Babies in Hell?

There is a religious argument which says: All have sinned, sinners go to Hell, we are sinners by nature, God judges sinners, therefore babies go to Hell IF they have not first trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Does God really send babies to Hell?

The opposing argument is the “age of accountability” teaching, which says essentially that there is a certain age at which individuals become accountable for their sins. Many set an arbitrary chronological age, like twelve years old, when you are old enough to marry, old enough to vote, or, they are not exactly sure at what age but they are sure there is one.

But the real issue is not one of a certain amount of birthdays, or other milestones, but it is one of understanding. For instance, would we put someone to death who, although they broke the law and committed a crime, because of their mental inability to understand the consequences of what they did, were simply not capable of knowing the consequences of their act? Would we execute a person who simply did not understand what a gun was or what it did? Does God impute sin when the person is incapable of the knowledge of sin? Let’s look at the bible answer:

In Deuteronomy, the entire generation of Israelites who were led out of bondage in Egypt by Moses died in the desert. In Deuteronomy 1:29 God said, Your little ones…which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil” they shall go into the land, they shall possess it, and to them I will give it.

Isaiah 7:16 shows that a child must know the difference between good and evil in order to be able to refuse the evil and choose the good. Romans 9:11 shows that God made choice between two brothers based on His decision, “neither having done any good or evil.” In Revelation chapter 20 we see the wicked dead being judged at the Great White Throne “according to their works.” How could an infant, a young child, or even an unborn or aborted child, be judged according to works when they have no understanding of good or evil and could not have done any work, good or evil?

Redemption in the bible is based on understanding. Faith cometh by hearing. The hearing, in the context, is not merely the hearing of noise, but hearing as in understanding. When the Law of Moses was read in Nehemiah 8:2 it was read before BOTH men and women and ALL THAT COULD HEAR WITH UNDERSTANDING.

Doctrine is essential to redemption, and that is true whether under the Law or under Grace. Who shall He teach knowledge and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? (Isaiah 28:9) Them that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breast. For precept must be upon precept, line upon line, here a little, and there a little. A person who cannot hear with understanding is a person who cannot exercise faith. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. God does not send babies to Hell.