Can Babies Believe?

[Josiah]

Luke 1:41


"And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit"

John clearly had faith even before birth.



Psalm 22:9-10


"Yet You are he who took me from the womb;
You made me trust You at my mother's breasts.
On You was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother's womb You have been my God."

In this Psalm, David discusses his faith, and in doing so references the fact that he had faith at a time when he was still nursing. How is this possible? The answer is just as clear, "you made me trust you." In Reformation theology, faith is a gift of God. It is not a human achievement, not something that one chooses out of a free will. If this were so, then infant faith would be impossible. But according to a monergistic scheme, faith is a divine gift, a divine work through the operation of the Holy Spirit. This being the case, why is it not possible that God could do such a work for an infant?



Matthew 18:1-6


"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a little child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."

This text demonstrates that children can and do believe at a young age. The greek term used here "παιδία" usually has reference to an infant or young child.

There is a parallel text in Luke 18:15-17

"Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child shall not enter it.”

This text is significant because it uses the term "βρέφη" which refers to infants rather to children in general. Jesus plainly admits in this text that infants can obtain the kingdom of God. How does one obtain the kingdom of God? Through faith. If children cannot be given faith, then they cannot enter the Kingdom of God and yet Jesus says....

Some might argue that this is an invalid argument because the point Jesus is making is not about infant faith and salvation, but about humility. He is using a child merely as an illustration. Even if this is the case, this does not negate the fact that the illustration is real. Even is he is primarily making the point that becoming like a child is necessary to enter the kingdom, this is only the case because children indeed do have faith. He says that "to such belongs the kingdom of God." This includes both infants and those who approach God with faith.

Similarly, Mark 10:13-16

"And they were bringing little children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them."

Thus it is apparent that infants can have faith. There are numerous examples of this such as in the case of John the Baptist and David. This is clear due to the nature of faith as a gift. If faith as a divine act of the Spirit, surely it can be applied to infants. Finally, this is demonstrated by the fact that Jesus says that infants and small children can have faith and enter the kingdom of God.


Now, it is unlikely that John the Baptist before he was born or the "παιδία" (infants) Jesus speaks of could chant some litany of repentance or the Sinner's Prayer but this doesn't seem to render God impotent to give the gift of faith.



- Josiah



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[atpollard]

I think it likely that some babies can believe. (Certainly GOD’s arm is not short.)

Do ALL babies believe? (If So, then what does that say about Romans 3:10-11? Are the Arminians correct?)

Can ANY baby obey the command of the Holy Spirit given through the Apostle Peter in Acts 2:38 NASB (Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.)?

These are the questions that concern me from a theological perspective.

 

[Josiah]

Do ALL babies believe?

I doubt it.

I kind of think of Exodus 11-12. Were ALL the first born saved from the Angel of Death? It seems not. Only those for whom the lamb was sacrificed and the blood placed on the doorpost.... Adults were to do something, a something through which God worked so that the Angel passed over their first born....

Can ANY baby obey the command of the Holy Spirit

None can. Not an unbelieving infant, not an unbelieving adult. A dead person can't do anything. God is the GIVER of life (according to Scripture, the Council of Orange, the Creed) - not the Offerer of Life.


A blessed Lenten season to all....


- Josiah





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[NewCreation435]

I hardly think you can take and apply John the Baptist moving in the womb to all babies in all situations. He was a forerunner of Christ and not the typical believer.

 

[Josiah]

I hardly think you can take and apply John the Baptist moving in the womb to all babies in all situations. He was a forerunner of Christ and not the typical believer.

This thread is not "Do ALL children believe?"

We seem to agree that God gave faith to John while he was still in his mother's womb. I think that conclusively shows God is able to do that, that faith is not something that God can only give to one over a certain age and IQ, etc., etc.

And of course, we also have the example of David in Psalm 22.

 

[Krissy Cakes]

I personally believes babies can't believe as they are not old enough to understand.

 

[Josiah]

I personally believes babies can't believe as they are not old enough to understand.

So, God is unable to give faith to those "not old enough to understand?" So, how did God give faith to John the Baptist when he was still in the womb of his mother? How did God give faith to David from the time of his birth? What about Jesus who speaks of "the infants who believe in me?" Do you think that people from before birth or at birth are old enough to understand?

 

[Krissy Cakes]

So, God is unable to give faith to those "not old enough to understand?" So, how did God give faith to John the Baptist when he was still in the womb of his mother? How did God give faith to David from the time of his birth? What about Jesus who speaks of "the infants who believe in me?" Do you think that people from before birth or at birth are old enough to understand?

Was he (John the Baptist) the only one he did this too? If so then it was a special case.

 

[atpollard]

We seem to agree that God gave faith to John while he was still in his mother's womb.

Technically, all the pre-birth John proves is that the Holy Spirit can work on a baby and make it jump ... it was Elizabeth who was filled with the Holy Spirit in that verse. Later John states that he would only recognize the Messiah by a sign God foretold him ... where was that knowledge/faith/belief from pre-birth?

I think that conclusively shows God is able to do that, that faith is not something that God can only give to one over a certain age and IQ, etc., etc.

I think that the definition of GOD means He can do anything except violate his nature. So questions about what God can do are sort of pointless. Now what does God choose to do?
Does God choose to give faith to those under "a certain age and IQ, etc."? Probably, but he doesn't specifically say anything about it in scripture or consult with me on the issue.

He does say "For He says to Moses, 'I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.' So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy." (Romans 9:15-16 NASB).

 

[Josiah]

In classical theology, there is at times a distinction made between "belief" and "faith." I think the distinction is very biblical but it is true that the words are used virtually interchangably in the NT.

"Belief" This in classical theology refers to the cognative, mental understanding of truth/doctrine. The devil believes, the Bible says.... in other words, the devil knows what is true. This can mean more, too - the intellectual affirmation of it, such as "I believe the world is sorta round." This is a mental, cognative, intellectual thing.... and clearly, a certain level of education and intellect is necessary. Sometimes the words "believe" and "faith/trust" refer to this. But this does not save (or the devil would be a Christian headed for heaven). Many Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Atheists congnatively understand the points of Christianity - it doens't mean ergo they are saved.

"Faith/Trust" This in classic theology refers to trust (what the word literally means). While it MAY be related to understanding, it often is not. One may board an airplane and not cognatively fully undestand how planes fly..... one may take a medication and not cognatively understand how the biochemistry works in it..... one may cross a bridge and not fully understand the engineering.... a baby may suck at her mother's breast and not cognatively know much about the mother or the biochemistry of the milk.... a baby a sleep in the arms of her grandmother and understand nothing about grandma or the potential dangers..... one may eat a Filet-0-Fish sandwich and know NOTHING about the ingredients of said sandwich or the ways it was prepared or the healthiness of the restaurant. Trust means to actively rely on something. It is generally accepted that babies can rely on people/things. Even without cognative, intellectual understanding and the articulation thereof. This is what the Bible refers to as saving.... Could John the Baptist still in his mother's womb explain to you in accurate articulations how God is One but also Three? How Jesus is both 100% God and 100% man but only 100%? Probably not. Can infants trust/rely? Yup. Understanding doesn't save (the devil has that; a Muslim with a Ph.D. in religion probably understands a lot more about Christianity than most Christians), faith does..... Active relying.... A baby can trust Mom without even known it's mom..... Grandma without even knowing it is grandma..... One can travel by airplane without EVER knowing how that thing can possibly fly.

The Bible says that NO ONE can even say 'Jesus is Lord' (have faith) UNLESS the Holy Spirit grants it. The Bible refers to saving faith a "the gift of God." So, the question is this: Is God incapable of giving faith to one under a certain age? Since we know God gave faith to David from his birth and to John when he was still in the womb, IF there is an age where God is thus rendered impotent to give faith, it must be pretty young.

 

[Josiah]

Was he (John the Baptist) the only one he did this too? If so then it was a special case.

Well, there is David (see the opening post) who believed in God "from birth."

And there is Jesus who speaks of "these infants who believe in me."


I'm not proposing that God gives faith to ALL children.... I don't think that's likely (and no Scripture states that). The issue is if He can - or if God is impotent to do that until a person reaches a certain age and/or IQ and/or educational and cognative level. I think EVERY case of one being given faith is "a special case" - indeed, a divine miracle.


Your point, friend, seemed to be that faith cannot be granted unless "one is old enough to understand." Thus, my question: What age is that? Especially since John believed before he was born, David believed at his birth, Jesus speaks of "the infants who believe in me." Seems to me that "old enough" must be quite young. Do you disagree? I also believe EVERY one of them (indeed EVERY believer of any age!) is a miracle, a "special case."

 

[Josiah]

Does God choose to give faith to those under "a certain age and IQ, etc."? Probably, but he doesn't specifically say anything about it in scripture

See the Scriptures noted in the opening post. I think it's hard to read Psalm 22 and deny that God is ABLE to give faith to infants.... and indeed that He DOES at least to some. I think Jesus' frequent declaration of "the infants who believe in me" also are cases where God specificially says something about this.

He does say "For He says to Moses, 'I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.' So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy." (Romans 9:15-16 NASB).

Seems good. Thus, you too disagree that God cannot give faith to those who likely don't cognatively understand, those who likely did not FIRST proclaim some litany of repentance or "the Sinner's Prayer" or be able to pass some informational examination. And so, it's no surprise that John would believe before he was born..... David from the time of his birth..... and all those people Jesus so often referred to, the "infants who believe in me."



Thank you.



- Josiah

 

[Lamb]

Can babies believe? Yes! Scriptures state it is true as is pointed out in the OP.

WHY can babies believe is a question that should be asked...Answer, because God gives them faith to believe.

Do all babies believe is a question I see floating in the thread...Answer, no.

HOW do babies get faith is another question that should be asked...Answer, the same way any of us get faith, by God's word. The Jews did not keep their babies from hearing the scriptures passed down to them. God can just as easily work faith in an infant as He can a stubborn adult with a life of sinful experiences under his belt.

 

[Krissy Cakes]

If babies can believe then why not ALL of them?

 

[Lamb]

If babies can believe then why not ALL of them?

Wouldn't it have to do with God's will and according to His timing?

 

[Krissy Cakes]

Can babies believe? Yes! Scriptures state it is true as is pointed out in the OP.

WHY can babies believe is a question that should be asked...Answer, because God gives them faith to believe.

Do all babies believe is a question I see floating in the thread...Answer, no.

HOW do babies get faith is another question that should be asked...Answer, the same way any of us get faith, by God's word. The Jews did not keep their babies from hearing the scriptures passed down to them. God can just as easily work faith in an infant as He can a stubborn adult with a life of sinful experiences under his belt.

I do believe babies listen to there parents so if you are reading the bible to babies/kids they maybe able to understand it. Just need to be consistent.

 

[Krissy Cakes]

Wouldn't it have to do with God's will and according to His timing?

Of course

 

[Lamb]

I do believe babies listen to there parents so if you are reading the bible to babies/kids they maybe able to understand it. Just need to be consistent.

Faith goes beyond understanding in a way we don't really know since God's Word is alive and active. Of course God wants us to understand which is why Jesus told the disciples to teach. God wants us to know how He saves us.

 

[Josiah]

If babies can believe then why not ALL of them?

No baby can believe (the bible says that NO ONE can - not a baby still in the womb, not a 45 year old man with an IQ of 220 and 5 Ph.D.'s who has memorized the entire Bible. NO ONE CAN. Which is why the Bible says that faith is "the gift of God." The question here is, can God give this gift to those under the age and IQ of "X"? Well.... God seems to answer that, IMO. It speaks of John the Baptist believing before he was born, it declares that David believed from the time of his birth, Jesus proclaims often that there are "these infants who believe in me."

 

[Andrew]

We should ask a baby what it thinks about it...