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What does the Bible say about the age of accountability?

Answered in 3 sources

The Bible does not support the concept of an 'age of accountability' as it teaches that all are born sinners and accountable for their sin from conception.

The concept of an 'age of accountability' is not found in Scripture. Instead, the Bible emphasizes that all humans are born with a sinful nature, as stated in Psalm 51:5, 'Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.' This highlights that from the very moment of conception, an individual is under the guilt of Adam's original sin and is considered a sinner before God. Furthermore, Deuteronomy acknowledges varying degrees of responsibility based on maturity, but it does not imply innocence at any age. The notion that there exists a specific age where a child becomes accountable for their actions has no biblical foundation but rather stems from pan-evangelical theology that seeks to ease the conscience regarding children's salvation.
Scripture References: Psalm 51:5, Deuteronomy 1:39, 1 John 2:2, John 3:16, Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:3

Sermons (3)

Is the "Age of Accountability" Scriptural?
Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. · Mar 16, 2019
Limited Atonement
Pastor John MacArthur · Aug 31, 2020
Suffer Little Children
Rick Warta · Dec 11, 2016
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