The WESTMINSTER LARGER Catechism
Q 23.
Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.1
Proofs
1
Rom 5:12; 3:23We saw in WLC 22 that because Adam was their federal head, "all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression."
But what is the result of that fall? Our present Q&A teaches us that all mankind fell into an estate of sin and misery.
This doctrine is clearly based on the Scriptures, for the apostle Paul teaches us:
"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" (Rom 5:12).
As Adam fell into an estate of sin, all mankind descending from him by natural generation also fell into an estate of sin. And as "the wages of sin is death" (Rom 6:23), so all men became liable for death and all other miseries of this life.
As the details of what exactly is "sin" and "misery" will be dealt with in WLC 24-27, we will refrain from doing so.
Suffice to know for now that this fall affected all man descending from Adam by natural generation: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23).
All men, as such are conceived in sin (Ps 51:5). We do not become sinners by learning to sin and actually sinning. We sin because we are sinners from birth. We do not need to be taught how to sin! And therefore, no man in this world can at birth expect to escape misery and death. Misery and death is the lot of mankind because of sin. As such, no man in this world can escape misery and death by pedigree, wealth, technology or any such things. Only in Christ can anyone ultimately escape death and misery.