In the Scriptures, children often symbolize purity, innocence, and the qualities of the regenerated believer. The Bible frequently uses the imagery of children to illustrate the characteristics and attitudes that are esteemed in the kingdom of God.

Humility and Dependence

One of the most prominent teachings of Jesus regarding children is found in the Gospel of Matthew. When the disciples asked Jesus about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, He called a little child to Him and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3-4). Here, children symbolize the humility and dependence that are essential for spiritual regeneration. Just as children rely on their parents for sustenance and guidance, believers are called to depend wholly on God.

Innocence and Purity

Children are often seen as symbols of innocence and purity, qualities that are restored in the believer through regeneration. In the Psalms, David writes, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). This plea for a pure heart reflects the childlike purity that is a hallmark of the regenerated life. The innocence of children serves as a reminder of the purity that believers are called to pursue through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Faith and Trust

The faith and trust of children are also emblematic of the regenerated believer's relationship with God. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus emphasizes the importance of childlike faith: "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it" (Mark 10:15). This passage highlights the necessity of a simple, trusting faith that is characteristic of children. Such faith is foundational to the believer's walk with God, reflecting a heart that is open and receptive to His will.

Teachability and Growth

Children are naturally teachable and open to learning, symbolizing the attitude of the regenerated believer who is eager to grow in the knowledge of God. The Apostle Peter exhorts believers, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation" (1 Peter 2:2). This metaphor of spiritual infancy underscores the importance of a teachable spirit and a desire for growth in the life of the believer.

Heirs of the Kingdom

Finally, children are often depicted as heirs, symbolizing the believer's inheritance in the kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul writes, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:16-17). This passage affirms the believer's status as a child of God, with all the rights and privileges that accompany this divine adoption.

In summary, the symbolism of children in the Bible serves as a profound illustration of the qualities and attitudes that characterize the regenerated believer. Through humility, innocence, faith, teachability, and the promise of inheritance, children exemplify the transformative work of God in the life of those who are born again.Matthew 18:2-6
And Jesus called a little child to him, and set him in the middle of them,
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Mark 9:36,37
And he took a child, and set him in the middle of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said to them,
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Mark 10:15
Truly I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
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Luke 9:46-48
Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
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'Three Tabernacles'
... true 'glory of God' is neither some symbolical flashing light ... there I will meet with
the children of Israel ... which we dwell, it, in some regenerated form, shall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/three tabernacles.htm

Footnotes
... this case one that is entirely symbolical.""NEANDER. ... now owned and welcomed""the
children of Zion ... name of the Lord!" As the regenerated children of Abraham ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/footnotes.htm

Anti-Methodistic Attitude.
... writes to the Galatians: 'Ye are all children of God ... of the Augsburg Confession,
with the Symbolical Books of ... that, since they seek to be regenerated by their ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/anti-methodistic attitude.htm

Value and Use of Creeds.
... especial use in the instruction of children, and facilitate ... The whole authority and
use of symbolical books has ... churches may be revived and regenerated by the ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 4 value and use.htm

Zwingli's Distinctive Doctrines.
... or not, and assumes that they are regenerated before their ... ages of mankind, who held
up little children to his ... authority, does not admit of symbolical statement ...
/.../ 52 zwinglis distinctive doctrines.htm

Nicodemus.
... baptism with water was of course symbolical; that is ... children spiritual life and
make them children of God. ... The whole character is regenerated, so that the man ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/vii nicodemus.htm

The Interpretation of the Articles.
... all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated (Acts 8:13 ... was the special friend
of children, and declared ... in 1552, and acquired semi-symbolical authority in ...
/.../ 81 the interpretation of.htm

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... consequent right of improvement in symbolical statements of ... We are internally
regenerated by the Holy Ghost ... We condemn those who deny that children of believers ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

The Lutheran and Reformed Confessions.
... grace, teach"the one only a symbolical, the other ... Catholic Church reformed of abuses,
or regenerated by the ... swallow, like Saturn his own children.' He never ...
/.../ 39 the lutheran and.htm

Articuli visitatorii.
... are taken from M?�ller's edition of the Symbolical Books of ... by nature, all of us are
children of divine ... That the elected and regenerated can not lose faith and ...
/.../the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/articuli visitatorii.htm

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