaks of an age of accountability.

Psalms 58:3-4

The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

However, it is God who chooses to save us for Jesus will not lose anyone whom the Father gave to Him. In other words salvation is a gift to us so if we are doing our best to follow Jesus by doing His instructions then we have proof of our salvation in and through our Lord Jesus Christ.

If a child dies as an infant there is or can be a hope that God made provision through Jesus for them but more so especially to the child whom the Lord has saved the parents through Jesus for there are promises for us to save our house.

I could expand that to ,what about someone with a mental issue, like retardation or cerebral palsy who doesn't comprehend salvation. But no, I haven't seen any verse about it in the Bible either, just something I hear Christians with different viewpoints on.{Like pretribulation rapture, mid trib, post trib.As for the salvation of a saved persons whole household, this is another subject with different viewpoints. YES, the Bible states, "Believe,and you shall be saved, and your house."BUT, the Bible ALSO states,about what Christians will experience during the last days Tribulation--"A mans enemies will be they of his own household,"{Why would they be his enemies if they were all saved?}Also, the verses about a parent will deliver their children up to persecution, and vice versa,for their faith,why would a Christian deliver another Christian up to be killed?}And by the time the Antichrist orders the death of the Christians,it will be in the second part of the tribulation, and we know that anyone who takes the mark "the same will be tormented in the lake of fire and brimstone". So again,this is another matter that some Christians say that salvation is an individual choice, others quote,"You will be saved, and your house.".

 

[Brother James]

I could expand that to ,what about someone with a mental issue, like retardation or cerebral palsy who doesn't comprehend salvation. But no, I haven't seen any verse about it in the Bible either, just something I hear Christians with different viewpoints on.{Like pretribulation rapture, mid trib, post trib.As for the salvation of a saved persons whole household, this is another subject with different viewpoints. YES, the Bible states, "Believe,and you shall be saved, and your house."BUT, the Bible ALSO states,about what Christians will experience during the last days Tribulation--"A mans enemies will be they of his own household,"{Why would they be his enemies if they were all saved?}Also, the verses about a parent will deliver their children up to persecution, and vice versa,for their faith,why would a Christian deliver another Christian up to be killed?}And by the time the Antichrist orders the death of the Christians,it will be in the second part of the tribulation, and we know that anyone who takes the mark "the same will be tormented in the lake of fire and brimstone". So again,this is another matter that some Christians say that salvation is an individual choice, others quote,"You will be saved, and your house.".

The promise of saving our house as well as other promises has to do with our ability to claim the promises.

For example, I was in the wilderness, a mountainous area and I looked up and saw a leopard above me. Fear tried to take over yet I remembered reading in Job that the beasts of the field will have peace with me so I told the beast that I believed in Jesus and that Jesus says the beast and I have peace with each other through Jesus. The beast eventually left and I spent the rest of that day praising Jesus for blessing me with that promise and I still today can praise Jesus for that ordeal, a situation that can give me a reason to count a rough day as joy or give me the ability to not think about something that could otherwise be troublesome by thinking about counting Jesus as joy. We have victory in Jesus but that victory has to do with our ability to claim His Promises in the Name Jesus verbally or even mentally for Jesus knows our thoughts. The Name Jesus gives us a Power to go anywhere and do anything without fear.

We grow closer to God from our experiences. We still sin against God because of our sinful nature yet we have Jesus as our advocate always pleading our case before the Father so we are always forgiven and we can always thank and praise Jesus for that which is another way to not think about our life and count a misery as joy.

 

[Steven Bobb]

The promise of saving our house as well as other promises has to do with our ability to claim the promises.

For example, I was in the wilderness, a mountainous area and I looked up and saw a leopard above me. Fear tried to take over yet I remembered reading in Job that the beasts of the field will have peace with me so I told the beast that I believed in Jesus and that Jesus says the beast and I have peace with each other through Jesus. The beast eventually left and I spent the rest of that day praising Jesus for blessing me with that promise and I still today can praise Jesus for that ordeal, a situation that can give me a reason to count a rough day as joy or give me the ability to not think about something that could otherwise be troublesome by thinking about counting Jesus as joy. We have victory in Jesus but that victory has to do with our ability to claim His Promises in the Name Jesus verbally or even mentally for Jesus knows our thoughts. The Name Jesus gives us a Power to go anywhere and do anything without fear.

We grow closer to God from our experiences. We still sin against God because of our sinful nature yet we have Jesus as our advocate always pleading our case before the Father so we are always forgiven and we can always thank and praise Jesus for that which is another way to not think about our life and count a misery as joy.

Remember, though, we're not supposed to "show off" our protection.Like, when the devil told Jesus to jump off the temple,He said,"It is also written, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God."Paul got bitten by the viper, but it was upon Gods will to show the people in Malta the power of God. Being done with intent to show off,at a time God didn't call for it like these snake handlers in some churches in the South.....

 

[Brother James]

Remember, though, we're not supposed to "show off" our protection.Like, when the devil told Jesus to jump off the temple,He said,"It is also written, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God."Paul got bitten by the viper, but it was upon Gods will to show the people in Malta the power of God. Being done with intent to show off,at a time God didn't call for it like these snake handlers in some churches in the South.....

Lifting up the Name Jesus is not us showing off in a circumstance, rather it is Jesus. I wouldn't get some snakes to show off to others, I was by myself with Jesus and the leopard. I don't tell all my stories that I experience with Jesus to everyone, just those I am led to. Some of us are more bold than others because God has been bold with us.

 

[Steven Bobb]

Lifting up the Name Jesus is not us showing off in a circumstance, rather it is Jesus. I wouldn't get some snakes to show off to others, I was by myself with Jesus and the leopard. I don't tell all my stories that I experience with Jesus to everyone, just those I am led to. Some of us are more bold than others because God has been bold with us.

I know, but I wasn't referring to you specifically, just making a general point.Like when Jesus told the devil,"You shall not tempt the Lord your God."Sure He could've jumped without harm,but He knew what the devil was up to.God knows the heart,just making a general point.

 

[ChandlerC]

Dream the impossible, Jesus is with anyone who thinks and acts as servants of the living God. Butilding a million chiurches all over the world and then giving thanks to the Lord. Seek His face daily and a reward shall come to everyone who has heard and obeyed the voice of the Lord.

 

[The Encourager]

I've heard some Christians talk about the "age of accountability"{but they don't actually give an age},saying that someone before a certain age doesn't understand salvation well enough to get saved, so God kind of "cuts them some slack",like if they die before this age they'll go to Heaven.Also, they site that Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come to Me, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."On the other hand,other Christians say,no, they are still of the direct descendants of Adam,and therefore have the fallen nature, and sin can't enter Heaven, and God can't compromise His justice.Also, those Christians point out about those who never heard the Gospel,"therefore they are without excuse, because Gods invisible qualities are seen from creation".I hear both sides. But is there anything in the Bible that actually addresses an age of accountability, or what that age might be? I kind of lean towards, God would go by what they would do if they WERE old enough to decide.But anything dogmatic here, or just speculation?

Look at the age that God allowed the oldest to go into the promised land. It was the age of 19. I heard a man teach on this. That 19 was the age of accountability. I will also research it and get back with you. I love Bible questions.