What does the Bible say about infant salvation?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that infants, like all people, are touched by sin from birth, yet God is perfectly just, merciful, and able to save apart from human understanding or works. Psalm 51:5 and Psalm 58:3 affirm original sin, while Titus 3:5 locates salvation in God’s mercy rather than our deeds. Deuteronomy 1:39 recognizes the moral immaturity of little children, and Matthew 18:14 assures us that the Father is not indifferent to the little ones. Scripture does not explicitly define an age of accountability or guarantee the salvation of every infant, but Reformed Christians may rest in God’s sovereign goodness and especially entrust covenant children to his gracious promises (Acts 2:39; 1 Corinthians 7:14).
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 51:5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me.
- Deuteronomy 1:39
Moreover your little ones, whom you said should be a prey, and your children, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there, and to them will I give it, and they shall possess it.
- 1 Corinthians 7:14
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now are they holy.
- Titus 3:5
not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
- Matthew 18:14
Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
- Acts 2:39
For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself."
- Psalms 58:3
The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
- Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.
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