Adam is the federal head of the human race who brought death, while Christ is the last Adam who brings life.
As the federal head, Adam's sin plunged all humanity into death. Christ, the last Adam, responds to Adam's fall by imparting life, making possible the resurrection of the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:45 — This verse explicitly contrasts Adam as a living soul with Christ as a life-giving spirit, directly addressing the significance of both.
In 1 Corinthians 15:45, Scripture states, 'And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.' This establishes Adam as the first man, created a living soul, and Christ as the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. Furthermore, verse 46 reveals a principle: 'Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.' The natural comes first, then the spiritual. Verse 47 says, 'The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.' In Romans 5:12-14, Paul writes that death reigned from Adam to Moses, and Adam is 'the figure of him that was to come,' showing Adam as a type of Christ.
Les teaches that Adam is the federal head of the human race, whose sin plunged all humanity into sin and death. Christ, the second Adam, is the response to Adam's fall, restoring what was lost. Christ, by virtue of death, imparts life, and is thus a life-giving spirit. Les emphasizes the principle of 'first the natural, then the spiritual,' as seen in Adam (natural) and Christ (spiritual). He also shares a personal belief, not provable from Scripture, that Adam before sin had a body identical to Christ's earthly appearance, being incorruptible.
Les teaches that Adam, as the federal head of the human race, sinned and thereby brought death upon all humanity. This is seen in Romans 5, where death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin as Adam did. Adam's sin precipitated death for the entire natural progeny.
Christ, as the last Adam, is the response to Adam's fall. He imparts life by virtue of his death, making possible the resurrection of the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:45, he is described as a life-giving spirit, quickening those who were dead in trespasses and sins.
Les emphasizes a scriptural principle: first the natural, then the spiritual. Adam represents the natural, Christ the spiritual. This order is evident in Scripture, as the first man is of the earth, earthy, while the second man is the Lord from heaven.
Why Adam's Sin Condemned You — Romans 5 Explained
back up to chapter 2 a minute first if you would. Go back to chapter 2, verse 13 and 14, because as we were discussing at break time, you know a lot of people just don't realize that until you become a believer, until you become a child of God by virtue of your salvation and your faith, this book is utterly impossible to comprehend.
Adam's Federal Headship
Les explains that as Adam is the federal head of the human race, Christ is the response to that headship because Adam fell, calling Christ the second Adam.
Two Federal Heads
Les presents Adam and Christ as two federal heads: Adam plunges humanity into sin and death, while Christ brings life.
Christ Imparts Life
Les explains that as Adam caused death, Christ, the last Adam, by virtue of death, was able to impart life.
First Natural Then Spiritual
Les highlights the principle of first the natural (Adam) then the spiritual (Christ), as a law of Scripture.
Life-Giving Spirit
Les explains 1 Corinthians 15:45, where the last Adam is a quickening or life-giving spirit, showing how Christ restores life.
The Lord from Heaven
Les contrasts the first man (earthly Adam) with the second man (the Lord from heaven, Christ), connecting to resurrection.
Natural and Spiritual Order
Les reiterates the law of first natural then spiritual, and identifies Adam as earthy and Christ as the Lord from heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:45: And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
This verse contrasts Adam and Christ, establishing Christ as the life-giving last Adam.
1 Corinthians 15:46: Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
Shows the principle that the natural comes before the spiritual, applying to Adam and Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:47: The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
Highlights the difference between Adam's earthly origin and Christ's heavenly origin.
Romans 5:12: 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:
Explains how Adam's sin brought death to all humanity, setting the stage for Christ's work.
Romans 5:14: Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Shows that death reigned even before the law, and Adam is a type of Christ.
Christ is called the last Adam because he is the second federal head of humanity, responding to Adam's fall. While Adam brought death, Christ brings life, as 1 Corinthians 15:45 says he is a life-giving spirit.
Adam, as the federal head, acted on behalf of all humanity. His sin brought sin and death to everyone, as Romans 5:12 says death passed upon all men.
As the life-giving spirit, Christ imparts spiritual life to those who believe, reversing the death brought by Adam. This is central to the resurrection hope, as Les Feldick emphasizes.
Watch the Teaching: Why Adam's Sin Condemned You — Romans 5 Explained