Are Children Accountable?

Q

I just read your statement on Children and the Rapture and you used Romans 7:9 as why children will be taken. Are you saying children are sinless till they reach the age of accountably? So they are not sinners when they are born? Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.

A

Children are not sinless. Their sins are not held against them until they reach the age of accountability. This is thought to be the time when they are mentally competent to understand the concept of sin and its consequences. Once they reach that age they are accountable and this is what Paul was telling us in Romans 7:9.

I believe it’s also what Jesus meant when He said that we have to become like little children to enter the Kingdom. (Matt. 18:3) Becoming like little children means we’re no longer held accountable for our sins, and the way that happens is to accept the Lord’s death as payment in full for the sins of our lives.

In Ephesians 2 Paul was speaking to everyone accountable for his or her sins.