Adam the First Man Created by God

Most Christians are aware of the Old Testament story of creation, and how Adam was the first man created by God (Gen. 2:7), from which all other human life sprang. The New Testament reiterates this point in Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians by referring to him as “The first Man” (1 Cor. 15:45). Hence, Christians know that Adam was made of flesh (15:47), as God made him from the dust of the earth. Most Christians also recognize the purpose for which Christ came to earth and how He died on the cross to be the Savior of all who believe in Him. Therefore, Christians know that although Christ was born as a normal man, He came from heaven (15:47). However, for many Christians this is the extent of the connection between Adam and Christ. They have not stopped to consider the other parallels revealed in the Bible between the fist and the last Adam. This research will discuss the parallels revealed throughout scripture between Adam and Christ, and the effect they have had on humanity. Scripture quotations were taken from the New American Standard Bible, unless otherwise noted.

Origin of both Adams and Their Relationship with the Father

The Bible tells us that Adam became a “living soul” (1 Cor. 15:45), meaning he did not exist in eternity past; hence, he did not have an existence prior to God creating him out of dust. Nevertheless, it must have been a privilege for Adam to know that he was the first man ever created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). Aside from that fact, it must have been a privilege to for him to have walked with God, had direct fellowship with Him, and communicated directly with Him. We know that Adam was used to interacting with God, as when God called out for him “Where are you?” (3:9), Adam told him that he...

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...also tempted in all the same areas, yet He did not sin (Heb. 4:15). Unlike Adam, however, this makes Him the example of human perfection and of what it means to be obedient to God. In the same way Christ was the perfect human, Christians will also one day bear His very image (1 Cor. 15:49).

Works Cited

Gromacki, Robert. Called to Be Saints: an Exposition of 1 Corinthians. The Woodlands, TX: Kress Christian Publications, 2001.

Vaughan, Curtis, and Thomas D. Lea. 1 Corinthians. Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2003.

MacDonald, William. Believer's Bible Commentary. Edited by Art Farstad. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Morris, Henry M. The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2009.

Weber, Stu. Holman New Testament Commentary - Matthew. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2000.