At 12Stone we have a saying: “When the Bible is clear, we will be direct. When the Bible gives guidance, then we will guide. When the Bible is silent, then we’ll give an opinion.”

Because Scripture is not specific on the question of what happens to babies and young children when they die, what we’re about to discuss is based on Christian tradition more than the Bible.

As PK said during the Q&A, we believe that everyone is born in sin. This concept is often called Adamic sin, or original sin, or inherited depravity, and it means that every person comes into the world with a sin nature. We are going to do things that separate us from God.

Now, that’s easy to accept when it comes to adults. But when it comes to children?

Kids are innocent. There’s an old saying that no one has to teach a kid how to lie, and that’s true; it’s the sin nature all human beings possess. But what little kids don’t do is make a habit of lying or leverage falsehoods to defraud others. Those are skills acquired over time, as we get older and our hearts grow hardened.

When it comes to children, we believe there is an age of accountability – a point at which every person’s heart becomes aware of their sinfulness and the choice to disobey God. That age is different for every individual; some people reach it as early as kindergarten, while others reach it later.

We believe that until a child hits the age of accountability, the grace and covering of Jesus’ work on the cross covers over them, because the child can’t make a conscious choice about faith.

Always remember that God is more compassionate than we are. He created human beings and designed them to grow up, so He knows where the point of transition is for each one of us and how to mark that. That’s why 12Stone as a church is committed to kid’s ministry. We are passionate about helping children at an early age learn the Word of God, the Way of God, and how to walk with God.

But this isn’t just the church’s responsibility. In fact, the burden falls on parents to teach this, because God calls kids early and often to know Him. The more a child resists that calling, the more that child is responsible for how they respond to God.

When parents walk daily with their children, modeling a life lived for Jesus, the greater the chance those children will choose Jesus for themselves. And when that happens, no one should wonder about what will happen in Eternity.

Jesus answered that question once and for all.