When I sent in the post to 5Doves yesterday regarding "Babies in Heaven" I did not want to come off too adamant because of the lack of support in the Google searches I did regarding this subject, in particular using the words "age" and "accountability". Even the Assembly of God position did not agree with me either in requirements for babies in Heaven or the age of accountability. However, I have a praise report to give that before I had sent in the post I received an email giving the same position that I was expounding, (much more succinctly by the way) down to the requirements and the age of accountability. I did not open this email until after I had sent the email to 5Doves (and this person) so did not know about this agreement till after the fact.Anyway, below is the transcript of the email correspondance, (reversed to be in chronological order). Hopefully, it will bless you as much as it blessed me.
John Nelson wrote:
Hi Ted,
The only response has been from that one on Five Doves, I've had no response by email from anyone at Doves. Oh well! When 2005 gets here there will be more interest, no doubt! Till then, more study!
Any new thoughts or insights?
YBIC, John....
Subject: Re: Response to the Daniel charts -
From: Ted Porter <admin@endofage.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 08:19:10 -0500
To: John Nelson <jcberean@hotmail.com>Well, at least it is available to those who may search the internet. I haven't lately had more thoughts and insights on this although I did have one regarding "babies in heaven", believe it or not which is not directly related to end-time events, I don't think. Anyway, have been trying to make sure it lines up with the Word of God before I post anything. Sometimes I have it all figured out and then I start reading the Bible and wonder how does this fit in, such as can someone be sanctified without being justified?
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. I Corinthians 7:14
Guess it depends on how we define the words.
-Shalom
John Nelson wrote:
Hi Ted,
I've believed for many years, that not all children are going to Heaven! I know many have taught that all children are bound for heaven, but I believe it not! Children, under the age of accountability, below 20yrs, and their parents are saved, those alone will go to heaven. The children of lost parents will also be damned! I have not seen where it teaches anything else. What are your thoughts? 20yrs old and up, are accountable, and will be saved or lost, depending on if they are Born Again!
YBIC, John....
Subject: Re: Response to the Daniel charts -
From: Ted Porter <admin@endofage.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 20:32:09 -0500
To: John Nelson <jcberean@hotmail.com>I just sent you and John Tng an email with my thoughts and then decided to check to see if you had sent any emails. I guess God gets the glory more since I didn't see your email till after I sent mine and you sent yours before I had sent mine. This seems like God's confirmation on what I sent. I had not seen in the Google searches anything other than 12 or 13 years for the age of accountability but then I thought about when the children in the Bible were considered accountable and concluded 20 yrs just like you. It is not from when someone thinks they know right from wrong. I thought I was being original but you beat me to the punch, again.
-Shalom
John Nelson wrote:
I was in the middle of responding to your email, when this one popped in! I wasn't sure exactly what you were saying in your post. Was it the same position I have, and the one I sent you in my email? Thsi subject has kind of always been a thorn to me, cause I think there is alot of false teaching on this subject! Also, if the lost thought their children were going to Hell, maybe they would feel some responsibility and some guilt and just maybe they would think about their need for salvation! I HATE false teaching!! Another false teaching is the giants of Genesis! Even my pastor, teaches that they were not physical giants! I think Scripture is very plain - angels had sex with the daughters of men and children were conceived - thus the giants, LITERAL, were on the earth! Seems all names that ended with "im" were the offspring of angels and women. I think you also believe as me on this subject! Also, the 7yr trib, add up the days, they just don't add up! The time of the trib must be longer than 7yrs! Yet everyone teaches a 7yr trib!
YBIC, John....
Subject: Re: Babies saved???
From: Ted Porter <admin@endofage.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 21:14:25 -0500
To: John Nelson <jcberean@hotmail.com>Amen! Yes, my post was wordy. Hopefully, not too wordy where I lose people along the way but instead of just stating my belief I wanted to cover all the bases and reasoning behind it. Yes, it was the exact same position as you had stated right down to the age of accountability with the possible exception that it only takes one of the parents being saved, not both, to go to heaven.
Yes, I had written the post, "Remember the Titans", not too long ago regarding the offspring of fallen angels and women. I realize the 'Bible Answer Man" teaches they were the offspring of Enoch's men descendants by default since angels must be non-corporal beings. However, we know they have bodies because just as man is not complete without a body, neither is an angel. Sure there are dis-embodied angels we call demons which possessed the pigs. Embodied angels surely didn't. Well, enough of this. I also keep preaching that anyone that does a search of the word "tribulation" in the Bible will only find "ten days" associated with them, (Rev 2:10) , not 7.
Anyway,
Shalom-
I was thinking I should send your confirmation to John Tng because where two are more witnesses are gathered, and I hadn't seen this witness before, period, and I have a feeling of the kind of response I may get from those who have constructed their "God of love" in their own image.
If you want to send it - no prob! Whatever the Lord leads my friend!
Just wnated you to know I too believe only one parent needs to be saved for the children to be Heaven bound before the age of accountability. In my mind the Scripture that you brought forth, and one that I've also used, nails it!
1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
See ya, John...