Yes, Christ is called the second Adam because He is the spiritual man from heaven who came to restore what the first Adam, the natural man, lost.
Adam, made from the dust of the earth, was the first man and the federal head of the human race, plunging all into sin and death. Christ, the second Adam, is the Lord from heaven, who by His death and resurrection imparts life and makes it possible for every degenerate son of Adam to become a regenerate son of God.
1 Corinthians 15:45 — This verse directly contrasts Adam and Christ, calling Christ the last Adam and emphasizing the difference between the natural and the spiritual.
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 verse highlights the two distinct roles: Adam as the first natural man, and Christ as the last life-giving Spirit. Verse 46 further explains the divine order: "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual." This establishes a pattern where the natural always precedes the spiritual. Continuing in 1 Corinthians 15:47, the text declares, "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." This contrasts Adam's earthy origin with Christ's heavenly origin, showing the fundamental difference between the two. Romans 5:14 reveals that Adam was "the figure of him that was to come," pointing to Christ as the second Adam. In Romans 5, Paul explains that by Adam's disobedience, death reigned over all, and by Christ's obedience, justification of life comes to all.
Les Feldick teaches that throughout Scripture, God operates on the principle of "first the natural, then the spiritual." Adam, made from the dust of the earth, was the natural man and the federal head of the human race, plunging all into sin and death. Christ, the second Adam, is the Lord from heaven, the spiritual man who came to restore what was lost. Les emphasizes that just as Adam's one act of disobedience brought condemnation to all, Christ's obedience brought the possibility of regeneration to all. Les also highlights that Christ's body was incorruptible, unlike Adam's, which became subject to corruption after the fall. While Adam fell to Satan's temptation, Christ did not sin, and His body did not decay in the tomb. This contrast underscores the depth of the second Adam's work.
Les Feldick explains that throughout Scripture, God consistently uses the pattern of the natural preceding the spiritual. He cites examples: first Adam (natural), then Christ (spiritual); first Cain, then Abel; first Esau, then Jacob; first King Saul, then David; and in the end times, first the Antichrist, then the Christ. In our own experience, we begin as natural beings and become spiritual when we believe.
Les teaches that Adam acted as the federal head of the whole human race. As the first man, his act of disobedience plunged every human being into condemnation and brought death upon all. Christ, the second Adam, is the new federal head who made it possible for every degenerate son of Adam to become a regenerate son of God.
According to the lesson, Adam before the fall was incorruptible and could have lived forever had he not sinned. Christ, unlike Adam, did not fall to temptation, and His body was incorruptible. When His body was placed in the tomb, it did not begin to decay, which further emphasizes that He is the last Adam, the life-giving Spirit.
First Natural, Then Spiritual
Les shows that from Genesis to Revelation, God's pattern is first the natural, then the spiritual, applying it to Adam and Christ, and to all key biblical figures.
Christ Is Heavenly
Les explains that Adam was made from the dust of the earth and is earthy, while Christ is the Lord from heaven, a spiritual person.
Adam as Type of Christ
Les points out that Adam is a figure or type of the one to come, namely Christ, the second man or second Adam.
Two Federal Heads
Les describes Adam and Christ as two federal heads: Adam plunged humanity into sin and death, while Christ restores and brings life.
Second Man Brings Resurrection
Les connects the first man Adam with death and the second man Christ with resurrection, citing 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.
The Last Adam Is Life-Giving
Les emphasizes that the last Adam is a quickening (life-giving) spirit, contrasting with the living soul of the first Adam.
Death by Adam, Life by Christ
Les explains from Romans 5 that death reigned from Adam to Moses, and Adam is a type of Christ who imparts life through His death.
Regeneration for All
Les shows that while Adam's act condemned all, Christ makes it possible for every degenerate son of Adam to become a regenerate son of God.
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 is the key verse directly calling Christ the last Adam, explaining the difference in nature.
1 Corinthians 15:46: Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
This verse shows the divine pattern of natural before spiritual, relevant to the order of Adam and Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:47: The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
It contrasts the earthy origin of Adam with the heavenly origin of Christ.
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.
This verse explains that Adam is a type of Christ, strengthening the second Adam connection.
Christ is called the last Adam because He is the final representative of humanity, the spiritual counterpart to the first Adam. While Adam was made a living soul from the earth, Christ is the Lord from heaven, a life-giving spirit. This title emphasizes His role in undoing the effects of Adam's fall.
According to Les Feldick, Adam acted as the federal head of the human race, meaning his one act of disobedience plunged all humanity into sin and death. Christ, as the second Adam, becomes the new federal head, offering regeneration and life to all who believe.
Les teaches that this pattern is consistent throughout Scripture. We begin as natural beings, but when we become believers, we also receive the spiritual. The same pattern is seen in prophecy, where the Antichrist (natural) comes first, and then Christ (spiritual) returns.
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