Reformed Confessions
13–19The Fall and Sin

Westminster Shorter Catechism · Q 13–19

The Fall and Sin

  • Questions 13–19

Questions & Answers

Q13

Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?

A.

Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.

Q14

What is sin?

A.

Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.

Q15

What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?

A.

The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.

Q16

Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?

A.

The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.

Q17

Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

A.

The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.

Q18

Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

A.

The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.

Q19

What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?

A.

All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.

Try a number, like 32 for Lord’s Day 32 or Q 1, or a word from a question.