729. Those, however, who die in infancy or childhood, before reaching an age at which they can worthily approach the Holy Supper, are introduced into heaven by the Lord by means of baptism. For, as was shown in the chapter on this subject, baptism means being introduced into the Christian church, and at the same time being given a place among the Christians in the spiritual world. The church and heaven are there one. Consequently being introduced into the church means also into heaven. Those who die in childhood, being brought up under the Lord's guidance, are more and more regenerated and become His sons, for they know no other father.
Infants and children, however, who were born outside the Christian church are brought by other means than baptism into the heaven planned for their religion, once they have accepted faith in the Lord; but they are not allowed to mix with those who are in the Christian heaven. For there is no nation in the whole world which cannot be saved, if it acknowledges God and lives a good life. For the Lord has redeemed all of these, and man is by birth spiritual, a fact which gives him the ability to receive the gift of redemption. Those who receive the Lord, that is, who have faith in Him and do not lead wicked lives, are called 'sons of God' and 'born of God' (John 1:12, 13; 11:52); also ,sons of the kingdom' (Matt. 13:38), and also 'heirs' (Matt. 19:29; 25:34). The Lord's disciples are also called children (John 13:33) and so are all the angels (Job 1:6; 2:1).
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