By: Dr. James Bachman
Dear Parson,
Do babies who die go to heaven?
Though babies have a sinful nature, “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” (Romans 5:12), sin is the willful transgression of the law, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” (I John 3:4) Romans 1:18 holds the key. God never judges a person unjustly. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” When a person knows that there is a Creator God to Whom they owe worship and submission and they turn away from Him to go their own way, they are from that point accountable and in need of repentance and salvation. The prophet Isaiah pointed to that time when he said, “For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.” (Isaiah 7:16)
When David sinned with Bathsheba, he was told that the child born of that sin would die. David prayed and fasted in hopes God would change His mind, but He did not. After a period of sickness the child did die. After the child died, David ceased his prayer and fasting concerning the matter, much to the surprise of his friends. When they asked him why, he said, “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.” (II Samuel 12:23) I believe he was saying his child was in heaven.
