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And, great answer to the Flood thought - they may have died, but did they go to Hell? Wow... never thought of that!
My pastor, Frank Curts recognized as a Bible teacher in the PAJC and then UPC taught that nobody except those baptized in Jesus' name and baptized in the Spirit would go in the rapture. He taught that Christian parents would go in the rapture and leave their children behind just like parents can be killed in a car crash or die of illness and leave their children behind.
Bro. S.G. Norris taught that if at least one of the parents was baptized in water and in the Spirit, their children would go with them in the rapture. This was based on his understanding of 1 Corinthians 7:14. I think Pastor Nathan Urshan taught that also.
I believe in the rapture as usually taught by Scofield, Darby, etc. I do not know of any verse of Scripture that speaks about children and others who are not mentally competent and what happens to them at the rapture (if there really is a rapture as taught by dispensationalists). I would hope that God would make the same provisions for children in the rapture that we think He does for those who do not know right from wrong and who have not consciously chosen wrong.
To compare the rapture to the flood is not a clean comparison because if the children would have been spared, Noah and his family would have had to go and round them all up, take them from their homes, and babysit them on the ark during that whole period. It is my opinion that adults and children in that area were both killed but the destiny of their souls/spirits could have been different.
Actually, we're getting into a pretty unknown area with this discussion. I don't see where God has clearly spoken on this (my opinion).
The 1st thing that leaped to the forefront of my thoughts as I considered the question which began this discussion - "Are all Babies going to be raptured?" - was the biased position from whence it came, to wit, Pentecostal'sassumption that the alleged rapture is a definitive, scriptural-based truth (an assumption, BTW, to which I do not subscribe). However, with that being stated, I will refrain from further remarks with regards to this first question, submitting instead the following personal thoughts concerning the 2nd question - "What is your thoughts on Babies going to heaven?"
Some have made reference to what is commonly called the"age of accountability." Admittedly there could be many guesses, assumptions, and speculative conclusions with respect to the age of a child before they reach a point of maturity wherein God would conclude them to be held fully accountable for their actions. I am persuaded, based upon my understanding of the things contained in certain scriptural passages which appear to address this issue, that one is not held accountable for their actions, whether they be right or wrong, until they attain a point of maturity whereby they are mentally able to comprehend the consequences of such actions. I'll leave it to God alone to establish at what age, or point in one's life that this transpires.
"Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine?"
These questions are also answered within the context of this same passage:
"Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts."
By these questions, and their answers, it has become my opinion that God does not hold young children (babies, if you will), or their parents, "accountable" for anything until they have matured to a point (known only to God), wherein they are mentally capable of comprehending the truths contained in the elementary doctrines of the Bible. This is strictly a personal opinion, and I am fully cognizant of the fact that there be some (yea, perhaps many) who would not agree, however, I tender them here for consideration.
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 18:1-5,10
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and BECOME AS LITTLE CHILDREN, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
What is your understanding of the phrase - "become as little children"? How does one, when they suddenly discover at an advanced age, the truth of the salvation message (Acts 2:38), "become as little children"? Isn't this the same dilemna that Nicodemus confronted when Jesus informed him that he "must be born AGAIN?" Is there a deeper inference contained in this simple phrase than that which one might conclude by a casual reading of these phrases which our Lord uttered? What are your thoughts on these? (Please provide more than a recital of scriptural passages in your response.)
What about unborn babies? If a two month pregnant woman dies and goes to Hell, does the fetus go with her? Do all fetuses go to heaven? Do they go anywhere? If so, does it start at conception?
__________________ Words: For when an emoticon just isn't enough.
What about unborn babies? If a two month pregnant woman dies and goes to Hell, does the fetus go with her? Do all fetuses go to heaven? Do they go anywhere? If so, does it start at conception?
From this thread's sister thread, over in the debate room:
Then the vast majority of Heaven's residents will be people who never took a breath of air. Not that there's anything wrong with that! (Even if UR is right, there still were more conceptions that never were born than were born, I think.)
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
First I must agree with Lafon about the so called rapture, Lets get out of the imaginary and to real life. As for God sending a child to hell for the sin of his parents. What kind of God do you say you have.
My God is Love 1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
And the word give us a proper discription of what love is
1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth:
So is you can find a God in these scriptures that would send a child to Hell or someone that loves him in the limited knowledged they know. Your a better man than I am.
But you can't have it both ways either God created man to have relationship with him or as a pawn in some game he his playing between himself, satan and the angles.
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Study the word with and open heart For if you do, Truth Will Prevail
Thanks for indulging the question...
I had to rephrase it in 2 posts because I think one was not clear enough... in the question... Getting interesting replies!
Thanks!!
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