Original Sin

Reformed Baptists affirm the doctrine of original sin as presented in the 1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 6. Adam was created in a state of innocence and perfection, in covenant with God to obey all his commandments. By his disobedience, Adam fell into sin and incurred the penalty of death. This sin is not merely a private fault but has cosmic consequences: all of Adam's natural posterity, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him and fell with him in his first transgression.

The consequences of Adam's sin are imputed to all humans: inherited guilt makes all humans culpable before God and deserving of death. Additionally, humans inherit not only guilt but also corruption — a sinful disposition and inclination toward evil that pervades the whole person. This corruption is called total depravity: the sinner is utterly unable to do any good spiritually; the human will is in bondage to sin. Every faculty — intellect, will, affections — is affected by and enslaved to corruption.

Original sin is not limited to personal transgressions but refers to the state of sinfulness inherited from Adam. Infants are guilty and corrupt before they commit any actual sin. This doctrine establishes the necessity of regeneration and highlights the absolute priority of God's grace in salvation. Without the Holy Spirit's monergistic work, no sinner can repent, believe, or turn to God.