The concept of an “age of accountability” refers to the belief that children are not held accountable by God for their sins until they reach a certain age of moral understanding. While this belief is common among many Christians, the phrase “age of accountability” is not explicitly stated in Scripture. However, the Bible does speak to the issues of sin, guilt, innocence, and moral development in a number of passages that inform this doctrine.
Old Testament Background
In the Old Testament, the age of accountability is not clearly defined. However, there are some principles that provide background for the doctrine:
- Children were included in the covenant community and circumcised on the eighth day as a sign of the covenant (Genesis 17:12). This implies they were considered part of God’s people even before the “age of accountability.”
- Passages like Deuteronomy 1:39 and Isaiah 7:16 distinguish between young children and adults/those who know right from wrong: “And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil…” (Deut 1:39).
- The sacrificial system made provision for unintentional sins, suggesting there are sins thatchildren commit inadvertently or without full understanding (Leviticus 4:2).
- The death penalty was applied to adolescents/older children who intentionally disobeyed God’s law or rebelled against parents (Exodus 21:15-17, Deuteronomy 21:18-21). This indicates an age where they were treated as accountable.
While the Old Testament does not provide an exact age of accountability, it distinguishes between young children and older children/adults who can understand right from wrong. It teaches principles of sin, innocence, and development of moral awareness that inform later views on accountability.
New Testament Principles
The New Testament also provides some relevant principles about children, sin, and accountability:
- Jesus welcomed children and said the kingdom of God belongs to those like children (Luke 18:16). This implies children have a special status before God.
- Paul teaches that sin entered the world through Adam and spread to all (Romans 5:12). This implies children are not exempt from the effects of sin.
- Jesus calls his followers to childlike faith (Matthew 18:3), yet also warns against causing children to stumble (Matthew 18:6). This hints at a phase of moral formation.
- Paul teaches about the “age of understanding” when natural thinking is replaced with spiritual maturity (1 Corinthians 13:11). This suggests a developmental view of accountability.
While no specific age is given, the New Testament acknowledges both the sinfulness and special status of children. It teaches developmental views of sin and maturity that point to the gradual onset of moral awareness and accountability.
Infant Baptism vs. Believer’s Baptism
How baptism is practiced often depends on views of the age of accountability. Those who baptize infants point to the inclusion of children in the covenant community in the Old Testament and New Testament acknowledgement of sin and need for redemption from childhood. Those who delay baptism until a profession of faith use the distinction between children and accountable adults to argue baptism should follow a confession of faith that indicates moral awareness and accountability.
Those who baptize infants cite verses like:
- Acts 2:39 – “The promise is for you and for your children…”
- Matthew 19:14 – “Let the little children come to me.”
- 1 Corinthians 7:14 – “For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband.” ( household salvation view)
Those who delay baptism cite verses like:
- Acts 8:12 – “But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (belief precedes baptism)
- Acts 16:31-33 – The Philippian jailer’s household was baptized after believing.
- 1 Peter 3:21 – “Baptism…now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience…” (belief demonstrates a good conscience/accountability)
Views of baptism are closely tied to assumptions about the age when children develop moral awareness and accountability before God. The Bible does not give an exact age, but understanding Biblical principles can inform our doctrine.
Passages Used to Support an Age of Accountability
While no Bible passage explicitly teaches an “age of accountability,” several verses are often used to support and define this concept:
Deuteronomy 1:39
“Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.”
This verse distinguishes between “little ones” who have no moral knowledge and adults who can discern good from evil. Advocates see this as evidence of an age prior to accountability.
Isaiah 7:14-16
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.”
The reference to an age before the boy knows how to choose good over evil is used to argue for an age when moral accountability develops.
Romans 4:15
“…for where there is no law there is no transgression.”
Advocates argue this implies that before a child develops moral awareness, they cannot be held accountable for sin or transgressing God’s law.
James 4:17
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
Some use this to argue that moral awareness is a prerequisite for willful sin and accountability.
Matthew 18:10-14
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father… So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
This passage is used to argue that children have a special status and protection before God, even before moral development.
While an exact age of accountability is never specified, these and other verses are often cited in support of the general principle that young children are not held fully morally accountable by God.
Factors Influencing Views on the Age of Accountability
There are varying perspectives on when exactly the age of accountability occurs. Contributing factors include:
- Developmental factors – Advances in psychology have shown moral development occurs gradually over time depending on emotional, educational, and social influences.
- Cognitive ability – The ability to logically process ideas, assess morality, and make informed decisions develops at different rates.
- Spiritual maturity – Coming to personal faith, conviction of sin, and repentance happens somewhat intuitively in children but more intentionally in adults.
- Biblical examples – Passages like Isaiah 7:14-16 and Deuteronomy 1:39 refer to a child not knowing good from evil. This provides a tentative guide.
Given these factors, many feel accountability begins sometime between ages 6-12. However, setting a definitive age is difficult. Understanding and maturity varies between individuals based on upbringing, instruction, environment, and personal experiences.
Objections to an Age of Accountability
Some object to the concept of an age of accountability for several reasons:
- It is not explicitly taught in Scripture.
- Children are referred to as sinful from conception (Psalm 51:5).
- It could lead to postponing teaching children about sin and salvation.
- Most children raised in Christian homes come to faith well before puberty.
- It lessens the urgency to evangelize and disciple children.
These critics argue we should not think of children as innocent before some arbitrary age. Yet we should still teach both God’s mercy and human responsibility in age-appropriate ways from early on.
Pastoral Implications
What are some pastoral implications of this doctrine?
- It encourages more childlike faith, rather than just intellectual assent to facts.
- It allows passing moral judgment and discipline of children to parents, rather than the church.
- It provides comfort to those grieving the death of young children.
- It necessitates age-appropriate teaching about sin and salvation.
- It offers an answer for the eternal destiny of the unborn, infants, and children who die before maturity.
- It emphasizes the importance of early godly training during childhood.
While even supporters differ on the exact age, the doctrine remains useful pastorally. It does not negate original sin but rather acknowledges that accountability often develops gradually as conscience matures. Passing judgment too quickly on young children should be avoided.
When Does God Consider Children Accountable?
In summary, the Bible does not reveal a specific age of accountability at which children become responsible before God for their sins. However, the following principles offer guidance:
- Children are still impacted by original sin even before moral awareness.
- Below a certain age (perhaps best estimated as 6-12 years old), children do not fully understand good and evil.
- True moral accountability requires some level of cognitive ability and spiritual maturity.
- God’s mercy, common grace, and special protections cover those below this age.
- As maturity develops, godly training and evangelism should increase apace.
- The timing of baptism varies according to views on accountability.
- While guided by biblical principles, discerning accountability requires wisdom and recognizing different developmental growth rates in children.
The doctrine of an age of accountability has pastoral value and can foster greater understanding of moral development and children’s standing before God. It calls us to correctly discern children’s spiritual state and makes space for God’s mercy and justice.
