Recently, on the Internet, was a "statement of faith" of a certain denomination, and the "'OFFICIAL' doctrinal statement for the International Bible Conference."
Was this organization built by God or man? The history of this denomination cannot be traced by the scientific method, further back than the year 1611. Therefore, it becomes necessary to search the scriptures to see if it is the same organization that was established in A.D. 33, as recorded in Acts chapter two. The Psalmist states: "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it..."(Psa. 127:1). The beloved John instructs us to "...believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). Paul says we are to "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (I Thes. 5:21). It is the intent of these articles to "try" what has been said to see "whether they be of God."
We read in Sec.G. Fall of Man. "Man deliberately chose to rebel against God through his fall in Eden. Everyone is born a sinner [eph. mine DHN] and is a sinner by choice..." That is a contradictory statement. Either man is born a sinner or he is a sinner by choice. He cannot be both at the same time. The idea that "everyone is born a sinner" is the doctrine of "hereditary total depravity." That is the teaching that from Adam onward, all mankind has inherited the guilt of the first man's original sin, hence, we come to the world totally depraved or completely wicked. This idea is not found in the Bible. The soul of man is not inherited; it is created directly from God. "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (Eccl 12:7). It is universally acknowledged that acquired characteristics are not inherited. Sin is an acquired trait. Adam certainly did not inherit his sin from God! Thus, sin is not inherited.
We do not inherit the guilt of Adam's sin but we do inherit the consequences of his sin. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed unto all men, for all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12). The term "and so" is an adverb of manner. As Adam sinned, we sin. Note the statement, "for all have sinned." Sin is not inherited, for the Scriptures plainly says that "the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father" (Eze. 18:20).
The Bible does not view little children as totally corrupt sinners. On the contrary, they are held up as models for those who have a desire to enter the kingdom. "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3; 19:14). If children are born totally depraved, the Lord should have said "Except ye be converted and become as little totally depraved children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." Who could believe?
When Paul stated: "and were by nature the children of wrath"(Eph.2:3), he was not saying that we are born sinners. Verse one says they "were dead in trespasses and sins," not in what they inherited. The term "nature" can denote that which is practiced as habit (Rom. 2:14). The context in Eph. 2 plainly teaches such. The doctrine of hereditary depravity is clearly contrary to Scriptures.
"If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11).
Don H. Noblin
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