I agree that there is no set age of accountability – if for no other reason than that there are people who are what is often called retarded (i.e., who remain under the care of their parents to what would normally be an advanced age).

Anyway, my take on this Biblically, is that as long as one dwells in their Father’s (or Mother’s hosue depending on circumstances), that person is under the protection of the head of the house – and is covered by their ultimate Faith.

As examples, I would put forth the Exodus story whereby the Angel of Death “Passed Over” everyone in the house who had put the blood of the lamb on their door lentels. There is also the story of Jericho where God spared everone in the house of Rahab.

In this way everyone in the world stands condemed – who is not a Beleiver – or under the authority of one who is, or at least will be before they die.

Thus, I beleive that the children of pagans – who die in infancy – are Biblically condemend, while those under the authority of Believers are saved.

In the case of my Nephew, his father was not a Beleiver when his son died, but has since given his life to Christ. In this way, I believe he was able to also save his son eternally.

If one say that all babies – even those of pagans – are saved if they die in infancy, then one could actually come to the conclusion that it would be an eternallly good thing for someone to murder them all when they are born. This, of course is totally un-biblical.

My observation of anyone still under the authority of there parents being covered by their belief allows for the saving of Christian infants – without a break down in logic.

It would also appear to be quite biblical, since the Angel of Death does pass over those in the houses of Exodus and Jericho who’s head was a Believer.

I would also point out the Angel of Death did not pass over the infants – of any age – of the Egyptian pagans.

TG

Deuteronomy 1:39
Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.

Isaiah 7:16
For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

Numbers 14:29
Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,

Exodus 30:14
Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.

Numbers 1:3
From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

Numbers 26:2
Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers’ house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.

Exodus 30:14-16 Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.

I think Nate and J-Mac’s point can be clearly seen in the Titus 3:4-7 passage they cited (emphasis mine): “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that HAVING BEEN JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

???????