Through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all-Original Sin

[redleghunter]

There are some who assert the terms total depravity and original sin are not in the Bible and therefore to be discarded. One poster already had a post on the definition of theology and as such theology is not just reading back the Scriptures. However, did the theology come first or was the truth drawn out from Scriptures developing the theology? That seems to be the point missed. Where did the early church get such notions that the sin of Adam is imputed to us? That we share in the same condemnation of Adam even if we did not sin in the manner of Adam? Frankly it comes from the New Testament and specifically from the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans.

In Romans chapter 1 verse 18 through chapter 3 verse 20, Paul gives a very dire picture of the sinful and unrighteous human condition that we are under the wrath of God. This after first in chapter 1 verses 1-17 showing the hope that is the Gospel. So he starts out by proclaiming the power of the Gospel (the good news) before telling his audience the very bad news and our state as sinners who do not seek God and none who are righteous before a Holy God.

Then in Romans chapter 3 verses 21 through Romans chapter 4 verse 25 he brings us back to the Good News of being justified as a gift by God's grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. And this is through faith and where we get Justification by Faith. And further says (which will be important later):

Romans 3: NASB

25whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.​

In Romans chapter 4, the Apostle Paul makes is painfully clear it is God's Righteousness and not anything in us lest we boast. He goes into even more painful detail to say this Righteousness is reckoned or credited (KJV 'imputed') to the believer. (See G3049 logizomai)

The above is a summary of Romans chapters one through four. Our discussion really starts with Romans chapter 5 but it is good to review (1) the Hope and Power of the Gospel (2) our human condition condemned before a Holy God and (3) God's gift of Grace to reconcile us with Him our Holy God through and in Jesus Christ God Incarnate.

Now being the excellent expositor the Apostle Paul demonstrates that even in Chapter 5 he will provide a summary that being Justified by faith, there's some explaining to do on (1), (2) and (3) above, so we will let his words do the summary for us:

Romans 5: NASB

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.​

He summarizes by saying "having been justified by faith" (Justified--to render righteous G1344) we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; and because of the love of God "has been poured out within our hearts" through the "Holy Spirit who was given to us." Notice the bolded. Paul is confirming Justification by faith is a declaration of God and as such the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. I bolded the key language which shows this is a declaration on God's part.

Ok what does this have to do with Adam, original sin the condemnation on all? Getting there, but important to note the aforementioned as not grasping what came before we get lost in the sauce so to speak when Paul compares the condemnation to the gift of Grace through Christ. So we continue with Paul's lead in:

Romans 5: NASB

6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.​

Once again the detailed oriented Paul of Tarsus does not want to engage in one of his most difficult parallels or comparisons before showing us he covered (1) The Good News that Christ died for sinners (2) God's Love that even when we were still sinners Christ died for us and (3) addressing how the 'bad news' of our condemnation and children of wrath was dealt with the Blood of Christ, the Atonement being saved from the wrath of God through Christ. Now that Paul has firmly established the above he begins with:

Romans 5:

10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.​

Note: Reconciliation v.11 above "katallagé" G2643 KJV "atonement.")

We are enemies and through Christ we are reconciled. A general statement covering us all "we are enemies." Which evokes 'children of wrath' in Ephesians chapter 2:

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. (Ephesians 2:1-3)​

By nature children of wrath even as the rest. This too as in Romans 5:10 the all inclusive "we."

Those in Christ no longer enemies because through Him we have now received the reconciliation.

So far this means we are all children of wrath or enemies before a Holy God.

Continuing in Romans 5:

12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.​

Through the one man Adam sin entered into the world and the penalty is death. This death spread to all men because all men sinned, sin and continue to do so. Verse 13 begins a parenthetical or digression which lasts to verse 17 about sin not being imputed where there is no law. Yet people still died and we know there were some laws from Adam to Moses. To Noah comes to mind in Genesis 9. This is confirmed when Paul says "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses." The penalty for Adam's transgression is death. And we can confirm everyone from Adam to Moses at some point reached room temperature aka died. And yes even those who did not sin as Adam did or the likeness of it died. Death reigned and everyone dies, even in an innocent or oblivious state we die.

On a side note, we should ask if this death was physical or spiritual. Both and we have confirmation of the physical as everyone from Adam until now and until Kingdom come died, dies will die. I say both because our total person is the outer man which is decaying each day and our inner man which is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4). And to confirm Paul is actually speaking of physical death as well he opines on this 1 Corinthians 15:

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)​

That is an aside as we know from the language of Romans chapters 1-3 this is also spiritual separation from God as the Promise is eternal life.


Therefore, Adam is the type which Paul will compare to Christ as redeemer the Justifier.

Continuing in Romans 5:

15But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. ​

Paul noting that making a direct comparison to the imputation of sin leads to death to the imputation of righteousness leading all to righteousness would not work, makes his purpose and distinction clear by saying the free gift is not like the transgression. Again, we are dealing with all the children of Adam here, he makes no distinction and already mentioned we too sin, but the sin leading to condemnation was Adam's. So the free gift is not like the transgression. Again notice he uses 'transgression' which is attributed to Adam.

16The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. ​

And here we have it. Wow notice another distinction within a distinction. The judgment arose from one transgression--Adam's, which resulted in condemnation. We see the penalty for this transgression is death. Notice the bolded above. We are all condemned by the one transgression of Adam and death is that penalty. But notice the free gift not only covers this transgression of Adam but the many transgressions which means our own sins as well.

17For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.​

Verse 17 pretty much sums us what was stated in verse 16 but links the gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ. This is the imputed righteousness. Paul already linked this righteousness of God through Jesus Christ with eternal life. And once again Paul emphasizes it is the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one.

Continuing with Romans 5 and the "transgression of the one, death reigned through the one":

18So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. ​

Paul once again hammering in this nail of comparison. Adam's sin is still front and center and this transgression of Adam resulted in the condemnation to all men.

20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.​

And here we see him mention the Law again but that it would increase transgression, and where sin increased grace abounded more. And note, with Paul mentioning eternal life through Jesus Christ this addresses the physical and immaterial, the outer man and inner man.

We cannot escape such a clear teaching here. The transgression of Adam is condemnation to all people, just as in redemption the righteousness of God is imputed to us through Jesus Christ.

As the one transgression of Adam results in our condemnation, we suffer death as the penalty for sin is death. That is the condemnation. We too sin as the sin of Adam was gaining the knowledge of good and evil. Therefore, as Paul says in Romans chapter 1 we have no excuse.

Romans 1: NASB

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. ​

So what say you fellow Christian? Why all this talk about original sin is not Biblical when in fact it is as shown above?

 

[~Zao~]

I find that Paul in his courtroom case of Romans is very good at explaining that there is no one who can walk into a courtroom and acquite us like Christ can. While his other epistles are all based on the analogy of Christ and the church in comparison to a family contract to bring up offspring in a godly manner. Rather than focus on what lies behind we are told to press on to what is ahead. What is ahead is the consumation of the age where we will be one in Him, Christ. Right now we are children of God, all of us that carry His Name. We are betrothed to Christ, which is what Paul’s analogies are pointing to. As children of God we have moved beyond what can separate us in any way, while preparing for what is to come. Except for new christians the sinful beginning should be a thing of the past. As depraved as our beginning was there is now no condemnation in Christ.

 

[redleghunter]

I find that Paul in his courtroom case of Romans is very good at explaining that there is no one who can walk into a courtroom and acquite us like Christ can. While his other epistles are all based on the analogy of Christ and the church in comparison to a family contract to bring up offspring in a godly manner. Rather than focus on what lies behind we are told to press on to what is ahead. What is ahead is the consumation of the age where we will be one in Him, Christ. Right now we are children of God, all of us that carry His Name. We are betrothed to Christ, which is what Paul’s analogies are pointing to. As children of God we have moved beyond what can separate us in any way, while preparing for what is to come. Except for new christians the sinful beginning should be a thing of the past. As depraved as our beginning was there is now no condemnation in Christ.

I understand your approach. However this thread is about how all are condemned before a Holy God and children of wrath. This condemnation comes from the one transgression of Adam as the title of the OP picks up on Romans 5, "through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all."

This is a very basic Christian teaching and it is apostolic and Biblical. There are quite a many Christians who deny this. I am assuming from your post you agree with the OP?

Again, I fully understand where you are coming from that as sealed in the Holy Spirit believers our focus is on the 'prize', evangelizing the Gospel and living holy lives all pleasing to our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

The point of the OP (and that of Paul in Romans) goes to the dire state all humans are faced with being children of wrath under God's Judgment. Also pointing out the amazing gift of Grace in the provision of Jesus Christ, the "Lord our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:6).

 

[~Zao~]

I understand your approach. However this thread is about how all are condemned before a Holy God and children of wrath. This condemnation comes from the one transgression of Adam as the title of the OP picks up on Romans 5, "through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all."

This is a very basic Christian teaching and it is apostolic and Biblical. There are quite a many Christians who deny this. I am assuming from your post you agree with the OP?

Again, I fully understand where you are coming from that as sealed in the Holy Spirit believers our focus is on the 'prize', evangelizing the Gospel and living holy lives all pleasing to our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

The point of the OP (and that of Paul in Romans) goes to the dire state all humans are faced with being children of wrath under God's Judgment. Also pointing out the amazing gift of Grace in the provision of Jesus Christ, the "Lord our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:6).

Yes I agree with the Op that the fall caused us all to be placed in the category of children of wrath. That suggested to me the opposite I guess, which is we, as Christians, are now children of God. Sorry for the off topic reply.

 

[ladodgers6]

In Reformed Theology Original Sin and Depravity are summed up in Classic Covenant Theology. In the beginning God made a Covenant of Works with Adam; with stipulations, conditions, Blessings and Sanctions. The Covenant stipulations are 'Not to Eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil'. To guard and Protect this Garden Temple from evil. To Rule as Head over this creation, and name every animal, and to multiply this garden. And to be Obedient and Fulfill God's Covenant to merit the Tree of Life; this is the blessings. If the Covenant is breach through Law-breaking; the sanction will render a curse of condemnation & death. Along with being exiled from the Garden Temple to suffer the curse of the Law, which is also imputed to Adam's progeny (human race).

Rom. 5:18Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men,

People can try to twist however they wish, but Paul is crystal clear in the contrast he makes between the Adam's actions!

Adam did not guard and protect the Garden Temple from evil, because the serpent entered this Temple. And both Adam & Eve believed the serpent over God, and ate of the Tree of Knowledge. And receive the Covenant's sanctions (read above comments). Now Adam & Eve are banned, and are fugitives on the run from the Law. But God who is rich in Love & Mercy, made another Covenant (Grace) with Adam & Eve, and Abraham, that He is sending a Redeemer to rescue them from this horrible predicament. That through the Covenant of Grace, Christ will fulfill the broken Covenant of Works for us!

Rom. 5:17For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Rom. 5:18Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

So here you have clear evidence that Adam's original sin is imputed to the human race. But how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:17).

So in Romans 5 Paul contrasts The Two Adams; Imputed Original Sin from the first Adam; and Imputed Righteousness of Christ as a Free Gift to those who believe!

Because of Christ's active (fulfilling the Law) and passive (Cross) obedience, his righteousness is imputed to us apart from good works. The imputation of Christ's righteousness is the ultimate basis of our Justification, since Christ was once and for all the "atoning sacrifice of sin." Therefore, our righteousness is an alien righteousness (Outside of us/from Another) which is only found in Union with Christ through Faith Alone! In this sense, faith is "merely passive" (receives the free gift with empty hands) and the "instrument" in our Justification. , because it is a FREE GIFT of God whereby Christ's righteousness is imputed/given/credited/reckoned/accounted to us. No one however, is justified by works, because "works righteousness" is possible only in "perfect and complete observance of the Law." Good works, in this sense, are only the fruit of faith. Indeed, although believers are justified by faith alone in respect to the principle of the Covenant of Grace, good works are produced in our Union with Christ and manifests "uprightness and sanctity of Life" for believers (Covenant Theology by Jeong Koo Jeon).

 

[redleghunter]

Yes I agree with the Op that the fall caused us all to be placed in the category of children of wrath. That suggested to me the opposite I guess, which is we, as Christians, are now children of God. Sorry for the off topic reply.

No not at all off topic as Paul is contrasting the condemnation of the one with the justification of the One. You are focusing of the Good News is which is good.

 

[redleghunter]

In Reformed Theology Original Sin and Depravity are summed up in Classic Covenant Theology. In the beginning God made a Covenant of Works with Adam; with stipulations, conditions, Blessings and Sanctions. The Covenant stipulations are 'Not to Eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil'. To guard and Protect this Garden Temple from evil.

Which this covenant of works is based on obedience of Adam if I am reading the post correctly. Which Paul contrasts the disobedience of the one Adam with the Obedience of the One Christ.

 

[~Zao~]

No not at all off topic as Paul is contrasting the condemnation of the one with the justification of the One. You are focusing of the Good News is which is good.

We are born in sin (Psalms 51:5), and if we are to become children of God and enter God’s kingdom, we must be born again by God’s Spirit (John 3:38)

1 John 5:19
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Ephesians 2
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

Galatians 3:22
But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

 

[~Zao~]

Adam’s disobedience does seem to be the catharsis for God’s mercy in this passage,

Romans 11:32
For God has imprisoned all people in their own disobedience so He can have mercy on everyone.

within the reasoning that he first began the dialog,

Romans 3:9
What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.

that corresponds to the OT reasoning.

Ezekiel 18:4
Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.

God’s decree is one category but mercy for all. That decree being:

2 Thessalonians 1:9
They (the wicked) will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.


For those who don’t believe in original sin, we must focus on the facts and know that we are condemned in sin, are spiritually dead and under the control of Satan for us to be able to clearly see and define the road ahead. And to make a conscious choice to put us in the right way so He can come to save us.
Ephesians 2 also states this well. Paul says unredeemed people are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). Apart from salvation, all people walk in worldliness and disobedience (v. 2). We who know and love the Lord once “lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest” (v. 3). We were “separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (v. 12).
Evil has contaminated every aspect of humanity—: heart, mind, personality, emotions, conscience, motives, and will Jeremiah 17:9; John 8:44. Unredeemed sinners are therefore incapable of doing anything to please God Isaiah 64:6 and are incapable of truly loving the God who reveals Himself in Scripture. They are incapable of obedience from the heart, with righteous motives. They are incapable of understanding spiritual truth. They are incapable of genuine faith. And that means they are incapable of pleasing God or truly seeking Him Hebrews 11:1. In Adam all die” 1 Corinthians 15:22.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism says, “Sin is any want of conformity to, or transgression of, the law of God” (q. 14). Far from being an excuse, original sin itself is at the heart of why we are guilty. And original sin itself is sufficient grounds for our condemnation before God.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote “ Salvation from original sin is only through the cross of Christ: “As through the one man’s disobedience [Adam’s sin] the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One [Jesus Christ] the many will be made righteous” (Rom. 5:19).
In other words, contrary to what most people think, —contrary to the presuppositions of self-esteem doctrine—, men and women are not naturally good. Just the opposite is true. We are by nature enemies of God, sinners, lovers of ourselves, and in bondage to our own sin. We are blind, deaf, and dead to spiritual matters, unable even to believe apart from God’s gracious intervention. Yet we are relentlessly proud! In fact, nothing is more illustrative of human wickedness than the desire for self-esteem. And the first step to a proper self-image is a recognition that these things are true.
That is why Jesus commended the tax-gatherer —rather than rebuking him for his low self-esteem— when the man pounded his chest and pleaded, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” (Luke 18:13). The man had finally come to the point where he saw himself for what he was, and he was so overcome that his emotion released in acts of self-condemnation. The truth is, his self-image had never been more sound than at that moment. Rid of pride and pretence, he now saw there was nothing he could ever do to earn God’s favour. Instead, he pleaded with God for mercy. And therefore he “went down to his house justified”— exalted by God because he had humbled himself (v. 14). For the first time ever he was in a position to realize true joy, peace with God, and a new sense of self-worth that is granted by God’s grace to those He adopts as His children (Rom. 8:15).

 

[redleghunter]

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Lloyd-Jones was one of the best expositors of the 20th century. His 'hero' preacher and theologian was Jonathan Edwards.

 

[redleghunter]

In other words, contrary to what most people think, —contrary to the presuppositions of self-esteem doctrine—, men and women are not naturally good.

The 'naturally good' theories all stem from Pelagian doctrines. Pelagius and his followers did acknowledge we all physically die, I mean how could they not count the grave stones. But they did not see the sin as imputed to mankind. Thus they put a person in innocence or sinless until they actually sin.

 

[mark kennedy]

I find that Paul in his courtroom case of Romans is very good at explaining that there is no one who can walk into a courtroom and acquite us like Christ can. While his other epistles are all based on the analogy of Christ and the church in comparison to a family contract to bring up offspring in a godly manner. Rather than focus on what lies behind we are told to press on to what is ahead. What is ahead is the consumation of the age where we will be one in Him, Christ. Right now we are children of God, all of us that carry His Name. We are betrothed to Christ, which is what Paul’s analogies are pointing to. As children of God we have moved beyond what can separate us in any way, while preparing for what is to come.

That's a pretty good analogy, in Romans the prosecution is making the case that 'All have sinned and come short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23). Used in evidence in the opening argument is, strangely enough, the cross:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)
​

This is what the prosecution is going to prove, that righteousness is found only 'in Christ'. In Paul's testimony he speaks of things all men know, basic things about God's divine nature and our sinful condition in contrast. God's natural revelation;

since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20)
​

And the witness of conscience:

They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) (Romans 2:15)
​

Those who have the Law of Moses, are judged by the Law of Moses, those who do not are judged apart from the Law because the things of God have been made 'plain to them', their own conscience testifying against them. The legal expression here being consciousness of guilt.

Doesn't it make sense at this point that a good defense attorney would raise an objection? Let's say your the defendant, it could be argued, but my client has done some pretty mild things, how is the particular offenses of this individual worthy of death? It's a sound argument, the fact is the prosecution goes on to say that what has further been revealed is that the righteousness of God has been revealed in Christ:

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. (Romans 3:21)
​

Well of course that's great news, good news is the New Testament word, especially since the prophets of all Old Testament have been called to testify. The Law of Moses, the revelation of God's righteous nature and the witness of conscience all being used in evidence against us. Abraham and David are witnesses against us, showing the benefit of the sinner appealing to the mercy of God rather then righteous deeds and having their sins forgiven in chapter four.

The defense attorney is livid, repeated side bars, how does this indict my client I expect he would argue. The crushing and inescapable truth of sin comes to us from Eden, now Adam testifies:

The discussion in Romans 5 describes how Adam's sin was effectively imputed to us:

Sin came as the result of, 'many died by the trespass of the one man' (Rom. 5:15), 'judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation' (Rom. 5:16), the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man (Rom. 5:17), 'just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men' (Rom. 5:18), 'through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners' (Rom. 5:19).
​

That's how, through the disobedience of one man, condemnation came upon us all.

The prosecution rests.

I have a point to this long winded exposition of the first five chapters of Romans. It all goes back to Adam and even the Early Church fathers discussed this at length. Even the mercy of God in Christ is used in evidence against us, the Law, the Prophets, Abraham, David and now Adam all testifying that we are all in fact sinners.

I really liked this part:

Except for new christians the sinful beginning should be a thing of the past. As depraved as our beginning was there is now no condemnation in Christ.

Ok, skipping chapters 6 and 7, let's hear what the role of the Holy Spirit does for the defense:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)
​

Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. The only defense in the courts of heaven are the righteousness of God in Christ and following the 'law of the Spirit'. The core point here being that it is by grace through faith, our condemnation so richly deserved, was imputed (counted) against us. Our sin was imputed to Christ at the cross, and righteousness that is by grace through faith is the basis for our only viable defense, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the new nature 'in Christ'.

I do hope you'll pardon the length of the response, I've been studying this quite a bit lately. I really liked the analogy of a court room drama so I couldn't resist. I thought you might forgive my rambling since it was an exposition of a very long section of Romans, rest assured I missed a lot of the finer points.

You have the right idea here, of course our sinful beginning, our miserable ruined estate is only a prelude to the freedom and power of Christ in our lives following conversion. That's actually what the Apostle Paul lead with, he started with the gospel and took us through all of the evidence against us only to reaffirm what he originally argued. There is no condemnation for those who are 'in Christ'.

The defense rests.

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[~Zao~]

That's a pretty good analogy, in Romans the prosecution is making the case that 'All have sinned and come short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23). Used in evidence in the opening argument is, strangely enough, the cross:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)
​

This is what the prosecution is going to prove, that righteousness is found only 'in Christ'. In Paul's testimony he speaks of things all men know, basic things about God's divine nature and our sinful condition in contrast. God's natural revelation;

since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20)
​

And the witness of conscience:

They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) (Romans 2:15)
​

Those who have the Law of Moses, are judged by the Law of Moses, those who do not are judged apart from the Law because the things of God have been made 'plain to them', their own conscience testifying against them. The legal expression here being consciousness of guilt.

Doesn't it make sense at this point that a good defense attorney would raise an objection? Let's say your the defendant, it could be argued, but my client has done some pretty mild things, how is the particular offenses of this individual worthy of death? It's a sound argument, the fact is the prosecution goes on to say that what has further been revealed is that the righteousness of God has been revealed in Christ:

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. (Romans 3:21)
​

Well of course that's great news, good news is the New Testament word, especially since the prophets of all Old Testament have been called to testify. The Law of Moses, the revelation of God's righteous nature and the witness of conscience all being used in evidence against us. Abraham and David are witnesses against us, showing the benefit of the sinner appealing to the mercy of God rather then righteous deeds and having their sins forgiven in chapter four.

The defense attorney is livid, repeated side bars, how does this indict my client I expect he would argue. The crushing and inescapable truth of sin comes to us from Eden, now Adam testifies:

The discussion in Romans 5 describes how Adam's sin was effectively imputed to us:

Sin came as the result of, 'many died by the trespass of the one man' (Rom. 5:15), 'judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation' (Rom. 5:16), the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man (Rom. 5:17), 'just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men' (Rom. 5:18), 'through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners' (Rom. 5:19).
​

That's how, through the disobedience of one man, condemnation came upon us all.

The prosecution rests.

I have a point to this long winded exposition of the first five chapters of Romans. It all goes back to Adam and even the Early Church fathers discussed this at length. Even the mercy of God in Christ is used in evidence against us, the Law, the Prophets, Abraham, David and now Adam all testifying that we are all in fact sinners.

I really liked this part:



Ok, skipping chapters 6 and 7, let's hear what the role of the Holy Spirit does for the defense:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)
​

Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. The only defense in the courts of heaven are the righteousness of God in Christ and following the 'law of the Spirit'. The core point here being that it is by grace through faith, our condemnation so richly deserved, was imputed (counted) against us. Our sin was imputed to Christ at the cross, and righteousness that is by grace through faith is the basis for our only viable defense, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the new nature 'in Christ'.

I do hope you'll pardon the length of the response, I've been studying this quite a bit lately. I really liked the analogy of a court room drama so I couldn't resist. I thought you might forgive my rambling since it was an exposition of a very long section of Romans, rest assured I missed a lot of the finer points.

You have the right idea here, of course our sinful beginning, our miserable ruined estate is only a prelude to the freedom and power of Christ in our lives following conversion. That's actually what the Apostle Paul lead with, he started with the gospel and took us through all of the evidence against us only to reaffirm what he originally argued. There is no condemnation for those who are 'in Christ'.

The defense rests.

Grace and peace,
Mark

You would really enjoy the book ‘Romans _ A courtroom Drama _ Tom Westwood circa 1949. From the intro:

In this treatise God is the righteous Judge upon the bench, maintaining all the austerity of the Divine Throne, yet disclosing a heart that is bent upon the justification of the criminal. Jew and Gentile are arraigned before the Bar of Justice, and Paul is the brilliant attorney for both prosecution and defence. The Lord Jesus is the One who mediates the cause and pays the penalty of the condemned offender. Every moral and spiritual issue is scrutinized carefully; illustrious witnesses are presented before the court; due deliberation is given to every vestige of information; heaven’s inviolate throne is vindicated; all religious, racial, national and moral distinctions are appraised and eliminated; The court rests it case with the sinner justified and reconciled to God.

 

[~Zao~]

Another interesting note on Romans that I picked up on from that book (I had written in the contents) is that God is revealed in Creation in Romans 1, God is revealed in redemption in Romans 3, God revealed in justification in Romans 4, God revealed in reconciliation in Romans 5, and God is revealed in our spirit in Romans 8.

 

[mark kennedy]

Another interesting note on Romans that I picked up on from that book (I had written in the contents) is that God is revealed in Creation in Romans 1, God is revealed in redemption in Romans 3, God revealed in justification in Romans 4, God revealed in reconciliation in Romans 5, and God is revealed in our spirit in Romans 8.

That's the general idea, your right, I probably would like the book. Romans is one of the more in depth discussions of the doctrine of justification by grace, not unlike Ephesians and Galatians but the details are far more intense. He is talking to Jewish Christians that are part of a church established at Pentecost. So much of the book is reminiscent of the Levitical Law, he is also driving home the idea of the inclusion of the Gentiles. The fact that we are sinners is the gateway to the gospel, you don't get there any other way. It's grace that saves, it's grace that sanctifies, it's grace that empowers us for service.

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[redleghunter]

That's a pretty good analogy, in Romans the prosecution is making the case that 'All have sinned and come short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23).

Romans 5 seems to be the Justification by faith closing arguments and we can see Paul did have some formal training in Law as a Pharisee but also civil law (when he defends himself in Acts quite a few times).

Before launching into more detailed arguments he summarizes at the beginning of Romans 5:

Romans 5: NASB
1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.​

Quite an excellent summary statement of the previous 4 chapters. Noticing the past tense.

 

[redleghunter]

Also wanted to point out some of the Christian historic opposition to original sin. Of course the Pelagians but also some groups which arose in the 16th century as well as in the Socinianism.

Theodorus of Mopsuestia opened this controversy by denying that the sin of Adam was the origin of death. (See the "Excerpta Theodori", by Marius Mercator; cf. Smith, "A Dictionary of Christian Biography", IV, 942.) Celestius, a friend of Pelagius, was the first in the West to hold these propositions, borrowed from Theodorus: "Adam was to die in every hypothesis, whether he sinned or did not sin. His sin injured himself only and not the human race" (Mercator, "Liber Subnotationem", preface). This, the first position held by the Pelagians, was also the first point condemned at Carthage (Denzinger, "Enchiridion", no 101-old no. 65). Against this fundamental error Catholics cited especially Romans 5:12, where Adam is shown as transmitting death with sin.

After some time the Pelagians admitted the transmission of death — this being more easily understood as we see that parents transmit to their children hereditary diseases — but they still violently attacked the transmission of sin (St. Augustine, "Contra duas epist. Pelag.", IV, iv, 6). And when St. Paul speaks of the transmission of sin they understood by this the transmission of death. This was their second position, condemned by the Council of Orange [Denz., n. 175 (145)], and again later on with the first by the Council of Trent [Sess. V, can. ii; Denz., n. 789 (671)]. To take the word sin to mean death was an evident falsification of the text, so the Pelagians soon abandoned the interpretation and admitted that Adam caused sin in us. They did not, however, understand by sin the hereditary stain contracted at our birth, but the sin that adults commit in imitation of Adam. This was their third position, to which is opposed the definition of Trent that sin is transmitted to all by generation (propagatione), not by imitation [Denz., n. 790 (672)]. Moreover, in the following canon are cited the words of the Council of Carthage, in which there is question of a sin contracted by generation and effaced by generation [Denz., n. 102 (66)].
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Original Sin

​

This is an interesting history piece from New Advent a Catholic source:

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Socinianism

Here too:
What is Socinianism?

The Socinians rejected the historic, orthodox beliefs concerning the nature of God, especially His omniscience. They rejected the doctrine of the Trinity in favor of Unitarianism, a belief system they promoted in their “Catechism of Unitarians” (1574). They also rejected the orthodox belief of the divinity of Jesus Christ, as summarized in the Racovian Catechism of 1605, and held to the view that the Son of God did not exist until He was born a man. The Bible, however, makes it clear that Jesus is the pre-existing second Person of the Trinity (John 1:1, 17:5; Hebrews 1:8-12).

The Socinians also developed one of the earliest forms of the heterodox belief known today as open theism as they believed God only knew necessary truths (what will come to pass) but not contingent truths (what might possibly come to pass) in order to explain how man could retain his free will in light of God being all-knowing. Again, this is contrary to scriptural passages such as Psalm 33:11, Isaiah 14:24, and Isaiah 46:10, which affirm God’s sovereignty over all events from before time began.

Lastly, the Socinians rejected the propitiatory view of the atonement , the orthodox biblical doctrine stating that the sacrifice of Christ fully satisfied God’s wrath towards His people (Isaiah 53:10-11). Socinians favor what is called the “example theory” of the atonement, the theory that Christ bore the sins of His people on the cross only in the sense that His sacrifice served to incite us to abandon our sins. The Racovian Catechism, under the heading of “Refutation of the Vulgar Doctrine about the Satisfaction of Christ for Our Sins,” states, “And I affirm that he did not make satisfaction for our sins to the divine justice . . . nor was there any need that he should make satisfaction” (De Servatore, ch. 1). In this unscriptural view, Christ only became sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) and a curse (Galatians 3:13) for His people in the sense that He sacrificed Himself merely to motivate people to repent and believe. The Scriptures teach that Christ’s sacrifice was a perfect guilt offering (Isaiah 53:10) for the sins of His people through which God justified the ungodly (Romans 3:26) and guaranteed the justification of the many who would believe (Isaiah 53:11; Romans 3:30). In other words, Socinians believe Christ came not to save His people from their sins, but to make them savable, and the rest is up to them. This is nothing more than another works-based salvation theory. (What is Socinianism?)
​

On Socinianism and God's justice:

W. G. T. Shedd comments on Socinus’s concept of divine justice:



“It is plain that Socinus conceived of the attributes of justice and mercy as less central than will. By a volition, God may punish sin, or he may let it go unpunished. He has as much right to do the latter as the former. There is no intrinsic right or wrong in either case that necessitates his action. Justice like mercy is the product of his optional will. It is easy to see that by this definition of justice Socinus takes away the foundation of the doctrine of atonement; and that if it be a correct definition, the Socinian theory of forgiveness upon repentance is true. If sin is punishable only because God so determines; and if he decides not to punish it, then it is no longer punishable, -- if punitive justice is the product of mere will, and may be made and unmade by a volition, then it is absurd to say that without the shedding of blood, or the satisfaction of law, there is no remission of sin” (Dogmatic Theology, II, 378-79).
​

As you can see from the above not only did Socinus deny original sin but also the atonement. As we say these are all interconnected doctrines and it seems this group incorporated in their catechism quite a many of the ancient Church heresies to include denial of the Deity of Christ and the Trinity.

Socinianism throws out the Pauline confirmation that we are all condemned in Adam, the one transgression or sin, and thus throwing that out the window makes the atonement 'unnecessary' to their rationalism:

“The common and, as you would say, orthodox view is, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, because He made full satisfaction for our sins to the divine justice through which we sinners deserved to be condemned, and this satisfaction is through faith imputed by the gift of God to us who believe. But I hold, and think it to be the orthodox view, that Jesus Christ is our Savior because he announced to us the way of eternal salvation, confirmed, and in his own person, both by the example of his life and by rising from the dead, clearly showed it [i.e., eternal life], and will give that eternal life to us who have faith in him. And I affirm that he did not make satisfaction for our sins to the divine justice, . . . nor was there any need that he should make satisfaction” (De Servatore, chp. 1).



Again:



“Christ takes away sins because by heavenly and most ample promises He attracts and is strong to move all men to penitence, whereby sins are destroyed. . . . He takes away sins because by the example of His most innocent life, He very readily draws all, who have not lost hope, to leave their sins and zealously to embrace righteousness and holiness” (Prael. Theol., 591).



Thus, Christ bore our sins in the sense “that he took them away from us by inciting us to abandon them” (G. B. Stevens, The Christian Doctrine of Salvation, 159).
(quotes cited at this link: Socinianism)​

Don't know about others, but the above views are seen often even in General Theology here on CF.

 

[mark kennedy]

Romans 5 seems to be the Justification by faith closing arguments and we can see Paul did have some formal training in Law as a Pharisee but also civil law (when he defends himself in Acts quite a few times).

Before launching into more detailed arguments he summarizes at the beginning of Romans 5:

Romans 5: NASB
1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.​

Quite an excellent summary statement of the previous 4 chapters. Noticing the past tense.

Paul begins the letter, after introducing himself as an Apostle, with the gospel. We think of justification by grace through faith as a Protestant doctrine, it wasn't really just a Pauline doctrine, though Paul wrote more about it then the rest of the New Testament writers, it's the essence of the gospel in plain terms. The pattern is unmistakable, you believe the gospel and receive the Holy Spirit of promise and the glorious inheritance of the saints. By nature we are children of wrath and if you missed that in the opening chapters of Romans you missed the whole point. Before Paul makes his scathing indictment, unpleasant to say the very least, Paul leads with the gospel. The Jews Paul was writing to in Rome were most likely converted at Pentecost, for decades now they have been walking in the grace and power of the risen Savior. These people were very pious, observing the minutia of the Law, delivered that crushing blow that they were sinners in need of a Savior. For a New Testament Jew that wouldn't even be the worst part, now God is including the Gentiles with full rights as heirs, even as natural born heirs of the kingdom and there is no difference.

Paul takes them back to Eden, having already revisited two key Patriarchs Abraham and David. Abraham being father to all the children of Israel and the house of David, heirs to the Judean throne, there is a reason they called Jesus Son of David. Then Paul does a very curious thing, he goes all the way back to the first parent of humanity, the range has broadened to include all of humanity. If Paul doesn't lead with the gospel Christianity is hopelessly fatalistic, especially talking to first century Jews who placed their whole hope of righteousness on following the Law, Paul now tells them can't provide it. Always the contrast between the disobedience of Adam, and the grace of God in Christ.

I think for Paul the argument ends here, the discussion in the next two chapters are based on the established fact of the gospel and God's all inclusive indictment that we are all sinners, in need of the grace of God in Christ. The question then become what we must do as disciples, when Paul says in the sixth chapter 'What shall we say then', he really means what shall we teach disciples about Christian living. Always with Paul, indeed all the Apostles, it was the grace of God in Christ that produced righteousness in the life of the believer. Original sin is an inescapable fact of the gospel, all the prophets, Apostles and Early Church Fathers emphasized this in no uncertain terms. Even the Gentiles who didn't have the Law of Moses, knew something about this:

And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. (Aeschylus)
​

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[redleghunter]

The Jews Paul was writing to in Rome were most likely converted at Pentecost, for decades now they have been walking in the grace and power of the risen Savior. These people were very pious, observing the minutia of the Law, delivered that crushing blow that they were sinners in need of a Savior. For a New Testament Jew that wouldn't even be the worst part, now God is including the Gentiles with full rights as heirs, even as natural born heirs of the kingdom and there is no difference.

Some were probably like the Jews observing the ministry of John the Baptist:

Matthew 3: NASB
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8“Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; 9and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 10“The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11“As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12“His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

 

[mark kennedy]

Some were probably like the Jews observing the ministry of John the Baptist:

Matthew 3: NASB
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8“Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; 9and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 10“The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11“As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12“His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:2-3) were from Italy, I’m thinking Rome. I suspect you are thinking about Acts 19:1-3, where the disciples of John were baptized in the Holy Spirit. The way I get it, and of course I might be wrong, Aquila, Priscilla and Apollos were dropped off in Ephesus while Paul was on his way to the Holy Convocation in Jerusalem and founded the churches in Asian Minor. My thought here is that there was more then one dynamic working here, the moving of the Holy Spirit not withstanding. Paul had met Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth, I’m guessing his second missionary journey (Acts 18:21), they had been expelled from Rome.

Following the persecution of Christians in Jerusalem after the martyrdom of James the gospel spread through Phoenicia, Cyprus and I assume other places. The gospel had already reached Rome following Pentecost, it staggers the imagination, were Aquila and Priscilla part of that originally founded Jewish church in Rome?

Perhaps idle speculation but it does make one wonder.