The Age of Accountability?? Truth or Error??

[Guest]

I put this in the “Calvinism/Arminianism” category because it ties in closely to the depravity of man and various other facets debated by Calvinists and Arminians.

Steve, please direct as you see fit, I would really like your opinion as well.

What do I mean by “age of accountability”? Well, a good fraction of most Arminians and even some Calvinists (believe it or not!!) believe that until a child comes to an age where they are “able” to give an “account” for their actions, they are not responsible for their sin, and are therefore innocent before God. But there comes a time when Christ’s imputed Salvation ceases to cover that child’s precious soul. This is “the age of accountability” or the time when the child is accountable for his actions. And his choices, from now on, will affect him for eternity. When this child becomes born again, Christ’s Salvation is not only imputed but also imparted.

Other views of children and salvation include an emblematic Calvinist view in which parents are always worried and vexed if their infants are among the elect or not.

Still others are careful to baptize or circumcise (or both) their infant to ensure safe conduct into heaven.

Still others believe that infants and children can actually make a profession of faith and truly be born again, and can actually be accountable for themselves.

There are many different variations and adaptations on what people believe about the innocence of children.

Let’s not focus on the specifics like age, when, where, how; but rather if “The Age of Accountability” is plausible or not.

Yours in Jesus,

[Guest]

Let’s not focus on the specifics like age, when, where, how; but rather if “The Age of Accountability” is plausible or not.

Yours in Jesus,

Well, people have different views of this but Paul said:

Rom 7:9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.

How could Paul have once been "alive" and later "died" if he was born dead in tresspasses and sins? It would seem that something changed at a certain point in his life. An "Age of Accountability” maybe?

[Guest]

Isa 7:16 For before the child <b>shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good,</b> the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

Deu 1:39- Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had <b>no knowledge between good and evil,</b> they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.

The second verse is especially relevent, in my opinion, because the promised land is a type of heaven (at least that's how I understand it). They were allowed to enter in because they didn't know any better "in that day" of the rebellion of their fathers.

God bless,
Derek

[_Steve]

This issue is further discussed at an oldern thread— http://www.wvss.com/forumc/viewtopic.php?t=19

[Guest]

Be sure and check out Steve's biblically based thoughts on this by clicking the link he gave above. Also, check out the following link as well. http://www.layhands.com/DoBabiesGoToHeaven.htm

SoaringEagle