“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:12-21)
The Scriptures liken Christ’s redemptive work to the original sin of Adam. In one passage He is called the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45) Adam was the first man and created without sin. He was tested by Satan and failed casting the entire creation into sinful and decadent condition. Christ was born without sin, was tested by Satan and withstood His temptation. Then we see Christ redeeming creation through different miracles, calling into subjection and exercising authority over disease, demons, the elements, and of course death itself. The Scriptures are clear that by one man’s sin many were made sinners and likewise by one man’s obedience many were made righteous. Christ succeeded where Adam failed.
The idea that man can achieve salvation through good works, many prayers, baptism or religious piety is manmade and is completely foreign to Scripture. These religious dogmas fail to recognize the Adam principle. The sinfulness of Seth was not something he contrived but rather the sinful nature passed down from his father Adam, nor is the righteousness I possess something that I have contrived but something passed down through Jesus. It was Adam that took away the perfection of Seth and all humanity. In this same way man cannot of his own effort contrive righteousness for his soul, this can only be done through the one man who fulfilled what Adam had not. Just as sinfulness passed from the one who had sinned (even to those who had not sinned as Adam) so also righteousness passes from the One who did righteously (even to those who have not done the same righteousness) This is what I call the Adam principle of Scripture, salvation is given to those born into Christ’s family just as sin was given to all born into Adam’s family.
Written By: Rick Garland
The Gospel Beacon 