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It is written:
1 Corinthians 14:20 (CEV)-My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people and be as innocent as tiny babies.
Years ago, there was a prominent religious teacher by the name of Augustine. He was a convert from a religious sect of the Gnostics. These people tried to combine elements of pagan religion with Christianity, and Augustine had been a member of the Manichaeans. Among other things, these people taught that babies are born as sinners, and that they are automatically condemned to Hell fire. As an example, listen to what Augustine said about babies after he converted to Roman Catholicism. Under the chapter, “Unbaptized Infants Dammed, But Most Lightly,” he writes:
“It may therefore be correctly affirmed, that such infants as quit the body without being baptized will be involved in the mildest condemnation of all. That person, therefore, greatly deceives both himself and others, who teaches that they will not be involved in condemnation; whereas the apostle says: Judgment from one offense to condemnation, [Romans 5: 16] and again a little after: By the offense of one upon all persons to condemnation. [Romans 5: 18]”. (St. Augustine, The Complete Works of Augustine (55 Books), 68889-68893 (Kindle Edition): Toronto, Ontario Canada: Public Works Domain)
Augustine says clearly that infants are dammed to Hell, and he misapplies Paul’s teaching in Romans 5 to try and make this case. In that passage, Paul talks about spiritual death passing on to every person who personally sins against God. He is not claiming that children are born with the sin of Adam, since the Bible is clear that children do not inherit sin (cf. Ezekiel 18:20; 28:15; Romans 7:9). Indeed, Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 14:20 is crystal clear that tiny babies are “innocent.” The Greek word used here, kakia, is used in the New Testament numerous times for moral evil and sin (cf. Acts 8:22; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:8; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; Titus 3:3; James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:1, 16). It denotes the idea of sinless innocence.
Could language be any clearer?
Children are sinlessly innocent!
Yet the teaching of Augustine was eventually embraced by John Calvin, and his adherents today follow in his footsteps. I remember when I was told by a Calvinist defender that there will be babies crawling around in Hell…and that they deserve to be there!
That is sick and twisted, and such does not in any way, shape, or form represent the truth of God’s Word on this matter.
Even though when we choose to sin we separate ourselves from God, He has loved us in sending His Son to be the Savior for all who will obey Him (Hebrews 5:8-9). Jesus died for us, was buried, and arose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). Believers in Him who repent and are baptized may be born again and saved from Hell (John 3:5; Acts 2:37-47). The churches of Christ stand ready to assist you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.