Adam & Christ

"Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." (Romans 5: 14)

The first man, Adam, is declared to be a "figure," a type or example of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament there are several important types of Christ among people, such as Moses, Joseph, and David. But, the very first "figure" of the Lord Jesus Christ is the very first man, Adam. How is Adam like Christ? How is Adam unlike Christ?

Likenesses

"Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned...Therefore as by the offence of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (Christ) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one (Christ) shall many be made righteous." (Romans 5: 12, 18, 19)

Notice the "as" and "so" in the verse. "As it was in the case of the first Adam," argues Paul, "so it is also in the case of the second Adam, Christ." Adam and Christ are studied and viewed for how they are alike, how they resemble one another. Just in what ways are Adam and Christ alike? Paul lists some of those similarities in the above citation. First, both Adam and Christ are "heads," legal representatives of the human race.

"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ." (I Corinthians 11: 3)

But so also was the first Adam. He too was "the head of every man." God originally constituted him as such. This is a very important bible teaching to understand and accept. When Adam sinned, therefore, the whole race sinned in him vicariously. The race was on trial in Adam. As Adam passed or failed, so the race passed or failed. The entire race stood its probation in Adam. As he fell, so we all fell.

As men are condemned in Adam, charged with his crime, and vicariously guilty, and cursed for his sin, so too are they saved in the Second Adam, and justified by his righteousness, and vicariously acquitted, and blessed for his obedient life.

We are not lost or cursed because of our own personal sin, but for the sin of Adam; so too, argues Paul, we are not saved because of our own personal good deeds, but for the good deeds of the Second Adam. This is contrary to the teaching of many theologians, however. Many argue that men are lost, first and foremost, because of their own personal sin, and likewise, that they are saved because of their own personal righteousness. Paul is denying such false teaching in writing upon the two men named "Adam" in scripture.

Thus, we are able to observe just how Adam and Christ are alike. Both are heads and legal representatives. But, it is not their likenesses that are most emphasized by Paul, in his writings upon this subject, but the contrasts.

Contrasts

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man (Adam) came death, by man (Christ) came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (I Corinthians 15: 20-22)

"And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first (Adam) which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual (Christ the second Adam). The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." (Verses 45-49)

What glorious revelation is this! Such revelation could never have been discovered by human reason or science. To understand these two men, Adam and Christ, and their significance for the human race, and for every individual in it, is to be greatly enlightened and to understand much of the grand why of things. There is much wonderful meditation to think upon these two men.

When God made the first man, it was not the ultimate end God had in mind. The first man, as he came forth from the hand of God, innocent, and not knowing sin or evil, had fellowship with God and knew God. But, in that pristine condition, how could he know God's mercy and grace? How could he know anything about what are such things as forgiveness, compassion, or redemptive love? God, when he created the first Adam, intended to ultimately bring into existence the second Adam, of whom the first Adam would be a means to that end.

Adam was saved after his fall. He received eternal forgiveness from God and had a degree of restored fellowship with God. Adam is now in heaven with Christ, the second Adam. Adam, after the coming day of the resurrection, will receive his new glorified and immortal body, and be perfected in every way. Who can deny that Adam, as he will be one day, is a superior spiritual being, than he was when he was first created? Who can deny that he now knows God in a superior way than he could have known him otherwise than through his fall into sin and by his redemption therefrom?

Friend, you were born into this world a member of the family of Adam. You are therefore born a member of a condemned race and under a curse. This is the source of all our woe. The universal sway of death demonstrates these facts. You cannot escape this destiny. But, thank God, he has ordained that men be saved through the Second Adam, through the "Lord from Heaven." To become part of this new race of redeemed men, you must be represented by this Second Adam. Are you a Christian? Christians are they who are saved by the work and person of the Second Adam.