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MATTHEW XVIII, 1--6

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 22, 1861

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 18, No. 21.

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MATTHEW XVIII, 1--6

By James White

QUESTION. "Bro. White: Will you please explain Matt. xviii, 1--6, or whether all infants will be saved? H. C. H."
ANSWER. "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. 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."
We do not see that this scripture has any bearing on the subject of the salvation of all infants. Jesus wished to rebuke growing pride in the hearts of his disciples, who were cherishing unsanctified feelings as to who should be the greatest in the kingdom. He set a little child in the midst to illustrate before them the humility and simplicity of the truly converted.
It will be seen that the "little ones" of verse 6, are believers, therefore they are not infants. Our Lord leaves the figure with verse 4, and in verses 5, 6, calls truly converted souls "such little child," and "little ones which believe in me."
In regard to the salvation of infants, we consider it a very unprofitable subject. Those ministers who introduce such subjects among our brethren should know that their discussion can result in no possible good, and that in many cases it does much harm. What harm for mothers to believe that all infants will be saved? What good can result from telling the bereft mother that her child she followed to the grave when she was in unbelief will never be raised to life? Rather than to be unskilfully meddling with such a sensitive question, the judicious servant of his Lord's household will comfort the bereaved Rachels of this day with, "Thus saith the Lord, Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears; for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord, and they shall come again from the land of the enemy." Jer. xxxi, 16.