Do Babies Who Die Go to Heaven?
What happens to babies who pass away during childhood, before they reach an age where they can comprehend and respond to the teachings of God in the gospel and creation? What happens to babies who haven’t learned about Jesus and salvation? Will they still go to heaven?
This question also applies to individuals who experience significant mental impairment as they grow into adulthood, to the point where they are unable to engage in deliberation, moral discernment, or rational decision-making. If human nature is inherently guilty and corrupt from the moment of conception, does that mean that infants who die before they can commit any sins, as mentioned in Psalm 51:5, are considered lost? I have some suggestions that might assist us in addressing the difficult question of what happens to a baby’s soul after they pass away.
Some babies never sinned.
There are people who believe that infants or children of parents who have faith are given special privileges in God’s kingdom based on 1 Corinthians 7:14-16. The persuasiveness of this perspective relies solely on how one interprets 1 Corinthians 7. Some reformed theologians believe that when it comes to babies who pass away, there are two perspectives. One viewpoint suggests that some babies are chosen by God and therefore saved, while others are not chosen and therefore condemned.
If we believe everyone will be saved, babies will be saved too.
Another viewpoint suggests that everyone, including those who passed away in infancy, will be saved and no one will experience everlasting condemnation. The saving grace and mercy of God are available to all people. There are actually many texts that could be mentioned to argue against this idea, such as Luke 16:23-28 and Matthew 7:13-14.
Babies who are part of a Christian family are automatically saved.
It appears that certain biblical texts indicate that infants who pass away may be granted salvation.According to Paul in Romans 1:20, he mentions that those who receive a general revelation are considered “without excuse.” In other words, they can’t use the excuse of not having enough evidence to justify their disbelief. The natural world provides enough evidence of God’s existence to hold people accountable for their actions. So, does this mean that people who don’t receive general revelation, like infants, for instance, are not held accountable by God or subject to anger? So basically, are you saying that infants who die wouldn’t be held accountable because they didn’t have the chance to learn about general revelation or respond to it?
Some believe baptism sends babies to heaven.
Let’s take a look at the story of David’s son in 2 Samuel 12:15-23.The Lord struck and took the life of David and Bathsheba’s firstborn child. David spent the week before his death in prayer and fasting, hoping that God would show him mercy and spare the child’s life. After David passed away, he continued to engage in basic human activities such as eating, washing himself, and participating in religious worship. When questioned about his response, David explained that he couldn’t fast because he was grieving the loss of his child. Bringing the child back wouldn’t be possible. David had the option to approach him, but unfortunately, the child was not willing to come back.
What did David mean when he said he would go to him? If this is referring to death or the grave, in the sense that David will also experience it one day, it makes one wonder why he would state something so evident. It seems that David finds solace in the thought of being reunited with him. That’s why David continues with his regular routine. It appears that David stops showing his grief to others, and it seems to be something that gives him encouragement and comfort.
How is it possible for this to be true if David died in the same way as his son? So, it seems like David believed that he would be able to be with his deceased infant again. Are you suggesting that this means a particular baby was rescued? Maybe, but if that’s the case, should we really create a belief system that guarantees the salvation of all infants who pass away?
We’re not judged for involuntary sins.
Additionally, the Bible consistently states that individuals are judged according to the sins they have willingly and knowingly committed while in their physical bodies. This concept is explained in detail in 2 Corinthians 5:10. To put it simply, when it comes to eternal judgment, it usually depends on consciously rejecting divine revelation. This rejection can happen through ignoring one’s conscience, disregarding the evidence found in creation, or choosing to disobey intentionally. Can infants do either of those things? The Bible does not provide any specific details about other forms of judgment based on different criteria. Therefore, infants who pass away are considered saved because they are unable to fulfill the requirements for divine judgment.
Some babies in the Bible are saved before birth.
It appears that there is biblical evidence, particularly in Luke 1:15 and Jeremiah 1:5, suggesting that some babies may experience spiritual rebirth while still in the womb. This means that if these babies were to pass away during infancy, they would be saved. At the very least, this provides a theoretical foundation for contemplating whether the same can be applied to all individuals who pass away in infancy.
Consider how Jesus interacted with children.
There are people who have referred to a passage in the Bible, specifically Matthew 19:13-15. In this passage, Jesus said, “Allow the young children to come to me and do not prevent them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like them.” Is He suggesting that in order to be saved, one must have the innocence and openness of children, without any arrogance or skepticism? So, basically, what Jesus is trying to say is whether He is describing the type of people who can enter the kingdom or if He is stating that these children are the ones who receive saving grace. However, if the second scenario were accurate, it would suggest that Jesus was aware that the children He was welcoming would all pass away in their early years. Can we really believe that?
God wouldn’t condemn infants.
The last comment you made is based on personal opinion, so its evidential value may be uncertain. We need to think about this question: Based on what we know about God’s character from the Bible, does it seem likely that He would condemn babies to eternal punishment solely because of Adam’s sin? I understand that this question is subjective and may have sentimental value, but I believe it is worth addressing.
The evidence from the Bible may not be as clear or widespread as we would like, but it is reasonable to have faith in the salvation of infants who pass away. However, the reason for their salvation is not because they are innocent or have earned God’s forgiveness. It is because God has specifically chosen them for eternal life, transformed their souls, and granted them the saving benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice, even without them consciously having faith.
