Topical Bible: The Fall of Man: All Men Partake of the Effects of

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The Fall of Man is a pivotal event in Christian theology, marking the transition of humanity from a state of innocence and communion with God to a state of sin and separation. This event is primarily recorded in Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve, the first humans, disobey God by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The consequences of this act of disobedience are profound and universal, affecting all of humanity.

Scriptural Basis

The narrative of the Fall is found in Genesis 3:1-24. The serpent, described as more cunning than any beast of the field, tempts Eve by questioning God's command and suggesting that eating the forbidden fruit would make her like God, knowing good and evil. Eve, seeing that the fruit was desirable, eats it and gives some to Adam, who also eats. Their eyes are opened, and they realize their nakedness, leading to shame and fear.

God's response to this disobedience is to pronounce curses upon the serpent, Eve, and Adam. The serpent is cursed to crawl on its belly and eat dust. Eve is told that her pain in childbirth will be greatly increased and that her desire will be for her husband, who will rule over her. Adam is told that the ground is cursed because of him, and he will toil and labor for his sustenance until he returns to the dust.

Universal Effects

The effects of the Fall are not limited to Adam and Eve but extend to all their descendants. Romans 5:12 states, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned." This passage highlights the doctrine of original sin, which posits that all humans inherit a sinful nature due to Adam's transgression.

The universality of sin is further emphasized in Romans 3:23 : "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This inherent sinfulness results in spiritual death and separation from God, necessitating divine intervention for redemption.

Consequences on Creation

The Fall not only affects humanity but also the entire creation. Romans 8:20-22 describes creation as being subjected to futility and in bondage to decay, groaning as in the pains of childbirth. This indicates that the Fall brought about a cosmic disorder, affecting the natural world and introducing suffering, decay, and death.

Human Nature and Moral Corruption

The Fall has profound implications for human nature, introducing a propensity towards sin and moral corruption. Jeremiah 17:9 declares, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This verse underscores the depth of human depravity and the need for a transformation of the heart.

Need for Redemption

The effects of the Fall highlight the necessity of redemption through Jesus Christ. Romans 5:18-19 contrasts the disobedience of Adam with the obedience of Christ: "So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."

In summary, the Fall of Man is a foundational event with far-reaching consequences for all humanity. It introduces sin, death, and separation from God, affecting every aspect of human existence and the created order. The need for redemption and restoration through Jesus Christ is central to overcoming the effects of the Fall.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 8:46
If they sin against you, (for there is no man that sins not,) and you be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives to the land of the enemy, far or near;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 3:22
But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 5:19
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"Which we have Heard and Seen,"
... divine nature, which though it did not fall under sight ... testimony and evidence that
he was man, was the ... much evidence to the conviction of all men's senses, of ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv which we have.htm

Man's Chief End
... earth; which is the degeneracy of mankind since the fall. ... for the soul, and infinitely
exceed all carnal voluptuous ... A man in a lethargy, though alive, is as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 mans chief end.htm

Analysis of the Westminster Confession.
... innocence, and a foedus grati??, after the fall, but he ... to suppress Bownd's book and
to destroy all the copies ... God, the other the injunction of man.' Those who ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 95 analysis of the.htm

Effects of Messiah's Appearance
... of the state of mankind by the Fall, and of ... any gracious communications afforded
to fallen man, from the ... Then all the changes, prefigured and predicted in my ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xii effects of messiahs.htm

On the Holy Spirit
... the meaning was, that from henceforth all men should fix ... and principally from the
account of man's fall, shall be ... anticipating it in some measure all the while. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 141 on the holy.htm

The Misery of Man Without God
... cause; I know some who, in order not to fall into this ... reach the point, they either
crush it, or lean all round, more on ... Man is so happily formed that he has no ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section ii the misery of.htm

Entering into the Infinite
... the omission of that which is good, and to fall back upon ... Through all virtue and
all sinning ... of contention are devastating the world, the wise man, looking with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/entering into the infinite.htm

2 Timothy ii. 14-Nov
... hour of affliction," it is said, "maketh a man forget much ... a tree may receive ten
strokes, and not fall; then afterwards be brought down all at once ...
/.../homily v 2 timothy ii.htm

Completion Op the Fifth Continental Journey.
... he had entered the place,"viz., the Fall of Man. ... interview with Professor Neander,
an aged man of a ... on First-day evening, consisted of all men, several of ...
/.../chapter xvii completion op the.htm

"This Then is the Message which we have Heard of Him, and Declare ...
... like those things we see and hear, that fall under our ... garment to make himself in
a manner visible to man. ... Now as all things, by the irradiation of the light ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon x this then is.htm