The Doctrine of Salvation
How
"Righteousness by Faith"
Really Works
"Righteousness by Faith"
Really Works
Part A:
What is Sin
What is Sin
Lesson 4:
What about Original Sin?
(10:43)
What about Original Sin?
(10:43)
Lesson 4
Slideshow Transcript
Slideshow Transcript
If the Bible does not teach that we are sinners by nature, condemned and lost because we are born in a world of sin, why has Original Sin become the majority belief among Catholic and Protestant Christians?
As is true for most errors in doctrine, there are some texts which seem to support the doctrine of Original Sin. This final lesson 0f Part A will look at these texts, to see if they really teach that we are born guilty and condemned.
As is true for most errors in doctrine, there are some texts which seem to support the doctrine of Original Sin. This final lesson 0f Part A will look at these texts, to see if they really teach that we are born guilty and condemned.
What does "in sin" mean?
- Psalm 51:5 - Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Does this text say we are born guilty and condemned?
Yes No
Yes No
Notice that David does not say that he was a sinner from birth. Some Bible versions say this, but that is a theological interpretation rather than a correct translation.
Where else could David have been born except in iniquity and sin? His mother and father were sinners, and he was born in pain because of the sin of Adam and Eve. David was born in a sinful world to sinful parents.
If a child was born into a family of thieves, where thievery was practiced and taught by the parents, he would be born in thievery. Would this make him a thief? Likewise, to be born in sin does not automatically constitute one a guilty and condemned sinner. Although, it does mean that one's circumstances from birth are extremely undesirable, and that one is most likely to end up a sinner.
Where else could David have been born except in iniquity and sin? His mother and father were sinners, and he was born in pain because of the sin of Adam and Eve. David was born in a sinful world to sinful parents.
If a child was born into a family of thieves, where thievery was practiced and taught by the parents, he would be born in thievery. Would this make him a thief? Likewise, to be born in sin does not automatically constitute one a guilty and condemned sinner. Although, it does mean that one's circumstances from birth are extremely undesirable, and that one is most likely to end up a sinner.
Are we "children of wrath" ?
- Ephesians 2:3 - ...and were by nature the children of wrath.
Does this text say we are born guilty and condemned?
Yes No
Yes No
This text clearly says that our fallen natures deserve nothing but wrath. Our fallen natures are not righteous, and the only just response to our sinful natures is destruction. Our inheritance from Adam is definitely not good. We need to search the Scriptures a bit more for a solution.
Are we born condemned?
- Romans 5:18a - Therefore as by (Because of) the offence (sin) of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation.
Does this text seem to say that all men are condemned?
Yes No
Yes No
This first part of the text (v18a) states rather unequivocally that all men are condemned because of Adam's sin. This is exactly what the text says. Once again, we need to search the Scriptures a bit more.
There are some rather unique texts in the New Testament which speak of Christ's work for the whole race of mankind. Following are a few of them.
There are some rather unique texts in the New Testament which speak of Christ's work for the whole race of mankind. Following are a few of them.
Did Christ die for all men?
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 - If one died for all, then were all dead.
A. Christ died for just the righteous.
B. Christ died for all.
B. Christ died for all.
In a very important sense Christ's death affected all human beings. That includes Adam and Eve, and it even includes Cain and Hitler. In some way, all were dead (spiritually) because of the atonement of Christ.
What other texts say similar things?
- 1 Timothy 4:10 - ...who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
- 1 John 2:2 - And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
- 2 Corinthians 5:19 - God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.
Christ's redeeming work includes not only the sins of those who believe in Christ and have repented, but He has done something for all the sins that have ever been committed. The work of the atonement was a work of reconciliation -- a removing of barriers to fellowship and love.
In other words, there were no hindrances on God's part to man's restoration to Edenic (pre-fall) unity and harmony between God and humans. Now, the only barrier would be on man's part, if he refused to accept what Christ had done for him.
In other words, there were no hindrances on God's part to man's restoration to Edenic (pre-fall) unity and harmony between God and humans. Now, the only barrier would be on man's part, if he refused to accept what Christ had done for him.
What do all men receive from Christ?
- Romans 5:18a-18b - (a) Therefore as by (Because of) the offence (sin) of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation, (b) even so (in the same way) by the righteousness (right-doing, obedience) of one (Jesus Christ) the free gift (forgiveness) came upon all men unto justification of life (salvation).
Returning to the text above (v18a-b) which speaks most clearly of the damage Adam did to the human race, but this time, we read the entire verse. How many were condemned because of Adam's sin? All men. What about those who have never even heard of Adam and who have never heard of the Biblical record of creation and the fall? Are they still born under condemnation? All men -- the entire human race -- were legally destroyed by Adam's sin. Irrespective of knowledge or choice, every human being was doomed by Adam's rebellion, as a result of his sin.
But is this the whole story? No! Right in the same single verse we have the complete picture. Not only were all men affected by Adam's sin, but all men were also affected by Christ's perfect life and sacrificial death.
The same "all men" who were doomed by Adam's sin were freed from condemnation by Christ's righteousness.
To put it simply, what Adam did to the human race, Christ undid for the same human race. But what about those who have never heard of Christ and the Biblical record of the atonement? Do they still receive the free gift? All men -- the entire human race -- were legally reconciled to God by Christ's life and death. Irrespective of knowledge or choice, every human being was reconciled to God by Christ's atonement.
The word "justification" in this verse has the meaning of "acquittal," being cleared of the charges brought against one. In Romans 5 all mankind is acquitted of the correct charge of rebellion, which has been brought against the whole human race. In other words, the race -- and each individual in the race -- is no longer under condemnation.
Corporate condemnation through Adam is cancelled by corporate acquittal through Christ. Although our condemnation has been cancelled, we each still suffer under many of the curses of sin, because of Adam's “original sin,” one of the curses being our inherited fallen nature, but this does not constitute guilt, separation, or condemnation.
But is this the whole story? No! Right in the same single verse we have the complete picture. Not only were all men affected by Adam's sin, but all men were also affected by Christ's perfect life and sacrificial death.
The same "all men" who were doomed by Adam's sin were freed from condemnation by Christ's righteousness.
To put it simply, what Adam did to the human race, Christ undid for the same human race. But what about those who have never heard of Christ and the Biblical record of the atonement? Do they still receive the free gift? All men -- the entire human race -- were legally reconciled to God by Christ's life and death. Irrespective of knowledge or choice, every human being was reconciled to God by Christ's atonement.
The word "justification" in this verse has the meaning of "acquittal," being cleared of the charges brought against one. In Romans 5 all mankind is acquitted of the correct charge of rebellion, which has been brought against the whole human race. In other words, the race -- and each individual in the race -- is no longer under condemnation.
Corporate condemnation through Adam is cancelled by corporate acquittal through Christ. Although our condemnation has been cancelled, we each still suffer under many of the curses of sin, because of Adam's “original sin,” one of the curses being our inherited fallen nature, but this does not constitute guilt, separation, or condemnation.
Conclusion:
Now we can see the total picture. If it is true that we are all condemned through Adam, it is far more importantly true that we are all freed from that condemnation through Christ. If the first part is true, then the glorious truth is that the second part is just as true.
Just as Adam condemned all men, Jesus freed all men from condemnation, both events caused their results without our personal involvement or choice, and both events occurred at the same instant in time. All human beings (condemned by Adam’s sin) were given a second chance (by Christ’s atoning sacrifice) to make their own choice regarding God’s gift of personal salvation.
Some believe that the texts about the first Adam are enough to prove that we are all born under condemnation because of Adam's sin. But those statements alone are not enough. What we must have, if it really is true that we are born into this world as guilty (lost) sinners, is a clear statement saying, ‘We stand condemned because of Adam's sin.’ Without this statement, there is no support for the belief that we are born guilty sinners.
The practical reality of all this is that while we are born in a sinful world with a fallen nature, we are not born guilty sinners. We become guilty and condemned sinners later by willfully choosing to sin when we know the difference between right and wrong.
Unfortunately, an entire gospel system is based on the false belief that we are born guilty sinners. This false gospel changes the Biblical teachings about justification, sanctification, and our present assurance of salvation.
But with the correct diagnosis of what sin really is, we are free to study the Bible further to understand how God’s plan for our salvation really works.
Now we can see the total picture. If it is true that we are all condemned through Adam, it is far more importantly true that we are all freed from that condemnation through Christ. If the first part is true, then the glorious truth is that the second part is just as true.
Just as Adam condemned all men, Jesus freed all men from condemnation, both events caused their results without our personal involvement or choice, and both events occurred at the same instant in time. All human beings (condemned by Adam’s sin) were given a second chance (by Christ’s atoning sacrifice) to make their own choice regarding God’s gift of personal salvation.
Some believe that the texts about the first Adam are enough to prove that we are all born under condemnation because of Adam's sin. But those statements alone are not enough. What we must have, if it really is true that we are born into this world as guilty (lost) sinners, is a clear statement saying, ‘We stand condemned because of Adam's sin.’ Without this statement, there is no support for the belief that we are born guilty sinners.
The practical reality of all this is that while we are born in a sinful world with a fallen nature, we are not born guilty sinners. We become guilty and condemned sinners later by willfully choosing to sin when we know the difference between right and wrong.
Unfortunately, an entire gospel system is based on the false belief that we are born guilty sinners. This false gospel changes the Biblical teachings about justification, sanctification, and our present assurance of salvation.
But with the correct diagnosis of what sin really is, we are free to study the Bible further to understand how God’s plan for our salvation really works.