little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as
this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.‖ (Matt 18:3-4).
Y‘shua did not say that little children will enter the Kingdom of YHWH, nor did he imply that they are granted
salvation. In this example, Y‘shua noted two things that are necessary in order to enter the Kingdom of
YHWH. First, a person must be converted. Second, a person must become child-like in humility. It is very
clear that Y‘shua was merely using young children as an example of the attitudes and attributes a person
should have if they expect to enter the Kingdom of YHWH.
The Age of Accountability
The age a person must be before they are spiritually accountable is impossible for humans to establish with
certainty, because this is the Heavenly Father's decision and it is predicated on belief, understanding, and
repentance. All three of these are mental conditions and are prerequisites to conversion and baptism. All
three are dependent on each other. For a person to have belief, there must be some understanding of what
is to be believed.
Y‘shua says repent and believe the Gospel: ―Now that after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at
hand: repent you, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:14-15 Para.). To repent, a person must have an
understanding of what to repent (literally, re-think) and what the Gospel (Good News) of the Kingdom is.
Notice Acts 16:31-33 and Acts 8:27-38. In both Scriptures, the people spoken of understood the
circumstances surrounding Y‘shua and what he preached. Therefore, they were able to make their decisions
based on the facts presented.
A major prerequisite for baptism is repentance: ―Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every
one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the holy
spirit" (Acts 2:38). But, repent of what? Be sorry for what? Desire to change what? In order to repent, a
person must first understand something about the plan of YHWH.
It is quite evident that a person cannot have the kind of belief, understanding, and repentance necessary for
baptism unless he or she is old enough to have developed the mental capacity to make intelligent decisions
based on the information presented. It is also evident that infants and young children have not developed the
life experience and emotional stability to make and stand behind decisions of the magnitude that must be
made before and after baptism. All of the scriptural examples show only adults (including young adults) being
baptised. There are no examples of infants or young children being converted.
The setting of a minimum age requirement for conversion is an impossibility because of the differences in the
speed with which each individual grows into mental and emotional maturity. The ability to make decisions
concerning conversion depends entirely on a person's maturity level, understanding of the Gospel, and
desire to follow YHWH's way of life. (See Luke 3:8)
Common sense dictates that the unborn, the infant, and young children have not had the time or the life
experience necessary to understand the requirements of salvation. They are certainly not able to understand
the awesome implications or responsibilities of making a covenant with YHWH. Therefore, the spiritual
condition of the unborn, the infant, and young children is the same as any unconverted person who has
never had the opportunity for salvation.
18:6-7 Whoso shall offend one of these little ones...
―(6) But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone
were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (7) Woe unto the world
because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence
cometh!‖
He went on to talk about how they should welcome ―little ones‖ (new believers) in his name and should not
set traps for them. If someone sets a trap (incorrect doctrines) for a ―little one‖, it is better that a millstone is
hung around his neck and he is drowned in the sea.
1 8:8-10 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee...............................................
―(8) Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to
enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. (9) And