The question of what happens to babies and young children after death is one that has been pondered and debated for centuries. For Christian parents especially, the thought that a child might not go to heaven is incredibly distressing. Thankfully, the Bible provides some insights that can offer comfort and hope.
First, it’s important to recognize that all people are born with a sinful nature (Psalm 51:5). Even babies and young children, despite their innocence, have the stain of original sin passed down from Adam and Eve. However, the Bible indicates that God does not hold young children accountable for sin in the same way as mature adults. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). This implies that children who die will be received into heaven.
There are several key biblical reasons to believe that babies and children will go to heaven when they die:
1. God’s grace and justice
While all people are born with a sinful nature, the Bible tells us that God is also gracious, merciful and just. He judges people by what they know and how they have responded to the light they’ve been given (Luke 12:47-48). Babies and young children have limited knowledge and ability to comprehend sin or salvation. It would not be consistent with God’s loving, gracious character to condemn them for what they do not yet understand.
The Old Testament indicates that children are not punished for the sins of their parents (Deuteronomy 24:16). God upholds justice, not vengeance. He would not arbitrarily send every child to hell simply because of inherited sin. That would contradict His perfect justice and mercy.
2. Salvation through Christ alone
All people must be saved through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). However, the Bible indicates that there are some exceptions for those incapable of understanding and responding to the gospel. This likely includes babies, young children, the mentally disabled, and others who cannot comprehend Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross.
The apostle Paul writes that those who die having never heard of Christ will be judged according to the light they had and how they responded to the revelation of God through creation (Romans 1:20). Babies and young children fall into this category. They will be judged based on the limited knowledge and moral understanding appropriate for their young age.
3. Examples of God’s redemption
There are several examples in Scripture that demonstrate God’s desire to redeem those who are unable to believe in Christ themselves. For instance, all of humanity was saved when God spared Noah’s family. Rahab and her household were saved along with the Israelites when Jericho was conquered. In these cases, those saved had not consciously put their faith in God, yet He showed them mercy.
The most compelling example is David’s reaction to the death of his newborn son. David said, “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:15-23). David seemed confident that he would one day join his infant son in the presence of God, indicating his belief that the child had gone to heaven.
4. All who die in Christ are redeemed
The Bible indicates that all who are “in Christ” will be resurrected when He returns and their bodies glorified (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). This implies that babies and children who die prior to being able to understand and accept Christ are somehow still received into Him. Through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, God redeems those who lack the mental capacity to choose Him on their own.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.” All babies and children belong to God in life and death. Though they have inherited a sinful nature, Christ’s redemptive work covers those who lack the ability to respond in faith. As Charles Spurgeon said, “I believe that every infant is elect of God and therefore saved.”
5. God’s goodness and love
Ultimately, Christians find great comfort knowing that God is perfectly good, righteous, loving and merciful (Psalm 145:7-9). He is neither arbitrary nor cruel. He would not create people and condemn them to eternal separation without just cause. A baby or child’s inability to understand and repent of sin is sufficient reason for God to welcome them into His gracious presence in the next life.
As the great preacher Charles Spurgeon said, “If infants be saved, as we know they are, then we may rest assured that all persons dying in infancy are included in the election of grace.”
6. A sign of God’s covenant promise
In the Old Testament, God established the sign of circumcision as an outward indicator of inclusion in His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17). All Israelite baby boys were circumcised as a sign that they belonged to God’s chosen people. Though they could not yet profess faith, God claimed them as His own.
Colossians 2:11-12 indicates that baptism serves a similar purpose for the New Covenant of grace through Christ. Christian parents have their children baptized as a sign that they are included in God’s covenant family. Though too young to profess faith, God claims them and promises to complete the work He began in their lives.
This principle of God’s covenant promise extends beyond death. Though children may not have possessed saving faith, God has claimed them as His own. He will not abandon them in the afterlife but complete the redemptive work He started.
7. The presence of children in God’s kingdom
Jesus described little children as belonging to the kingdom of heaven (Luke 18:15-17). He even said that for adults to enter God’s kingdom, they must become like little children. There is an innocence, humility, and receptivity that God desires in His people. Young children naturally possess these traits.
In multiple instances in the Old and New Testament, the Bible describes children in the direct presence of God:
- Isaiah describes infants nursing alongside animals in the age to come (Isaiah 11:6-9).
- Jesus welcomed children and blessed them during His earthly ministry (Mark 10:13-16).
- The book of Revelation portrays children worshiping around God’s throne (Revelation 7:9-17).
This confirms that children have a place in God’s eternal kingdom. He created them and loves them immeasurably. They remain in His gracious hands when their lives on earth are cut short.
8. God’s compassion on the helpless
Throughout the Bible, God is described as a strong defender of the helpless and needy (Psalm 10:17-18). Children are completely dependent on the care and protection of others for survival. God identifies closely with the needs of children.
In several stories of miraculous births, God intervened to bless barren women with children as a sign of His compassion and grace. He heard the prayer of Hannah and opened her womb with the birth of Samuel (1 Samuel 1). The births of Isaac, John the Baptist, and even Jesus were miraculous blessings to helpless women.
It is consistent with God’s character to receive and care for little ones who die. They epitomize those needing His mercy and grace for redemption.
9. The limited judgment for young children
In places where God does portray judgment against the wicked, children and infants are sometimes mentioned being killed as well (e.g. 1 Samuel 15:3; 2 Chronicles 36:17). However, these instances always involved corrupt and idolatrous societies engaged in child sacrifice and rampant immorality.
God was not condemning random babies to eternal separation from Him. He was pronouncing temporal judgment on thoroughly evil cultures. The children received mercy and were spared future suffering in societies surrendered to idolatry and sin.
These severe judgments were extraordinary cases. They do not represent God’s normal treatment of babies who die in most circumstances.
10. God’s redemption of all He has created
The Bible teaches that all of creation has been subjected to frustration because of mankind’s sin (Romans 8:20-22). However, all creation eagerly awaits final redemption through Christ. This will include the physical earth itself and the animal kingdom.
If God promises to ultimately redeem His entire creation, including animals, how much more will He extend salvation to babies and children made in His image? The redemption through Christ that believers enjoy will also encompass God’s youngest human creations.
Conclusion
While the Bible does not give exhaustive explanation about what happens to babies and children when they die, the themes and principles Scripture reveals about God’s love, grace, redemption, compassion and justice for the helpless provide strong evidence for God’s desire to welcome them into His eternal kingdom. Their presence in heaven brings comfort and hope for grieving parents.
At the very least, parents can rest assured knowing their child’s eternal destiny is in the hands of a loving and merciful God. He can be trusted to do what is right and redeem those who have passed from this life into the next at a young age. While their time on earth was cut short, these precious ones who die in childhood will enjoy an eternity held safely in the embrace of their Heavenly Father.