Q.23. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.[t]

[t] Rom. 5:12. Rom. 3:23.

Q.24. What is sin?

A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature.[v]

[v] 1 John 3:4. Gal. 3:10,12.

Q.25. Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin,[w] the want of original righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually;[x] which is commonly called Original Sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions.[y]

[w] Rom. 5:12,19.

[x] Rom. 3:10-19. Eph. 2:1-3. Rom. 5:6. Rom. 8:7,8. Gen. 6:5.

[y] James 1:14,15. Matt. 15:19.

Q.26. How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?

A. Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin.[z]

[z] Ps. 51:5. Job 14:4. Job 15:14. John 3:6.

Q.27. What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?

A. The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God,[a] his displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath,[b] bond slaves to Satan,[c] and justly liable to all punishments in this world, and that which is to come.[d]

[a] Gen. 3:8,10,24.

[b] Eph. 2:2,3.

[c] 2 Tim. 2:26.

[d] Gen. 2:17. Lam. 3:39. Rom. 6:23. Matt. 25:41,46. Jude 7.