It is Settled!

A series of lessons from the Bible

by Howell Lasseter

Original Sin

It was noted in last week's article that a denominational preacher taught, in a radio broadcast, that babies are born sinners. The denomination of which this man is a member exists in our area. Luke 18:15-17 records: "And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily, I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." In Mark 10:14, we learn that Jesus was "much displeased" with His disciples because they rebuked those who brought the children to Him. This event is also recorded in Matthew 19:13-15.

Almost without exception, every person and religious group that believes the Bible to be the Word of God, our guidebook to follow in order to be saved, teaches a person must believe in order to be saved. Which one of you reading this article believes or teaches one can be saved without believing that Christ is the Son of God? "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). Who can receive the reward spoken of in this verse? Those who diligently seek Him. Can a newborn child understand and know the will of God? Some are now teaching that is the reason a newborn is lost! Can one be lost without sinning? "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4).

If a child is born a sinner because he has, by inheritance, received the sin of Adam, why was not the child Jesus a sinner? In 1 John 3:5, we learn that "in him (Jesus) is no sin." Some teach Jesus did not receive the Adamic nature (that is, born with inherited sin from Adam) because God was His Father. It is often said that since David said he was conceived in sin, that proves man inherited the sin of Adam; yet, Jesus did not because God was His Father. Notice what David actually said: "...and in sin did my mother conceive me." Some also teach that, although Mary, the mother of Jesus, was born of man and woman just like all of us, she did not sin. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;..." What is sin? First John 3:4 clearly spells it out: it is the transgression of the law. One unable to know and understand the law (as a little child cannot) is not a sinner. When a child matures to the point he can know right from wrong, and does wrong, he sins. As every man shall "bear his own burden" (Galatians 6:5), so shall every man be accountable for his own sin (Romans 14:10-12). Under the law of Moses, a child did not keep the feast days until he was 12 years of age. Question: were all the babies whom Pharaoh and Herod had killed lost? No!