SEMESTER 4
359 – The Articles of Faith Concerning the Fall of Man
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY IV LESSON # 59
CHURCH COVENANT AND ARTICLES OF FAITH – ARTICLE OF FAITH CONCERNING THE FALL OF MAN
Read: Genesis 3:17-24
and Romans 5:12
INTRODUCTION:
1. No more important issue can be addressed than man’s fall.
2. His fall determines his state and that the nature of salvation.
3. It covers more than position. It deals also with nature.
4. All soteriological controversy starts here. (Election)
III: By Shuler’s statement: “The worst error in preaching…”
5. What saith the Lord in this matter of man’s fall?
I. THAT MAN WAS CREATED POSITIVELY HOLY (GEN 1:26-28
, 31)
1. The origin of sin within divine decree is a profound mystery.
III: How could an unfallen creature sin and vice-versa?
2. Man was created not only innocent, but positively holy.
3. He was. however, every way, a creature dependent on God.
II. THAT HE BY TRANSGRESSION FELL (GEN 3:17-19)
1. The mystery of order posed above is answered by Scripture.
2. A holy state does not guarantee security, then or now.
3. Such a holy state must be both imparted and kept by grace.
4. We all fell by and in Adam, our federal head. (Rom 5:12 and 19)
5. We all died in Adam. (1Co 15:22 and Eph 2:1-3)
III. ALL MEN ARE THUS SINNERS (ROM 3:10-19)
1. I mean ALL men, not all who have heretofore sinned.
III: Death on those who sinned not after the similitude…
2. Man is not made so or constrained to by God.
III: If it be said “Grace was withheld” remember twas grace.
3. Man is first a sinner by inheritance. (Rom 3:19)
4. He is a sinner by nature. (Sin not just on him, in him)
5. What he does is what he is. (Jer 13:23)
6. In this state he is alienated from God. (Gen 3:22-24)
IV. THIS FALLEN STATE NECESSITATES THE NEW BIRTH
1. Man in his condition cannot and will not come to Christ. (Joh 6:44,65; 8:43; 5:39-40)
2. He cannot of himself repent and believe. (Jer 13:23, 1Co 2:14)
3. This is changed only in the new creation. (2 Cor 5:17)
4. He is an outcast, a rebel, an enemy and he is condemned.
5. He is deaf to truth, blind to light, dead and dirty.
6. He must be resurrected by the Word and the Spirit.
7. He must be washed of his filthiness in Jesus’ blood.
8. He must be kept by the power of God.