Infants and salvation

I have only mentioned infants once, in only one of my blogs. So I thought I would actually dedicate a whole blog to this subject. This subject however, has to be one of the most difficult of all the Christian topics because many Christians have different views on infants. It is also difficult because the Bible doesn't give a direct answer on this very simple, yet important issue people want to know. But God does not leave us in the dark. I am going to provide Biblical scripture and try to present a understanding on infants and there salvation.

Big question: If Original Sin is true, then when a baby dies, where does he/she go?

Response: We must figure out what is "Original sin". Is Original Sin a genetic defect? Or did death and sin simply enter into the world at the fall of man? The Bible does indeed say through Adam, we have all fallen. The Bible also says that death follows sin. So if a baby dies, original sin must be true. But why was Jesus sinless? I know he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and he was fully God and fully man. I'm not going to go ahead and make a judgment because I wish not to spread blasphemy. I will give different view points below.

We know that death and sin entered into the world. And death follows sin. So if a baby dies, he obviously is a sinner, right? After all, he/she is a human. The Bible also says that nothing unclean shall enter into Heaven. Many non-Biblical doctrines such as "Limbo" and "Purgatory" have been presented in order to try to answer this. But I don't think these doctrines are Biblical so I will offer other answers.

1. God could of predestine that baby to Hell. Since God is all knowing, He would know or not if that baby would come to repentance. Obviously, if the baby dies, God saw him/her not coming to repentance.

2. God has mercy on the infant because infants are unable to repent and do not know the difference between good and evil. Even though the infant itself did not commit a sin, God will have mercy on the infant.

"Unless you repent you will perish": Luke 13:3

"Save yourselves": Acts 2:40

Why are we told to "work out our own salvation": Phil 2:12


We also know that God grants the act of repentance. - 2 Tim. 2:24-26

And also the act to believe - Philippians 1:29


The Bible gives clue that infants are pure:

Paul states that he was once spiritually alive but then he sinned & died/was killed: Romans 7:9-11

God said that the king of Tyrus was "blameless in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you." Ezek. 28:15

God allowed the children to enter Canaan but not the parents: "your little ones who...have no knowledge of good and evil shall enter". Deut. 1:34-39

Jacob & Esau, "the twins were not yet born, and had done nothing good or bad" Rom. 9:11

"Before He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good" Isa. 7:15-16


Matthew 19:13-15 says

"Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence." - Matthew 19:13-15


Conclusion: We know that infants cannot repent and we also know God does not grant the act for them to believe. So either way, whether if you are an Arminianists or a Calvinist, in can possibly be agreed on that infants go to Heaven when they die. I also believe there is an age of accountability. If Original sin is a genetic defect, then I see no problem that infants can still go to Heaven through the mercy of God. I see no problem also that they can be considered "innocent". I have seen many responses by different Christians and they all conclude that infants do indeed go to Heaven.

God bless.