Women Pastors

The Bible makes lots of distinctions. Why relate it to salvation?

Just checking, you'd be surprised how many people read he Bible like it was all literal language. Jesus had to spell out what He meant by born again, because He was asked if it meant going back into the mothers womb

The Bible makes lots of distinctions. Why relate it to salvation?

Matthew 18:3
“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.”

Just checking, you'd be surprised how many people read he Bible like it was all literal language. Jesus had to spell out what He meant by born again, because He was asked if it meant going back into the mothers womb

Are we going to make fuss about the fact that the exact phraseology "AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY" is not part of KJV English? Let's avoid going down that silly street.

Because it pertains to salvation...

2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them
3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,
6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

It's all about converts.
But Jesus is using a child's blind faith for His example.

Yes Jesus was using the child's blind faith to prove that it's impossible for adults to have that kind of faith. So we know it's impossible, just as being born again is impossible.

The only lesson in all of these teachings of Christ, is that they are all impossible for us to achieve but all things are possible with God. The take away would have to be, we rely on God to transform us because we know it's impossible for us to perform such miracles.

you could say Christ is relating it to salvation by saying let the children come to Him.
coming to Him is being saved; He is Salvation - it's His name

i think Oyster is pointing out that there are such things as children VS. adults, so you see a precedent for the Hebrew idea of barmitvah/batmizvah, and Christ is indicating that children can have faith in Him every bit as much as adults can, when the disciples were thinking children were probably a nuisance to Him and His teaching is only for adults.

Yet we have all encountered immature adults.

2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them
3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,
6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

It's all about converts.
But Jesus is using a child's blind faith for His example.

The point of the story with the children is not so much to teach about humility, but the nature of kingdom living. Children are implicitly trusting in parents who have cared for them and taught them. They believe their parents do what is in their best interest and place complete confidence in them.
Likewise, those who live in the kingdom of God are to place complete and total trust in their heavenly Father. This is what it means that the just shall walk by faith. True kingdom living implicitly trusts their care to God recognizing that He cannot lie or fail and will always be faithful to His children.

Absolutely, the world is full of immature adults. But none would qualify to become a member of a Bible based Church. I'm sure they may be received into the seeker friendly new age Churches, but that's a different topic

if you refuse Christ as our example, the go to Job 32.

Elihu is a youth, and he is the only person in the entire book God does not rebuke for speaking foolishly.

how can this be?
why is this?
Who is Elihu prefiguring?

Luke 2:42, friend. a little child shall lead them.
Isaiah 11:6 ≅ Job 32:8

Those verses mention children because of their implicit trust in their parents.

I don't believe their age is the subject of their inclusion, but their exhibition of trust that is in view.

All of that is true and if we have put our trust in the Lord, He will give us the gift of humility. Since we can't enter His Kingdom without it

It pertains to the nature of salvation and not it's timing.

The teachings are for all. But the distinction Jesus is making is the nature of salvation, and not at what point mankind becomes accountable. If anything, the implication would be that children are accountable, if that were indeed the point He is emphasizing.
It clearly says...as children, which makes it a comparison.

Yes. And perhaps their implicit trust and belief in good and evil. Their hearts have not yet become hardened by pride and rebellion (but it doesn't take long .)


Sure. But the fact remains that Jesus made a distinction.

The only reason I can see, why God didn't rebuke him was the fact that he was just a child and not accountable for his actions as yet.