Lesson #16—The Fall of All Mankind

Shorter Catechism Q & A #16

Q. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?

A. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.

Memorize Q & A—Exposition

At the time that Adam became a covenant breaker all mankind became covenant breakers. A new covenant was established, “a solemn compact and agreement made between God and fallen man, wherein the Lord undertakes to be our God, and to make us his people” (Thomas Watson).

What does it mean?

Discuss Creation in light of Acts 17:26.

Discuss sin in light of Genesis 2:17.

Discuss death in light of 1 Corinthians 15:21–22.

Discuss the term ‘original sin.’

Define ‘covenant.’ To whom was it made, and what were the results?

What is our practice?

1. It should humble us.
2. It is like a thorn to wake us up to turn to the Bible and Spirit.
3. It pulls down our pride.
4. “Though grace cannot make sin not to be, yet it makes it not to reign; though grace cannot expel sin, it can repel it. And for our Comfort, where grace makes a combat with sin, death shall make a conquest” T. Watson

What other things can we do? (Mark 13:37; Rom. 6:6, 11)

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“The two great objectives to be accomplished by Jesus Christ in His mission to this world were, first, the removal of the curse under which mankind labored as a result of the disobedience and fall, and second, the restoration of men to the image and fellowship of God. Both of these were essential to salvation. The work of Christ in reconciling God and men we call the Atonement; and this doctrine, we believe, lies at the very heart of the Christian system.” (Loraine Boettner, Studies in Theology, 270)

“God leaves original corruption to make us long after heaven, where there shall be no sin to defile, no devil to tempt. When Elias was taken up to heaven his mantle dropped off; so, when the angels shall carry us up to heaven, this mantle of sin shall drop off. We shall never more complain of an aching head, or an unbelieving heart.” (Thomas Watson, Body of Divinity)

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