"When Babies Die, Do They Go to Heaven?" Answered by Chad Phelps

On July 27, 2013 a tragic accident took the lives of 4 people. Mrs. Tonya Weindrof, Chad and Courtney Phelps, and their unborn baby girl. Throughout history many people have asked the question, "Where do babies go when they die?" In a series of messages Pastor Chad called "Ask the Youth Pastor" Chad was asked this very question. On December 12, 2012 Chad answered that question this way: 

"Where do babies go when they die? In all of human existence, I’m sure there is nothing more heart breaking than losing a 
child, no matter what the age is. As Christians, when we decide what to believe on topics like this, we want to decide for biblical, not sentimental reasons!

God loves children:

• Psalm 127:3 – “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, and the fruit of the  womb is his reward.
• Luke 18 – “Let the children come unto me, and do not hinder them, for of such is the  kingdom of heaven.”

God loving children is not enough for us to make this decision.  God loves all people, and still has to send some to hell.

However, there is an age of accountability. Throughout Scripture, there does appear to be an “age of accountability,” obviously, even though every child is born into sin, a toddler cannot comprehend the gospel story! God recognizes this:

• Deuteronomy 1:39 – “Your little ones…who have no knowledge of good and  evil… will go in there.”
• Isaiah 7:14­16 – “Before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the  good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.”

Since salvation requires a confession of sin (1 John 1:9), and since it is clear that some children can’t even comprehend their sin, it seems clear that there must be an age for each child at which God holds them responsible for their comprehension of the gospel message.

David offers hope that those who haven’t reached the age of accountability go to heaven:

• In 2 Samuel 12:23, David is mourning the death of his infant child, and here’s what  he says: “Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

I believe that this one passage, along with consideration of the character and grace of God offers hope and assurance that babies who die will go to heaven. 
Understand, that when you answer a question like that, you need to answer it with 
Scripture, like we have just done."




What joy and peace we have knowing that Chad and Courtney are worshipping Jesus with their daughter right now. 

(For further reading on this subject check out John Macarthur's book "Safe in the Arms of God: Truth from Heaven About the Death of a Child)

Posted by Caleb