False
Teachers Say…
INFANT BAPTISM WASHES AWAY SIN
The churches of Christ Greet You (Romans
16:16)
Out of the doctrine
of original sin came the tradition of infant baptism. According to
history, Tertullian
(155-223 A.D.) was the first to develop the doctrine of original sin.
He
taught that man shares in Adam's guilt, is unable to choose right, and
would
always be inclined to obey evil. Cyprian, as the bishop of Carthage
(248‑268), expanded upon this doctrine. He declared that infants having
committed no
actual sin, needed forgiveness for sin inherited from Adam. This was
carried
out in what is known today as "infant baptism." Cyprian was recorded as
the first to approve such a practice. This practice was not common or
generally accepted at this time. These views would naturally rise and
fall together.
Not until Augustine
(460), did this doctrine take a solid hold upon the religious world.
This alone
would not produce "infant baptism," but combined with "baptismal
regeneration,"
the idea began that baptism itself could take away sin. Faith,
repentance,
and confession of Christ were NOT necessary as being part of the Gospel
formula
(Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15‑16). Many, if not all, of the reformers coming
out
of Catholicism read Augustine's writings and were persuaded by them.
The truth is, children are not born sinful, but become sinful (Rom. 3:12; 9:11; Gen. 8:21). A child cannot inherit the sins of his father (Ezek. 18:20). David stated this truth about his son that passed away, "I shall go to him" (2 Sam. 12:23). Jesus said, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3). Infants rightly stated, cannot Believe, Confess, Repent, or be Baptized. It is clearly seen that children are safe and have no need of the Gospel. One day, however, obedience to the Gospel is required of all, for all will sin (Rom. 3:23; Acts 17:30‑31; 2 Thess. 1:6‑9).