The Fall of Man
“We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker (Genesis 1:27) but by voluntary transgression (Genesis 3:6) fell from that holy and happy state (Genesis 3:17); in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners (Romans 5:19), not by constraint, but choice (Isaiah 53:6); being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the Law of God, positively inclined to evil (Romans 3:10-18); and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin (Ephesians 2:1-3), without defense or excuse (Romans 1:20; 3:19; Galatians 3:22).”
The Biblical teaching on man's nature, depravity, and helplessness is given in such a way as to magnify the gracious remedy God had provided for us sinners. Because the remedy is applied individually, therefore the individual must be saved by calling on the name of the LORD (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:8-13).
Revelation provides the explanation of what is a matter of universal experience -- the hereditary tendency to sin which sooner or later makes itself evident in every child. Scripture fully declares that the consequences of sin have descended upon all men, and particularly the inherent and persistent bias towards sin (Romans 7:18-25). Man is unable to escape sin's continuous operation until he is made free by the Spirit of God (Romans 5:20-21; 6:17, 20, 22, 23).
Human depravity is an expression that means the whole man -- body, soul, and spirit, has a positive inclination to sin. Sinning is voluntary. Man is responsible for his conduct. This responsibility cannot be evaded by saying that a tendency to sin was inherited from parents. Man was created with a will. He is therefore responsible for the choices he makes ((Romans 1:18f). "God...now commandeth all men every where to repent... because He hath appointed a day..." (Acts 17:30-31; Romans 2:16).
We can state the following on the authority of revelation:
DO NOT STOP UNTIL YOU HAVE READ HEBREWS 2:14-18 !
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
- - - - The Scriptures below are referenced in the doctrinal statement - - - -
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Genesis 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Romans 3:10-18 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (11) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (12) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (13) Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: (14) Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: (15) Their feet are swift to shed blood: (16) Destruction and misery are in their ways: (17) And the way of peace have they not known: (18) There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Ephesians 2:1-3 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.