What Happens To Babies Or Infants Who Die?

Do they go to heaven or hell? By way of background, we have to remember that everyone is guilty before God because of the sin we inherited from Adam (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22). In fact, there is not a single righteous person (Romans 3:10-11). We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Therefore, everyone is guilty before our Holy and Righteous God no matter how young or how old they may be. Furthermore, belief is a necessary requirement for salvation (John 3:18-19; Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9).

While the Bible does not explicitly say where young children go when they die in infancy, it seems to imply that they do go to heaven. There is no verse in Scripture which states that those unbelievers will go to hell because they were not old enough to believe. Since God is just, it would appear that He would allow these infants to go to heaven.

The only passage in Scripture which explicitly speaks about where babies go who die in infancy is 2 Samuel 12. In the context of this passage, David committed adultery with Bathsheba. The prophet Nathan boldly confronts David about his adultery and tells him that the child that Bathsheba has conceived will die. As a result of the confrontation, David confesses his sin, puts on sackcloth and ashes, fasts, and mourns the fact that he will lose his child. When David receives news that the child has died, he quits mourning, fasting and changes his clothing.

The prophet Nathan comes to David and asks him why he quit mourning the loss of his son. David replies, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.' But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me (2 Samuel 12:22-23)." The text seems to imply that the child went to heaven since David says, "I will go to him, but he will not return to me." We find that elsewhere in scripture it indicates that King David went to heaven (Psalms. 16:10-11; 23:6; Hebrews 11:32). King David was looking forward to the day when he would be able to meet his son in heaven. There is absolutely nothing in this verse that gives any hint that the dead infant son’s soul would go to hell.

Furthermore, Jesus said in Matthew 18:3-5: "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me."

And in Luke 18:16-17, Jesus remarked: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

We have been given a specific example in the Old Testament of an infant who died and would live forever in heaven (2 Samuel 12:22-23). And Jesus Christ Himself, in the New Testament, stated that little children retain the qualities that make a person eligible to inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 18:3-5; Luke 18:16-17). We see then, that infants and small children that die are in a safe state, and will live eternally in heaven.

Scripture may allude to an “age of accountability” in Isaiah 7:15 which speak of a child who "will eat curds and honey at the time he knows enough to refuse evil and choose good." If a child dies before this "time," it would seem that he would go to heaven. Even though the term, ‘age of accountability” is not a biblical term, it basically refers to a time when a child really understands the difference between right and wrong and that he has a choice. At this time, as they are presented with the message of salvation (John 3:16; Romans 10:9, 19), they can make a knowledgeable decision. This age has been traditionally considered to be between 7 and 12 years of age, but it depends on the development of the child; in theory for example, a child with severe developmental problems may never reach the age of accountability. Only God knows the heart and He alone determines who is or is not accountable when it comes to hearing and understanding the Gospel.

Of course as a child grows older and learns more about the Lord, their walk with Him will be more obvious. So prior to the time that they are able to make this choice, God does not lay to their charge what they have no ability to understand. Children are very important to God. It is obvious from the following scriptures that God does not see them as sinful, dreadful, hell-bent beings before they come to an understanding of receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior (Psalm 127:3-5; 147:13; Matthew 7:7-11; 18:1-5, 10; 19:13-15; Mark 10:14-15; I Corinthians 4:14; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21; I Thessalonians 2:7). It is difficult to be dogmatic about this issue, but we can rest in the fact that God is holy, righteous, and just. Therefore, whatever God chooses to do with babies and infants will be best for them.

God shows us throughout scripture and specifically in Deuteronomy 11:19 that it is a parent’s responsibility to train their children – "You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise.” Are you teaching your children and grand-children the ways of the Lord?

So my brothers and sisters in Christ… How is the Holy Spirit directing your thoughts regarding this most hotly and debatable subject? Do all babies who die before or directly after birth or babies that die as a result of abortion go to heaven? Do young children and adults with such severe developmental problems, who will never be able to reason what is right or wrong let alone be able to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior… do they all automatically get a free trip to heaven when they die?

I know that this is a very complex issue; however, we must always remember that we can not, nor will we ever be able to fully understand the providence, mercy, grace and love that our Almighty God has for His greatest creation... Mankind (Isaiah 55:8-9).

I must tell you that I prayed long and hard to our Lord Jesus to give me the wisdom and discernment necessary to come up with an answer to this question: What happens to babies and infants who die before they are mature enough to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ when presented to them.

I would have to say “YES”, that God has made special accommodations for all His little children of the world who by either age or severe developmental problems will never be able to fully understand that they must confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the grave to be saved (Romans 10:9).

There can be only one true answer which has been presented to you by using God's Word to back it up. The biblical answer is that all babies and infants who die before they are mature enough to understand the Gospel or those unborn babies that are aborted are all in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

References:

--NKJV Holy Bible, Life Application Bible (NIV), and the Nelson Study Bible.

--Defenbaugh, Ronald (2003), “Why I Couldn’t Deconvert,” [On-line].
--Jackson, Wayne (2000), “‘Original Sin’ and a Misapplied Passage,” [On-line].

--Norman Geisler, "Infants, Salvation of," in The Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999, pp. 363-65.