The sixth lesson of nine on the subject of basic doctrines of the Christian faith. This lesson is part of the BBD course; one of several courses in the Diploma in Ministry Essentials program.

1. BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINES
A survey of fundamental Christian doctrines as found in the Bible.
Lesson 6 | The Doctrines of Man and Sin
The Doctrine of Man
I. THE CREATION OF MAN
A. How did man get here?
Man was created by God on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26). God created Adam from the dust of
the earth (Genesis 2:7), and Eve from Adam’s rib (Genesis 2:22). From these verses, it is
theologically impossible for man to have ​evolved.
Men and women were created ​equal​: (a) In ​image ​. . . “let us make man in our image”
(Genesis 1:26); (b) In ​humanity ​. . . “Let us make man”; and (c) In ​personhood​. . . individuals:
“male and female”: Adam and Eve
B. What was man created to do?
1. ​Overall​: To glorify God (Ephesians 1:6).
2. ​Mankind’s duty​: Fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). To fear God
is to view Him as He is, the All-Powerful Creator, and behave yourself accordingly. To fear God
is to worship Him.
3. ​First commands (Genesis 1:28): (a) be ​fruitful​; (b) ​multiply​; (c) ​replenish ​(fill) the earth;
(d) ​subdue ​the earth; and (e) have ​dominion ​over creation, and (f) ​not ​to eat of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17)
C. What is man’s role in creation​?
Mankind has a place of authority over creation, to rule over God’s creation (Genesis 1:26-27;
Psalm 8:5-8, cf. Genesis 6:20). Mankind was given priority over creation. Man was meant to
care for God’s creation (Psalm 8:7-8). He was to keep the animals alive (Genesis 6:20). We can
see from this point that God’s design is that a ruler is supposed to care for his subjects.
D. Fellowship with God​ (cf. Genesis 3:8,10)
Genesis 3:8,10 give us a hint of this fellowship. Adam and Eve seemed to be in the habit of
being in God’s presence. This was apparently part of God’s original design for man.
II. MAN (MATERIAL AND NON-MATERIAL)
A. Material​: Created from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7); Called: ​body ​(Matthew 6:22); Flesh
(Galatians 2:20); ​sin nature (Romans 7:18); ​whole person (1 Peter 1:24); ​vile body (Philippians
3:21); ​earthen vessel (2 Corinthians 4:7); for believers, the ​temple of the Holy Spirit ​(1 Corinthians
6:19); differentiated from soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

2. B. Immaterial​:
1. ​Soul​: can mean one’s personal life or the entire individual as it relates to the physical
(Matthew 10:28); related to the blood of an individual (Deuteronomy 12:23-24); connected to
hunger (Psalm 107:9), weariness (Jeremiah 31:25), thirst (Psalm 42:2), grief (Job 30:25), love
(Song 1:7), etc. It leaves the body at death (Genesis 35:18) and is eternal.
2. ​Spirit​: Differentiated from the soul (Hebrews 4:12), can be considered the unique breath of
life from God (Genesis 2:7, Job 27:3) that connects the immaterial part of man with God who is
a Spirit (John 4:24). It is the part of man that is reborn (John 3:6). It appears to incline men
toward or away from God (Numbers 14:24). All men have a spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11), but it
appears that believers have a living (regenerated) spirit (Ephesians 2:1), while the
unregenerate do not have a living spirit ( Ephesians 2:2, Colossians 2:13).
Note​: There is much discussion about how the Bible specifically distinguishes characteristics
between the soul and spirit. Thus, one cannot be completely dogmatic on this issue.
3. ​Heart​: Can be related to the seat of emotional, intellectual, volitional, and spiritual life of man
(Hebrews 4:7,12; Matthew 22:37); differentiated from the soul, body (strength), and mind (Luke
10:27). The heart can be renewed by God (Ezekiel 36:26).
4. ​Will​: that part of man that makes choices (cf. Genesis 3:17, John 1:13, Galatians 5:13, etc.).
5. ​Conscience​: A witness within us of good and evil; but, that has been affected by the Fall
(Romans 2:15, Hebrews 10:22, 1 Peter 3:16).
6. ​Mind​: Where man thinks (Isaiah 26:3) distinguished from the heart (Daniel 5:20). Where
understanding lies. It has been corrupted by the Fall, but can be renewed (Romans 12:2,
Ephesians 4:23).
7. ​Flesh​: Refers to the corrupt sin nature of man (Romans 7:5,25; 8:1; 2 Corinthians 7:1). It
cannot be renewed, regenerated, or repaired.
C. What does it mean to be created in the image of God ​(Genesis 1:26-27)?
1. ​Does it mean we reflect God in personality? We reason (intellect), feel (emotion), and
choose (will)? These may be implied, but there does not seem to be a clearcut Scriptural basis
for it.
2. ​Do we reflect God in function? Genesis 1:26 connects the ideas of sharing God’s image
with sharing His rule or sovereignty over creation.
3. ​Does it mean body, soul, and spirit? But God is spirit and not body (John 4:24, cf. 1
Corinthians 15:44).
4. ​Does it mean that we share some attributes with God? The communicable attributes of
grace, mercy, love, holiness, righteousness, wisdom, etc.? It could very well, but not indicated.
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3. 5. ​Does it mean that the first man, Adam, reflected God in righteousness, knowledge,
and true holiness?
a. ​Righteousness ​(Ephesians 4:24, Genesis 15:6, Proverbs 12:17, Isaiah 32:17,
Matthew 5:20, 1 John 3:5). Adam and Eve were created in righteousness; they did not
have/make their own. This means that they were originally without sin.
b. ​True holiness ​(Ephesians 4:24, Isaiah 6:3, Leviticus 11:44, Isaiah 57:15, cf. Matthew
15:17-20); an outward purity and an inward purity.
c. ​Knowledge ​(Colossians 3:10, Philippians 1:9, Colossians 1:10, 1 Timothy 2:4, 2
Peter 1:2, Isaiah 11:9, Hebrews 11:3, Psalm 19:2). Knowledge of God: His will, an
understanding of the revealed things of God, an understanding of God’s glory in
creation, and a working knowledge of things created.
d. These make us finite representations of God
i. The likeness (image) of God (​he ​acts​ like his father​)
ii. A reflection (image) of God (​I can ​see​ his father in him​)
iii. To know the first man in the beginning, was to know a representation of God
Himself.
e. One day we will be fully restored into this image in Christ (Romans 8:29, 1 John 3:2)
III. THE FALL OF MAN
A. The literal reality of the fall. ​The Fall of Man (the entrance of sin into humanity) was a specific
historical event. Adam and Eve were real people (Matthew 19:3-5). They committed a particular sin
(Genesis 3). That sin affected all of mankind (Romans 5:12-21).
B. The choice ​(Genesis 2:15-17). Adam was told that he could enjoy the Garden of Eden but not to
eat of one tree. There was a simple choice to obey or disobey God.
C. The temptation (Genesis 3:1-5). Satan chose to appear in an animal form: a serpent (Revelation
12:9, 20:2). His approach was to first question God’s word. Then he blatantly denied God’s justice with
a lie: that there were consequences for sin.
D. The sin ​(Genesis 3:6). When Eve had listened to the serpent (2 Corinthians 11:3) instead of God’s
words, she saw and desired the fruit and ate it. She then extended the temptation by giving Adam the
fruit. He also ate. This sin was unique in that they sinned without having a sin nature. They sinned only
by choice. The rest of mankind is now sinful by nature and by choice.
E. The results of the Fall
1. On the ​serpent ​(3:14). The serpent was condemned to crawl (3:14). All the animal kingdom
in fact was affected by the Fall (Romans 8:20).
2. On ​Satan ​(3:15). Satan would forever be opposed (enmity) by Eve’s godly descendants
(believers). Christ (a descendant of Eve) would deal the death blow to Satan (thy head) on the
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4. cross, although Satan was allowed to cause Christ to suffer (heel). This verse is the first
revelation of the gospel in the Bible. Satan is called ​that old serpent ​(Revelation 12:9, 20:2).
3. On ​Eve ​and ​women ​(3:16). Women would (a) always have pain in childbirth; (b) struggle
with the desire to rule over her husband (desire, 4:7) and yet, (c) be in a supportive rather than
ruling role. The New Testament confirms these effects (1 Corinthians 11:3, 14:34; Ephesians
5:24-25, 1 Timothy 2:12-15, 1 Peter 3:1,5-6).
4. On ​Adam ​and ​men ​(3:17-19, 23-24). The ground was cursed so that sustaining life would
require difficult and painful labor (3:17-19a). Man would now die (3:19b) and Adam and Eve
were expelled from the garden (3:23-24).
5. On the ​human race (3:7-8). Mankind experienced a sense of guilt (made a covering, 3:7)
and a loss of fellowship with God (hid themselves, 3:8). Sin also brought death upon the race:
both physical and spiritual (Ephesians 2:3, Romans 5:12).
The Doctrine of Sin
A. Definition​. What is sin? Sin is any violation of the perfect holiness of God. Sin is lawlessness (1
John 3:4). Sin is falling short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Sin is anything contrary to God or his
word (Deuteronomy 9:7, Joshua 1:18).
B. The origin of sin. ​How did sin begin? Sin did not begin in God, He cannot sin (James 1:13). Sin
began in Satan (Ezekiel 28:15). In angels who followed him (2 Peter 2:4). In man (Genesis 3:6,
Romans 5:12). Sin was a choice made by free-thinking beings.
C. Inherited Sin (Sin Nature)
1. ​Definitions​: (a) Inherited sin is simply the ​sinful state into which all people are born (Ryrie).
We have a constant bent toward sin; (b) Inherited sin is also called the ​sin nature (it affected
our entire being), and it is called ​original sin (emphasizing that Adam’s sin caused the corrupted
nature we each inherit); (c) ​total depravity is a related term expressing our total lack of merit in
God’s sight. Total depravity does not mean we are as ​bad ​as we can be but that we are as ​bad
off​ as we can be because we all have a totally sinful nature.
2. ​Scripture​: “…in sin my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5); “…by nature children of wrath”,
Ephesians 2:3. Our emotions (Romans 1:26), our intellect (Romans 1:28) and our will (Romans
7:20) are all enslaved to sin and opposed to God.
3. ​Penalty​: The penalty of inherited sin is spiritual death. Man is born spiritually dead
(Ephesians 2:3) and will be eternally separated from God in hell if our sinful condition is not
remedied (Revelation 20:11-15).
4. ​Remedy​: Regeneration (Titus 3:5); being born again in Christ (John 3:5) by the Holy Spirit
using the word of God to produce faith in Christ (1 Peter 2:3, Romans 10:17, Ephesians 2:8-9,
John 3:16, 1 Timothy 1:15).
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5. D. Imputed Sin (All Mankind)
1. ​Definitions​: ​Imputation ​means putting to someone else’s account that which may or may not
be his. The imputation of Adam’s sin to mankind means that Adam’s first sin was rightfully
charged to the account of every other person. Someone may protest that it doesn’t seem fair
that others are charged with what Adam did. But the Bible teaches that since all were in Adam
we all unconsciously participated in Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12, cf. Hebrews 7:9-10).
2. ​Scripture​: Romans 5:12. Grammatically the expression “all have sinned” does not refer to
our individual sins or our sinful nature. It means that all sinned when Adam sinned (cf. Romans
5:18). That’s imputation. We are each held responsible (Ezekiel 18:4).
3. ​Penalty​: Imputed sin caused physical death. Each person’s physical death was sealed and
certain ever since Adam sinned (Romans 5:12). Our sin nature does not cause physical death
but spiritual (Ephesians 2:3). Individual sins do not cause physical death (infants die). Imputed
sin caused our physical death.
4. ​Remedy​: Imputed righteousness in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21); received by faith (Romans
3:22, Philippians 3:9).
E. Personal Sin (Works of the Flesh)
1. ​Definition​: Personal sin is any thought or attitude, act or failure to act, that violates God’s
standard of perfect holiness.
2. ​Scripture​: Romans 3:23, Galatians 5:19-21.
3. ​Sins of Omission​: Those sins which are the result of our lack of obedience to God’s word
(James 4:17).
4. ​Sins of Commission​: Those sins which are committed contrary to God’s word (e.g. Genesis
3:6).
5. ​Presumptuous sins​: Those sins done in arrogance; deliberate disobedience (Psalm 19:13).
6. ​Sin unto death​: A sin that leads to death (1 John 5:16, cf. Acts 5:1-10). It is not a specific
sin, but a sin related to an individual’s walk with God. It does not mean that one has lost their
salvation, but possibly the result of deliberate “willful, continuous, and unrepentant” sin.
7. ​Penalty​: The unbeliever’s sins prevent him from having fellowship (a personal relationship)
with God until he is regenerated. The believer as well loses the enjoyment of fellowship with
God when he lives with sins unconfessed (1 John 1:9, Psalm 66:18). ​Note​: Personal sins are
related to inherited sin and imputed sin. Personal sins are the visible and ​knowable ​expression
of our ​inherited ​sin nature and ​imputed ​sin. Personal sins are how a person knows he has a sin
problem.
8. ​Remedy​: For unbelievers, trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:13). For
believers, the death of Christ (1 John 1:7) and confession (1 John 1:9).
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6. G. Sin in the life of a Christian
1. ​The reality of sin in the believer​. Christians still have the sin nature (Romans 7:14-25,
especially 7:17,20-21,23). Believers have both the ​sin nature and the ​new nature (Romans
8:10, Ephesians 4:22-24). The old nature is not removed in this life. That is why we continue to
have personal sin (1 John 1:8).
2. ​The consequences of sin in the life of a believer​. Sin in our life will interrupt the joy of our
relationship with God (Psalm 51:12, 66:18). Persisting in sin may bring God’s discipline
(Hebrew 12:5-11), even sickness and death (1 Corinthians 11:30, James 5:19-20, 1 John 5:16).
Exclusion from the local church is necessary for some sin (Matthew 18:17, 1 Corinthians 5).
3. ​The remedy when believers sin​. The remedy when we sin as a believer is to simply
confess our sin (1 John 1:9). ​Confess ​literally means to ​agree with God about that sin. If we still
defend the sinful thought or act in any way, we have not confessed. True confession produces
a desire to change. But even if we sin the same way again, the solution is again confession.
Confessing sin is a major part of the Christian’s life. Confession brings the cleansing Christ
provided (1 John 1:7). ​Positionally​, all sin is already forgiven, but we claim and experience that
forgiveness by confession. The joy of fellowship with God is then restored. The Holy Spirit is
then free to ​fill us and continue His work transforming us into the image of Christ (Ephesians
5:18; Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 8:13,29).
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Resource information: ​This lesson was prepared by Ptr. Jerry F. Smith, D.Min., Faith Missionary Church and
Bible Institute, Gruetli-Laager, TN, USA, email: ​jerryfranksmith@gmail.com​.
References​:
Litke, Sid (May 17, 2004). Survey of Bible Doctrines. Bible.org. Accessed from
https://bible.org/series/survey-bible-doctrines​.
Ryrie, Charles (1994). Ryrie Study Bible, King James Version. Moody Bible Publishers.
Soul. (1915). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Power BibleCD 5.5.
Spirit. (1915). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Power BibleCD 5.5.
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