DO BABIES GO TO HEAVEN?

 

Parents who have lost a child are often understandably plagued by this question. They realize that to go to heaven you must make a conscious decision accepting Jesus Christ. So, what about the child who was not old enough to make a decision such as this?

 

We can find the answer to this in a story in the Bible, 2 Samuel 11:2 - 2 Samuel 12:23. This is the story in which David lusted after Bathsheba, who was the wife of Uriah. David had Uriah sent off to war, on the front lines so he would be killed. Then, David felt he could take Bathsheba for himself. David's plan succeeded. He married Bathsheba and had a child with her.

 

After this had taken place, David was confronted by the Prophet Nathan. He was told because of this awful thing he had done, the child born to him by Bathsheba would die. The child then got very sick and David began to fast and pray hoping the Lord would let the child live. When the child died, he quit fasting and the servants asked him why? David responded, "Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me."

 

David knew that the child was not old enough to consciously acknowledge God. Still David expected to be with him after he himself died. David was told his sin was forgiven even though he would still suffer consequences because of it. So, it is reasonable to also say David still believed he himself would go to heaven. In order for David to go to be with the child, the child would have to be in heaven. So yes, babies do go to heaven.

 

We know not everyone goes to heaven, so it would seem, there is some age at which we become accountable. The Bible, however, does not tell us what that age might be.

 

BABIES (poem)

 

Babies are God’s special gift

some people tell me of what I missed

A little child I wouldn't mind

but there is a reason to this rhyme

 

I don't need a child of my own

if my hearts not made of stone

There are children everywhere

with the need of love, that some don't share

 

I don't need a child of my own

I need a heart, not made of stone.

 

By Robert Kiser