Original Sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually.

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God created Humanity, male and female, as His Image and in His Likeness to be His covenant partners in ruling over Creation. Thus, they were created in a state of knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, collaborating with God in the administration of His will. At this time, God entered into a Covenant of Life with Adam as the Head of all Humanity, forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. 

Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own wills, fell from this grace-filled state of innocence when Adam transgressed, breaking the fellowship they intimately shared with the Lord. This first transgression, historically referred to as the Original Sin, brought the curse of Death upon Creation, corrupting all of Humanity and all of Nature. Moreover, it inaugurated the second death for Humanity so that those who choose a life in rebellion against God will, by virtue of their own choice, spend eternity alienated from Him after their earthly life has ended. 

In addition to explaining the consequences of the curse on their lives from this point forward, God exiled Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. From that day forward, all Humanity has been born into Sin (i.e. Original Sin) and inclined to live in rebellion against God (i.e. Actual Sin). This is why there is evil and suffering in the world, and without God, Humanity will continue to choose Death over Life. 

Only through Christ can the bondage to sin be broken and the sinful nature be transformed into righteousness. Eternal life cannot be earned through any form of human effort, not through good works, intellectual assent, or the power of the will. Nor has God arbitrarily selected certain individuals for salvation and others for damnation before the creation of the world, as Calvinism teaches. 

(See the explanation for Article 8 for the notes on what the Pelagians taught.)

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Reflect on the following Biblical texts. What are your thoughts on the way they reveal this doctrine to us? Discuss your answers with your pastor/group leader.

Genesis 1:26-3:24 

Psalm 51:1-19 (cf. Jeremiah 17:1-13) 

Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 

John 3:1-21 (cf. Matthew 15:1-20, Mark 7:1-23, John 6:22-71) 

John 3:22-36 (cf. 1 John 2:15-17) 

John 8:12-59 (cf. James 3:1-4:12) 

Romans 3:9-31 / Romans 5:12-6:23 

2 Corinthians 5:1-21 

Ephesians 2:1-10 

Hebrews 11:1-12:29 

1 Peter 1:1-25 / 2 Peter 1:1-11

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Use the following questions to summarize what you have learned about this Article of Faith. Discuss your answers with your pastor/group leader. (*Adapted from Wesley’s Catechism questions 7-17.)

What distinguishes Humanity from all of God’s other creations? 

What was it that God wanted Humanity to do and not do? 

What does the fact that the first sin was the choice not to trust God teach us about the nature of all Sin? 

Why did Adam’s sin affect all of Humanity that followed? 

How does God reverse the effects of Original Sin? 

How does this doctrine affect the practice of our faith? 

Notes: