I first refer to what Jesus proclaimed to the apostles when they attempted to stop the Children from approaching Him. These were not Baptized in the sense as we know it, but merely children at this point. Children in reality in contrast to how John in the gospel referred to figuratively to the Baptized in Christ. We are children of Adam and Eve, who were children of God, God’s own who fell to temptation. It goes much deeper than adults being Baptized or born again, I believe. But if I am wrong, and no one is a child of God until “Baptized” including the children, why would Jesus make the proclamation He did with such displeasure to His apostles?
Throughout the OT and the NT for that matter, it has always been recognized as a BLESSING OF GOD for a person to have children. All references to the Baptized are made comparing them to children and I submit the following verses as well;
Mark CH 10; 13 And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child 2 will not enter it.” 16 Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
Luke CH 9; 46 An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. 47 Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.”
Luke CH 18; 15 34 People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said, “Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”
1 Corinthians CH 7; 10 To the married, however, I give this instruction (not I, but the Lord): 7 a wife should not separate from her husband 11 - and if she does separate she must either remain single or become reconciled to her husband - and a husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest 8 I say (not the Lord): if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to go on living with him, he should not divorce her; 13 and if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to go on living with her, she should not divorce her husband. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through the brother. Otherwise your children would be unclean, whereas in fact they are holy.
1 Timothy CH 2; 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. 15 But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
to be Baptized is to repent and return to or accept God once of age of reason. As a child it is clear that all are the children of God. The Baptized would not be compared to children if children yet innocent of reason were not of God.
Matthew CH 18: 1 1 At that time the disciples 2 approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child over, placed it in their midst, 3 and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, 3 you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 4 And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. 6 "Whoever causes one of these little ones 5 who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 6 Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things must come, but woe to the one through whom they come!
I ask what child is measured by righteousness and virtue? The “children” of God most referred to in the gospel are those who have been Baptized, not literally children, yet referred to as children. If anyone can say that actual children are not of God or are judged based on righteousness as a person of adult reasoning, show me my error. But if Children possess the right to heaven as Jesus proclaimed in His reference to the children, and Jesus proclaimed the way to the Father is through Him, being the final judge, Then so it stands to reason.
Why else would the Baptized be referred to as “Children” when they were no longer such? Perhaps that innocence of childhood that was once possessed along with the learned obedience? And the sin we are born with inherited by Adam and Eve, is that a sin that condemns the soul to hell, or is it one that leaves a debt to be paid before entering the Kingdom God offers us? Therefore, show me where it is written that we are all not born children of God in the beginning.
I must say with full confidence in faith and knowing the Love God has for all His children that if we as adults or at age of reason are to become like children (children He welcomed to His side while proclaiming so) in order to enter the kingdom of heaven, (that is reflective of a child’s innocence and taught obedience) then Children as Jesus referred to in comparison more than once are of God while in that state of innocence. We are from birth until age of reason innocent of grievous sin (not inherited sin), which would separate us and condemn us and as such, are embraced within the arms of our Lord. No verse refers to children to the opposite and not every circumstance is imprinted in text, but much has to be recognized within the love of our Father. your thoughts?
