The Verses for going to heaven
Introduction
In an attempt to answer the above question Biblically, I have asked many to share their belief for or against, and to back up their beliefs with scripture. The following is the result of this study.
Of the verses given, some are clear, some require some thought. I will not certify any of them. One or two verses are used on both sides of the question. However there are here more verses than were given to me by any one person. I do not claim that every possible verse is listed here but its enough to get you started, if you wish to research the subject any further. The verses are listed in random order.
There has been some valid arguments put forth on each side. To present these arguments here or to give an explanation of the meaning of each verse listed is beyond the scope of this article and will be left to another time. (A partial explanation of most of the verses have now been added.) As it is now, what I thought would be an article of only a few pages has grown many pages in length. Explanations beyond what is given by highlighting parts of each verse would more than double the size of this work. (It did.)
I wish to thank all those good people who helped me by backing up their beliefs with Scripture. These verses helped me to firm up my beliefs. Beliefs that are backed up by the Word of God and not just wishful thinking. You will see in the sections on reasons given, that there is much wishful thinking in place of truth.
From this study, I am personally convinced that the bible does in fact tell us that babies and small children do go to heaven if they die. The explanations are in italics. As stated above, explanations are not complete and rebuttals have not been added to either side.
Rev. Jack Barr
Introduction:
These verses were put forth by many persons as the reasons why a baby or child will go to heaven.
Jeremiah 1:5
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
(He was pure coming out of the womb. Question: Does God play favorites?) See Also: also: Mat. 18:6 and Isa. 40:11
1 John 2:12
12. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
(God forgives little children because --- they know the Father) See Rom. 8:1
Matthew 19:13
13. Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put [his] hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid [his] hands on them, and departed thence.
(We must become like a child, innocent and trusting -- see both Mat. above verses and Mark below) See also: Rom. 8:1
Mark 10:13
13. And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and [his] disciples rebuked those that brought [them].
14 But when Jesus saw [it], he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put [his] hands upon them, and blessed them.
Luke 17:1
1. Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe [unto him], through whom they come!
2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
(That is to cause them to loose their innocence)
Luke 18:15
15. And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when [his] disciples saw [it], they rebuked them.
16 But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
(Infants are innocent as is the kingdom of God) See also: "little children" Mt. 19:14; Mk. 10:15; Lk. 17:2; Mt. 18:6, 10 and "young children" Mk. 10:13.
Matthew 18:6
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
(Jesus says the little ones believe in Him. How do we obtain salvation? Is it not by believing in Jesus?) See also: Rom. 8:1, 10
Matthew 18:10
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
(The little ones each have their own angel watching over them)
Ezekiel 18:20
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
(If you sin you die, if you did not sin you live. You will not go to hell for anything that anyone else did, only for YOUR OWN SINS.) See also: Mt. 5:8; Jer. 1:5; Ex. 32:33; Rev. 3:5; Ezek. 18:4-9; 18:19.
2 Samuel 12:22
22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell [whether] GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?
23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
(David, who was one favored by God for following God and to whom God conversed with, said that he (David) would join his child again. Question: Was David going to hell or heaven?)
Matthew 18:2
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(What does a child have that would cause Jesus to command that we must become like one of them? If a child was automatically going to hell, then why is it necessary to become like a child? A child has Trust, Faith, innocence!) See also: Mt. 5:8; 18:6; Mk. 9:36-37; Lk. 9:48; Rom. 9:12.
Matthew 5:8
8 Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
(Who can deny that a baby is pure in heart, How has a baby sinned?) See also: Ezek. 18:20.
Luke 1:41
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
(Would a soul that is under condemnation, that is dammed to hell, leap for joy at hearing the voice of the mother of Jesus?) See also: Lk. 1:44 below.
Luke 1:44
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Psalms 27:10
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Proverbs 4:4
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
(What baby or little child has broken a commandment?)
Proverbs 8:32
32. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed [are they that] keep my ways.
(How has a baby or little child turned from God's ways?)
Isaiah 40:11
11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young.
(Lambs represent young children.)
Mark 9:36
36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
(If a child is not innocent, then why would Jesus say this?) See also: Lk. 9:48 below and also Rom. 8:1.
Luke 9:48
48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
Matthew 21:15
15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
(Since when does evil praise God. It never has and never will, so babies and sucklings must be good.) See also Psa. 8:2 below.
Psalms 8:2
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
Nehemiah 8:2
2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
( Note here that all those who were not capable of understanding the Word of God was not required to hear the Word of God. This has a very strong implication of accountability.)
1 Kings 15:14
14 But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.
(Would this statement be true if he came out of the womb with sin?) See also: Rom. 8:10.
Jeremiah 49:11
11 Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve [them] alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
Luke 1:15
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
(The Holy Spirit does not reside inside of a sinner.) See also: Rom 8:10
Psalms 24:3
3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
See also: Mk. 9:36-37; Mt. 18:6; Lk. 1:15; 9:48; Jer. 1:5; Isa. 40:11; 1Ki. 15:14; Rom. 9:11; Ex. 32:23; Rev. 3:5.
Psalms 22:29
29 All [they that be] fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
(The word "keep" here indicates that you are not born with your soul dead. You can not keep something alive if it is already dead and was never alive to start with.)
Romans 2:13
13 (For not the hearers of the law [are] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
(This is speaking here of God's law, not the law of Moses. What part of God's law have the babies and little children broken?)
Romans 5:14
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offense, so also [is] the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
(This is speaking about physical death, and not the second death of the soul.)
Numbers 14:28
28 Say unto them, [As truly as] I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:
29 Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,
30 Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, [concerning] which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
31 But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.
32 But [as for] you, your carcasses, they shall fall in this wilderness.
( These verses indicate that there is an age of accountability. I do not suggest that such an age is as shown above. But we see here that God did not punish the young ones even though some probably did also murmur against God. Clearly, here an age did play a part in the decision the Israelites made for which God was punishing them. The young people under 20 years of age were not allowed to choose whether to obey God and enter into the land or to Disobey and not enter into the land. If a little child is not able to make a choice, are they to be found guilty? The verse above would say no.)
1 Corinthians 7:14
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
(The children are called holy. Question: Could they be called holy if they were already condemned to hell?)
Romans 9:11
11 (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
(It says here that an unborn child has not committed evil, or have not sinned. Question: Does God condemn to hell the innocent, those who have not sinned?? There are so many verses that say that He does not. That we are condemned ONLY for what WE do.) See also Deut. 1:39
Introduction:
These verses were put forth by many persons as the reasons why a baby or child will go to hell.
Psalms 58:1
1. <<To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David.>> Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
4 Their poison [is] like the poison of a serpent: [they are] like the deaf adder [that] stoppeth her ear;
(This says that it is after they are born that they start speaking lies. They say here that there is no exception.)
Psalms 51:5
5 Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
(If you are conceived in sin then you have to be born in sin.)
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(If you are not old enough to know Jesus then you can not have salvation)
Romans 3:10
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
(If there is no one who is righteous, then a baby or small child isn't righteous and therefor can't go to heaven.)
2 Peter 2:14
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
(Children are cursed therefore they do not have salvation)
Romans 5:12
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
(This does not make a distinction between babies and adults. For all have sinned. How can a baby be pure if all have sinned?)
Romans 5:18
18 Therefore, as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
(We are all cursed for Adams sake.)
Genesis 2:17
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Job 14:1
1. Man [that is] born of a woman [is] of few days, and full of trouble.
1 Corinthians 15:22
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
(All die unless they accept Christ and a baby or young child is not able to accept Christ so they are condemned.)
Romans 9:11
11 (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
(You are only saved if you have been elected by God. If not you go to hell.)
Ephesians 2:1
1. And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(These verses say that all of us start out dead because of sin and that children are disobedient so the children are the children of wrath. So they have no salvation because they do not have any faith.)
Ephesians 5:5
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
(Babies are unclean because of Adam's sin.)
1 Corinthians 7:14
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
(Says that your children were unclean.)
1 John 1:8
8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(If we say that babies have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves.)
Romans 7:14
14. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.
(Sin dwells in us, and no one can go to heaven with sin.)
Genesis 8:21
21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savor; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
(A young man is evil.)
Proverbs 22:15
15. Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
(A child goes to hell because they are foolish.)
Ecclesiastes 11:10
10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth [are] vanity.
John 3:3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
(You have to be born again for salvation and a baby or child has not been born again.)
John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
(You can't enter heaven without water baptism.)
Micah 7:2
2 The good [man] is perished out of the earth: and [there is] none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.
(Since no one is upright a child or baby in not upright.)
John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(Since babies can not come to Jesus they are not saved.)
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
(Babies and children are too young to believe so they can not come to God.)
Romans 10:10
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(A baby or young child can not confess with their mouth so they can not be saved.)
Introduction:
These are Scriptures some people quoted to back up their beliefs on where a baby goes when it dies, but is taken totally out of context, or has absolutely no connection to the subject, and or to babies or children. It is included here only because they were quoted as proof of someone's belief, either for a baby/child going to heaven or hell. Use your own best judgment as to application. This is of course my own interpretation of these verses when I placed them in context with surrounding verses, I do not claim to be infallible.
John 2:12
12. After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
1 Peter 2:15
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
Matthew 9:4
4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
Luke 8:14
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience.
Job 3:1
1. After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.
2 And Job spake, and said,
3 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night [in which] it was said, There is a man child conceived.
4 Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.
5 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
6 As [for] that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.
7 Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.
8 Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.
9 Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but [have] none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:
10 Because it shut not up the doors of my [mother's] womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.
11. Why died I not from the womb? [why] did I [not] give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?
12 Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?
13 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,
14 With kings and counselors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;
15 Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:
16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants [which] never saw light.
Romans 4:15
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression.
Romans 7:7
7. What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Psalms 139:1
1. <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known [me].
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted [with] all my ways.
4 For [there is] not a word in my tongue, [but], lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 [Such] knowledge [is] too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot [attain] unto it.
7. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou [art] there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou [art there].
9 [If] I take the wings of the morning, [and] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee].
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvelous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them.
17. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 [If] I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20 For they speak against thee wickedly, [and] thine enemies take [thy name] in bain.
21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
23 Search me O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Jeremiah 6:13
13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one [is] given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
Jeremiah 8:10
10 Therefore will I give their wives unto others, [and] their fields to them that shall inherit [them]: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
16 Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
Revelation 20:14
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
2 Peter 3:12
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Ephesians 5:26
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Joshua 6:21
21 And they utterly destroyed all that [was] in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.
Joshua 6:25
25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel [even] unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.