TOPIC 3: THE NATURE OF MAN
This chapter is about the creation story. It is meant to shed light on how God created man, the
purpose of creation, how man disobeyed God his creator and how God has purposed to restore that
relationship.
Creation in the Bible
• The Bible indicates that GOD is the Creator of all things. Genesis 1:1-31 and Genesis 2 record this
origin. Before creation the earth was void and formless but God, through the Word, created
everything in 6 days and rested on the 7th day (Sabbath). After creation God looked at everything
He had created and He saw that it was very good.
Days of Creation
DAY 1: Light – He separated light and darkness i.e. day and night
DAY 2: Firmament – Heaven and Earth
DAY 3: Dry land, sea and vegetation
DAY 4: Lights in the firmament i.e. the sun, the stars and the moon
DAY 5: Creatures of the water and fowl that fly. i.e. birds
DAY 6: Creatures of the dry ground and man
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DAY 7: Rested on the Sabbath
• Man was created in God’s image and likeness which makes him the greatest and
the highest of God’s creatures. Although he looks similar to some of the other
creatures, he is different from all. He is able to do things that other animals
cannot and thinks in a different manner. Man has higher reasoning and
planning abilities. He has a high degree of self-reflection, speech, and is able to
express emotions (e.g., joy, sadness, hope, laughter, shyness) at a higher degree
than animals.
• Only man received the breath of God. In this way, he was given a spirit (Eccles.
12:7) so that he would transcend the world of the animals. Only when Adam
was created, did God “use his hands” - “The Lord God formed the man from the
dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (Gen. 2:7).
• Man has three components; body, soul and spirit. (1 Thess. 5:23)
From the Creation story, man has three responsibilities:
i. To be fruitful and multiply (increase);
ii. Fill the earth and subdue it (have control);
iii. Have dominion over all creation (authority).
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Fall of Man
(i) Origin of Sin
• Sin is disobedience and rebellion against God. It is any failure to
conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude or nature. In respect
to human race, sin started with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Aden
(Genesis 3:1 – 19). Sin is the origin of suffering, pain and death.
• Sin also means to miss the mark; commit an offence; trespass. Man
failed to obey God as He had been commanded– that he should never
eat the forbidden fruit else he would die. The devil tempted Adam and
Eve and introduced them to the world of sin by questioning the
command God had given them leading them to doubt (disbelieve) and
disobey.
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(ii) Consequences of Sin
• From Adam we inherited guilt and corruption. This means that every person was
born guilty on the account of Adam’s sin. Human condemnation came through
one man even before generations came into being. Corruption means that we
have a sinful nature because Adam sinned. This explains why children do not
need to be taught how to do wrong, they discover it themselves. 1 John 1:8 –10
testify to this human condition after sin entered the world. “If we say we have
no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He
is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His
word is not in us”.
• Psalm 51:5 also affirms that we were born into sin “Behold, I was brought forth
in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.”
• What happens when a Christian falls into sin? Sin brings guilt and the sinner is
bound by God’s wrath. In Ephesians 2:3 the sinner is made a subject of death.
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• Sin is the origin of suffering, pain and death
• Man failed to obey God as He had commanded him – that he
should never eat the forbidden fruit else he will die.
• The devil tempted Adam and Eve and introduced them to the
world of sin by:
• Questioning the command God had given them
• Leading them to doubt (disbelieve) the command of God
• Leading them to disobey the command of God
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(iii) Redemption from Sin
• As soon as Adam and Eve were chased out of the Garden of Eden, God
began working on ways to bring them back to the fold. He started
working for their salvation. This process was completed by the coming
of Jesus Christ. Redemption was made possible by the incarnation of
Jesus Christ but its fullest glory however will be when we all gather in
the New Jerusalem when Christ comes again in power.
(iv) Incarnation
• This is the act of God becoming flesh; God took the human nature and
became a man. This was through Mary the Mother of Jesus. John 1.14
explains incarnation:
• “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and
truth.” Ev. S. Munyi, PCEA EASTLEIGH PARISH 55
(v) The Work of Christ at the Cross
• After the fall, human beings offered their sacrifices to God in an effort to please
him or ask for forgiveness for their sins. However, in all occasions, their sacrifices
were not an adequate remedy for their sin for they were still imperfect. God in
his love offered His Son at the cross as the one perfect sacrifice. He was a perfect
sacrifice because he was God and therefore knew what would please God. He
was also human and knew what would please men. Therefore, when Jesus died,
as both God and Man, he became the perfect sacrifice that appeased God anger
against sin and at the same time reconciled humanity to God. Therefore, the
work of Christ at the Cross was to accomplish our salvation, secure our
forgiveness and reconcile us to God.
•
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(vi) Assurance of Grace
a). Repentance
• Repentance is not just feeling sorrowful or remorseful about sin but making a complete change
of direction (180° turn) toward God. It is a change of mind and behavior. Repentance is
necessary for salvation, forgiveness, baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit.
• Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 (NIV)
b). The Saving Faith
• The sin of Adam and Eve at the Garden of Eden separated man from God. Out of God’s
unending love, He devised a way of restoring His relationship with man through Jesus Christ.
He sent Jesus to earth to show man that He could live in righteousness and also to die on the
cross so as to pay all the debts of sin. All who believe in Him and are saved by His precious
blood will not perish but will have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
•
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By faith, a Christian has to:
• Believe to be true whatever is revealed in the Word (1 Thessalonians
2:13)
• Obey God’s commands as put in His word
• Welcome the promises of God for this life and the life to come
(Hebrews 11:13)
• Accept, receive and rest upon Christ alone for justification,
sanctification and eternal life by the virtue of the covenant of grace
(John 1:12)
• “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”
(Ephesians 2:8–9)
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The Chief End of Man
• Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. – Westminster Shorter
Catechism
• Whole duty of man – Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole
matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
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TOPIC 3 QUESTIONS: THE NATURE OF MAN
1. Which book of the Bible talks about creation?
2. What was the first thing to be created?
3. On which day was man created?
4. What did God create on the seventh day?
5. What assignment was man given by God?
6. How is man different from other animals?
7. What is sin?
8. Where did sin begin and by who?
9. What happens when one sins?
10. After man sinned, what did God do to redeem him from sin?
11. What is Incarnation?
12. What is repentance? Ev. S. Munyi, PCEA EASTLEIGH PARISH 60
