Is There an "Age of Accountability" for Heaven?

Sometimes we use the phrase “the age of accountability” to describe the point at which children become old enough to comprehend the Gospel and to be accountable for rejecting it. We sometimes say that children are protected until the age of accountability. That isn’t a biblical phrase as such, but it does reflect a general truth of Scripture. There is a time in life when we are able to understand God’s love, when we comprehend what it means to be a sinner, and when we become old enough to make life-changing moral and spiritual decisions. But the Bible does not give us a specific day, month, or year; and it doesn’t give us a certain age.

The age of accountability is not a chronological measurement. Some people who are mentally disabled may never reach that age. Every child develops differently. I don’t know what that age is, but it is interesting that the Bible gives us one glimpse into the life of Christ as a young person, showing us that by age twelve, He was sufficiently able to make a choice to be about His Father’s business (Luke 2:41-50). I’m not saying that age twelve is the so-called age of accountability; I don’t think there is a set age. But certainly by age twelve, the boy Jesus, when given the necessary information, was quite capable of knowing He needed to be about His Father’s business.

The age of accountability is not a chronological measurement.

I also believe children can trust Jesus before the age of accountability. Even young children can make spiritual decisions that will stay with them all their lives. I’ve met a number of people who told me they asked Jesus to come into their hearts when they were as young as four, although that’s unusual. Many surveys have shown that most people who are Christians made the decision to follow Christ between the ages of five and fifteen.

So while I want to give you great comfort about children who die before the age of accountability, I don’t want you to underestimate the importance of your children coming to know Christ when they do reach the age of accountability. There is no guarantee that when a child reaches the age of accountability he or she will automatically become a Christian. You and I must live in such a way, and honor the Word in such a way, and share the Gospel in such a way, that they will understand.

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For more on this topic, see chapter 24 from Dr. Jeremiah’s book, The Promise of Heaven: 31 Reasons to Get Excited About Your Eternal Home