BS1O - DEATH IN ADAM, LIFE IN CHRIST

 

Adam is looked at as a “type of Christ”. We may wonder how Adam could be a type or pattern for Christ because weren’t they opposites? Paul in his writings draws parallels between these two lives and these parallels can help us understand why we needed Christ to come.

Start by reading Romans 5:12-20 and then we’ll unpack it slowly.

From Romans 5:12 we should be able to answer 3 questions:
A. How did sin come into the world?

  1. What was the consequence of sin?
  2. Why does death come for all of us?

 

Prior to the 10 commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai (and later the entire law of Moses), there were no written laws saying, “You shalt not do this or that.”  Nevertheless, what was true?
Romans 5:13a

For example, Adam and Eve disobeyed the only command God had given them. It wasn’t written down as an express law, but 3 things were true after they disobeyed:

  1. Both Adam and Eve knew what they did was wrong and we know this because they tried to hide from God. (Genesis 3:7-8,10)
  2. God knew what they had done (Genesis 3:9)
  3. There were consequences (Genesis 3:13-19)

Here’s another example. When Cain killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8) there was no law on the books saying, “You shouldn’t kill your brother.” Yet, it’s clear from what God gave Moses to record of this incident that:

  1. It was wrong (Genesis 4:8)
  2. Both Cain and God knew it (Genesis 4:9-10)
  3. There were consequences (Genesis 4:11-12)

And that’s why Paul wrote that from Adam to Moses ….. what reigned (even though there were no laws yet written down)?
Romans 5:14a

What did Paul call Adam?
Romans 5:14b

Both Adam and Jesus did something that extended way beyond their own lives ---down to all of us today. When Adam sinned, what 2 things did it produce in all of us?
Romans 5:15-16

But when God gave His Son Jesus as the final sacrifice for our sins (called God’s free gift of grace), what resulted?
Romans 5:15-16

In other words, while Adam’s sin produced death and condemnation in all of us, Jesus, by his life and death brought us justification. That word justification means a righteous act or deed. It means that by one righteous act of sacrificing Himself, Jesus made each of us right with God. And what does this justification bring to us?
Romans 5:18

WHO will be able to experience freedom from sin and death?
Romans 5:17

Now, to make sure no one misses his point, Paul repeats 2 more times what Adam brought and what Jesus Christ brought.
Romans 5:19,21

Adam brought us sin leading to death
Jesus brought us right-standing with God leading to eternal life.

God’s gift to us of Jesus Christ produced a result that was far more abundant and overflowing in its influence than what Adam did. As sin increased in the world what increased exponentially?
Romans 5:20

That word “grace” has often been translated: “God’s riches at Christ’s expense” or “the undeserved favor of God”.

Now let’s go to 1 Corinthians 15 where Paul again contrasts Adam and Christ.

What did Adam contribute to the world and what did Christ contribute to the world?
1 Corinthians 15:21

What results does this have for us today?
1 Corinthians 15:22

In other words, Adam brought us spiritual death (not physical) but Christ brings us spiritual life – being able to reverse the spiritual death we are all born into.

We know that Adam was the first human created. But Jesus is called the close (or end) of Adam’s sinful race and the start of a whole new race.  Paul calls Jesus by three very significant names:
A. 1 Corinthians 15:45
B. 1 Corinthians 15:47
C. 1 Corinthians 15:48

Depending on your Bible translation, the 3 names are these:
the last Adam (or second Adam), the second man, and the man from heaven.

The second Adam or last Adam (Jesus Christ) stands in stark contrast from the first Adam. From the first Adam we derive our dying human nature. But from the second Adam (Christ) we derive the immortal existence of our renewed spiritual nature which will rise from the grave to eternal life.
1 Corinthians 15:48-49

While Adam was the head of the human race (Genesis 3:20), Jesus Christ was to be the head of a “new creation race” of people.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Because of Adam’s sin, the good world God made became corrupt. Instead of closeness to God we feel isolated and lonely. Instead of love towards God and others we feel animosity – even hatred---that has led to violence and death.

Through Christ’s redemptive action we can now choose to be restored to our Father in Heaven so that we can once again experience peace with God. We can get back on track to live out the purpose that God made us for.

As you can see there is a big difference between Adam and Jesus Christ. They are in fact opposites. But since both men set in motion actions that affect us today, there are many parallels. In summary, Jesus came to fix what Adam broke. This restoration is available for all, yet it’s something each of us must choose.

Next Study: BS1P - Why Does Jesus Matter For Us Today? 

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