IFCA International affirms the doctrine of original sin as taught in Scripture. Adam was created perfect and innocent but fell into sin through disobedience to God's command. This sin is not merely a personal fault but has universal consequences: all humans descending from Adam partake of his sinful nature and incur the penalty of death. Every human being is born in a state of sinfulness, guilty before God and incapable of saving himself.

The result of Adam's fall is twofold: inherited guilt (all humans are culpable for Adam's transgression) and inherited corruption (all humans possess a sinful nature that inclines them toward evil). This corruption is called total depravity: the sinner is utterly unable to do any spiritual good. All of the person — mind, will, emotions — is affected by and bound to sin. No human can repent, believe in Christ, or turn to God except through the work of the Holy Spirit.

The doctrine of original sin establishes the gravity of human sinfulness and the absolute necessity of salvation through Christ. It explains why children who die are not automatically lost (there is no clear IFCA pronouncement, but the logic of grace is applied) and why personal conversion is essential for all who come to years of discretion. The sinner's helplessness emphasizes God's sovereignty and the absolute priority of his grace in salvation.