The Fall

At creation God established a covenant with Adam and his posterity. The Covenant of Works (or Covenant of Creation) required complete obedience. When tempted by Satan Adam and Eve disobeyed and rebelled against God. Because Adam represented all mankind, the results of his sin, his guilt, his sinful nature, and death, are passed on to all his descendants, except for Christ. Being estranged from his Creator, yet responsible to him, man became subject to divine wrath, inwardly depraved and, apart from a special work of grace, incapable of returning to God. This depravity is radical and pervasive. It extends to his mind, will and affections. Unregenerate man lives under the dominion of sin and Satan. He is at enmity with God, hostile toward God, and hateful of God. Fallen, sinful people, whatever their character or attainments, are lost and without hope apart from salvation in Christ alone. After Adam transgressed the Covenant of Works God established the Covenant of Grace. The Covenant of Grace is demonstrated by God’s care for his creatures, even though they are in rebellion against him, and his provision of salvation through the last Adam, Jesus Christ.