Unbaptized Babies

The Source of the Question

“My understanding on the topic [of unbaptized babies] is we teach that we don't know for sure if unbaptized babies go to heaven, but we trust our merciful God.”

What We Must Never Forget

v We look to God first as our source of authority.

“God Himself is the Fountain of Truth.  He is the Sole Source of all Light, Life, and Love.  Everything we are and have, stems from His relationship with us.”

v We look to the Word because He is God and came from God.

v We look to the Bible because the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave the Bible to us.

v We consider tradition in the Church remembering that there are both good and bad traditions.  It is our responsibility to seek to discern between them.  We have not abandoned one tradition, only to replace it with a new tradition called “what we teach.”

What We Have Learned from God

v We have learned that God is infinitely good, loving, and merciful.  God created the world out of love.  God gave His Son out of love.  God loves our departed children far more than we can ever imagine, far more than we could ever attain.

v We have learned that God is infinitely just and righteous.  God’s standard of justice is always mercy.  He strives to forgive sinners.  God does not hold babies to the same standard as those who know His Holy Words.  Consider Luke 12:42-48:

Now the Lord said, “Then who is the faithful and prudent steward, whom the lord shall set over his household, to distribute the measure of grain on schedule?  The servant is blessed, whom his lord coming, shall find so doing.  Truly, I say to you that he will set him over all his possessions.

Now, if that servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord postpones coming:’ then should begin to beat the boy and girl servants; also, to eat as well as drink, even to [the point of] drunkenness.  The lord of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect, and on an hour when he does not know, and will cut him in two, and appoint his portion with the unbelievers.

Now that servant, who knows his lord's will, yet neither prepares nor does according to his will, shall be beaten much.  But, the one who does not know, yet does things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten little.

Now everyone to whom much is given, much shall be required from him: and to whom much is committed, shall more be asked of him.”

This passage makes careful distinction between servants who are yet children, and servants who are of age.  It is the servants of age who are judged.  Even here, ignorance of the law is an excuse and the ignorant servant receives more mercy.  Even the slothful servant, who neither plans nor acts receives some mercy, for he is not cast into hell.  Only the servant who is cruel and shows no mercy, receives no mercy.

How much more then, shall the servants who are yet children, who have not yet shouldered the duties of adulthood, shall receive even greater mercy: perhaps deserving only a scolding.

What then shall we say of babes, who are not even yet children?  Whose only needs are food, diapering, and protection from harm.  Does not the blood of Christ, given for the whole world, cover their original sin?  Of what judgment then, can they be in jeopardy, of what crime can they be liable.  For even if they are not absolutely innocent, surely they are relatively innocent, baptized or not.  And who can say that the Living God, Whose standard of justice is mercy for sinners, Who loves and delights in mercy, will not also extend the ultimate mercy to these little ones, baptized or not?  For the absolution and baptism of Christ reach far beyond what mere men can see.

v We have learned that David knew his child’s estate (2 Samuel 12:23).  Now our father, David is certainly in heaven.  How can David go to his child unless he knows that his child is in heaven as well

What then is My Assurance?

v I am sure that God is good and the lover of all mankind.

v I am sure that God is a better, more faithful, and loving parent than I.

v I am sure that God extends mercy to sinners, except in the rarest of circumstances.

v I am sure that God extends that same mercy to my departed babies, even though the Scripture does not describe in detail, the nature of their estate.

v I am sure that God burdens me to pray far more for my living children.  Concerning my departed babies, I need not pray at all.  I know with David that they are alive in the hands of Almighty God, where no one can make them afraid or harm them.

v I am sure that my departed babies are among those “Of whom the world was not worthy (Hebrews 11:38).”  Therefore, God took them home early.