Age of Accountability

[Musicmaster]

Let’s go in the Bible to Matthew chapter 12.

The subject is the age of accountability—specifically, what the age of accountability is during the dispensation of grace.

​

To begin with, the phrase "age of accountability" never actually appears in the Scriptures. There’s no such phrase recorded. In fact, the word "accountability" itself doesn’t appear in the Bible. However, I would suggest to you that the principle or concept of giving an account is mentioned repeatedly.

So, let’s look at Matthew 12—specifically verse 36:

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36)

Do men ultimately give account to God for their actions? The answer is yes.

Let’s look at Romans 14:12:

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

So it's very clear in the Scriptures that people are required to give an account. Even though the Bible doesn't use the word "accountability", or the phrase "age of accountability", the concept is very much present.

Here’s a working definition:
The age of accountability is the age at which a person is required to give account to God—in other words, the age at which they are held responsible for their actions.

Prior to that age or level of maturity, a person is not held accountable. Let me give you a simple example:

A one-year-old does not understand the concept of stealing. If that child sees a toy they like and grabs it from another child, we don't lock them up for theft, do we? Of course not. Why? Because they lack the capacity to comprehend the moral implications of their actions.

Even human law—imperfect as it is—recognizes that children below a certain age are not legally accountable. You don’t see one-year-olds in prison for stealing toys.

So for the purposes of our study, again:

The age of accountability is the point at which someone is required to give account to God.
Below that age: they are not held accountable. Above that age: they are.

Most people agree that adults are held accountable. The question—the point of disagreement—is this:
Is there an age below which people are automatically saved if they die?

Let’s be clear: the issue with the age of accountability is whether there is such an age, and if so, what happens to a person who dies before reaching it. Some believe such individuals go to Heaven automatically. Others disagree.

There are three basic views:

1. There is no age of accountability—even infants are accountable.
2. The age of accountability is when the individual obtains the knowledge of right and wrong—not a specific age, but a level of understanding.
3. There is a specific numerical age of accountability—different people suggest different ages.

Let’s walk through each of these in subsequent posts...

MM

 

[Musicmaster]

View 1: There is No Age of Accountability

This view holds that even infants are accountable. Here’s the reasoning behind it:

People are saved only by faith in Christ.

If an infant—or even a miscarried child—has not placed faith in Christ, then they are not saved.
Therefore, such children are lost.

In other words, this view teaches that no one is exempt, not even the unborn. I do not believe this view is correct.

Here’s one reason:
I don't believe infants can come to faith. That’s not a wild claim. Think about what the Gospel is:

"Christ died for our sins."

To believe that, one must first understand sin.
Most very young children—and certainly unborn children—do not understand sin. Therefore, they have no capacity to believe the Gospel.

So what does that mean? According to this view, such individuals have no way to be saved, and are therefore damned. I reject that idea.

Let’s go to 2 Samuel chapter 12, where we see David’s response to the death of his infant child.

This is after David’s sin with Bathsheba. God, in judgment, takes the child’s life.

2 Samuel 12:23:
"But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me."

David clearly believed he would see his child again. Now, some argue that this simply means they’d both be in the grave. But does that interpretation offer any comfort? Not really. What David is saying is that he will go to where his child is, and he finds hope in that.

To me, this strongly implies that David believed his child was in Abraham’s Bosom.

So, I reject View 1 because I believe it is inconsistent with God’s grace and a slander on God’s character.

​

View 2: The Age of Accountability is When One Gains Knowledge of Right and Wrong

Let’s go to Deuteronomy 1:39:

"Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil..."

Also, Isaiah 7:16:

"For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good..."

These verses clearly teach that there is a point in a child’s life before they know right from wrong. So this view rightly identifies that this knowledge develops over time, and that it comes at different ages for different people.

However, here’s the problem:
This view assumes that as soon as someone gains the knowledge of right and wrong, they become accountable to God. That assumption is not supported by Scripture.

Let me illustrate the flaw with an example:

Suppose a child gains that knowledge on their fifth birthday. The next day, they die in a car accident. If this view is correct, that child goes to hell—because they were accountable the moment they gained that knowledge.

Does that seem consistent with God’s dealings throughout Scripture?

Look at Genesis 6:3. When God decided to destroy mankind with the flood, He gave them 120 years. He didn’t bring immediate judgment.

In Jonah 3:4, God gave Nineveh forty days to repent.

In Matthew 25:19, speaking of Christ’s return:

"After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them."

God always gives advance notice. He does not expect instantaneous response.

So, requiring a child to respond the moment they comprehend right and wrong—without time to process, understand the Gospel, and believe—is inconsistent with God's character and precedent.

​

View 3: There Is a Specific Numerical Age of Accountability

This view teaches that there is a set age when someone becomes accountable to God.

There are different opinions on the exact age. Jewish tradition, for example, sets the age at 13, which is why boys have a Bar Mitzvah—a rite of passage into adulthood and moral responsibility.

We’ll explore this view further next, but the key takeaway is this:

God's judgment is always preceded by a clear warning, and His grace allows for understanding and response—not instant condemnation.

Numbers chapter 1. What I'm going to suggest to you is that the Old Testament gives a specific numerical age of accountability—and that age is 20. I’m going to see if I can prove that.

So, turn to Numbers 1, and as you're doing that, let me make this point: Man is a sinner by nature. We’re made sinners because of Adam’s sin. It's not that we live years and years and then become sinners. We are sinners from the start. Paul says we are “by nature the children of wrath.” Why? Because we were born sinners—it’s in our nature to sin.

A child is born a sinner, but they don’t yet know good and evil. We know that from Deuteronomy 1:39 and Isaiah 7:16, which both speak of a child before they know to refuse the evil and choose the good. So again, a child is born in sin, but there’s a point they come to when they do know good and evil.

Now, we all recognize that people know good and evil far before age 20. Of course they do. We all understand that. But I’m going to suggest to you that age 20 is the Old Testament age of accountability.

 

[Musicmaster]

[Age 20: The Age of War and Service]

Let’s look at Numbers chapter 1.

Verse 3: “From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war...”

Verse 20: “Every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war.”

So Numbers 1 tells us the age at which a man in Israel was old enough to go to war was 20. That’s very clear.

Now get Numbers 26:2:

“Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel from twenty years old and upward… all that are able to go to war in Israel.”

Again, this is a military accountability. A man is considered of age—an adult in a national sense—at 20.

Now go to 1 Chronicles 23:24:

“These were the sons of Levi… that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.”

So the Levites began their service in the house of the Lord at age 20.

Next, go to Ezra 3:8:

“…and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.”

Again, we’re seeing a pattern: the Old Testament consistently marks age 20 as the beginning of adult responsibilities—whether war, service, or spiritual duties.

​

[God’s Judgment and Accountability]

Now go to Numbers 14:29:

“Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness… from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me.”

Here's the context: Israel had sent scouts into the Promised Land. The scouts came back with a negative report, saying, “This is a bad idea. There are giants—we’ll be crushed.” Of all the adults, only Joshua and Caleb wanted to go in.

What does God say about the rest?

Those 20 years old and older who murmured would die in the wilderness. But what about those under 20? They weren’t held accountable—even though we can be certain that some of them murmured too.

Read the verse again:

“...all that were numbered of you… from twenty years old and upward…”

So if you were 19 years and 11 months old—you were spared. If you were 20—you weren’t.

Go to Numbers 32:11:

“Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land... except Caleb… and Joshua...”

Again, this is crystal clear. The age of 20 was the cutoff point for judgment. Not 18. Not when they came to the knowledge of good and evil. Twenty.

 

[Musicmaster]

[Ransom for the Soul – Exodus 30]

This next one is particularly strong. Go to Exodus 30:11–15.

“When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel… they shall give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD…”

Verse 14:

“Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.”

And why?

“...to make an atonement for your souls.” (v. 15)

If that’s not a statement of accountability, I don’t know what is. This isn’t just about civic duty or temple service—it’s about the soul.

Then see Exodus 38:26:

“...every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward...”

That offering—the ransom for the soul—was required only from those 20 and older.

So what are we seeing?

• Age 20: fit for war.
• Age 20: able to serve in the temple.
• Age 20: held accountable for rebellion.
• Age 20: required to give a ransom for the soul.

It’s not a coincidence. It’s a clear biblical pattern.

​

[Addressing Objections]

Now, I know the objection you might raise: “That’s the Old Testament! We’re under grace.”

Fair point. But let’s think this through.

What are lost people under today? The Law—because the law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Gal. 3:24). Romans 3:20 says,

“...by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

So the law still has a function for unbelievers today—it exposes sin and guilt. And that means the principle of accountability is still relevant for the lost.

Let’s be clear: saved people don’t need the age of accountability. If a child believes the gospel at age 5, they’re saved. If they die at 5—or 85—they go to heaven.

The age of accountability benefits the lost—those who haven’t believed. Just like in the wilderness, where rebellious 19-year-olds weren’t held accountable, the age of accountability today functions as a gracious protection.

​

[Clarification Against Misunderstanding]

Now I want to clarify, because this will be misunderstood.

If I say the age of accountability is 20, some will twist that to say, “Oh, he's saying kids can’t be saved.”

Not true at all.

Anyone who believes the gospel can be saved—at any age. If a 3-year-old understands they’re a sinner and that Christ died for them—they can be saved.

Others might say, “Well, then I’ll just wait till I’m 20.” No. Look at 2 Corinthians 6:2:

“...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

You should believe the gospel the moment you hear it. Why? Because:

1. You’ll likely live to age 20 and then be accountable.
2. You're spiritually dead until you believe (Romans 7:9).

Get saved early so you can serve the Lord, live with peace, and walk in assurance.

​

[God’s Default Rule]

Let me close with a thought. What you believe about the age of accountability reflects what you believe about God’s default rule.

Let’s define that. A default rule is what applies unless you take action to change it.

Example: Go to McDonald's and order a sausage McMuffin—it comes with cheese. A sausage biscuit doesn’t. Why? That’s just their default. You can change it, but you have to say so.

Or consider a legal will. If you die without a will, the state distributes your property according to default laws.

So here's the question:

• If you believe there is no age of accountability, then God’s default rule is judgment—infants, miscarried children, and toddlers go to hell unless they believed.
• But if you believe in an age 20 threshold, then God's default rule is grace—children who die before accountability are saved.

Which is more consistent with God's character?

“Who will have all men to be saved…” (1 Timothy 2:4)
“Christ died for all…” (2 Corinthians 5:15)

The age 20 principle fits God's desire that all be saved. It’s not about laxness. It’s about grace—a gracious window of protection.

​

[Final Thoughts]

Yes, 19-year-olds can be rebellious, just like today. But God didn’t hold them accountable back then—not until 20. That should tell us something about His mercy.

So reach your own conclusion based on Scripture. It’s reasonable to say the Old Testament clearly teaches a 20-year age of accountability. It's not the same as the age when someone knows good and evil—people reach that far earlier.

But don’t misunderstand me—get saved early. Serve the Lord with your life. Don’t gamble on God’s patience. But rejoice that He’s gracious enough to have given it.

MM

 

[GWH]

Let’s go in the Bible to Matthew chapter 12.

The subject is the age of accountability—specifically, what the age of accountability is during the dispensation of grace.

​

To begin with, the phrase "age of accountability" never actually appears in the Scriptures. There’s no such phrase recorded. In fact, the word "accountability" itself doesn’t appear in the Bible. However, I would suggest to you that the principle or concept of giving an account is mentioned repeatedly.

So, let’s look at Matthew 12—specifically verse 36:

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36)

Do men ultimately give account to God for their actions? The answer is yes.

Let’s look at Romans 14:12:

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

So it's very clear in the Scriptures that people are required to give an account. Even though the Bible doesn't use the word "accountability", or the phrase "age of accountability", the concept is very much present.

Here’s a working definition:
The age of accountability is the age at which a person is required to give account to God—in other words, the age at which they are held responsible for their actions.

Prior to that age or level of maturity, a person is not held accountable. Let me give you a simple example:

A one-year-old does not understand the concept of stealing. If that child sees a toy they like and grabs it from another child, we don't lock them up for theft, do we? Of course not. Why? Because they lack the capacity to comprehend the moral implications of their actions.

Even human law—imperfect as it is—recognizes that children below a certain age are not legally accountable. You don’t see one-year-olds in prison for stealing toys.

So for the purposes of our study, again:

The age of accountability is the point at which someone is required to give account to God.
Below that age: they are not held accountable. Above that age: they are.

Most people agree that adults are held accountable. The question—the point of disagreement—is this:
Is there an age below which people are automatically saved if they die?

Let’s be clear: the issue with the age of accountability is whether there is such an age, and if so, what happens to a person who dies before reaching it. Some believe such individuals go to Heaven automatically. Others disagree.

There are three basic views:

1. There is no age of accountability—even infants are accountable.
2. The age of accountability is when the individual obtains the knowledge of right and wrong—not a specific age, but a level of understanding.
3. There is a specific numerical age of accountability—different people suggest different ages.

Let’s walk through each of these in subsequent posts...

MM

In my Baptist upbringing the age/stage of accountability had to do with when a soul understood the Gospel,
which was about the age of puberty, although children raised in the church might have understood sooner.

Although pre-accountable children would certainly not go to hell,
there is no biblical basis for thinking they are saved either,
so I wonder if they share the fate of sub-human animals.

(I will see what you say in subsequent posts later.)

 

[GWH]

[Ransom for the Soul – Exodus 30]

This next one is particularly strong. Go to Exodus 30:11–15.

“When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel… they shall give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD…”

Verse 14:

“Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.”

And why?

“...to make an atonement for your souls.” (v. 15)

If that’s not a statement of accountability, I don’t know what is. This isn’t just about civic duty or temple service—it’s about the soul.

Then see Exodus 38:26:

“...every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward...”

That offering—the ransom for the soul—was required only from those 20 and older.

So what are we seeing?

• Age 20: fit for war.
• Age 20: able to serve in the temple.
• Age 20: held accountable for rebellion.
• Age 20: required to give a ransom for the soul.

It’s not a coincidence. It’s a clear biblical pattern.

​

[Addressing Objections]

Now, I know the objection you might raise: “That’s the Old Testament! We’re under grace.”

Fair point. But let’s think this through.

What are lost people under today? The Law—because the law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Gal. 3:24). Romans 3:20 says,

“...by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

So the law still has a function for unbelievers today—it exposes sin and guilt. And that means the principle of accountability is still relevant for the lost.

Let’s be clear: saved people don’t need the age of accountability. If a child believes the gospel at age 5, they’re saved. If they die at 5—or 85—they go to heaven.

The age of accountability benefits the lost—those who haven’t believed. Just like in the wilderness, where rebellious 19-year-olds weren’t held accountable, the age of accountability today functions as a gracious protection.

​

[Clarification Against Misunderstanding]

Now I want to clarify, because this will be misunderstood.

If I say the age of accountability is 20, some will twist that to say, “Oh, he's saying kids can’t be saved.”

Not true at all.

Anyone who believes the gospel can be saved—at any age. If a 3-year-old understands they’re a sinner and that Christ died for them—they can be saved.

Others might say, “Well, then I’ll just wait till I’m 20.” No. Look at 2 Corinthians 6:2:

“...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

You should believe the gospel the moment you hear it. Why? Because:

1. You’ll likely live to age 20 and then be accountable.
2. You're spiritually dead until you believe (Romans 7:9).

Get saved early so you can serve the Lord, live with peace, and walk in assurance.

​

[God’s Default Rule]

Let me close with a thought. What you believe about the age of accountability reflects what you believe about God’s default rule.

Let’s define that. A default rule is what applies unless you take action to change it.

Example: Go to McDonald's and order a sausage McMuffin—it comes with cheese. A sausage biscuit doesn’t. Why? That’s just their default. You can change it, but you have to say so.

Or consider a legal will. If you die without a will, the state distributes your property according to default laws.

So here's the question:

• If you believe there is no age of accountability, then God’s default rule is judgment—infants, miscarried children, and toddlers go to hell unless they believed.
• But if you believe in an age 20 threshold, then God's default rule is grace—children who die before accountability are saved.

Which is more consistent with God's character?

“Who will have all men to be saved…” (1 Timothy 2:4)
“Christ died for all…” (2 Corinthians 5:15)

The age 20 principle fits God's desire that all be saved. It’s not about laxness. It’s about grace—a gracious window of protection.

​

[Final Thoughts]

Yes, 19-year-olds can be rebellious, just like today. But God didn’t hold them accountable back then—not until 20. That should tell us something about His mercy.

So reach your own conclusion based on Scripture. It’s reasonable to say the Old Testament clearly teaches a 20-year age of accountability. It's not the same as the age when someone knows good and evil—people reach that far earlier.

But don’t misunderstand me—get saved early. Serve the Lord with your life. Don’t gamble on God’s patience. But rejoice that He’s gracious enough to have given it.

MM

I guess you made a good case for the age of legal majority in the OT,
but this does not seem related to spiritual accountability,
which is not surprising because the OT did not have a good understanding
of heaven and hell, which were not explained in detail even in the NT,
so based on my own experience it seems that awareness of accountability
for sin is acquired as humans reach puberty, which may be indicated by A&E
realizing they were naked after they sinned. Puberty occurs gradually,
but usually is complete by the age of about 16-17. (God knows.)

 

[MsMediator]

I lean towards 2: The age of accountability is when the individual obtains the knowledge of right and wrong—not a specific age, but a level of understanding.

One main reason is because people, especially girls/women, started having kids in their teenage years. It doesn't sound right that kids are getting married/having sex/having kids. Or maybe, people didn't marry/have kids until at least 20 during Biblical times?

 

[p_rehbein]

Let’s go in the Bible to Matthew chapter 12.

The subject is the age of accountability—specifically, what the age of accountability is during the dispensation of grace.

​

To begin with, the phrase "age of accountability" never actually appears in the Scriptures. There’s no such phrase recorded. In fact, the word "accountability" itself doesn’t appear in the Bible. However, I would suggest to you that the principle or concept of giving an account is mentioned repeatedly.

So, let’s look at Matthew 12—specifically verse 36:

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36)

Do men ultimately give account to God for their actions? The answer is yes.

Let’s look at Romans 14:12:

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

So it's very clear in the Scriptures that people are required to give an account. Even though the Bible doesn't use the word "accountability", or the phrase "age of accountability", the concept is very much present.

Here’s a working definition:
The age of accountability is the age at which a person is required to give account to God—in other words, the age at which they are held responsible for their actions.

Prior to that age or level of maturity, a person is not held accountable. Let me give you a simple example:

A one-year-old does not understand the concept of stealing. If that child sees a toy they like and grabs it from another child, we don't lock them up for theft, do we? Of course not. Why? Because they lack the capacity to comprehend the moral implications of their actions.

Even human law—imperfect as it is—recognizes that children below a certain age are not legally accountable. You don’t see one-year-olds in prison for stealing toys.

So for the purposes of our study, again:

The age of accountability is the point at which someone is required to give account to God.
Below that age: they are not held accountable. Above that age: they are.

Most people agree that adults are held accountable. The question—the point of disagreement—is this:
Is there an age below which people are automatically saved if they die?

Let’s be clear: the issue with the age of accountability is whether there is such an age, and if so, what happens to a person who dies before reaching it. Some believe such individuals go to Heaven automatically. Others disagree.

There are three basic views:

1. There is no age of accountability—even infants are accountable.
2. The age of accountability is when the individual obtains the knowledge of right and wrong—not a specific age, but a level of understanding.
3. There is a specific numerical age of accountability—different people suggest different ages.

Let’s walk through each of these in subsequent posts...

MM

There is definitely an age where individuals are accountable to God for their transgressions.

Normally, this age is considered to be 12 years old. Reason being, this is when Jesus took responsibility for himself and his actions as recorded in Scripture.

Luke, Chapter 12:

41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

 

[Lifted_by_the_word]

At 8,9 years old when I'd hear the voice of God talking to me and thought that it was a normal thing.One day at Church the pastor was speaking about Solomon and I thought to myself that I could find what Solomon couldn't,and God warned against it.He even told me that if I wasn't for him then I'm his enemy.That was the last time I heard him speak for many years.

 

[lrs68]

Isaiah suggests there's an age when a boy [girl] knows the difference between good and evil.

Isaiah:
16 For before the boy knows to refuse evil and choose good, the land of the two kings you dread will be abandoned.

Hebrew\Jewish boys become men at 13 [bar mitzvah]. This is also the Hebrew\Jewish traditional age of accountability.

 

[Cameron143]

Age of accountability generally goes hand in hand with Armenianism. There is really no need to assume an age of accountability if you understand that history is under divine control. If God can write names in a book before the foundation of the world, He can guarantee those recorded there will come to faith.

 

[Magenta]

Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John3 verse 3.

 

[GWH]

There is definitely an age where individuals are accountable to God for their transgressions.

Normally, this age is considered to be 12 years old. Reason being, this is when Jesus took responsibility for himself and his actions as recorded in Scripture.

Luke, Chapter 12:

41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Jesus matured earlier than most--especially spiritually!

 

[Musicmaster]

I lean towards 2: The age of accountability is when the individual obtains the knowledge of right and wrong—not a specific age, but a level of understanding.

One main reason is because people, especially girls/women, started having kids in their teenage years. It doesn't sound right that kids are getting married/having sex/having kids. Or maybe, people didn't marry/have kids until at least 20 during Biblical times?

I too once believed as you, but have gravitated away from that on the basis stated in the OP's. I searched and searched the scriptures and found nothing as solid as what is presented. That's ok, though. This is a peripheral issue given that Paul never addressed it directly.

Thanks for the feedback.

MM

 

[Musicmaster]

Isaiah suggests there's an age when a boy [girl] knows the difference between good and evil.

Isaiah:
16 For before the boy knows to refuse evil and choose good, the land of the two kings you dread will be abandoned.

Hebrew\Jewish boys become men at 13 [bar mitzvah]. This is also the Hebrew\Jewish traditional age of accountability.

As an Israeli, I'm very acquainted with this. I reject this as being tied to the age of accountability, but you're right...it is our tradition.

MM

 

[tablet123]

Let’s go in the Bible to Matthew chapter 12.

The subject is the age of accountability—specifically, what the age of accountability is during the dispensation of grace.

​

To begin with, the phrase "age of accountability" never actually appears in the Scriptures. There’s no such phrase recorded. In fact, the word "accountability" itself doesn’t appear in the Bible. However, I would suggest to you that the principle or concept of giving an account is mentioned repeatedly.

So, let’s look at Matthew 12—specifically verse 36:

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36)

Do men ultimately give account to God for their actions? The answer is yes.

Let’s look at Romans 14:12:

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

So it's very clear in the Scriptures that people are required to give an account. Even though the Bible doesn't use the word "accountability", or the phrase "age of accountability", the concept is very much present.

Here’s a working definition:
The age of accountability is the age at which a person is required to give account to God—in other words, the age at which they are held responsible for their actions.

Prior to that age or level of maturity, a person is not held accountable. Let me give you a simple example:

A one-year-old does not understand the concept of stealing. If that child sees a toy they like and grabs it from another child, we don't lock them up for theft, do we? Of course not. Why? Because they lack the capacity to comprehend the moral implications of their actions.

Even human law—imperfect as it is—recognizes that children below a certain age are not legally accountable. You don’t see one-year-olds in prison for stealing toys.

So for the purposes of our study, again:

The age of accountability is the point at which someone is required to give account to God.
Below that age: they are not held accountable. Above that age: they are.

Most people agree that adults are held accountable. The question—the point of disagreement—is this:
Is there an age below which people are automatically saved if they die?

Let’s be clear: the issue with the age of accountability is whether there is such an age, and if so, what happens to a person who dies before reaching it. Some believe such individuals go to Heaven automatically. Others disagree.

There are three basic views:

1. There is no age of accountability—even infants are accountable.
2. The age of accountability is when the individual obtains the knowledge of right and wrong—not a specific age, but a level of understanding.
3. There is a specific numerical age of accountability—different people suggest different ages.

Let’s walk through each of these in subsequent posts...

MM

The age of accountability is when a person truly understands that sin is wrong then they will be responsible to do right.

We are born innocent and without guilt.

That is why the Bible says that the angels always behold the face of the Father for the little ones.

We are not blamed for Adam and Eve's sin for that is their sin so their guilt does not come upon us which the father will not bear the sin of the son, and the son will not bear the sin of the father, but everyone will bear their own sins.

Adam and Eve were created knowing God and did not have the capacity to sin for all they could know and think was what God told them as reality.

God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden because He gave them a choice.

But it would of never entered their mind to eat of the tree unless an outside source tempted them an alternate reality.

So God allowed Satan to tempt Eve which she said they could not eat of the tree for that is all she could know and think.

Then he tempted her with an alternate reality that if they ate of the tree they would be as gods and have an elevated position and she ate of the tree and sinned.

Then Eve was the outside source that tempted Adam by showing him she did not die and no harm came to her and probably told him of the alternate reality and he ate of the tree and sinned.

Now they would have a choice between good and evil making their own decisions.

So all their offspring are born with a choice so they are born not knowing God so they will do wrong before they do right and follow God.

So all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

We are born innocent and without guilt and from the time we are born until the age of accountability we are innocent and without guilt.

There is no sin or guilt attached to us until we actually commit a sin understanding it is wrong.

 

[Suze]

I believe that we r either : alive in Christ or , dead I our sins regardless of our physical age . Accountability comes with baptism ( spiritual or physical , whichever u prefer ) . This is when a person enters into a covenant relationship with God , for us Christians it is when we understand the Truth and r baptised into it , into Christ .
For the Jews it was different , in 2nd Samuel Ch 12 V 15-24 we read about David praying and fasting while his child lived . The child died on its 7th day of life , it wasn't circumcised , it didn't live until the eight day , if it had , it would have entered into a covenant relationship with God and would have been ressurected at the advent of the Messiah . This is what David was praying for , that the child would live long enough to b circumcised and enter into that covenant and therefore b ressurected when the Messiah came . That's what the Jews believed . That's why God took the child on the 7th day , it was a product of adultery . If David was so sure that the baby would go to heaven if it died , why did he fast and pray for it to live ? He wanted it to b circumcised and entered into the covenant which is represented by that circumcision . 2nd Samuel Ch 12 V 23 is very clear and simple to me . He is dead , can I bring him back again ( ressurect him ) ? No , I shall go to him ( die and b buried ) but he shall not return unto me ( be ressurected ) . It seems very clear to me . There have been two covenants , one of circumcision for the Jews and one of baptism by faith in Christ . Entering into these covenant relationships with our God make us accountable to Him . If u r not in a covenant relationship with God then u die just like that poor child did . The wages of sin is death but ; the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord . 1st Timothy Ch 6 V 15+16 King of kings , and Lord of lords ; WHO ONLY HATH IMMORTALITY , dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto ; whom no man hath seen , nor can see : to whom be honour and power everlasting , A-men .

 

[tablet123]

I believe that we r either : alive in Christ or , dead I our sins regardless of our physical age . Accountability comes with baptism ( spiritual or physical , whichever u prefer ) . This is when a person enters into a covenant relationship with God , for us Christians it is when we understand the Truth and r baptised into it , into Christ .

I know what you are saying but if the age of accountability is when we enter a covenant with God then why is the world judged and if they are judged then they are accountable so if they do not accept the truth they are still accountable.

 

[randyk]

Let’s go in the Bible to Matthew chapter 12.

The subject is the age of accountability—specifically, what the age of accountability is during the dispensation of grace.

​

To begin with, the phrase "age of accountability" never actually appears in the Scriptures. There’s no such phrase recorded. In fact, the word "accountability" itself doesn’t appear in the Bible. However, I would suggest to you that the principle or concept of giving an account is mentioned repeatedly.

So, let’s look at Matthew 12—specifically verse 36:

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36)

Do men ultimately give account to God for their actions? The answer is yes.

Let’s look at Romans 14:12:

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

So it's very clear in the Scriptures that people are required to give an account. Even though the Bible doesn't use the word "accountability", or the phrase "age of accountability", the concept is very much present.

Here’s a working definition:
The age of accountability is the age at which a person is required to give account to God—in other words, the age at which they are held responsible for their actions.

Prior to that age or level of maturity, a person is not held accountable. Let me give you a simple example:

A one-year-old does not understand the concept of stealing. If that child sees a toy they like and grabs it from another child, we don't lock them up for theft, do we? Of course not. Why? Because they lack the capacity to comprehend the moral implications of their actions.

Even human law—imperfect as it is—recognizes that children below a certain age are not legally accountable. You don’t see one-year-olds in prison for stealing toys.

So for the purposes of our study, again:

The age of accountability is the point at which someone is required to give account to God.
Below that age: they are not held accountable. Above that age: they are.

Most people agree that adults are held accountable. The question—the point of disagreement—is this:
Is there an age below which people are automatically saved if they die?

Let’s be clear: the issue with the age of accountability is whether there is such an age, and if so, what happens to a person who dies before reaching it. Some believe such individuals go to Heaven automatically. Others disagree.

There are three basic views:

1. There is no age of accountability—even infants are accountable.
2. The age of accountability is when the individual obtains the knowledge of right and wrong—not a specific age, but a level of understanding.
3. There is a specific numerical age of accountability—different people suggest different ages.

Let’s walk through each of these in subsequent posts...

MM

I have my own view. I think "Hell" is the unfortunate side of those who ally with any which way but with God. They want to live independent of God.

But why would they make such a choice to start with? Free Will gave the angels a single opportunity to go with God or independent from God. And man, though he is given the same choice, somehow has the option already predetermined at birth because his ancestors before him have made decisions that reflect in their posterity.

When someone chooses to make life decisions independent of God, the fruit of those choices result in children who exist in a spiritual atmosphere apart from God. They naturally choose to live independent of God, though they may, at times, choose to cooperate with God.

I think those who are predetermined to separate from God do not have to be at the extreme end of punishment. They can be born as children who have never had the choice to do wrong things, though they have that predisposition within them. I'm sure, if they are to go into eternal punishment, that the punishment will reflect the lack of wrong they have ever done.

In other words, I don't believe Eternal Punishment are all people strug up on violins played by demons, nor do I believe their flesh is cooked eternally in fire. What the "fire" means is that they will be forever removed, with their belongings, from the New Earth. They will remain with this loss for all eternity.

But we don't know what is really out there in "Outer Darkness?" For children who have done little wrong, they may not have the light of New Jerusalem, but they may indeed have a measure of light that affords them something equivalent to who they are, but not be punished for what they did not do.

 

[GWH]

I have my own view. I think "Hell" is the unfortunate side of those who ally with any which way but with God. They want to live independent of God.

But why would they make such a choice to start with? Free Will gave the angels a single opportunity to go with God or independent from God. And man, though he is given the same choice, somehow has the option already predetermined at birth because his ancestors before him have made decisions that reflect in their posterity.

When someone chooses to make life decisions independent of God, the fruit of those choices result in children who exist in a spiritual atmosphere apart from God. They naturally choose to live independent of God, though they may, at times, choose to cooperate with God.

I think those who are predetermined to separate from God do not have to be at the extreme end of punishment. They can be born as children who have never had the choice to do wrong things, though they have that predisposition within them. I'm sure, if they are to go into eternal punishment, that the punishment will reflect the lack of wrong they have ever done.

In other words, I don't believe Eternal Punishment are all people strug up on violins played by demons, nor do I believe their flesh is cooked eternally in fire. What the "fire" means is that they will be forever removed, with their belongings, from the New Earth. They will remain with this loss for all eternity.

But we don't know what is really out there in "Outer Darkness?" For children who have done little wrong, they may not have the light of New Jerusalem, but they may indeed have a measure of light that affords them something equivalent to who they are, but not be punished for what they did not do.

A person—even a theist—might think that God would not permit evil, suffering and hell to exist. People who are mystified by evil and repulsed by its punishment do not realize that the essential aspect of being a human rather than a robot or subhuman creature is moral free will (MFW), which is what enables a person to experience love and meaning. This is what makes humans different from animals, whose behavior is governed mainly by instinct. This is what it means to be created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27).

God could not force people to return His love without abrogating their humanity. If God were to zap ungodly souls, it would be tantamount to forcing conversions at gunpoint, which would not be free and genuine. If God were to prevent people from behaving hatefully, then He would need to prevent them from thinking evilly, which would make human souls programmed automatons. Even if God were to prove Himself to skeptics by means of a miracle, they might believe for awhile and then as their memories began to fade they would probably think that God had died and revert to their former doubt—necessitating an endless string of miracles (recapitulating the story of the Israelites on the way to Canaan after the exodus from Egypt).

Thus, for reasons we may understand only sufficiently rather than completely, God designed reality so that experiencing His presence is less than compelling, so that even Jesus (God the Son) on the cross cried out “My God [the Father], why have you forsaken [taken God the Spirit from] me?” (Matt. 27:46, Psa. 51:11) This phenomenon is sometimes called “distanciation”, because we experience God as distant from us and “unknown” (Acts 17:23), even though He is close or immanent, “for in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Distanciation is not forsaken. God’s normative means of conversion is persuasion rather than coercion (Matt. 12:39, 24:24, 1Cor. 1:22-23). This is seen very clearly in Jesus’ lament over the obstinacy of Jerusalem (Matt. 23:37). Two unusual theophanies included when God appeared to Moses (in a burning bush per Exo. 3:2-6), whom God wanted to establish the Jewish lineage for the Messiah (OT), and to Saul/Paul (as the resurrected Jesus in Acts 9:3-6), whom God chose to establish the NT church of Christ. Miracles are rare (not normative).

MFW only exists when there is the possibility of choosing between two qualitatively opposite moral options that we call good and evil. These options are opposites because of essentially different consequences for choosing them. Choosing good results in blessing, life and heaven; and choosing evil results in cursing, death and hell (Deut. 30:19). This is why hell as well as heaven exists. It is the just consequence for choosing evil rather than God. The Spirit of God is good: love, peace and joy (Gal. 5:22-23). Therefore, whoever rejects the Lord is spiritually separated from Him (Isa. 59:2) and thereby chooses the evil or satanic spirit of hatred, strife and misery and reaps the just consequence called “hell” in the afterlife (Gal. 6:7-9, HB 9:27-28). These options were presented by Moses to the Israelites (Deut. 30:19), and Jesus referred to this fundamental choice in terms of a fish or egg versus a snake or scorpion (Luke 11:11-13). Life… or Curse? (Gen. 3:24, Rev. 22:1-2)

God created theoretical evil or the possibility of rejecting Him as an option that actualizes MFW/free human personality. As such it is necessary and even good (Gen. 1:31). Of course, it was wrong for Satan (1John 3:8) and humanity (Rom. 5:12) to make evil actual by choosing to Sin or reject Faith in God’s Lordship. Sin: ignoring God/God’s Word. God loves a cheerful giver (2Cor. 9:7), which means He desires people to cooperate with Him happily because of love and gratitude for His grace rather than to cower before Him because of fear of hell. Love must be evoked; it cannot be coerced. And again, when souls sin or do NOT choose to love God freely, it is perfectly just (loving and logical) for them to reap the appropriate consequence (Gal. 6:7-9) or hell.

Evil people punish/torture themselves by experiencing delayed karma, just as those who experience appropriate justice during this earthly existence also punish themselves or reap what they have sown and send themselves to jail. This view makes souls responsible for breaking the rules rather than blaming evil on the judges (or Judge) who enforce the rules. The purpose of earthly punishment is to promote repentance, but the reason for retribution in hell is to attain justice. It is difficult to imagine, but somehow even someone as evil as Hitler will receive perfect justice, perhaps experiencing the agony of the millions of deaths he caused in accordance with the principal of “eye for eye” (MT 5:38), after which their souls are destroyed forever (per John 17:12, Rom. 9:22, Gal. 6:8, Phil. 3:19, 2Thes. 1:9, 2Pet. 3:7 & Rev. 20:13-14).