The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Babies and Election

Biblical divine election is "unconditional", i.e., without respect to the individual whatsoever. I certainly wouldn't classify that as being "hard line".

Thus, there is nothing in reference to the individual, regardless of age, mental condition, etc., which can be a factor. God's determination to save sinners is solely a decision based upon His own good pleasure and for His glory. Therefore, in regard to unborn infants, and all others who are mentally incapable of hearing and/or comprehending the Gospel their condition is a mute issue. For it is God the Spirit Who regenerates the dead soul of all and in doing so enables the individual to seek God and be united to Him in Christ.

We as humans tend to look upon infants, the elderly, and the handicapped as being "special" and deserving of special treatment, e.g., infants are universally perceived as being "innocent". Yet, this is NOT how God looks upon these groups. What He "sees" is the sin nature which of necessity classifies all men, women and children, yes even the unborn as enemies who are worthy of condemnation. Fortunately, God has not consigned all to their just condemnation but for reasons that are His own, He has decreed that some would be shown mercy at the inestimable cost of the crucifixion of Christ. That even one single individual is redeemed is and should be incomprehensible.

Has God determined to save any of the unborn who die in infancy? (remember it is the Lord Himself Who gives life and takes life according to His eternal counsel) I believe there is sufficient evidence in the Bible to at least suggest He does. Is there, however, any indication that any particular "group" or "class" of people are universally included in God's election? Personally, I cannot find such evidence. And evidently, neither could the framers of the Westminster Confession of Faith. And so they wisely wrote in Chapter 10:

III. Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated, and saved by Christ, through the Spirit,[12] who worketh when, and where, and how he pleaseth:[13] so also are all other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.[14]

12. Gen. 17:7; Luke 1:15; 18:15-16; Acts 2:39; John 3:3, 5; I John 5:12
13. John 3:8
14. John 16:7-8; I John 5:12; Acts 4:12

The exact number of such infants and others incapable of being outwardly called is not revealed and therefore impossible to know. What we DO know are three irrefutable facts: 1) ALL are born in sin and have imputed to them the guilt of Adam's transgressions and inherit a corruption of nature. Thus we ALL are born children of wrath. 2) God has determined in eternity by His own immutable counsel that some of Adam's fallen race should be rescued from their just condemnation and redeemed in Christ. And, 3) The Judge of all the earth will surely do right. Thus not one individual will receive injustice at the hand of God. ALL will receive either the just punishment due, in themselves, or by God's perfect substitute, the Lamb of God Who suffered in behalf of all those whom the Father gave Him.

In His grace,