What is the age of accountability? Accountability, as used in our question, pertains to an individual being responsible to God. Knowledge between good and evil. Involved in spiritual accountability is a knowledge of good and evil. Relative to some of the children of the Israelites we read, "Moreover your little ones…which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil…" (Deut. 1: 39). There is a time in the absence of a certain level of development in a child’s life that they do not know to choose good and refuse evil . It is obvious that Jesus had such children in mind when he said, "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18: 3).The age of accountability is when one understands, is capable of believing, repenting, confessing Jesus’ deity, and being baptized. Sin is lawlessness (I Jn. 3: 4). Belief requires certain intellectual and volitional abilities (Jn. 8: 24). Repentance, confession, and baptism entail abilities which small children do not possess. Belief, repentance, confession, and baptism are all equally essential to initial salvation or, put another way, exercising accountability. Some say when a child reaches twelve/thirteen years of age, they are accountable. This is an arbitrary age – some could be, some may not be. In view of the foregoing, I think it is apparent that individuals reach the age of accountability at different ages, as each mature differently. Remember, though, accountability always involves responsibility.
What is the age of accountability?
- Thread starter Christina
- Start date
-
Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
(kriss;5756)
What is the age of accountability? Accountability, as used in our question, pertains to an individual being responsible to God. Knowledge between good and evil. Involved in spiritual accountability is a knowledge of good and evil. Relative to some of the children of the Israelites we read, "Moreover your little ones…which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil…" (Deut. 1: 39).
This quote is incomplete. 'The little ones that you said would be taken captive, your 'uwbneeykem' who do not yet know good from bad — they will enter the land.' Deut 1:39 Now the Hebrew word in quotes can mean children (male and female) but it more often means 'young men', and this could correspond to those under the age of social accountability in Israel, which was 20 years. It was only those males who were permitted to enter Canaan (Num 14:29). They were not involved in (or responsible for) the adults' decision to rebel faithlessly against the Lord, and can therefore, in this context and in this type of context, be regarded as those 'who do not yet know good from bad', just as we would not permit children to vote- though we would certainly punish them for bad behaviour.Of course we do not wait until we are twenty before we sin. Accountability before God occurs on the first occasion that a conscious decision to do wrong is made. Of course, it is common experience that children do selfish things from a very early age, before even one year of life is completed. It may even be that moral choice is made in the womb.However, a child of one year cannot understand very much language, so understanding the gospel is impossible for him or her. Like an adult, a child must understand that he or she does wicked things; must understand that God in Christ has died because of his or her sins; that through this death his or her sins have been paid for, and for this reason he or she owes Him devotion for the rest of his or her life. This can be explained in simple terms to even four-year-olds, and fully understood by them. Of course, as a child grows, new experiences and new temptations arise, and Christ's rule in their lives should be applied as they do so.
What is the age of accountability? Accountability, as used in our question, pertains to an individual being responsible to God. Knowledge between good and evil. Involved in spiritual accountability is a knowledge of good and evil. Relative to some of the children of the Israelites we read, "Moreover your little ones…which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil…" (Deut. 1: 39).
This quote is incomplete. 'The little ones that you said would be taken captive, your 'uwbneeykem' who do not yet know good from bad — they will enter the land.' Deut 1:39 Now the Hebrew word in quotes can mean children (male and female) but it more often means 'young men', and this could correspond to those under the age of social accountability in Israel, which was 20 years. It was only those males who were permitted to enter Canaan (Num 14:29). They were not involved in (or responsible for) the adults' decision to rebel faithlessly against the Lord, and can therefore, in this context and in this type of context, be regarded as those 'who do not yet know good from bad', just as we would not permit children to vote- though we would certainly punish them for bad behaviour.Of course we do not wait until we are twenty before we sin. Accountability before God occurs on the first occasion that a conscious decision to do wrong is made. Of course, it is common experience that children do selfish things from a very early age, before even one year of life is completed. It may even be that moral choice is made in the womb.However, a child of one year cannot understand very much language, so understanding the gospel is impossible for him or her. Like an adult, a child must understand that he or she does wicked things; must understand that God in Christ has died because of his or her sins; that through this death his or her sins have been paid for, and for this reason he or she owes Him devotion for the rest of his or her life. This can be explained in simple terms to even four-year-olds, and fully understood by them. Of course, as a child grows, new experiences and new temptations arise, and Christ's rule in their lives should be applied as they do so.
I can recall from My own personal experience ...that I had no understanding of “accountability”until My Experience with Christ opened My eyes. My understanding of “accountability” was limited to the Obedience to Social Law by our governing Justice. The age of accountability has no measurement in terms of obedience to God.One can by “Religious”motivation live a chaste and Obedient life when He/She has an experience to do so, yet, can still be in complete blindness and in total disobedience. Obedience is a gift of understanding the will of God!. And the age of accountability is set at your calling. :angel1:For all have Sinned and fall short of the Glory of God:bible:
Pointer, the translation of Deuteronomy 1:39 is not to be mistaken.Deuteronomy 1:39Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.That's a pretty specific reference to accountability there because it's saying that these children "had no knowledge between good and evil" - something that any ~15-20 year old would have. This is a reference to this idea of accountability here because the children did not sin since they did not know right from wrong and were led to do wrong by the adults. The context of the entire verse gives you the meaning of the Hebrew here and it is indeed children.
(13 years old) "Bar mitz va"---means---"son of the Law". This is what Jewish tradition teaches. But nowhere in the Bible does it teach that 13 is the age when accountability begins.To call it a 'condition' of accountability instead of an 'age' is more preferable. That removes all the confusion. Besides, there are some mentally handicapped people who never reach that condition. All sin is rooted in a willful rejection and rebellion towards God. Until a child reaches that condition when they can 'knowingly' and 'willfully' rebel in sin against God, they are called innocent, not knowing their right from their left.What people need to know to be held accountable before God is already sewn into their hearts (Romans 1:18-20). So it's just a matter of children being able to comprehend what is already sewn into their hearts.These were very good. The Salvation of Babies Who Die--Part 1 http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/80-242.htm The Salvation of Babies Who Die--Part 2 http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/80-243.htm
Jon-Marc
New Member
The age of accountability depends on the person. Some never reach that point. What about those who are mentally deficient and never get past the point of a toddler if that? I don't believe God would be so unjust as to allow that person to go to hell since they are no different than a baby.
Just remember the fact that God is no respecter of persons, and the fact He doesn't play favoritism for those who love Him and keep his commandments. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.Lovest ye in Christ Yahshua our Lord and Saviour.
Jon-Marc
New Member
(Wakka;18900)
And say if a person is mentally handicapped. They might not understand God's law fully.
That would depend on HOW mentally handicapped that person is. An adult with the mind of a 10-year-old is quite capable of understanding, "I am a sinner and need to be saved." Whereas an adult with the mind of an infant isn't.
And say if a person is mentally handicapped. They might not understand God's law fully.
That would depend on HOW mentally handicapped that person is. An adult with the mind of a 10-year-old is quite capable of understanding, "I am a sinner and need to be saved." Whereas an adult with the mind of an infant isn't.
Similar threads
