On claim of ‘void baptism’

In another misinformed article, Mr. Chito Germino claims that original sin does not exist, and that infant baptisms are void. He further claims that there are no biblical proofs of these two beliefs. But the evidence against his claim is overwhelming.

On original sin, it can be clearly seen from our human nature that we have a certain attraction to wrongdoing because of our fallen humanity. This is one of the results of the sin of our first parents, that our will is weakened and that we fall easily. It says in Psalm 51:5, “For behold I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me.”

Letter to the Romans describes Adam’s first sin and how through it, death entered the world. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:13)

With regards to infant baptism, it necessarily follows that since we have been born with original sin, we need to be cleansed of it as soon as possible. Remember, Jesus said at the end of the Gospel of Mark, that “whoever believes and is baptized will be saved”.

In the Acts of the Apostles, at least twice it is mentioned that a recent convert to Christianity was baptized “along with his entire family”. That family surely includes children, some could be below the age of reason. “And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.” (Acts 16:33)

Contrary to Germino’s claims, both biblical and logical evidence point to the reality of original sin, and the validity of infant baptism. -Gerard Biagan