Do Babies Go to Heaven? What Does the Bible Say?

What is the point of asking the question of do babies go to heaven if they die? Perhaps because it may be one of the single most difficult experiences for any human being to go through.

After a baby dies, where do they go? What about the unborn, the still-born, aborted fetuses, young children and even special needs children? And what about those who are severely mentally handicapped or those with serious mental diseases or disorders? Are they held responsible if they die prematurely or are those adults with severe mental incapacities held responsible since they have not accepted Jesus Christ as Savior? Are they doomed to hell since only those who accept the Lord are saved (Acts 16:30-31)? Where do these, so young and tender, go after death? Is there any hope for someone who has lost one so precious? Are there any promises in the Bible about their fate? What does the Word of God say about them? What can we tell someone who has lost one of these young ones or those who have special needs or severe mental retardation? What does the Bible says is their final destination? 

Children are an extension of us and they are our future; so when someone loses an infant, or a young child or baby, this can literally break the parents’ heart. It is like part of them has died. And this is made even more tragic when it is a young one that had their whole life ahead of them. They missed out on so much love to both give and to receive. All the dashed hopes of future weddings, graduations, Christmas mornings, grandma and grandpa…all gone, forever. Or is it? I believe that the fate of these precious departed ones, so tender, and so young who die, is relevant to any parent, grandparent, custodial or foster parent, and so on. That’s the reason that I looked in the Bible for answers for God knows a thing or two about losing a Son, in fact His only One. 

So, what does the Bible say about babies that die? Especially since the only way to be saved is through Christ. It is a fact that with no Savior, no one can have eternal life. So what happens to infants, fetuses, or even young children the moment they die? What about those whom are aborted, where do they go after death? God has said that all humans are born into sin, but they certainly don’t go to hell do they?

Since there is only One way to salvation, and that is through knowing Jesus Christ, how can an infant or fetus know Christ? For anyone who has ever lost a baby or know of someone who has lost one, what can we really say to them? Is there anything in the Bible that might provide us with some words of hope and comfort about their great loss of an infant? There really is nothing you can say, except “I’m so sorry” because no one but them can really understand what this is like. I will not make the mistake again of saying, “I under-stand”, because I don’t. Grieving family members don’t take well to “Hang in there” or “Keep your chin up”. The only real thing that helps is the only real thing you can do. Grieve with them, cry with them, and express your sorrow for their loss. And that’s all that anyone can really say.

Today, many Christians and non-Christians alike can carry a heavy burden of guilt and shame after an abortion, lingering throughout their entire life. Even despite the fact that God forgave someone who committed murder, conspiracy to commit murder, adultery, etc…(King David), they can not forgive themselves. But God is more than willing. The good news is that there is nothing that God can not forgive (the only real unpardonable sin is not accepting Christ as Savior). Does the Bible say anything about where babies go after death? Is it heaven? Surely it isn’t hell, is it? If we depend upon the Word of God, and it is in the Bible, then we can definitively know for certain. Not on what people think or what I personally think. And the answer is in the Bible, so we can know for certain.

It is hard to believe, but some Christians think aborted fetuses or any babies or young children who die do not go to heaven. They reason that anyone who does not accept Christ is headed straight for hell. But that is not Biblical. There is nothing anywhere in the entire Bible that indicates that. God is God and only The Almighty can say (and has many times), “I will have mercy upon whom I will have mercy”. The good news is that most Christians don’t believe that babies go to hell. In fact, most theological traditions believe that those children who die in infancy are numbered among the redeemed. That is to say, we have a certain level of confidence that God will be particularly gracious toward those who have never had the opportunity to be exposed to the gospel, such as children, infants or fetuses.

Adult men and women have no excuse, for they know better (Rom. 1:19-20), but babies can not accept what they do not know, and therefore can not be held responsible.Jesus always accepts children and He indicates that in the New Testament several times. This was even found in the Old Testament when God refused to let the disobedient Israelites enter the Promised Land due to their unbelief. He does not, however, hold the children responsible for what the parents have done. God says in Deuteronomy 1:39, “…your little ones…your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go into it, and to them will I give it, and they will possess it.“ And Isaiah 7:16 speaks about children’s age of accountability speaking about young children saying, “For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good…”.

When the people were bringing their children to Jesus to be touched by him, His disciples rebuked the people but Jesus saw this and was very angry. He said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:14)” Just look at Kind David’s example of children not being accountable for their salvation in the event that they should die. King David, after having lost his infant child, declared in full confidence that he would most certainly see his child again, saying “He can not come to me, but I can go to him” (II Sam 12:23). God also plainly declares that “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart; O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:9). 

Matthew 22:32 says “He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” In fact, He loved us and knew us before we were even born saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” (Jer. 1:5) My wife, after conceiving, stroked, patted, sang and softly spoke to our unborn child. She (in fact we) already loved this baby, even though she was as of yet, unborn. So also has God known us and loved us, even before the time that we were conceived. In Psalm 139 He says, 13) “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15) My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16) your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” 

Now, what about the severely mentally retarded or the severely disabled including adults? And what about those who remain in a vegetative state in youth into adulthood? Those who can not perhaps be reached for whatever reason: like for example autism? Again, there is nothing in the Bible that indicates that God’s dispensation of grace for those who are so encumbered that they are not able to receive Jesus will be held against them. Jesus went right up to the “mentally violent” and caste out their demons, so He must realize that salvation is not possible without a mental capacity to understand it. So those with special needs have no chance in this present life, will surely have a chance in the “new heavens and new earth” that Peter mentions. Nothing can prevent God‘s dispensation of grace (death, handicaps, etc). The only thing preventing it in those who are old enough to understand the Gospel and that is the person’s refusal to accept it.

As soon as God entered into a relationship with Abraham, he brought Isaac into it—when Isaac was still an infant and didn’t have an understanding of what was going on. God in fact knew before Isaac was even born. In fact, before he was even a fetus. We also see David’s situation in the Old Testament when his infant child dies. Yet David is fully confident that he will see his child again in heaven. The story of David and his dying child gives tremendous consolation to parents who have lost infants to death, or to abortions, or lost young children. We are not the ones to determine who God will have mercy on.

The point is that infants who die are believed to be given a special dispensation of the grace of God; it is not by their innocence but by God’s grace that they are received into heaven. There are great controversies that hover over the doctrine of original sin. Lutherans disagree with Roman Catholics, who disagree in turn with Presbyterians, etc., on the scope and extent of what we call original sin. Understand that the Original Sin does not refer to the first sin that was committed, but rather to the result of that fall, the entrance of sin into the world, so that all of us as human beings are born in a fallen state. We come into this world with a sin nature, and so the baby that dies, dies as a sinful child. And when that child is received into heaven, he or she is received by grace.

We come into this world with a sin nature, and so the baby that dies, dies in a state of sin. But when that child is received into heaven, he or she is received by grace. You may rest assured because God would not exclude from us something that He has done for David.

When David and Bathsheba lost their precious child, David realized that he could not expect to see him again in this life, but he clearly said the day will come when “I shall go to him…” (II Sam 12:23).

Interestingly, in the very next verse it is said that, “…David comforted Bathsheba his wife…” (V. 24), with this same assurance that they would see the child again. This belief was common then, as it is today. And what a joyous reunion that will be! However that reunion will not happen if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. So I pray, please pass this on to anyone who has ever dealt with such a heartbreaking issue as losing a baby, infant, fetus, or young child. I hope this provides healing for whoever has ever carried around this heavy yoke of guilt and shame of having an abortion and comforts those who have lost someone so precious and young. Incidentally, this belief was as common then as it is today. Put all of this on His broad shoulders. Take His yoke and lay all your burdens upon Him. Your sin is forgiven. The child will yet live again.

Excerpt from Chapter One of “Do Babies Go To Heaven?, Why Does God Allow Suffering?” available from Amazon.com or other online bookstores. Used to support Angels In Action, a homeless ministry.

Originally published on: http://www.associatedcontent.com/jackwellman

19 Comments

  1. Tentmaker said:

    I agree.

    June 15, 2010
    Reply
  2. MaryanneM said:

    Very touching writings about babies going to Heaven, Jack. This text definitely touched my heart! God bless you! Maryanne M.

    April 30, 2011
    Reply
  3. said:

    Thanks MaryanneM. It is interesting that just after I wrote this, a pastor friend lost their young child to a freak accident and my first cousin lost their 5 year-old. The funerals were so difficult, but since they were believers, this is some comfort knowing that they will see their children again and that they are completely safe in the arms of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your kind remarks.

    April 30, 2011
    Reply
  4. Kris Marbaugh said:

    I am very concerned. I am in a small group made up of people from 3 different churches. The leader is teaching that the unborn and babies who die will go to hell. Something in my spirit says this is wrong. Your excerpt explains why it’s wrong to believe this. Should I say something to our leader? He is not a pastor and has had no theological training.

    September 17, 2014
    Reply
  5. Robert said:

    I believe that Gods grace is for his people regarding baby’s salvation. In the Old Test. God had very little mercy on those that were not his people. Circumcision was performed on the 8th day.

    1 Sam. 15:2-3
    Thus saith the LORD of hosts , I remember that which Amalek did to Israel , how he laid wait for him in the way , when he came up from Egypt . Now go and smite Amalek , and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman , infant and suckling , ox and sheep , camel and ass .

    1 Cor 7:14
    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 .

    Gal. 1:15
    But when it pleased God , who separated me from my mother’s womb , and called me by his grace ,

    December 9, 2014
    Reply
  6. Chuck Timmerman said:

    My mother’s father … my grandfather … was raped by him, and when female baby was born, ‘it’ was murdered immediately … because of being female and not male. WHY ?? Because he wanted male boys so that they would become farmer ‘slave’.

    Yet, now in the church we were going thru … Evangelical type … pastor read Roman verses, and claimed that my ‘sisters’ who were not more than one (1) hour alive, were upon their death, in hell … not heaven.

    The ‘girls’ … 3 born … and murdered when born … never (in my opinion) ever had the chance to live.

    Why does a pastor claim that ?????????
    Chuck

    January 13, 2015
    Reply
  7. said:

    anybody who thinks God would put babies in hell
    to burn does not know the Lord. How could a
    forgiving, gracious and loving God put a baby,
    who dies not by his or her own accord, in hell to
    burn. They are with him in heaven.

    January 16, 2015
    Reply
  8. Patti said:

    Before I was a Christian I had an abortion, I changed my mind on the table and wanted to leave. The Dr. told the nurse give her a sedative, her boyfriend already paid. The nurse said I cried loudly under sedation. I woke up yelling. This whole experience is what brought me to the Lord. I repented 37 years ago. I have worked in Crisis Pregnancy Centers, Post-abortion recovery bible studies and see deliver woman from death into life in Christ Jesus. I have recently been told my baby and all the babies of the woman that repent have gone to hell. That only the elects children go to heaven. When I sinned with the abortion I was NOT God’s elect at the time. The want a scripture to prove 100% that children that die before salvation go to heaven. It seems legalistic. If my father knew me in the womb, new I would encounter this in my life and also repent not my emotions telling me wouldn’t that same grace be for my child? Thank you! God bless you for all that you do for Him. Patti

    February 10, 2015
    Reply
    • Chris said:

      Your baby is in heaven. Rest assured because Gods grace is sufficient. He is living Father. He knows what it is to lose a child. Blessings

      March 16, 2015
      Reply
  9. Dustie said:

    This is just what I was looking for. I had a miscarriage 12 years ago. At the time it was very hard and confusing. I didn’t know it was okay to grieve. I was only 5 weeks along. Now I’m carrying so much guilt because I didn’t bury my baby. I have 3 children now. I think often if I will get to meet my baby one day? Will he/she forgive me for not having a proper burial? The scripture you gave as examples really helped me see the truth about my unborn child according to the word of God. Thank you. ♡

    April 14, 2015
    Reply
  10. Meenakshi said:

    I delivered twins on the 9th of April after having an emergency c-section at 33weeks..my daughter is fine and with me at home but My son was rushed to the NICU and died 6days later.. It was really difficult and still is but I am sure one day I shall meet him in heaven.. Yesterday a pastor came to my place and his wife told me that my little baby who is in heaven is already growing and is no more a baby.. Is that true?

    May 4, 2015
    Reply
  11. Kevin said:

    God is a righteous judge! I remember hearing about children under 12 that they go to heaven because they have not fully developed with their mind and are partioned unless they are taught to do wicked deeds like witchcraft, satanism.. Ect.
    I hear heaven testimonies of all the aborted babies they saw there waiting for parents look up and watch Kat Kerr

    April 22, 2016
    Reply
  12. kennie said:

    Thank you for this enlightenment. I lost my 14month baby boy today, he wasn’t sick, he woke up this morning and he passed on to God alone be all the praise. I wasn’t allowed to held him and say my final goodbye to him. Am happy with this write up his spirit will be received with grace.

    May 20, 2016
    Reply
  13. Angela said:

    I joined the church six years ago after being in a really in an abusive relationship. I met my husband four years ago and we have a blended family. However, recently I had a miscarriage which has devastated me. I’m glad I found this cause I wasn’t sure I’d see my baby in heaven as it was a early miscarriage. With hope and love in my heart I will move on for this and believe that my baby is waiting for me. Thank you for giving me peace of mind

    Angela

    June 17, 2016
    Reply
  14. Nanette C said:

    I’m taking a Doctrine before being baptized, and I was asked ? Where do child go if they die as an infant, unborn or fetus? I answered, they go to heaven, because, they are give by God the Father, therefore they will go back from where they came from. And my teacher told.me, the answer is: ” I don’t know.” If it is not in the bible, the answer is, “I don’t know.” Now, after my personal research, so it is stated in the bible that because of God’s grace the children that have died go to.heaven.

    July 17, 2016
    Reply
  15. Nita said:

    Isaiah 7.

    15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
    16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil,

    It clearly says “BEFORE ” so ,there is a time frame or time period when a child doesn’t know to refuse evil and choose good.

    If the child doesn’t know ,the child is not responsible.
    There for grace is given ..

    So yes babies do go to heaven..

    September 5, 2016
    Reply
  16. Hailey Y said:

    Hello, I thought I should share my mothers story with you. My mother, who is a believer, got pregnant with twins before she had me and my brother. She got pregnant with my father, and yes they were married even at the time. Sadly, my mom had a miscarriage and the twin girls, who would be 18 by now, died before they were even born. First only one of the twins passed followed by the other one two months later. The only good thing that came out of this was, that if it wasn’t for the miscarriage, my mom wouldn’t have had me and my biological brother, or fostered my other brother. So it seems to me and my family that it happened for a reason, I am here for a reason. But lately I’ve been hurting knowing that my sisters didn’t get live, or know my family. I constantly think about what it would be like to have two beautiful sisters, I imagine them and I pray that one day I will meet them in heavan. My mom has to live daily with the thought of her un-born twins not having a life. But I truly believe God had a plan for the twins with me and my brothers in mind.

    March 25, 2017
    Reply
  17. Gary said:

    at what age are they accountable. straight answer please.

    April 16, 2017
    Reply

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