SOME THINGS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER – 2
Are Babies Born In Sin? Are We Saved By Water? Should I Be Worried? Now That I Am A Christian, What Am I To Do?
ARE BABIES BORN IN SIN?
“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5, KJV).
Loved ones, the Bible does not teach, as some allege, that babies are born in sin. The idea that we all inherit the guilt of Adam's sin and are thus born lost is a tragic and false doctrine. The New Testament offers a plan of salvation through Christ, but not a word of it applies to how babies can be saved. The reason is that babies are SAFE. They are not in sin and, therefore, do not need to be saved. If a baby dies, we should have no doubt that he or she is now awaiting our arrival in glory.
The verse most commonly used in proposing that babies are “born in sin” (the technical term for this is "total hereditary depravity") is our above text - Psalm 51:5. Please observe that David was speaking about his mother, and not himself! The one who was in sin was his mother! Someone recently explain this point in this way: "It would be like saying, in drunkenness did my father beat me.” The one who was drunken was not the son, but the father.
What, then, was the sin of David's mother? We are not told. And yet, there is an interesting possibility which will challenge the thoughts of anyone who has seriously considered this passage in Psalm 51. When we go back to Deuteronomy 23:2, we read, “A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the Lord.” This statement did not mean that these generations could not be in a right relationship with God, but there was, nonetheless, a cloud which hung over them. They could not be viewed with the full privileges of Israelites without this penalty.
Did you know that David was in such a line of ten generations? In Genesis 38 we read of the sinful relationship between Judah and Thamar. From their fornication, twin sons were born, Phares and Zara. David was a direct descendant of Phares. In fact, David was the tenth generation! Here is the genealogy: "1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 and Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5 and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 and Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias” (Matthew 1:1-6).
It cannot be proven that this is what David had in mind when he made his statement in Psalm 51 and yet it raises an interesting possibility. What we must remember, as we study the Bible with our friends, is that babies are not born in sin. Ezekiel, the prophet, teaches that each of us must bear the guilt only of our own sins: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezekiel 18:20).
Note further that David did not believe that babies were born in sin. Upon hearing that Bathsheba's son had died, David said, “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). One can hardly surmise that David had reference to his baby being in torment.
Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." If these little children came into this world with sin, Jesus would not encourage us to be like them in order to enter heaven's kingdom. Babies are not born in sin, for the Bible plainly says “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21), NOT as a baby. Babies are born free from sin.
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ARE WE SAVED BY WATER?
“20 which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:20-21).
Loved ones, in the course of a sermon emphasizing the necessity of being baptized, a gospel preacher said, "Of course, baptism doesn't save you." Considering his context, what he meant was true. Water is not magical and the act of baptism is not meritorious. It is best to take care, however, not to make a statement that directly contradicts a Bible statement. "Baptism doesn't save us?" The Bible says, "Baptism now saves us" (1 Peter 3:21). Peter is comparing baptism to what happened to Noah and his family in the days of the flood. At that time, Peter says, "Eight souls were saved by water.
I was somewhat startled the first time I really thought about being “saved by water.” I thought, "Weren't they saved by the ark, from the water?" God's concern, however, was not with saving Noah from the water. He sent the water. God willed to save Noah from the corrupt, violent, sin-filled world. The water destroyed the wickedness, lifted Noah and his family above it, and set them back down on a cleansed and renewed earth. "Eight souls were saved by water.”
Corresponding to that, Peter says, “Baptism doth also now save us.” Interestingly Peter, in making his statement, qualifies it the same two ways as the aforementioned preacher. There is no magic in the water. Baptism saves us "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” As Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we are raised with Him in baptism, by the same power with which God raised Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12).
Those who believe that people are saved by grace and through faith ALONE see baptism as "baptismal regeneration.” The truth is that baptism has no efficacy without regard to faith on the part of the one being baptized. Baptism is the way we seek a good conscience from God (1 Peter 3:21). When we "obey from the heart," we are made free from sin (Romans 6:17). Baptism is faith in action. Baptism's significance is its reenactment in us of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for our sins. Baptism's power is Christ's resurrection. With those qualifications understood, baptism does save us.
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SHOULD I BE WORRIED?
“25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on… 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?... 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matthew 6:25, 31, 34, KJV).
Loved ones, the Scriptures contain oft-repeated admonitions not to worry (cf. Luke 12:22-31). Jesus pointedly told His disciples that they were not to have an anxious mind relying instead on God's providence. They were given this warning even as it relates to physical necessities like food and clothing. Unfortunately, anxiety seems to be a hallmark of the human condition. You would likely have more success in telling an English bulldog not to drool, than getting an adult American not to worry. If somehow the life you have led has been so sheltered as to permit you to largely avoid worry, then be grateful, but not too judgmental. Your own stoic resolve may yet be tested by an anxiety-producing event, such as having your child deployed to a war zone.
I believe it is very important that we correctly interpret all that the Bible has to say about worry. I know some Christians who have, by way of cruel paradox, become "worried" that they might worry too much (an excellent example of a self-fulfilling prophecy). Others gravitate to the opposite extreme, where irresponsibility often masquerades as a worry-free attitude. The Bible guides us toward a path between these extremes.
First, note that there are some circumstances that warrant a level of anxiety. Jesus, being human as well as divine, exhibited some appropriate concern at times. In Gethsemane, we see clearly the dread Jesus had of His impending ordeal (Matthew 26:38-44). In the prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17 we find evidence of His concern for the disciples once He returned to heaven (v. 15).
Notice that the Scriptures specifically instruct us to maintain a prudent level of concern in some situations. In Mark 13:32-37 we are told with emphasis to be watchful and alert for the coming of the Lord. In Luke 10:2 and again in John 4:35 Jesus conveys a strong sense of urgency concerning the harvest of souls. We are also told to give due diligence in tending to our needs and those of our dependents (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 5:8).
Additionally, we are counseled in Proverbs 22:3 to be aware of potential problems and prepare for them. One might argue that those are not really examples of anxiety or worry. However, we must remember that the line between prudent concern and outright worry is at best a very fine one, and quite possibly only a matter of semantics. A better course is for us to prioritize our "concerns," and we are given good advice on this in Luke 10:38-42. Martha shouldered the burden of responsibility as she extended hospitality to Jesus, a noble sacrifice by any standard. Mary, however, did not intend to miss this opportunity to hear the words of life from Jesus. Jesus gave His approval to Mary's prioritization. Concerns about the kingdom of God should be our priority as well. "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).
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NOW THAT I AM A CHRISTIAN, WHAT AM I TO DO?
1. Walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4).
2. Desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow (1 Peter 2:1-2).
3. Seek the things that are above (Colossians 3:1-2).
4. Wear the name “Christian” responsibly (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16).
5. Add the Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5-11).
6. Attend and worship God faithfully (John 4:24; Hebrews 10:25).
7. Give as you have been prospered (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
8 . Edify (the act of building up) the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:12).
9. Tell others about the Savior (Acts 8:4).
10. Do not forsake the Lord (2 Timothy 4:10).
11. Continue steadfastly (Acts 2:42).
12. Be faithful unto death (Revelation 2: 10).
The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35). Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA – 30 July 2026.