Man’s Sinful Nature NIV Romans 7:18 “in my sinful nature”

The Philadelphia Confession of Faith Because Adam sinned, we are born with a “sinful nature” We are born sinners and there is nothing we can do about it. We can do nothing good by ourselves “we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite of all good, and wholly inclined to do evil . . . This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated; and, although Christ pardoned and mortified, yet both itself and the first motions thereof are truly and properly sin.”

The Philadelphia Confession of Faith Billy Graham (deceased) concerning the virgin birth of Christ: God chose to have Christ born to a virgin to set Him apart from all others. “Second, theologians have also pointed out that being born apart from the agency of a human father, Jesus broke the cycle of inherited sin which comes upon every person who is born.” Jesus’ birth gives the believers in inherited sin a great deal of difficulty Catholics declare that Mary was conceived & born without sin so she could give birth to a sinless Christ Problem: Inherited sin is from Adam. Luke 3:38 traces Jesus’ lineage back to Adam. How can Jesus descend from Adam without inheriting the sin all supposedly receive?

THE FALL OF ADAM God created man – Genesis 2:7 and everything was very good Man was given charge to care for the garden - Genesis 2:15- 17 Man and God’s relation was so close that God walked during the cool of the day with Adam – Genesis 3:8 Yet in Genesis 3:1-6 Man yields to temptation of sin and violates God’s law The nature & avenue of temptations are same as faced by all men – 1 John 2:15-17

THE FALL OF ADAM Result: Man’s eyes opened – Genesis 3:7; Woman was cursed – Genesis 3:16; Man was cursed – Genesis 3:17-19 Adam & Eve were given proper clothing – Genesis 3:21 They died spiritually that day – Genesis 3:23,24 They eventually died physically – Genesis 5:5 So far, we all agree – but what happened to Adam’s children?

ADAM’S CHILDREN Cain – Genesis 4:4-7 Calvinism teaches that sin was already in Cain! God said it was about to enter! Enoch walked with God – Genesis 5:21-24 How could he if he was born in sin? God does not have fellowship with those in sin

Adam’s Children Isaiah 59:1,2 – YOUR sins separated you from God 1 John 1:5 – “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” Noah also walked with God – Genesis 6:9 Conclusion is that man does not inherit sin, but is responsible for his own actions

Scriptures Ezekiel 18:1-4 “the soul who sins shall die” Ezekiel 18:20 “the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself” Colossians 3:25 “one who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done,”

Calvinistic “Proof Texts” Psalm 51:5 Is David agonizing over the sin he inherited from his mother? Is he grieved for being as illegitimate son? No – 1 Samuel 16:10,11 This was after Nathan confronted David with his sin – 2 Samuel 12:1-7 Psalm 51:1-4; 22:9,10

Calvinistic “Proof Texts” Romans 3:23 – “all have sinned” James 1:14,15 – “desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin..” Romans 5:12 – Death passes to all men because all men have sinned – not because they inherited it from Adam

INHERITED SIN IS A MYTH A child enters life in purity & innocence Young have no knowledge of good or evil- Deuteronomy 1:39; Isaiah 7:15,16 Jesus said the kingdom is composed of people like little children – Mark 10:14 Become like children to enter kingdom- Matthew 18:3 People punished for their own sins – Colossians 3:5