AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY
How
can a “JUST” God catapult billions of innocent babies into Hell?
First Word
·
This subject is not a hill that I am
prepared to stand on, defend and die for, nor am I dogmatic and adamant about
my conclusions; but I present them here as I find them and it’s possible your BS; Belief System might just
get a kink in it. – This subject is about the Theological notion that
children are covered by God’s grace until they mature enough to understand fully
the results of their actions. – The conclusion is that Sin is free and without
consequence until a certain age, and presupposes that sin must first be
recognized before it is actually accountable to them.
·
This would include people who are incapable of
recognizing personal responsibility due to mental, emotional or developmental
disabilities, they may be retarded, illiterate, deaf or blind, have learning
disabilities or physical handicaps; they may never have the potential to understand
spiritual things. – To upset you right away, Salvation has never been
granted based on physical handicaps, nor is it taught anywhere in scripture.
·
The Apostle Paul said that we should not go beyond what is written in
the scriptures and my plan is to interpret accurately, literally and generously
as WIDE as I can. – The problem as I see it, is that we have accepted
non-biblical doctrines as FACT.
·
Before we begin, I must confess that the
doctrine of TAA; “The Age of
Accountability” is just conjecture since it is not found anywhere in scripture,
not even in an abstract way, in fact there is nothing in scripture that implies
that someone must fully understand sin to be accountable for his
actions.. – What we do is take our BS;
our Belief System and Reverse Engineer our objectives so that the outcome
justifies our own beliefs.
·
If you twist the
scriptures enough,
you can make it say pretty much what you want it to say… I can show that 120,000
people in Nineveh who did not know their right hand from their left must
have been in an Age of Innocence.
·
I can support the Age of
Accountability
as 7, 12, 13, 20 and 21, but they all can’t be right. Or does it vary from
culture to culture and from age to age? – Is it affected by social and
environmental factors which can include the influence of television, movies,
games, parents, teachers and the things that they have learned in life?
·
I can also support that there is NOT an “Age
of Accountability” that men just made it up. – I can even give you scripture
that shows that unborn babies are doomed to hell, as well as that they will all
go to heaven; both can’t be right.
·
You already believe that a good and just
God would not send a baby to hell. – You believe that God would not hold
someone eternally accountable for wrong when they do not yet know
good from bad. - Guess what? - You
have already unknowingly “made God in your own image”.
·
We will look at all of
this
and you will have a hard time processing it because of your BS; your Belief System that is already in place. What you already believe will cause you to
reject what the scriptures say. – So get
ready to get upset.
1 Corinthians 4:6 - Do not go beyond what is written
6 Now, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying,
6 Now, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying,
“DO NOT GO BEYOND WHAT
IS WRITTEN.” Then you will not be puffed up being a follower of one of us
over against the other.
Jonah 4:11 – 120,000 under
the age of accountability
11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?” (ESV)
11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?” (ESV)
Isaiah 7:16 – There is a
time when you know right from wrong
16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.
16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.
Household
Salvation
·
I am able to present
scriptures
of whole households being baptized into the family of God, but this is not
saying that when you become a Christian and are baptized, that your whole
family is saved. It just means that the
whole household has been brought into the family of God to be brought along in
the precepts till they can make their own individual decision.
·
The Bible does not teach
Household Salvation, the children of the parents that repented will also be
required to repent. - God only has children; there are no grandchildren. – You
do not ride into heaven on your mothers coat tail.
·
I was interviewing a young
man
for a job and he told me countless glowing stories of what his mom had done in
the church and community - I said your mom sounds like a good candidate for
this job, but I need to know about YOU.
1 Corinthians 1:16 –
Stephanas whole household Baptized
16 I (Paul) did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else. (ESV)
Acts 11:13-14 – Cornelius was saved and his household.
13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter;
14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ (ESV)
16 I (Paul) did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else. (ESV)
Acts 11:13-14 – Cornelius was saved and his household.
13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter;
14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ (ESV)
Acts 16:15 - Lydia was baptized, and her household as well
15 And after she (Lydia) was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. (ESV)
15 And after she (Lydia) was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. (ESV)
Acts 16:31-33 – Jailer was baptized and his whole family
31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 and they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. (ESV)
31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 and they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. (ESV)
ALL Babies go
to heaven
·
It is believed that scripture shows that
David knew children went directly to heaven which proves that there is an “Age
of Accountability”.
·
David’s son died and David said that his
son could not come to him, but one day he would go to his son.
·
If you want it to; you can set up the Belief System that David knew his son was in heaven and one day he would
go to heaven and be with him. – Or your Belief
System could say that his son died
and was in the grave and one day he would also die and go to the grave.
·
We are warned to not go further than
what is written in the scriptures. – What this verse does is reinforce God’s
Judgment on sin, which is death.
2 Samuel 12:22-23 – I will
go to the grave with my son
22 He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’
23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (NIV2011)
22 He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’
23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (NIV2011)
1 Corinthians 4:6 - Do not go beyond what is written
6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “DO NOT GO BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. (NIV2011)
6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “DO NOT GO BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. (NIV2011)
Age of
Accountability
·
The age of accountability for a
Jewish boy according to Jewish law is 13 years of age when he becomes
a “bar mitzvah” and is then accountable for his actions. - According to
Orthodox and Conservative Jews; a girl becomes a “bat mitzvah” at the
age of 12, and according to Reform Jews, she is accountable at the age of 13. - Wikipedia
·
Jehoash
was 7 years old when he became accountable and began to
reign as king.
·
Because Jesus was taken to
Jerusalem
to attend the feast of the Passover at the age of 12, many feel that the age of
accountability is around the time associated with puberty when one becomes
conscious of their own desires, drives, impulses, passions and is when sinful
attitudes begins to emerge.
·
Israel took a census, those accountable
were numbered were 20 years of age and up.
·
Until they reached the age of accountability
they were considered INNOCENT and INCAPABLE of sin. - Scripture
says the little ones have no knowledge of good and evil… It’s in
the Book… sort of...
·
Accountability
to Secular Law and accountability to God’s Laws are two
separate things.
Deuteronomy 1:39 – Little
ones have no knowledge of good & evil
39 And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. (ESV)
39 And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. (ESV)
2 Kings 11:21 – Seven years
old began to reign
21 Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign (ESV).
21 Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign (ESV).
Luke 2:42-46 - Twelve years old
42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.
43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,
44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (ESV)
42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.
43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,
44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (ESV)
Exodus 30:14 - Twenty years old and upward
14 Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the LORD’s offering. (ESV)
14 Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the LORD’s offering. (ESV)
Numbers 14:28-30 - Twenty years old and upward
28 Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you:
29 your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me,
30 not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. (ESV)
28 Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you:
29 your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me,
30 not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. (ESV)
1 Chronicles 27:23 – Must
be 21 or older
23 David DID NOT TAKE the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. (NIV2011)
23 David DID NOT TAKE the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. (NIV2011)
Luke 18:15-17 – All little children go to heaven
15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.
16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (NIV2011)
15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.
16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (NIV2011)
God sets the
Age
·
God pretty much set the
age of accountability at 20 based on who would be allowed to go into the Promised
Land. He said, those younger did not know Good from Bad.
·
What is not factored in is God had cursed the Israelites
for GRUMBLING against Him and for believing the bad report brought back by the
spies. Only two of the spies; Caleb and
Joshua were allowed to go into the Promised Land. Those who were young and did not know GOOD
from BAD about this rebellion, nor were they a part of it, would be
allowed to enter into the Promised Land.
·
This was not about the age of
accountability, but about the adults who had grumbled and rebelled against God and
would not be allowed to enter into the Promised Land. – It teaches that the next
generation of children will not suffer for the sins of their parents.
Numbers 14:28-30 - Twenty years old and upward
28 Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you:
29 your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have GRUMBLED AGAINST ME,
30 not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. (ESV)
28 Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you:
29 your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have GRUMBLED AGAINST ME,
30 not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. (ESV)
Deuteronomy 1:39 – Do not
know good from bad
39 And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it.
39 And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it.
Now for the rest if the news
·
Eisegesis is a big word that means; the process
of interpreting a text or portion of text in such a way that the process introduces
one's own presuppositions, agendas, or biases into and onto the text. This
is commonly referred to as “reading into the text”. – Wikipedia –
·
When we talk about an age
of accountability,
we must take a serious look at what the scriptures record about Original Sin
which babies are a part of. - This is where your BS; Belief System
starts to fall apart. This is what God
says.
·
We are not sinners because
we sin;
we sin because we are born sinners; it’s our nature.
·
God is sovereign and everything was
created by Him and for Him, for His purpose.
·
There are some Wicked who are “estranged”
(they turn aside); they are wicked in
the womb and as soon as they are born they go astray speaking
poisonous lies. - Liars will not enter the Kingdom of God. – WHAT? – It’s in the Book. - God did not say children starts speaking
lies when they reach the age of accountability, but as soon as they are born;
He likens them to SNAKES – Think
about it; who teaches a child to lie? – An infant is just a Sinner in
diapers.
·
Get ready to get upset; do you think God does
not kill INNOCENT infants and children? - God told Saul to utterly destroy the Amalek
adults including their INNOCENT CHILDREN and INFANTS, knowing that the small
Amalekites would grow up to be big Amalekites and continue the evil of their
parents. – A rattlesnake emerging from its egg is tiny; but it’s still a
rattlesnake.
·
God calls for judgment on
Babylon
and authorizes CHILDREN to be dashed to pieces before the parent’s eyes. – God
calls for Assyria to make a war of judgment on Israel and dash their CHILDREN
to pieces and rip open the PREGNANT WOMEN. – Assyria is to make
war on Egypt; CHILDREN dashed to pieces. – Babylon is to be destroyed and the LITTLE
ONES dashed against the rocks. – God says blessed is the Nation that dashes the
LITTLE ONES in Babylon against the rocks.
·
What happened in Sodom and
Gomorrah? Everyone was destroyed
including the children, infants and those in the womb. – Were the babies
innocent or rattlesnakes in the making?
·
Did you see what God did
to some kids
that were harassing His prophet? – He sent bears out of the woods and they TORE
UP 42 children. – Note: this
was a gang of small boys who would have robbed and killed the Prophet.
·
What happens to aborted
babies?
– First of all, we must put into our BS;
our Belief System that all mankind is on the
road to Hell - ALL - The aborted babies
that God CHOSE to save will be in heaven and those He DID NOT choose to save will
eventually be in Hell. – Think about it; Abortion is MURDER and if all
murdered babies went to heaven, then we should kill our children to make sure
they all wind up in heaven. – Murder is a Sin and is not a method of
salvation taught anywhere in scripture. (However, The
Qur’an teaches murder is OK)
·
Life begins at conception and is complete with an
eternal soul. - In a study in 1999,
there were 4,250,000 neo-natal deaths or deaths in the womb which mostly
occurred in primitive and pagan nations. – If you add each year up until today,
you will realize that Heaven and Hell are being populated at an
unpresented rate; these souls are eternal somewhere. – No life or death
occurs apart from the purpose of God.
·
There are some infants that are saved and filled
with the Holy Spirit at conception in the womb and set apart for
His purpose and will automatically be in heaven. Likewise there are others that God chose for His
purpose BEFORE He ever made the earth.
·
According to God there are some who are
still in the womb that have neither done good nor bad who He HATES based on His
purpose and His election, and He says PLAINLY that some children are just
plain EVIL; so why should we expect a sinful, fallen, guilty,
depraved child without spiritual, religious or moral
merit at death be welcomed into the Kingdom of God?
·
Scripture never suggest that children are without
sin, but teaches that we are ALL sinful at any age, – We are born in Sin
- David confessed that he was sinful at conception – The Bible says the whole world is
accountable for their sins and that would include children. – No child comes
into the world innocent, children are just Short Sinners.
2 Timothy 4:3 – With itching ears we chose our own
beliefs
3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having ITCHING EARS they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, (ESV)
3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having ITCHING EARS they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, (ESV)
Psalm 51:5 – We are sinful from conception
5 surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. (NIV2011)
5 surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. (NIV2011)
Psalm 58:3-4 – Wicked estranged in the womb; birth
go astray
3 The wicked are estranged (turn aside) from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies.
4 They have venom (speak lies) like the venom of a SERPENT, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, (ESV)
3 The wicked are estranged (turn aside) from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies.
4 They have venom (speak lies) like the venom of a SERPENT, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, (ESV)
Revelation 21:27 – No liar will enter into the
kingdom of God
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, OR MAKES A LIE: but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of life. (KJV)
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, OR MAKES A LIE: but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of life. (KJV)
Proverbs 20:11 – A child is known by his acts of
conduct
11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. (ESV)
11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. (ESV)
1 Samuel 15:3 – Kill the Amaleks; man, woman,
child & Infant
3 Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, CHILD and INFANT, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”
3 Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, CHILD and INFANT, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”
(ESV)
Isaiah 13:15-16 - Children dashed to pieces before their eyes
15 Everyone who is found will be thrust through, and everyone who is captured will fall by the sword.
16 Their CHILDREN also will be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered and their wives ravished.
15 Everyone who is found will be thrust through, and everyone who is captured will fall by the sword.
16 Their CHILDREN also will be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered and their wives ravished.
(NKJV)
Hosea 13:16 – Pregnant women ripped open
16 Samaria shall bear her guilt, because she has rebelled against her God; they shall fall by the sword; their LITTLE ONES shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant WOMEN RIPPED OPEN. (ESV)
16 Samaria shall bear her guilt, because she has rebelled against her God; they shall fall by the sword; their LITTLE ONES shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant WOMEN RIPPED OPEN. (ESV)
Nahum 3:10 – Young children dashed to pieces
10 Yet she was carried away, She went into captivity; Her YOUNG CHILDREN also were dashed to pieces At the head of every street; They cast lots for her honorable men, And all her great men were bound in chains. (NKJV)
10 Yet she was carried away, She went into captivity; Her YOUNG CHILDREN also were dashed to pieces At the head of every street; They cast lots for her honorable men, And all her great men were bound in chains. (NKJV)
Psalm 137:8-9 – Little ones dashed against the
rocks
8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, Happy the one who repays you as you have served us!
9 Happy the one who takes and dashes Your LITTLE ONES against the rock! (NKJV)
8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, Happy the one who repays you as you have served us!
9 Happy the one who takes and dashes Your LITTLE ONES against the rock! (NKJV)
Genesis 18:32 – Children in Sodom and Gomorrah
destroyed
32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”
32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”
(ESV)
2 Kings 2:23-24 – Gang of 42 kids killed by God
23 He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some SMALL BOYS came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”
24 And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore FORTY-TWO of the boys.
23 He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some SMALL BOYS came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”
24 And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore FORTY-TWO of the boys.
(ESV)
Ephesians 1:4-5 – God chose some before He made
the earth
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
5 He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to THE PURPOSE of HIS WILL,
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
5 He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to THE PURPOSE of HIS WILL,
(ESV)
Jeremiah 1:5 – Before you were born, I chose you
5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (ESV)
5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (ESV)
Galatians 1:15 – Called some by His Grace in the
womb.
15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, (ESV)
15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, (ESV)
Luke 1:15 – Called John the Baptist in the womb
15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. (ESV)
15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. (ESV)
2 Corinthians 5:8 – Elect absent from the body
present with God
8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
(NKJV)
2 Chronicles 36:9 – God saw evil in 8 year old
Jehoiachin
9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was EVIL in the sight of the LORD.
9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was EVIL in the sight of the LORD.
(KJV)
Romans 9:11-12 – Not Born
- Done neither good nor bad
11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that GOD’S PURPOSE of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—
12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that GOD’S PURPOSE of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—
12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
(ESV)
Romans 9:13 - Jacob I
loved, but Esau I hated
13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
(ESV)
A Word about Sin
- The Law of Human Nature thinks UNFAIR behavior is just
plain wrong. Why is that?
- Where
does this Standard of Right and Wrong
and decent behavior come from? - There must be some sort of an agreement
of what right and wrong is that is beyond ordinary facts
·
The
Bible says the laws are written on our hearts; accusing us or excusing
us. - Ponder that -
·
The whole world is held accountable to
God; and by nature deserve His wrath. – The Word is clear, if you sin you will
die. There is not one that is
righteous or innocent and that includes babies; NOT ONE. – All have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God, we are sinful in the womb and our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked
and there are no exceptions; we are without excuse. – NYOBS 29.02 – CASE FOR
CHRISTIANITY
·
Ignorance is no excuse for
the Law,
man’s law or God’s Law. - Even someone who sins in ignorance; their sin must be
atoned for; forgiven. – There is no “sin in ignorance” that is not accountable;
that’s why we need a Savior.
·
A child who is wicked as
an adult,
is wicked and unsaved as a child; therefore if you are never going to be saved
as an adult, you can never be held UN-ACCOUNTBLE as a child.
·
God’s Law is instilled and written
upon our hearts that we inherently have a knowledge of Good and Evil and know
instinctively through creation to recognize SIN, thus the Law extends beyond
our ability to physically hear, read or understand it. – So there is no excuse.
Romans 3:19 - The whole world held accountable to God
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
(NIV2011)
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short
23 For all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God, (ESV)
Ephesians 2:3 - We were by
nature deserving of wrath
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
(NIV2011)
Romans 1:18 - The wrath of God is against all ungodliness
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (ESV)
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (ESV)
Romans 6:23 - The wages of sin is death
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)
Ezekiel 18:20 - The soul who
sins shall die
20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
(ESV)
Romans 3:10-12 – No one does good, not one
10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (ESV)
10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (ESV)
1 Kings 8:46 - For there is no one who does not sin
46 When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to the land of the enemy, far or near; (NKJV)
46 When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to the land of the enemy, far or near; (NKJV)
Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful and
desperately wicked
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? (NKJV)
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? (NKJV)
Psalm 51:5 - Sinful at
birth from when my mother conceived me
5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
(NIV2011)
Proverbs 20:9 – None can say, I am clean pure from my sin
9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? (NKJV)
9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? (NKJV)
Ecclesiastes 7:20 - There is not a man on earth
who does not sin
20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin. (NKJV)
20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin. (NKJV)
Rom 2:15 – Laws are written in our hearts –
accusing or excusing
15 in that they show the work of the law WRITTEN
IN THEIR HEARTS, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their
thoughts one with another ACCUSING or else EXCUSING (them)
ASV
Romans 1:19-20 – We are
all without excuse
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (ESV)
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (ESV)
Numbers 15:28 – Sinning in
ignorance is not an exception
28 And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sins ignorantly, when he SINS BY IGNORANCE before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
28 And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sins ignorantly, when he SINS BY IGNORANCE before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
(ESV)
Psalm 51:2-3 - My sin is
ever before me
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
(ESV)
James 4:17 – If you know
good and don’t do it then its sin
17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
(NIV2011)
Matthew 19:25-26 – Who can be saved; God all thing
are possible
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying,
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying,
“WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED?”
26 But Jesus looked at them
and said, “With man this is impossible, but
WITH
GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.” (ESV)
Last Thoughts
·
We see through a glass
dimly
and base our ideas on salvation based on what WE think is FAIR and JUST and not
what is written in scripture. – We pretend to know better than our Lord.
·
If you believe in “Fairness”, then you believe that
the “Judge of all the earth” will do what is JUST and FAIR with children
and infants; just like YOU would do.
·
If you believe in “Predestination”,
then you believe that only the infants and children who are the “elect” or the
predestined will go to heaven and the rest will ALL go to hell.
·
If you believe in “Free
Will”,
then you believe that the children who have not made a “Free Will” decision for
Christ, will ALL go to hell;
unless of course you also believe there is a magical doctrine of the “Age of
Accountability”, then they will ALL
go to heaven.
·
I Think I am a
“Predestined FREE WILLEY”; Predestination and Free Will are both taught in
the Bible and run parallel all the way to the Gates of Heaven. Jesus gave the Great Commission to go and
preach the Gospel and sent the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin and in
His mercy He also predestined some to salvation. – NYOBS 29.28
- PREDESTINATION REVISITED
·
The Age of Accountability is an emotional
doctrine that was created in the belief that God would not send a child to
Hell, however, Sin is universal, but Salvation is not.
·
The whole world is held accountable to
God; by nature everyone deserves death.
·
Salvation has never been
granted
nor based on physical handicaps or age, nor is it taught anywhere in
scripture.
·
All children are sinners at conception
and THAT IS
“the Age of Accountability”. – At conception they are infected with the SIN VIRUS
which corrupts their desires, attitudes, motives and ambitions. - Children are just Short Sinners.
·
Listen for a moment; REASON WITH ME…
Scripture will confirm that not one that belongs to the Lord will be lost; NOT
ONE. - If we are saved at conception; in
the womb, then we are eternally saved. – We are not temporarily saved
and then lose our salvation at some flexible Age of Accountability in life that
man has made up. – We are accountable at
conception. – If all babies are saved, then all adults are saved.
·
Man has no right to institute a law,
arbitrarily pick an age of accountability or establish a time when a person is free
of sin and judgment. – Salvation does not require an age, nor does
judgment.
·
No matter what position you take;
God is still sovereign in His plan and purpose. He will decides on whom He will have mercy and
on whom He will not. – It’s in the Book –
We
are saved by Grace, not by human will,
but
by God’s sovereign will and His mercy.
Isaiah 1:18- Come, let us
reason together
18 Come now, LET US REASON TOGETHER, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
18 Come now, LET US REASON TOGETHER, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
(ESV)
Romans 9:15-16 – Mercy
does not depend on human will
15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (ESV)
15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (ESV)
John 6:65 – FIRST- God grants
the way for belief
65 And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." (NKJV)
65 And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 12:3 – SECOND - The Holy Spirit
makes it possible
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)
John 16:8-9 – Holy Spirit convicts the world concerning sin
8 And
when He (The Holy
Spirit) comes, he will convict the world concerning
sin and righteousness and judgment:
9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; (ESV)
9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; (ESV)
Matthew 16:16-17 – The Holy Spirit reveals
spiritual things
16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (NKJV)
16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 2:14 - Natural man cannot receive spiritual things
14 But the natural
man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness
to him; nor can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned. (NKJV)
Romans 8:5-7 – Natural man
is unable to submit to God
5 For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit.
6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.
7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so.
5 For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit.
6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.
7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so.
(HCSB)
John 10:26-27 – You don’t
believe because you do not belong
26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (NKJV)
26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (NKJV)
John 14:6 - No one comes to the Father except through Jesus
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV)
Acts 4:12 – There is no other name which we can be
saved
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
(ESV)
Romans 9:15-16 – Salvation
is by God’s Mercy
15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion."
16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. (NKJV)
15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion."
16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. (NKJV)
Ephesians 1:3-6 – God’s
will and grace makes us acceptable
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. (NKJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. (NKJV)
Romans 14:12 - Each of us will give an account of himself to God
12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
(ESV)
Genesis 18:25 -The Judge of all the earth will do what is just
25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” (ESV)
25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” (ESV)
John 18:9 – None will be
lost
9 that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.
9 that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.
(ASV)
Ephesians 2:8-9 – You are saved through faith; not
works
8 For by grace you have been saved through FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. (NKJV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. (NKJV)
Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing
can separate us from our Lord
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor ANYTHING else in all creation, will be able to SEPARATE US from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV2011)
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor ANYTHING else in all creation, will be able to SEPARATE US from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV2011)
THE AGE OF
ACCOUNTABILITY
IS AT CONCEPTION
Psalm 22:9 - You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts
9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts. (NKJV)
9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts. (NKJV)
Psalm 22:10 – From my mother's womb You have been My God
10 I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother's womb You have been My God. (NKJV)
10 I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother's womb You have been My God. (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 1:25 – God’s foolishness is wiser
than man’s wisdom
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (NIV2011)
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (NIV2011)
In the multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14
I am grateful to those that went before me
providing concepts, ideas, historical
information, and scripture verses. Because of them I can stand on their
shoulders
and see further that I otherwise ever could
have.
Age of accountability – Dr. Ken Matto
Age of accountability – John Piper
Age of accountability – Tony Warren
Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius Josephus Matthias
Apocrypha - Goodspeed
Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White
Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row
Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake
English Standard Version
Bible – ESV
Expositor’s Bible
Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary – Nelson’s
Illustrated Bible Dictionary;
The – Tyndale
Infant Baptism – John MacArthur
Infant Baptism – John Piper
Interlinear Greek-English
New Testament - Baker
King James Version Bible –
KJV
Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest
Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan
New International Dictionary
of the Bible; The – Douglas - Tenney
New International Version
Bible – NIV
Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee
Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner
Wikipedia –
Zondervan Pictorial
Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney
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