Does everyone inherit sin from Adam and Eve?
Adam and Eve were created by God and originally lived in the Garden of Eden apart from sin. In Genesis 3, the serpent (Satan) tempted Eve and she and Adam ate from the fruit of the tree from which God commanded them not to eat. They received judgment from God, including physical death, and then had a sinful nature that has been passed down to all people since (with the exception of Jesus).Romans 5:12 offers a New Testament perspective of this issue: "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned." This idea that "death spread to all men" is often referred to as inherited sin. Every person is born with a fallen, imperfect sinful nature that separates us from fellowship with God.
The psalmist noted how early this sin impacts human life in Psalm 51:5: "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." Sin exists from conception from his perspective and is passed on from one generation to the next. We all inherit sin. Sin is both part of human nature and something each person practices in specific ways throughout life.
As a result, all people sin and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Some people sin more than others or sin in more visible ways than others, yet even one sin is enough to require God's redemption to restore a right relationship with God. Jesus came to earth to die as a substitute and payment for our sins so we could have fellowship with Him.
As a result, Acts 4:12 teaches that Jesus and only Jesus is sufficient for salvation: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Jesus personally taught, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
Just before Jesus ascended to the Father in heaven, He left a clear mission for His followers to share His message with as many people as possible: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus made salvation possible for any person who would believe in His name.
In summary, we have all inherited sin from Adam and Eve. In addition, every person commits many sins throughout his or her lifetime. These sins keep us from relationship with God and require a "way" of forgiveness in order to be restored in a right relationship with Him. Jesus Christ is the one and only way to be restored into a right relationship with God, offering forgiveness and eternal life. This salvation brings new life and great joy: "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:8-9).
What is sin?
The sin nature - What is it?
Original sin - What is it?
The consequences of sin - What are they?
How do I receive forgiveness from God?
Truth about Sin
