Dear Paul,<br><br>Judging by the text immediately before and after, I see no reason to assume that all those bringing their children were true believers. We know from back in verse 10:1, that "...multitudes were gathered to Him..." The conversation then is one between Jesus and the Pharasees. There is nothing to indicate that the "they" who brought little children to Him were all believers. We also know that in the verse immediately following Jesus' blessing the children, the next person to approach Him was certainly not a believer. that is seen in verse 22, "But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possesions." So, in the midst of the multitudes and sandwiched in between 2 conversations with those who we can be pretty certain weren't true followers, we are to assume that all who brought their children to Jesus were true believers. I suppose one can assume it if he wishes, afterall every Baptisim is an assumption of belief, but I see no clear cut evidence to support your contention in this part of Scripture. <br><br>Even if we grant the assumption that it was believers bringing their children to the Lord, there is nothing to indicate they were bringing them for reasons beyond temporal blessings. In chapter 9 Jesus had cast out a particularly obstinate deaf and dumb spirit from a man's son and after that as they came to Capernaum there is yet another incident of Jesus taking a child in His arms. Again no indication of who the child's parents were. My point being that in all these cases there is no mention of anyone asking Jesus to bless the children in an eternal sense. But it is Jesus Himself who turns the conversation directly to the Kingdom of God. <br><br>Let me again clarify--I do not believe that children who die are saved because of their innocence relative to other humans. And, I did not say I would open this portion of Scripture and state absolutely that all who die as children are saved. I did say, and still do, that this passage gives me a very high hope that all who die young are very likely to be elect. You can turn the Scriprure upside down, stand it on its head and shake it--but it is still our Lord and Savior who immediately after speaking of how one can only enter the Kingdom of God, then holds them in His arms and blesses them.<br><br>Stucco