THE DOCTRINE OF SOTERIOLOGY

       Doctrine  means teaching.  Soteriology is a compound word “soteri” and “ology.”  “Soteri” is the basic word for health and “ology” is the knowledge of or the study of.  Thus, the doctrine of soteriology is the teaching and the study of spiritual health of mankind--which is salvation.  Isaiah 53:5 states: “with his stripes we are healed.”  This is referring to spiritual healing and not physical healing.  An angel told Joseph that Mary “shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)  “Save” is translated from the Greek word “sozo” which means to save, to rescue from danger, make whole, and heal--spiritually not physical.

       Why study the subject of Soteriology?  Because knowledge of the Scripture will make one wise unto Salvation--“soteri” 1 Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  Theology, which is a study of God, has been said by man to be the most important doctrine to study.  I say soteriology is the next most important doctrine to study for you can know about God and not be saved.

       The doctrine of soteriology is left out by many religious schools and colleges and even if they have that course in their institution, most are not right on this subject because easy believism is taught and the work of the Holy Spirit is left out.  Soteriology is a controversial subject and there are ditches on both sides of the road.  Some are in the ditch on one side by practicing easy believism and then there are others who are in the opposite ditch of fatalism.  We need to get in the middle of the road concerning this doctrine for that is where God stands--in liberty. Deuteronomy 5:32-33 “Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.  Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.”  Any truth carried to extreme is error.  So let us look at and study the doctrine of soteriology.

I. Deals with man’s fall--when man sinned in the garden.

       A. That from which man fell.

               1. From state of perfection.

       Adam was made in God’s image by the hand of God. Genesis 1:26-27 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”  Genesis 2:7 gives the details--“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.  What does it mean to make man in our image?  God is a triune God--Elohim which is a plural word--Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Man takes many positions and tries to prove their position by books men have written.  It does not matter what books say but what does the Book say?  Some say you have to be careful for you do not have the original Scripture.  That is true, but if you have been awakened and saved, you have the originator of Scripture, the Holy Ghost, to guide you into all truth. John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”  Thus, you need to rightly divide the Word.  2 Timothy 2:15  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

       When God said, “Let us make man in our image,” He was not talking to Himself, for the trinity was present.  This can not be proved by this verse.  2 Peter 1:20 “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”  This states you cannot take one verse of scripture alone and build a doctrine.   John 1:1, 14a reveals two parts of the Trinity--God the Father and Jesus the Son who later was robed in flesh. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. . .”  When John the Baptist was baptizing in Matthew 3:16-17 all three of the Trinity was present--God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  Therefore, He created Adam in His image and in His likeness.  I believe that involved Adam being a triune being--spirit, soul, and body.

       Notice He made Adam in His image but after the fall all descendants are made in Adam’s image. Genesis 5:3 “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth.”  You were made in the image of man--a chip off the block.  Therefore, one must be saved to be back in the image of God.  2 Cor. 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  When saved He will bring that new creature to total completion.  Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”  This is proof, that man is a triune being when saved.  I Thess. 5:23 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

       Hebrews 4:12 gives rise to the soul and spirit as being different, even though these words in English are used inter-changeable. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Genesis 41:8 says his spirit is the element of his trouble (“And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.”) while Psalm 42:6 says his soul is the element of his trouble (“O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.”)--used inter-changeable yet different.  In John 12:27 Jesus said His soul (psuche) was troubled (“Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.”) and in John 13:21 He said His spirit (pneuna) was troubled. “When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.”  These texts use a different Greek word, thus having a spirit and soul and we know He had a body.  The body is world conscience, the soul is self conscience, and the spirit is God conscience.  Until God awakens you, you are not conscience of God.  Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

       Adam, made in the image of God had one law (Genesis 2:17 “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”) and it had teeth--the day he ate of the forbidden tree, he died yet the Bible said he lived 930 years.  His death in the garden was separation from God.  He died spiritually, therefore, he had what we refer to as a fallen nature.  And that death was passed upon all men.  Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”  That is why it takes the preaching of the truth--the word sharpened to divide soul and spirit.  Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  When this division takes place, that one is awakened andone comes to know something is not right in his spirit.

       Adam, the height of God’s creation, was created in the image of God--three parts: spirit, soul, and body.  There is no such thing as evolution of man from an animal, for man is three parts--spirit, soul, and body (his spirit is the part of God conscienceness) andanimals have only two parts--soul (seat of affections) and body.  Plants have only one part--body.  Unless God awakens a person he will never be God conscience.

       When Adam fell he lost his state of perfection--ceased being in the image of God.  He was dead spiritually and had a fallen nature.  Thus, we need to study soteriology for man needs to be healed spiritually--be saved so that he can function properly, as God desires.

       Thus man fell from a state of perfection.  Also, he fell from:

               2. A Perfect environment.

       The garden of Eden was a utopia.  There was no sin, no turmoil, no death, no pain, no suffering, no sorrow, and no curse.  But he lost that when he ate of the forbidden tree.  Genesis 3:23-24 “Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”  He lost the perfect environment he was in.  Some say if I just had a better environment, everything will be alright.  Adam had the best environment one can have, yet sinned and needed spiritual healing.  He needed a Saviour and that is why Jesus came.  Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”  Save is from the Greek word “sozo” which means the healing of mankind spiritually--soteriology.

       Be thankful if the Lord has awakened you and is stirring in you.  Do not push off that bother inside, let Him continue that you may be healed spiritually--sozo--saved.  God has been longsuffering and good so as to give you a space of repentance.  Romans 2:4 “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

       B. The condition to which man fell.

               1. Dead.

        Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

       Paul was writing to the saints--saved (Ephesians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.”) who were, before saved, separated from God--dead.  It means they at one time had no consciousness toward God.  They were dead, yet safe, until they reached the “knowledge (not age) of accountability.”  Deuteronomy 1:39 “Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.”  This verse says that all the children of Israel under 20 years of age (age found in Numbers 14:29) had no knowledge of good and evil; therefore, they were not accountable to God and did not die in the wilderness.  A college professor in a local college said that a person cannot think abstract until they reach puberty.  One cannot be saved until they can think abstract for God is abstract and faith is abstract.  Therefore, a three or four year old child cannot think abstract so they are safe until they reach the knowledge of accountability which is closer to 20 years of age then three.

       Adam only had one law and it had teeth.   Genesis 2:17 “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”   When Adam ate of that tree, he died spiritually even though he lived 930 years.  And he passed that death to all man-kind.  Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”  We are born dead and have no consciousness of God.

               2. Lost

       This simply means separated from God when we reach the knowledge of accountability but safe until we reach that point.  The Bible refers to man as being lost. Luke 15:24 “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”  This is a parable referring to three things that were lost--sheep, coin, and son.  Being lost is a dreadful thing, not just mentally but in reality--experiencing lostness.  But that is who Jesus came to save. Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”  When did you experience lostness?  If a person continues in lostness, he will be separated from God throughout eternity in the lake of fire.  That is a dreadful thing.

               3. Influenced to the point of control.

       This influence is by the world, devil, and flesh.  Ephesians 2:2-3 “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

               4. Alienated.

       This is similar to being lost and means to shut out from one’s fellowship and intimacy, a stranger to, and estranged.  Ephesians 4:18 “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”  Our compassion reaches out to a child who is alienated from its parents.  In like manner when we see a world (mankind) alienated from God, it ought to move us to compassion.  It did Jesus.  Matthew 9:36-37 “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.”  Mattthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”

       He knew their condition.  And when we really see the condition of others even in our churches, may it move us and cause us to ask what can we learn and do to help others come to Christ that they may be saved?  Answer: Study the doctrine of soteriology so that we might understand what real salvation is, so that we would not lead someone to make a false profession.

               5. Without strength.

       Romans 5:6 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

       Without strength means weak for good--not capable of doing good.  We get our word anesthesia from this Greek word.  When a person is under total anesthesia, he is not world conscience--no sense of touch, ssight, hear, smell, and taste.  In a similar manner when one is under the anesthesia of sin, he is not God conscience--no faith, no worship, no love, no hope, and no fear.  Romans 3:18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  This is true of all who are not awakened spiritually.  The man the demons called Legion as well as Lydia and Mary Magdalene, had been awakened and worshiped Jesus and Luke 7:47 says: “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”  This woman (believed to be Mary Magdalene by some) loved (agape) much.  These things happened even though she was not saved but had been awakened.

               6. Ungodly.

       Romans 5:6 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

       This word means strong for evil.  Remember all are safe until they reach the knowledge of accountability.

               7. Sinners.

       Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

       This is not just referring to sinners by nature, which is true, but actively engaged in sin by choice.

               8. Enemies.

       Romans 5:10 “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

               9. Blind.

       2 Corinthians 4:3-4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

       This could apply to those who do not want to see, which is true of all natural mankind.  This also could apply to those who have preconceived ideas of error and when truth comes passing by, they shut their eye to the real truth and as a manner of speaking they say, “My mind is made up. Do not confuse me with the truth.”

               10. Deceived.

       Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

       This makes it very clear that a depraved man does not know his own heart and only the Lord can awaken him to see his deceived heart.

               11. Depraved.

       This term has been applied to the natural man.  It means totally corrupted to the core.  The Bible says in Romans 3:12 “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

               12. Condemned.

       John 3:18-19 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” and John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

       Condemned means the natural man who has reached the knowledge of accountability is under the judgment of God.  God’s wrath abides on him and if it was not for the goodness of God, he would be in hell, but the Lord holds back that wrath to give hima space of repentance. Romans 2:4 “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

       The sad thing about these 12 conditions is that there are many who have never seen the deplorable condition they are in.  Also another sad condition is there are many who say they are saved and do not care about the sad condition of those who are lost.  When we see mankind dwelling in this condition, it is needful for us to be compassionate and to ask ourselves what can I do and what can I learn that I may be able to help lost humanity.  Answer: Study the doctrine of soteriology so that I might understand what real salvation is and that I would not lead someone to make a false profession.

       When we look at these 12 conditions to which man fell, it sounds like man is hopeless.  But Jesus said in John 4:4 “And he must needs go through Samaria.” because there was a woman at the well who needed to be saved and Jesus passed by her that day and saved her.

       Every time there is a bad picture of our condition painted in Scripture, there follows a “But God.”  Ephesians 2:4-5a “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins. . .”  Then He gives a promise of what He will do.  He not only loves us but He forbears, holds back that wrath giving us a space of repentance.  Romans 2:4 “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  It is God’s purpose to save His people from their sin.  Matthew 1:24 “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.”  Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

       C. Explanation of Man’s fall.

       We cannot fully explain the fall because we do not have a direct Biblical revelation of the reason of the fall.  We cannot go to chapter and verse that states why man fell.  There are many explanations given by man in books and on the radio and TV but most do not make any sense at all.  It is true that Adam was free to choose, for we know he did choose, but we do not know why he chose wrong.  We know Adam was created on the sixth day and put in the garden of Eden.  Genesis 2:8 “And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.”  He was given one law and it had teeth in it. Genesis 2:16-17 “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” This was told to Adam before Eve was created the sixth day.  We also know God permitted Satan in the garden and He permitted man to partake of the forbidden fruit.  But the reason why Adam did this we know not.  Therefore, we do not know the reason Adam fell, but we can know:

       D. The cause of the fall.

       This is dealing with the things that actually took place to bring the fall about.

               1. The efficient cause.

       Efficient means the thing that effected the fall of man; that which causes anything to be what it is; the causing effect.  It was Satan the serpent.  He appeared not long after man and woman were placed in the garden and were told to replenish the earth. Genesis 1:28-29 “And God blessed them and God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.  And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”  The reason I believe it was not long was because there had been no conception. (Genesis 3:1-7; read in Bible)  In these verses we do not find a direct statement that this was Satan that was tempting Eve.  In fact the Scripture is clear that it was the serpent.  But as you go through the Bible there are conclusive indications that Satan was using the serpent.  We could say that Satan was embodied in the serpent.  Revelation 12:9 “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”; 12:14 “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”; 20:2 “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.”  God cursed the serpent for allowing Satan to use him.  Genesis 3:14 “And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life.”  Satan is the efficient cause of the fall.

               2. The Active cause.

       Man was not passive--means not active.  He was active.  For Satan did not put the fruit of the tree in their mouths.  No, they chose and they acted in rebellion against God.  Genesis 3:6-7 “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”  Eve was deceived (beguiled) but Adam was not deceived.  I Tim. 2:13-14 “For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”  Therefore,  man was not passive--inactive.   He chose and acted in rebellion against God for what ever reason and he brought sorrow upon himself and all mankind.

               3. The Permissive cause.

       Where was God during this time.  He withheld grace for resistance.  I ask you could God not have given him grace not to have partook of the fruit of the tree?  How else does grace come?  It is obvious that they did not have grace to resist.  1 Corithians10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”  This verse indicates that God has the power, ability, and control over all temptations.  He is able to withhold any temptation He so chooses.  Paul is an example.  He asked the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh but God said, “My grace is sufficient.” (2 Corinthians 12:9a)  Also Paul was continually keeping himself from temptations. 1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

       We need to pray that God does not withhold grace for resistance. (Romans 1:21-28; read in Bible)  These people rejected light and God withheld His grace and they were given up to uncleanness, vile affections, and a reprobate mind.  Paul said if you turn away from truth you will be turned to error.  2 Tim. 4:4 “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”  Oh, we need all the grace we can get--amazing grace, saving grace, and sanctifying grace.

       God could have kept Satan out of the garden if He had chosen to do so.  Also, He could have kept Eve with her husband away from Satan if He chose to.  But for God’s own reason He chose to allow these things to come together and allow these things to take place as they did.  The permissive cause--God allowing man to partake of the forbidden fruit. Matthew 11:26 “Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.”

4. The immediate cause--man’s desire for dominion without Divine restraint.

       When God created man He gave him dominion over all the rest of the creation of the earth, not heaven.  As we go through the Bible it seems that God gave man the desire for dominion--the desire to rule.  That is not only seen in the Bible but we see that as a natural trait man has today.  No doubt that desire was increased greatly after the fall.  That desire caused man to move in contrast to the revealed will of God.  Genesis 2:17 “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

       The temptation for man’s dominion to be exercised without God’s restraint, God’s instruction, and God’s leadership, came when Satan lied.  Genesis 3:5 “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”  Satan said, you may eat what you want, you may rule as you please, and do not worry about God’s restraint.  It was a desire for dominion without Divine restraint--the immediate cause.  Man’s sin, as far as the immediate, is always selfish.

5. The underlying cause--man’s dependency and mutability--changeableness.

       The Word says man was created in such a way that he could fall and could change.  God was and is immutable.  Malachi. 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”  Some say God repented (changed) and did not destroy Nineveh.  When God repents He changes His course of action for He already knew exactly what He was going to do, Thus “He changed not.”  God’s immutability means the unchangeable character of God which was not transferred to man.  Man could change.  Thus, our attitude should be the attitude of Christ when we look at the reasons and cause of the fall.  The attitude of Christ which should prevail in our hearts is found in Mat. 11:25-26. “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.  Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.”  The Scripture said, “Father you did it because that is the way you wanted to do it.  It seemed good in thy sight and that is good enough for me.”  This needs to be our attitude.

       There are some things in the Bible simply not revealed to us concerning God’s cause and purpose.  Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”  We need to accept it this way.  Salvation is the issue and 1 Timothy 2:4 could apply. (“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”)  Paul spoke of some mysteries not yet revealed and the reason of the fall could be in that category--mystery.  When we look at the Bible we have a true revelation from God but we do not have a full revelation.  God has not chosen to tell us everything yet.  John 16:12-13 “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”  There are many things we need to just bow our heads and say, “It seemed good in thy sight.”  And the reason of the fall is one of those things.  Do not get hung up on the why.

       E. The results of man’s fall--what happened when Adam fell and what were the results of the fall?

               1. The entire human race fell in Adam.

       When Adam fell, I fell.  When Adam fell, you fell.  When Adam died, I died.  When Adam died, you died.  The Biblical revelation is found in Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”  With the entrance of sin was an entrance of death.  1 Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”  We died in Adam and will be resurrected in Christ.

               2. There were immediate effects which came on the human race.

       These effects--spiritual death, corruption of man’s nature, and judicial guilt before a Holy God.  Because Adam fell, man is guilty before God.  We are conceived in sin--sinful nature is passed on to each and every person born in the human race and we are guilty before God.

               3. There were long range effects upon the human race:

       - Eternal death spiritually.  Romans 6:23a “For the wages of sin is death. . .”  This refers to hell and the lake of fire.

- Involved judicial guilt before God.

- Involved the corruption of our affections.

- Involved the perversion of our conscience.

- Involved the enslaving of our nature, including our will--this is due to influence.  I am not saying man does not have a will or that man’s will is not free within the boundaries of his nature.  I am saying there was an ensnaring of man’s nature which included his will.

4. Adam’s fall needs to be seen as compared to Eve’s.  1 Timothy 2:14 “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”

       Eve sinned in ignorance but not in innocence.  Eve was very guilty.  Adam fell by knowledgeable transgressions--he knew what he was doing--he was not deceived.  And Eve fell in him.  Adam was the head and he was responsible.  Did Eve fall first or Adam?  If Eve fell first and then Adam, why did God say that men die in Adam and not Eve?  Eve did not fall first, Eve did not fall as a result of her eating of the tree directly but she fell as a result of Adam eating of the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  For it was Adam who was given this responsibility not to eat of that tree.  And it was Adam in whom Eve fell, in whom Eve died, and in whom Eve sinned.  This is call Federal Headship.

       Federal Headship is foreign to the modern mind, and is not mentioned in the Bible, but it is a biblical concept.  It is the teaching that the father is the one who represents his family, his descendants.  Job is an example.  Job 1:5 “And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.”

       Further proof of this can be found in Hebrews 7:4-10. (look it up and read it.)  Levi was a distant descendent of Abraham, yet it is said that Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek even though Levi was not born.  How can this be?  We know that Levi did not physically carry out the act of paying tithes to Melchizedek, but we also know that Abraham was the representative head of his descendants.  This is how it can be said that Levi also paid tithes to Melchizebek.  Federal Headship also finds its place in the epistle of Romans. (Romans 5:12-14; read)

       One Bible commentary says, “The federal headship view considers Adam, the first man, as the representative of the human race that generated from him.  As the representative of all humans, Adam’s act of sin was considered by God to be the act of all people and his penalty of death was judicially made the penalty of everybody.”  Therefore, Adam was the federal head and I was in him and when he sinned, I sinned and died.

       Also the federal headship of Adam rests upon his natural headship.  He was our natural head before he was our federal head.  He was made our federal representative because he was our natural forefather, and because of his action our destiny was affected, because our very nature was on trial in him.  When he ate of the forbidden tree, we ate also.

       Therefore, it should be clear that Adam represented us and when he fell, we fell.  But some may object and say that is not fair.  They will say that we should not be held responsible for Adam’s sin because we never sinned--we never ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  But death reigned upon all mankind.  Romans 5:14 “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.”

       If this is a position they want to hold, then let us take a look at the cross and see why federal headship is important in relation to Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:45 “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”  The “last Adam” is a reference to Jesus because of the similar relationship that exists between them both.  That is, both Adam and Jesus are representative heads.  Adam is the representative head over all mankind, and Jesus is the representative head over all the saved.  1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”  This is teaching us that Adam and Christ are heads of groups.  Notice “in Adam” and “in Christ” referring to our position in relationship to both of them.  If Adam did not represent mankind, then Jesus could not represent the saved when He died on the cross.  As Adam’s offense resulted in condemnation to all people, so also, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross results in justification for those who believe in Him.  Romans 5:18 “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”

       It is because of federal headship--legal representation--that we are able to be saved at all.  As Adam’s sin was imputed to us because of the fall, our sin was likewise imputed to Jesus on the cross and Jesus’ righteousness is imputed to us when we receive Him.  In other words, if it was not for the biblical idea of federal headship (of one person representing others), then Jesus could not have represented us on the cross.  If Jesus did not represent us on the cross, then it could not be said of us.  Colossians 3:3 “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”  Romans 6:8 “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.”  Jesus represented us so completely on the cross that it can be said that we have died with Him.  If it were not for federal headship, this would not be possible and we could not have died to sin.

       Therefore, federal headship is a biblical concept with some very important results.  Because of the biblical concept, we are able to enjoy salvation, we have died to sin, and we can rest in Christ who represented us before the Father in His satisfaction of the law of God.  I am glad the Father said I am satisfied with what our representative did for us on the cross of Calvary.  We died in the first Adam and live in the last Adam--Christ.  I know that a work of God has to be carried out in our lives for this to be a reality.

       Now a question: Was Christ your representative on the cross?  In foreknowledge God knows.  If He was, then you need to obey the light (truth) He has given you.  Are you seeking Him?  If you are, you will come to know Him if you will continue seeking Him.  And there will come a time when your sins will be charged to His account and His righteousness will be imputed to your account--be justified because He is your federal head.  Do not kick against this doctrine.  Just let Him finish His work in you.

       F. State of man after the fall.

       When we refer to man as to his character and action we call him a sinner.  When we refer to his condition, we refer to him as being depraved or totally depraved--the state of man is as a sinner.  The nature of sin has to be seen from four directions.

               1. Sin as an act.

       1 John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

       Transgression is an act or a lack of action, or a violation in thought or lack of thought. Take for an example the command not to steal.  If one steals, it is an act contrary to the command of God and we call that a sin of commission--transgression--overstepping the fence.  Another example is the command to love one another.  If we fail to do that, it is still an act contrary to the command and we call that the sin of omission--omitting to do what God commands.  Also the tenth commandment says not to covet.  Thus when we desire something we ought not have, we sin by attitude before we act.  Many think if you can get a man to quit his actions he will be okay.  That would be like taking a sick person who was moaning and groaning and you get them to quit moaning and groaning they would be alright.  That would not heal their sickness.  In like manner when we look at the act of sin, it issues from something else:

2. Principle of sin--an attitude of rebellion against God.

       There is a principle in man that says, “I want to do what I want to do,” as opposed to what God wants.  In the garden before Eve partook of the fruit, she had a desire to take it.  She was deceived as to the final result but not deceived as to what God told Adam to do.   She knew.  Yet Satan said in Genesis 3:4 “Ye shall not surely die.”  Genesis 3:6 “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”  Therefore, rebellion raised up its head in the heart of Eve.  This is the principle of sin--an attitude of rebellion against God.  Whether the act itself is committed or not, the principle of sin is still within man.

               3. Essence of sin.

       Essence means that which constitutes the particular nature of a being.  That is self-exaltation.  Basically a sinner does not sin because he has it in for God, even though he may come to that point.  Eve did not have it in for God.  The essence of sin is an attitude or condition of heart that says “self instead of God.”  “I want what I want.”  Natural man wants to do what gratifies himself and if God’s will gets in the way then he does what he wants. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 is the basic condition of man’s heart; read in Bible)  Stated in these verses twice “lovers of themselves and pleasure more than lovers of God.”  Their problem lies in that they love themselves instead of loving God.  The same is true with all who exalt themselves.  2 Thessalonians 2:4 “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”  That spirit is already working and it is the same spirit in natural man.  Ephesians 2:2 “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”  This brings about the rejection of Divine law in principle.  Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”  This is saying, “love God supremely.”  Luke 18:11-12 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”  The Pharisee’s attitude is “I, I, I” and he will be abased (to make low).  Luke 18:13-14 “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”  The Lord said do not seek the highest seat and he rebuked those who did.  (Luke 14:8-11; read in Bible)  Let someone else toot your horn.  Self assertion is rebellion against God. 

       We need to stand for what is right (truth), yet we have no rights of our own.  That is self assertion.  This all is in opposition to “loving God supremely,” therefore, rejection of divine law.  Satan fell because of self exaltation (Isaiah 14:12-15; read in Bible) and he was abased.  Satan tempted the Lord because he wanted Him to bow down and worship him--self instead of God which is the very essence of sin.  Eve ate the fruit because it was what she wanted.  Man holds on to his sin because he wants the pleasure that will be derived from his sin.  The very essence of sin is man’s determination to gratify himself instead of glorifying God.

4. State of sin--man’s inherent condition as being a sinner not just an act.

       Sin reigns in attitude before it reigns in action.  Attitude says I will.  Man does not become a sinner by sinning, anymore than an apple tree becomes an apple tree by bearing apples.  A man sins because he is a sinner, just as an apple tree bears apples because it is an apple tree.  An apple tree’s state must exist prior to and is largely causative of it bearing apples--which is its action.

       So it is with a sinner.  Man is a sinner by mere virtue of the fact he is a man.  Every man born, with exception of Jesus was a sinner when he was born.  Psalm 58:13 “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.”  By that I am saying he was destined to hell as an infant, but safe until he reached the knowledge of accountability.  This state of sin issues in attitudes and acts--sins of commission and sins of omission.  These outward manifestations are merely a result of the principle, essence, and state of sin in fallen man.  And in man there is no hope within himself.  Isaiah 64:7 “And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.”   But God.  Ephesians 2:4-5a “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins. . .”  May you obey light and allow your federal head to place your sin on His account and His righteousness on your account.  He is faithful.  Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  I Thessalonians5:24 “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

G. We need to study the doctrine of soteriology--reasons.

               1. We must understand that man must not diagnose his own spiritual state.

       Someone has said, “The man who is his own doctor has a fool for a patient.”  The reason would be because his diagnosis would not be very good and probably his prognosis not good as well.  This very clearly indicates that we are not qualified to diagnose our own spiritual state.  Revelation 3:17 illustrates this. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”  They looked at themselves and diagnosed their condition.  Our Lord pointed out what they think of themselves.  You may say that they know better than that.  No, they did not know for the Lord said they “knowest not.”  They do not know.  Jesus said, “Thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”  They really were blinded and deceived.

       So man must not analyze his own condition.  When he does you will hear such statements as: “I am not such a bad guy.  I am better than certain people I know.  2 Cor. 10:12 “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”  If I do thus and so, I think I will be alright.”  But the Lord said, “Thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”  They had a wrong diagnosis of their condition, thus a wrong prognosis for their life.  There is coming a time when many will claim what they are, thinking they will be accepted by the Lord and He will say, “Depart from me, I never knew you.”  Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”  Man must not diagnose his own spiritual state.

2. Man cannot see the source of his symptoms.

       Many times we see men trying to reform, to change their habits, to improve the conduct of their life. But they fail to see the source of their problems.  They are blinded and cannot see what is inside.  Mark 7:21-23 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”  They think they have a bad habit but they have a bad heart.  Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”  They think they have bad influences, bad friends, and bad circumstances causing all their problem.  But they have a bad heart and they cannot see that.  Some think if they had a better environment they would be okay.  Adam had a perfect environment, yet he fell in sin.

3. Man cannot project by reason the outcome of these things.

       Man reasons, “I will be better one of these days.”  But the fact of the matter is unless God intervenes he will not be better but in fact, he will be worse if left to himself.  His sin will grow worse and worse.  Oh, he may turn from the more grosser sins that society frowns upon and turn to the more sophisticated ones society accepts.  But he will never the less be just as filthy and unclean before God and he will not know the condition he is in.  He will not know that he is “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked”--has a bad heart.

4. Man cannot prescribe any remedy that will help.

       You can read books, that men have dreamed up and stated, that will solve all man’s problems.  But as you look around today at all the research that has been done, all the philosophy of all the wise men that have come and gone, and read all the volumes of books that have been written, you will find that the earth is no better than it was--much like the woman with an issue of blood.  Mark 5:25-26  “And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse.” This old world has suffered greatly at the hands of men who said they had cures for man’s condition. They were going to straighten man out, yet the more he follows their teachings, the more crooked he gets.

       -crimes are higher.

       -rebellion is greater.

       -immorality on the rise.

       -more murders.

       -divorce rate is higher.

       Man has not been able to come forth with a remedy that is satisfactory for his condition--when he fell in Adam.  He cannot deliver himself from the terrible condition he is in.  Therefore, he needs to realize that only God knows the results and remedy of sin. (Romans 7:7-13; read in Bible)  Only God’s law has shown man his condition--how sinful he is.  Paul did not lust until the law became a reality to him and neither will we.  When man tries to solve his problem usually his remedy involves legal acts of some sort.  That may be the Mosaic law--the 10 commandments and we have broken all of them.  There may be perverted law.  But it will basically be, “Thou shalt not, or thou shalt.”  Man does not know the remedy of sin, only God does.

       H. Man’s responsibility after the fall.

       Man is not a robot.  He is responsible to that which he knows and that which he has access to know.  The Bible indicates that the heathen is responsible--corresponds to his ability to know.  Luke 12:48 “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”  Romans. 1:19-20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”  We are without excuse because God placed a conscience inside all mankind.  It is like a vacuum and there will be no satisfaction until God fills that vacuum.  Also we have creation outside that speaks to us “There is a God.”  Does this mean that man can look up into heaven and learn all about God?  No!  The problem is that man refuses to learn what he could as he looks up into the heavens.  It offers to them knowledge (light) that God is.  This refutes evolution.

       Man does not desire the knowledge of God because he has rejected available knowledge; therefore, he is without excuse.  Romans 2:12-15 (read in Bible) says that the conscience was within man and caused him to become a law unto themselves; therefore, he is without excuse because he is responsible to what he has access to.  Ignorance is not forced upon a man but something he chooses.

       If I was given by my boss two boxes which contain a machine and a detailed set of instructions as to how to set it up and was told to set it up in the next 30 days, I have the mechanical ability and I may have the tools but I do not have the knowledge.  The boss said he will be back in 30 days.  He comes back and the boxes are opened but the machine is not put together.  I say I did not know how to put it together.  He ask, “Did you read the instructions?”  I say, “No.”  Then he says, “You are fired.” I say, “That is not fair for you are firing me for failing to do something I did not know how to do.”  He says, “Even though you did not know how to do it, you had the instructions at your disposal.”

       Therefore, we see my inability did not relieve me of my responsibility because I had access to the knowledge of how to do it which would have given me the ability to do it.  So it is not only knowledge that brings responsibility, it is also access to knowledge.  We have a lot of access to knowledge in America and in a true church, we have not only empowered preaching but study helps such as books and CD’s available.

       This supports the fact that infants and mentally incompetent people are safe by grace.  The Bible does not say a great deal about this subject--the infant and incompetent being safe.  The infant and mentally incompetent cannot comprehend, thus not having ability nor access; therefore, they are safe until they reach the knowledge of accountability.  A lack of knowledge and a lack of access of knowledge seems to indicate a measure of innocence.   John 9:39-41 (read in Bible) gives insight into this truth--no double talk here.  The Lord said, “If you were blind, you should have so sin, but now ye say We see; therefore your sin remaineth.”  They were not physically blind, but spiritually blind.  The only other blindness is mental blindness which an infant and the mental incompetent have.  The Pharisees did not have mental blindness.  They had knowledge and access to knowledge; therefore, they were guilty and responsible before almighty God.

       The spiritual mind has been blinded.  2 Corinthians 4:3-4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”  That does not mean they are innocent.  But the Lord said to the Pharisees if you had mental blindness, you would have no sin--be safe.  But you have knowledge and mental perception; therefore you are guilty before God.  Deuteronomy 1:39 “Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.”  Moses was telling them of their forefather’s lack of faith and said He was not holding those children responsible who had no knowledge and no access of knowledge--safe.  These children (those under 20 years of age) had not grown to the point to have access to the knowledge of good and evil.  At Kadesh-Barnea these Israelites were spiritually blind or they would have gone in and possessed the land.  They had experienced the hand of God delivering them time and time again.  They had access and were responsible but not the children--those under 20 years of age.

       We who have reached the knowledge of accountability are responsible.  Luke 12:48 “. . .For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”  Many think they are okay like the Laodiceans in Revelation 3:17.  “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”  But the Lord said you are not okay and gave them counsel in Rev. 3:18.  “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”  This showed His longsuffering and goodness.  Romans 2:4 “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  May the Lord help us to heed  His counsel and continue.  John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  He showed His goodness to this group knowing what they would do--would not continue in His word.  The Lord is so good!

       I. The moral nature of Man.

       When we study the condition of man and learn a little about what God is like, then we know man is not what he was when he came forth fresh from the hand of God.  Adam was not what he was before he ate of the forbidden tree.  Therefore, his state of being or his moral nature is a fallen nature and that was passed on by mankind--every man has a fallen nature.  As you study the Bible you will understand that man is a moral creature and has responsibility.  Man is not a beast nor did he come from a beast.  I hope you know that.  How can man be so dumb to believe he came from a beast?

       Man has perception and understanding that a beast does not have and that separates him from a beast.  He may at times act like a beast.  In fact at times in his fallen state, he may conduct himself in a far meaner fashion than the beast, but he is no beast.  What is it that makes man far different from the beast?  He has within him faculties that God placed in him; therefore, he is above the beast.  Faculties have the power and ability of the mind and intellect which enables it to receive, revive, or modify perceptions--called capacities of the mind such as seeing, hearing, imagining, remembering, and etc.  Beasts have some faculties but they are inferior to humans; therefore, man is above the beast--no evolution here.  We will divide these faculties into three different sections: 1) intellect, 2) conscience, and 3) will.

               1. Intellect--faculty for perception or thought.

       We do not mean that an animal cannot think, for he can but not to the degree man can.  Take a dog for an example.  He can think you are friendly by revealing an action--wagging his tail.   Scold him and his actions change for he thinks you are unfriendly.  So animals have the ability to think but man’s ability to record information and to draw from that information is different from an animal--it is superior.

       This is what the Lord tried to make plain to the Pharisees in John 9:39-41 (read in Bible) when He spoke of three types of blindness: 1) physical--the blind man had just been healed physically and we can understand this type of blindness, 2) mentally, and 3) spiritual.  The Lord told the Pharisees in verse 41, “If ye were blind, ye should have no sin.”  Therefore, mental blindness is set forth here.  I am glad God does not hold those who are mentally blind accountable.  An example we could use is that a girl had a smart horse and she told the horse to do her chores.  When she came back the chores were not done and she got a whip to whip the horse.  But her dad said it is morally wrong to punish a horse when he did not have the ability (intellect) to do the chores.

       God did not demand of Adam that which was not in his intellect.  In like manner God did not demand death to all the children under 20 years of age as He did to all above 20 years of age. Deuteronomy 1:39 “Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.”  They had no knowledge of good and evil because their faculty of intellect was not developed to its fullest--mentally blind; therefore, they were not accountable--not responsible.  Man was created with an intellect and he still had that after the fall.  But it may not be developed yet; thus, he is safe until he reaches the knowledge of accountability.  The Pharisees were not blind physically, nor mentally, but spiritually.

               2. Conscience--goes deeper than intellect.

       Conscience means the power of the mind to know right from wrong.  A child needs to know right from wrong by his first birthday.  But the knowledge of accountability is when you know good from evil. Deuteronomy 1:39 “Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.”  The tree is the garden was known as good and evil not right and wrong.  A child has a conscience before he comes to the knowledge of accountability.  Therefore, conscience is the power of the mind to know right from wrong and it goes deeper than the intellect.

       When one’s conscience operates, the intellect comes into play.  But the conscience deals with the “feelings” of man which is within him and these feelings guide him.  Therefore, there is a sense in which the conscience is the ultimate (final) guide.  Some say, “I know the bible says so and so but I’ve never been convicted.”  They mean that they have never been accused by their conscience of their guilt.  Many time they are lying about that or their conscience may be seared. 1 Tim. 4:1-2 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”

       If a person has been taught about something that is wrong, their conscience will say that is not right.  One’s conscience can only operate according to the standard the person has been taught by.  Revealed truth and available truth are truths that work through the conscience.  Conscience will not convict without truth--word--standard--plumbline.  The law of God has no way of reaching man except through his conscience.  One may hear it (law) mentally or audibly yet have no reaction except it speaks through his conscience.  When one does right it is the result of the prompting of the conscience.

       The conscience acts according to the standard that is accepted by the mind.  If the mind is taught from a child that it is right to do certain things and the mind is fully persuaded of that, then the normal thing will be for the conscience to respond in keeping with that which the mind is persuaded of right or wrong.  Our conscience guides us right only in proportion to rightness of the standard we have accepted as our guide.  Therefore, the knowledge of God’s Word is important and an absolute necessity as a guide to the conscience.  We are in a mess today because we have not been taught.

       When we speak of our conscience as being the ultimate guide, we speak of it as being a faculty of man which ultimately guides the man.  By this we are not saying that the conscience will always be a right guide.  When a person acts rightly, it will be his conscience that finally becomes his ultimate guide in making that right action.  Sometimes when a person does wrong his conscience hurts him, if he was taught that such an action was wrong.  The conscience is the ultimate guide but it may not be an accurate guide, depending on the standard he was brought up with--because he may not have been subject to proper revelations--the Word of God.  For one to do right his conscience must be subject to proper revelation--the Word of God.

       If a person is raised in heathenism where wars abound and revenge was the custom taught from youth up, and if that young man’s father was killed in war, his conscience will drive home to him to avenge his father’s death upon one who killed him, even if the fight was fair and square.  We know from the standard we have been taught, that this is wrong but this young man has never been taught this is wrong.  Therefore, his conscience will hurt him if he does not avenge his father’s death.  Question: Was his conscience his ultimate guide?  Yes.  Was it an accurate guide?  No.  But it still guided him because of the standard he was brought up with.  Therefore, conscience is a very important part of the moral nature.  This means that a person must be taught the Word of God so that there will be fuel for fire--information for salvation.  The conscience will always act improperly if it is not brought into subjection to the Word of God.

3. Will--the third part of the basic moral nature of man.

       The will is the soul’s power to choose between motives and to direct the activity according to the motive chosen.  Therefore, it is the soul’s power to choose the end and the means to attain it.  Man does not have a free will.  You may say he does and will mark off as a heretic those who say he does not have a free will.  Some say man has a volition--means the act of willing the act of determining choice.  Others say man is a free moral agent--means he has the ability to choose.  Yet the bottom line is that the natural man, who is influenced to the point of control, makes the wrong choice every time.  But he does it of his own volition--voluntary.

       Even though man’s will is voluntary, it is not independent of his nature.  Your nature influences your choice or decision.  Even God’s will is not independent of His nature.  God cannot lie.  We learn that from Scripture. Romans 3:4 “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”  John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  Does that mean that God has to restrain Himself to keep from lying because it would be morally wrong?  No!  You immediately understand that God does not desire to lie.  He is God and that is His nature.  You might desire to lie because of your fallen nature.  But God cannot desire to lie because His nature is one of perfect holiness.  Therefore, we conclude that His will is not independent of His nature and neither is yours.  His will will always act in correspondence to His Divine Nature.

       The same is true of man--we do not have a divine nature.  Man’s will is subject to His nature.  This could be where we say man does not have a free will--it is subject to his nature.  His nature influences him to make the wrong choice.  But when God awakens you or moves on you, something inside helps you to make the right choice.  Psalm 110:3a “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. . .”  Do you know why we are in a mess today?  Not too many people have character because they are not brought up with a standard--Word of God.

       There are men who choose constantly to steal and enjoy doing it.  What does that reveal?  Some say, “A deep need.”  No!  It reveals the character of the person possessing the will.  In other words the will is simply the power or preference of the soul being shown--showing forth what he really is down inside.  The act of the will will be determined by two factors: 1) motive, 2) character.

       Example: If you are driving down the road and see a new car and you get a desire for a new car.  Immediately you are smitten with car fever.  You would like to have a new car and you are motivated by your lust for that car.  You look over your budget and say I cannot afford it.  If I buy it, I cannot pay my bills.  Therefore, you choose--decide--will--I am not going to buy that car.  What happened?  Your motive was not changed--the desire was still there.  But your character came into action and said no.  It would not be prudent to do so, because I have bills to pay and must meet my responsibility.  Another might say I will steal that car and did.  The motives of both are the same--both desired the car.  But their character acted differently.  The one who said I cannot afford it showed character based upon the Word.  That person’s will acted negatively concerning acquiring the car while the one who stole the car, his will acted positively.  Your character said no--I must put this motive or desire under subjection.  At that point, you voluntarily of  your own volition decided against the car.  While the other person acted in the direction  he willed and thus acted voluntarily.

       In every act of the will we make a choice between two or more actions and it is our character that determines which of these actions we choose.  Man before he fell had action of his will.  And after the fall, man still acts according to his will but it is subject to his character.  All acts of the will are an expression of the character.  The mistake that is made is that the will is a faculty suspended within us and it acts arbitrarily “eny meny minie mo.”  This is expressed by saying that a man has a free will.  But in reality man’s will is influenced to the point of control by the world, devil, and flesh. (Ephesians 2:2-3; read in Bible)  Therefore, man can not and will not exercise his will correctly unless influenced by the power of God Psalm 110:3a “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. . .”-- thus natural man’s will is not free.

       Therefore, we conclude that the moral nature of man has three faculties, intellect, conscience, and will and we must be exposed to the right standard--the Word of God and right upbringing. Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  This allows the Lord to plow the soil of our hearts and loose us from the influence of the world, devil, and flesh so we can make the right choices--choose life and God will get all the glory. Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”

       This completes section I. Soteriology man’s fall.  Also soteriology:

II. Deals with the means and action of God delivering man from the fall.

       A. God’s work for fallen man.