Bible Questions and Answers

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I too would like to believe that children will be raised to life but I believe that the Bible teaches otherwise. All of Adam’s offspring are born under the sentence of death and the only way that we can escape death is by being ‘in Christ’.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

The Bible teaches that to be ‘in Christ’ we have to believe (as your question acknowledges), be baptised and live our lives by the commandments of Christ. A child without understanding can do none of these things and I know of no other way of being in Christ. The reference to humbling oneself to believe means to believe what Christ actually preaches about the kingdom of God.

Luke 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

The emphasis is on being as teachable as a little child; accepting with an unbiased mind what is actually said rather than what we think it ought to say. Salvation depends on belief and baptism. 

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved...

A child cannot believe and baptism without belief is pointless.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

The implication is that when they became adults they would believe and be baptised. Jesus would know which of them would. The blessing of Jesus would have this end in view.

Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:10 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 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

The ‘little ones’ here are old enough to ‘believe in me’ (v6) so he is not speaking of small children.

All, who in the foreknowledge of God, are ordained to resurrection and eternal life will attain to eternal life. None will be lost.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

To be eligible for resurrection and eternal life we must be conformed to the image of his son in this life.

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

The consolation is that God will do that which is right.

I hope you have found this helpful.

God bless!
Glenn,
thisisyourbible.com