Lesson #13—The Fall

Shorter Catechism Q & A # 13

Q. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?

A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.

Memorize Q & A – Exposition

The doctrine of ‘Original Sin’ reveals the nature of our sin, in that our transgressions are against our Creator and his moral law; for “By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body” (W.C.F. 6.2.).

What does it mean?

1. Discuss Genesis 3:6–8, 13.
   What was the nature of the sin committed by Adam and Eve?
   What was the initial result of that sin?
   What was their response in hearing the voice of God?
2. Discuss 2 Corinthians 11:3.
   How are we like Adam and Eve in our sinful state?

What is our practice?

What should the response be as we are convicted of the sin in our lives? How is the saving grace of God active in our daily living? How does this help us in dealing with sin in the lives of others?

Quotes for thought and discussion:

Matthew Henry (after the order of the Assembly’s Catechism) wrote, “Is man now in the estate wherein he was created? No: for God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions, Eccl. 7:29. Can we now say we are perfectly holy? No: If I say I am perfect, that shall prove me perverse, Job 9:20. Can we say we are perfectly happy? No: for man is born to trouble, Job 5:7. Are we as we were then? No: man was planted a noble vine, but is turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine, Jer. 2:21. …Did man fall by sinning against God? Yes: Thou hast fallen by thine iniquity, Hos. 14:1. Was that the beginning of sin this world? Yes: for by one man sin entered into the world, Rom. 5:12.”

“Let original sin make us walk with continual jealousy and watchfulness over our hearts. The sin of our nature is like a sleeping lion, the least thing that awakes it makes it rage. Though the sin of our nature seems quiet, and lies as fire hid under the embers, yet if it be a little stirred and blown up by a temptation, how quickly may it flame forth into scandalous evils! Therefore we need always to walk watchfully. ‘I say to you all, Watch.’ Mark 13:17. A wandering heart needs a watchful eye.” (Thomas Watson, A Body of Divinity)

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