Which statement best expresses the truth of the effect of Adam's sin?

• A. Imputation only
• B. Inheritance only
• C. Imputation, Inheritance, and Involvement
• D. None of the above

Answer: (C)

The truth about the effect of Adam’s sin is that it touches humanity in three ways: imputation, inheritance, and involvement.

Imputation refers to guilt being credited to all people because of Adam’s one trespass. Scripture pictures sin entering the world through one man and death spreading to all because all sinned, highlighting how universal guilt is tied to Adam’s act and our being connected to him by birth.

Inheritance points to the sinful nature we inherit from Adam. We are born with a fallen condition, a real corruption of our inward being that makes us prone to sin and under God’s just judgment.

Involvement captures the idea that we are universally linked to Adam as the representative head of humanity, so we share in the consequences of his sin not only by guilt but by living under the fallen condition he introduced.

Together, these three aspects—guilt imputed to all, a sinful nature inherited, and our inherent involvement in the human condition—best express the broad biblical teaching on the effect of Adam’s sin.