When does one reach that age? Age of Accountability Is there such a thing? When does one reach that age? Wednesday PM Study

Accountability The Bible teaches accountability Acts 10:34-35 - 34Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

Accountability The Bible does not teach inherited sin The age of accountability does not occur at birth Ezekiel 18:20 - The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Accountability When does one become accountable? Is there a chronological age? Under Jewish Law, children are not obligated to observe the commandments, although they are encouraged to do so as much as possible to learn the obligations they will have as adults. At the age of 13 (12 for girls), children become obligated to observe the commandments. The Bar Mitzvah ceremony formally marks the assumption of that obligation. If there is no certain age, how can one know when one is held accountable for their sins?

Factors Involved Chronological age Knowledge of good and evil What would you suggest? Does it vary from child to child? Knowledge of good and evil Capable of believing, repenting, confessing Able to understand abstract ideas Forgiveness, salvation, eternal life Guilt, repentance, grace, faith

Factors Involved Able to realize the consequences of their choices and actions 2-year old with a loaded gun 14-year old with a loaded gun Accountability always involves responsibility

Factors Involved If a young person can explain 1 John 2:15-17, they may have reached a state of responsibility to God. 1 John 2:15-17 - 15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Assessing Accountability Joshua 22:22-24 - 22“The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, He knows, and let Israel itself know—if it is in rebellion, or if in treachery against the LORD, do not save us this day. 23If we have built ourselves an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer on it burnt offerings or grain offerings, or if to offer peace offerings on it, let the LORD Himself require an account. 24But in fact we have done it for fear, for a reason, saying, ‘In time to come your descendants may speak to our descendants, saying, “What have you to do with the LORD God of Israel?

Assessing Accountability Joshua 22:26-27 - 26Therefore we said, ‘Let us now prepare to build ourselves an altar, not for burnt offering nor for sacrifice, 27but that it may be a witness between you and us and our generations after us, that we may perform the service of the LORD before Him with our burnt offerings, with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your descendants may not say to our descendants in time to come, “You have no part in the LORD.”’

Assessing Accountability Joshua 22:28-29 - 28Therefore we said that it will be, when they say this to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say, ‘Here is the replica of the altar of the LORD which our fathers made, though not for burnt offerings nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between you and us.’ 29Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn from following the LORD this day, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for grain offerings, or for sacrifices, besides the altar of the LORD our God which is before His tabernacle.”

Assessing Accountability From Joshua 22 we learn: God requires an account Our action must be for the right reasons Some believe that no one is accountable Psalm 10:13 - Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, “You will not require an account.”

Assessing Accountability Romans 14:10 - But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. This accountability is PERSONAL It is directed toward GOD There comes a time when innocent children mature and their innocence is replaced with accountability.

Applying Accountability Parents – Elders – Teachers – Preacher: Knowing that one day they will be accountable – Teach them God’s plan of salvation Not just memorize 5 steps Teach them God has a plan Teach them God loves them Teach them that God wants them to be saved Teach them that Jesus came to die for us

Applying Accountability Do not confuse what we know as adults with what children should know When should parents start this teaching? 2 Timothy 3:15 - and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Applying Accountability Samuel - 1 Samuel 2:18 - But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. Jesus – Luke 2:51-52 - 51Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Accepting Accountability At some point children must accept personal responsibility for their actions Ecclesiastes 12:1 – Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”: Psalm 10:13 - Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, “You will not require an account.”

Accepting Accountability At the same time parents must accept that their training is basically completed The child is now responsible for their own actions, choices and decisions

Concepts I Reject Children are evil, lost, depraved at the moment of birth Children need forgiveness at birth Children inherit the guilt of sin from Adam - Called “Original Sin”; “Total Depravity”

Concepts I Accept Children are born in a state of innocence They are free from guilt of sin Adults must learn to have a childlike heart

Baptism Is Not Needed Since a child is free from sin, innocent, not guilty – Baptism is not needed for them Baptism has a purpose Acts 2:38 – “for the remission of sins” Acts 22:16 – “wash away your sins” Without the guilt of sin – baptism has no value or purpose

Baptism Is Not Needed When does one reach this age of guilt? They make a conscious choice to rebel against God They feel guilt for their decision and actions They know that a correction or change must occur They understand that without baptism, the guilt will remain

At What Age? Not a chronological age Awareness of guilt Understanding that their choices create guilt Understanding that their guilt is before God Understanding that repentance (change of state or action) is required Understanding that without baptism the guilt will remain

Do They Understand - Matthew 2:1-2 - 1In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:5-6 - 5Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

Do They Understand - Matthew 4:17 - From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John 3:22-23 - After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.

Do They Understand - Luke 13:3 - I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. What “repentance” includes What sins would they confess? In response to their repentance and confession of sins, they were baptized Mark 1:4 - John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Why do children seek baptism? Afraid – Fear of hell is the wrong motivation for obedience See Others – When one in their class is baptized, they begin to think it is expected of them Friends – A friend will urge them to “do it together” Family – Older family members were baptized at my age

Why do children seek baptism? Participation – They see their friend serving communion and think that would be fun Preachers, Teachers – God commands it and I want to obey God Memorized – They have memorized the 5 steps in the plan of salvation In Trouble – If they are in trouble at home or school, they think baptism is an escape

Why do children seek baptism? Attention – Some children seek attention, hugs, name announced, in the bulletin Security – Baptism is seen as way to be secure Over Simplified Obedience – Often it sounds like A + B + C = Heaven. There is more to being a Christian than faith and baptism.

A 5 Year Old Can memorize the steps toward salvation Loves God and wants to obey God Should this child be baptized? No concept of conversion, salvation No idea how to repent No concept of guilt of sins How can one be saved if they are not lost? “Can I go play with my friends now?”