The Fall of man

Adam, God's highest creature, walked with Him in knowledge, righteousness and holiness. But :-

• Adam fell

  • "rationalism" denies this completely.

  • "neo-orthodoxy" teaches that man is fallen, but does not take Genesis 3 as it stands.

  • but there is no doubt that Genesis 3 is a literal and historic record. Romans 5 vs 12-21

  • Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit.

  • they were seduced to this by the subtlety and temptation of Satan.

  • God permitted this, having ordered it for His own glory. Romans 11 vs 36.

  • the results of this first sin were that :-

  • they lost communion with God. Gen 3 vs 8,24.

  • they lost their original righteousness. Gen 3 vs 11
    - they become dead in sin, and wholly defiled - a defilement which polluted all their faculties of soul and body. Gen 2 vs 17, 6 vs 5, (total depravity - poison in the glass of water).

• We fell

  • Adam was a 'public person', and represented the whole human race (Federal principle; head of family; president of country).

  • our character and destiny depend upon his conduct.

  • this is proved by the use of his name - Adam - the man.

  • everything God commanded, promised or threatened him related as much to his descendants as to himself personally (cursed earth; death; pain in child bearing etc.) Gen 3 vs 16-19.

  • it is the clear teaching of the New Testament. Romans 5 vs 12-21.

  • so the guilt of Adam's sin is laid to the account (imputed) of all his natural descendants. Rom 5 vs 12-21.

  • they have the same corrupt nature. Psalm 51 vs 5.

  • we are born sinners - and this explains why we sin - Mark 7 vs 20-23 (measles and spots).

• We are guilty; and under God's wrath and curse

  • God requires us to be holy, as well as to act justly. 1 Peter 1 vs 16.

  • we are not - and so we are sinners. 1 John 3 vs 4.

  • sin is said to 'reign' and have 'dominion' over us - we are its servants. Rom 6 vs 12-17. Eph 4 vs 18-19.

  • we are, by nature, 'children of wrath'. Eph 2 vs 3.

  • even in this life, God's curse upon us is evident. Gen 3 vs 16-19, Rom 1 vs 18-32.

  • and this is to be followed by eternal miseries. 2 Thess 1 vs 8-9, Rev 20 vs 11-15.

• But......."I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" Romans 1 vs 16-17.