Children and salvation
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Acts 2:39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…
1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Romans 10:9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Author’s note: I don’t see an age-limit here, or even the word “adult”!)
1 John 5:1-21 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (No age listed here, either!)
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
When it comes to children’s Bible verses, David Egner shares these important words:
The Lord Jesus became angry on only four occasions in the New Testament. Significantly, one of those times had to do with children. You remember the story. Some children wanted to come to Jesus, but the disciples refused to let them. We can probably understand why. The disciples were busy learning all Christ wanted them to know in their ministry as His followers. Besides, they also knew His time was very important, so they didn’t want to bother Him with interruptions by something as trivial as a group of children.
But Christ did not see it that way! Mark tells us that when Jesus saw it, “He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God’ ” (Mark 10:14). The words rendered “greatly displeased” literally mean “became angry.” [David C. Egner, writing in the forward of the booklet “DON’T FORGET THE CHILDREN” by Alan D. George (Radio Bible Class publication).]
Adults make salvation complicated. Children, meanwhile, easily understand and accept salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. They believe that he forgives their sins. Scripture about children makes it clear that God cherishes little ones and has a purpose and plan for each of their lives.
Consider this: About 80% to 85% of all Christians are saved between the ages of 4 and 14. So the question isn’t whether children can be saved. The question really is why aren’t we focusing on evangelizing children. And how can children’s Bible verses play a role in our outreach efforts?
What other children’s Bible verses do you share with kids and parents? Let your colleagues know in the comments below!
