Where do unbaptized infants go, according to Protestants

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ceil-1
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Ceil-1

Guest
Where do Protestants believe an infant’s soul goes if it dies before the “age of reason” , and is baptized?

What is the theological basis for the belief that it is not necessary.

I am not referring to those who do not believe that baptism isn’t necessary, but to those who believe it is.

It is unfathomable, to me, that a parent would allow this, and I am deeply concerned for my nephews who are “dedicated” (man-made tradition if there ever was one), but not baptized.
 
Ceil-1 said:
Where do Protestants believe an infant’s soul goes if it dies before the “age of reason” , and is baptized?

What is the theological basis for the belief that it is not necessary.

I am not referring to those who do not believe that baptism isn’t necessary, but to those who believe it is.

It is unfathomable, to me, that a parent would allow this, and I am deeply concerned for my nephews who are “dedicated” (man-made tradition if there ever was one), but not baptized.
Click to expand...
Lutherans believe that Baptism is necessary (He that believes and is Baptized will be saved." and “Baptism now saves you.”). There is no reason on earth to believe that an unbaptized infant goes to heaven. But then, we have a merciful God, and a savior who asked that we suffer the little children to go to Him. I see no reason for Him to forbid them.

Jon
 
Baptism originally in judaism is related to cleansing, usually cleansing a person who has become ritually unclean.

John the baptist, baptized to clean the person spiritually and morally.

The Church baptizes to cleanse us of “original” sin.

If one believes original sin prevents us from being with God, then an unbaptized person is sinful in the eyes of God and** is not saved.**

However, with all things God, God is just too, and so while we cannot be certain of the fate of unbaptized infants, we can be certain of the mercy and justice of God, meaning to say - whilst it is the call of God, I have faith that God will act in mercy and justice towards these infants.
 
Unfathomable to me that God would send a small child to hell for the fact that the parents did not get the child baptized.
 
Lutheranteach said:
Unfathomable to me that God would send a small child to hell for the fact that the parents did not get the child baptized.
Click to expand...
I agree, and since we are (imperfect) reflections of the divine nature I think we are in a position to hazard a guess as to Gods actions, I would put my money on “free pass to heaven” for these kids.
 
Ceil-1 said:
Where do Protestants believe an infant’s soul goes if it dies before the “age of reason” , and is baptized?

What is the theological basis for the belief that it is not necessary.

I am not referring to those who do not believe that baptism isn’t necessary, but to those who believe it is.

It is unfathomable, to me, that a parent would allow this, and I am deeply concerned for my nephews who are “dedicated” (man-made tradition if there ever was one), but not baptized.
Click to expand...
Heaven!! Jesus said that no one should keep children from Him. Jesus so loves children, He takes them to Himself at death.
 
Dokimas said:
Heaven!! Jesus said that no one should keep children from Him. Jesus so loves children, He takes them to Himself at death.
Click to expand...
Not really, there is no free pass because you are young and a child, in the eyes of God you have already sinned.

I know it sounds harsh, but its true, and all the wishful thinking in the world does not change the Truth.

The Truth is that we are cleansed by baptism of original sin.

Without this cleansing, you cannot be saved. no ifs, no buts.

That my friend, is the law.

However, as I stated in my original post, we must have faith in Gods infinite mercy and judgement.
 
To Dokimas:

I take it you do not believe the concept of original sin, then? That OS separates us from God?
 
The question is… what do Protestants believe. I am curious what they believe, also. I KNOW what Catholics believe.
 
In my former Baptist church we did the “dedication” thing too. But didn’t believe in infant baptism. That said, we all had no question that infants were taken to heaven at death.
 
Unbaptized infants are entrusted to the mercies of Almighty God. While baptism is ordinarily required for all Christians, we recognize that God sees and knows the situation of miscarried or stillborn children, very young children whose parents do not understand/believe in infant baptism, and those who are murdered through the horrible sin of abortion. John the Baptist shows us that infants, even those in the womb, can have faith. And we know that God loves his creation and isn’t “out to get” these helpless souls. So while we cannot say anything about them with certainty, we place our trust in the Lord, who is a God of compassion and mercy to children.
 
Our final destiny depends on what we choose since we are self determined creatures. God seems to take great pains (literally) to ensure that no one’s final destiny isn’t in some way determined by their own choice. Jesus experienced the seperation of His body and soul and entered into the state of the multitude of souls that had lived on earth before His Incarnation. They were given the opportunity to respond to the Gospel before their particular judgement. Who’da thunk?

What other vast multitude seems out of reach from what has been revealed to be necessary to return to God? What would be necessary for them to be given the opportunity every other human soul has enjoyed? The opportunity to determine for themselves their eternal destiny. The opportunity to respond to the revelation of God. To choose desire for God.
 
Ceil-1 said:
Where do Protestants believe an infant’s soul goes if it dies before the “age of reason” , and is baptized?

What is the theological basis for the belief that it is not necessary.

I am not referring to those who do not believe that baptism isn’t necessary, but to those who believe it is.

It is unfathomable, to me, that a parent would allow this, and I am deeply concerned for my nephews who are “dedicated” (man-made tradition if there ever was one), but not baptized.
Click to expand...
As Jon said, there is no reason to believe that an unbaptized infant will go to Heaven. God does not promise to send children to heaven just because they are children. They are sinners and deserve eternal punishment as much as an adult. However, God can choose to give faith to whomever He pleases, and so I am sure there are unbaptized children who are in heaven.

To say they will go to heaven just because we see them as cute and innocent is Pelagian.
 
blazerdave said:
TriuneUnity;6494825:
As Jon said, there is no reason to believe that an unbaptized infant will go to Heaven. God does not promise to send children to heaven just because they are children. They are sinners and deserve eternal punishment as much as an adult. However, God can choose to give faith to whomever He pleases, and so I am sure there are unbaptized children who are in heaven.

To say they will go to heaven just because we see them as cute and innocent is Pelagian.
Click to expand...
Absolutely right.
Click to expand...
We’re talking about infants, right?
 
Be sure you read my first post too. 🙂 In affirming the statement “To say they will go to heaven just because we see them as cute and innocent is Pelagian,” I was merely saying that being an infant does merit salvation from God. Why do I say that? Because no one is inherently born free from Original Sin and instantly worthy of salvation. In the case of these children, Scripture is silent on this most tragic and heartbreaking matter. But again - I (and most of the members of my Church) hope and pray that God will save these children. How do I defend that belief with Scripture? Maybe I can’t. Does it raise difficulties with the truth of Original Sin and being born in sin? Of course. And it is a complexity that I cannot claim to answer. But these cases are certainly the exception to the ordinary rule. We cannot say that they are not saved, so we place our hope in the Lord, for His mercy is great. God can work through very unusual means to bring about faith in someone. In these cases, I believe that his means are not limited to the usual Means of Grace. Again, John the Baptist is a perfect example.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top