Today, we’ll talk about a tough question: what happens to kids after they pass away, especially when bad things like natural disasters and wars happen? We know that faith in Jesus is vital for salvation, but what about young children who can’t make that choice yet? Let’s explore this challenging topic together.
Reflections on Salvation in Christianity
When it comes to babies, they’re not able to think about sin, repentance, or following Jesus. They’re just starting to breathe, walk, and talk. In Romans 3:23, it says that everyone, even newborns, falls short of God’s glory and needs salvation through Jesus.
People have different ideas about what happens to kids who pass away. Some think all children, no matter how young, go straight to heaven. Others believe children can be saved through their parents’ prayers and blessings.
There’s also the view that children might miss out on salvation if they don’t believe in Jesus. Most churches generally think kids under 7-8 years old can’t consciously believe in God, though there can be exceptions.
The Bible doesn’t give clear answers about where innocent children go after they die.
There are several viewpoints on this issue. One group of believers holds that all children, regardless of age, immediately enter into heaven. Others believe that children can be saved through the prayers and blessings of their parents.
Some may argue that children could be condemned and miss out on salvation if they do not believe in Jesus. In the church tradition, it is generally considered that children under the age of 7-8 are not capable of consciously believing in God, though there can be exceptions.
The Bible does not provide direct answers to questions about where an innocent child goes after death.
Faith in Salvation for Children
In 2 Samuel 12:23, David said, “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” He was talking about his baby who had passed away. David believed he would meet his child in heaven.
The Bible also shows that Jesus cared deeply for children. He stressed how important they are and told his followers to look after them. When it comes to kids not having a deep faith in God, remember that they can’t reject Jesus the same way adults can.
Imagine if we walked up to a grown-up on the street and asked them to believe in the Lord or accept the Gospel. They might say no. But if we asked the same question to a young boy or girl, they wouldn’t say no in the same way.
Parents in different places teach their kids about Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, unicorns, and other magical things from a very young age. So, any innocent child is ready to believe almost anything without thinking too much. That’s why we need to be careful when talking about faith with little kids and not treat them the same as adults.
The Role of Children in the Church
We know that God alone decides what happens to a child after they pass away. So, we rely on God’s mercy.
Now, when we think about the Church and how kids fit into it, we might wonder: who’s part of the Church? It’s those who believe in Jesus and live by His teachings. But not all kids can make that choice, even if they’re born into Christian families.
In 1 Corinthians 7:14, the Apostle Paul wrote that kids are blessed through their parents. This means that kids of non-believing parents are seen as separate. It doesn’t mean a child from a Christian family won’t need to believe in Jesus later; it just shows that parents’ influence helps kids live right and choose the right faith. So, being a child doesn’t automatically mean going up with the Church.
God’s Mercy and the Role of Parents
Think of Centurion Cornelius as an example. The Bible tells us he was a good and God-fearing man, but he wasn’t saved until he decided to believe in Jesus through Peter’s preaching and got baptized. His whole family believed too.
So, when Jesus comes back, He’s coming for the Church, not just good people. But kids can’t fully understand baptism and being part of the Christian group yet, so they won’t go with their believing parents.
But is God really so unkind that He’d leave innocent kids alone, like it says in Revelation, with all the bad stuff happening? The Bible says God doesn’t want anyone to be lost; He wants everyone to turn to Him (2 Peter 3:9).
Sure, God can protect kids even if their parents aren’t Christian. But sometimes, even sweet babies can grow up to do bad things. Just being a child doesn’t mean you’ll always make the right choices. And when tough times come, there might be more chances for bad things to happen. So, maybe it’s a reason why God doesn’t take Christian parents away until those tough times are over, to make sure kids aren’t left alone in hard times.
From all that has been said, we can draw the following conclusions:
We can’t say for sure if a child goes to heaven or hell. God doesn’t give us all the details, but one thing is clear: children aren’t counted as part of the Church. They can’t make a choice, repent, or enter into a covenant with God through baptism.
Look at Centurion Cornelius and his family as an example. If they hadn’t believed and been baptized, they wouldn’t have been part of the Church or saved. When the rapture happens in the future, they wouldn’t have shared in that special event.
The same goes for kids. They definitely won’t be taken during the rapture. We know that God has a special plan for both children and parents during the tough times of the great tribulation.
