Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 2/9/2011

Question
Hi Pastor Don

Here's something that kinda bothered me for sometime now ever though
I'm a Born Again Christian.

Let me add this before I begin; I don't understand everything in the Bible. However, I DO BELIEVE IT !

Question or Thought;

I've often wondered why in the world should mankind and me suffer because of two people (Adam & Eve) who ate the forbidden fruit and we
had to suffer for their sinful mistake ?

I never knew those two who seined against my Lord & Savior JESUS.

Pastor Don what's your take on this ?

GOD BLESS YOU Pastor Don
Ray M

Answer
Hi Ray,

Thanks for this question.  This is a difficult concept for us to understand, but the Bible teaches that we were in Adam, he was our representative.  This principle is not a bad thing though.  Since by one man sin and death passed upon all, it is also possible that by one man, Jesus, forgiveness can be passed upon us all.

Romans 5:12–19 (AV)
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: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 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. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 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. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.


I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don