The Age of Accountability???

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Q: I heard of some Christian parents that lost a young child and were certain the child was in heaven, as the child was below the "age of accountability". Further discussion revealed the parents believed the age of 12 was the maximum for this system. I hadn't heard of this concept before although I'm certain it's not scriptural, I'm just wondering where this comes from. Thank you.

A: You're absolutely right: the concept of an "age of accountability" is not Scriptural. The Bible's authors certainly realized that a child's moral sense undergoes a certain process of development, and that very young children are not aware of the moral seriousness of certain actions (Deuteronomy 1:39, Isaiah 7:115, 16). But the idea that a person has to understand that he's in the wrong in order to be guilty before God is not only illogical, but unscriptural (Psalm 19:12).

Worse, you can only accept the concept of an "age of accountability" if you deny Scripture's very clear teaching on original sin (Ps 51:5 et al.). Groups that teach an "age of accountability" invariably do just that. Typically, they also deny that a child can believe, since their understanding of faith is that it requires the ability to make a conscious "decision for Christ." In other words, in their view, a child can't believe and receive salvation, but that's OK because a child doesn't really need saving. According to Scripture, they're wrong on both counts (In addition to Psalm 51, see Matthew 18:2 and Luke 1:15).

Often these groups fix the "age of accountability" at 12 or 13, based on Jesus' first trip to Jerusalem as an active participant in the Passover ritual at that age (Luke 2:42). Some set it considerably lower. I have even seen at least one attempt, based on Numbers 14:20, to set it as high as age 20 (As both a student of Scripture and a father of teenagers I find that absurd). It is interesting to find these groups agreed that an "age of accountability" must be in the Bible somewhere, while at the same time they disagree widely about what it is or where it is.

We have solid, Scriptural comfort to offer grieving parents who have lost a young child when that child has been baptized. When the child hasn't, all we can do is to encourage the parents to commend the matter to a gracious, merciful God. But it saddens us that we can't say more.

Current Series (Huge response!!!!)

Spring often brings new opportunities to help friends and family members on a spiritual journey.  One of the best things you can do is invite them to attend a worship service with you.  Our current sermon series is designed to help believers experience a different quality of life and help others find new life in Christ.   I’m challenging you to bring at least one friend to this series:

"It's not my fault, my parents didn't have a lot of rules."  "I think it is a dumb law anyway."  "It’s not that bad, everyone does that!"  Personal responsibilities.  We all have them. But we don't to claim them. Let's remember when we point the finger of blame at someone else, three point back.  It's time to stop the excuse-making.  See you again this weekend!

“Grow & Go” Vision Update 

Any congregation needs to have a set of “anchors” based on core values through which all ministries are analyzed and established.  Our Grow & Go vision has three such anchors:

            1) offering compelling worship

            2) growing healthy adults

            3) intentionally serving others in Jesus’ name

The additions and expansions to the 2014-2015 budget will reflect these anchors.  As we continue to strive for maximum Kingdom impact.   Will must continually ask the question, “What is the best way to …?”