Types of the Saviour: Adam
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In Christian theology, Adam is often regarded as a "type" of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. This typology is rooted in the parallel and contrasting roles that Adam and Jesus play in the biblical narrative of creation, fall, and redemption. The Apostle Paul explicitly draws this comparison in his epistles, highlighting the theological significance of Adam as a precursor to Christ.

Creation and Fall

Adam, the first man, was created by God from the dust of the ground and given life through the breath of God (Genesis 2:7). He was placed in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it, and he was given dominion over all living creatures (Genesis 1:28-30). Adam's role as the head of the human race is foundational, as he represents humanity in its original state of innocence and communion with God.

However, Adam's disobedience in eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil brought sin and death into the world (Genesis 3:6-7). This act of rebellion resulted in the fall of mankind, severing the intimate relationship between God and humanity. As Paul writes, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned" (Romans 5:12).

Typology of Adam and Christ

The typology of Adam as a figure of Christ is most clearly articulated in the writings of Paul. In Romans 5:14, Paul refers to Adam as "a pattern of the One to come" . This typological relationship is further explored in 1 Corinthians 15:22, where Paul states, "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive" . Here, Adam is seen as the representative head of fallen humanity, while Christ is the representative head of redeemed humanity.

Contrasts Between Adam and Christ

While Adam and Christ are linked typologically, they are also contrasted in their actions and their effects on humanity. Adam's disobedience brought sin and death, whereas Christ's obedience brings righteousness and life. Paul elaborates on this contrast in Romans 5:18-19: "So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous" .

The Second Adam

Christ is often referred to as the "Second Adam" or the "Last Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:45). This designation emphasizes His role in inaugurating a new creation. While the first Adam failed in his role, leading to the fall, the Second Adam succeeded, bringing redemption and restoration. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus reverses the curse brought about by Adam's sin, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Implications for Believers

The typology of Adam and Christ has profound implications for believers. It underscores the reality of original sin and the need for a Savior. It also highlights the transformative power of Christ's redemptive work, which offers believers a new identity and a restored relationship with God. As Paul writes, "Just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man" (1 Corinthians 15:49). This promise assures believers of their future resurrection and eternal life in Christ.
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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.
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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.
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Library

Objection that Some were Baptized unto Moses and Believed in Him ...
... who were made alive in Christ no longer die in Adam. ... by means of the shadow and the
types, endeavour to ... and the rich gift of our God and Saviour, who through ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xiv objection that some.htm

The Shepherd of Our Souls.
... And hence, in like manner, from the time of Adam to that of ... But there are three favoured
servants of God in particular, special types of the Saviour to come ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xvi the shepherd of.htm

Scriptural Types.
... The Saviour himself announced his purpose to die for ... the characteristics belonging
to the types themselves, beginning ... of the same family of Adam]: for which ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... the Church becomes the property of her dying Saviour, by the ... Noah himself, too, was
the tenth from Adam. ... lion, a lamb, and a stone, are used as types of Christ ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

Hymns on the Nativity. Hymn i. This is the Day that Gladdened Them ...
... the prophets as true; for unless our Saviour has come ... Adam looked for Him, for He
is the Cherub's Lord ... son, Noah,"him, in whom were figured types relating to ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymns on the nativity hymn.htm

Christianity in Individuals.
... John represent the various leading forms or types of Christian ... the contrary, as a
daughter of Adam, she needed ... and she herself expressly calls God her Saviour. ...
/.../section 46 christianity in individuals.htm

Blessed be Thy Birth that Gladdens all Creatures!
... roots, to make all things grow."Our Saviour's day"is ... laud Him who created"on
Vesper-day Adam, whom Satan ... In His Birth were fulfilled the types,"in His ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xix blessed be thy.htm

"The Fullness of the Time"
... The Saviour's coming was foretold in Eden ... When Adam and Eve first heard the promise,
they looked for ... The One whom all these types prefigured must explain their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 3 the fullness of.htm

Thessalonica
... To Adam was given an assurance of the coming of the ... The Saviour foretold in the Old
Testament Scriptures was to ... In Him the sacrificial types were to meet their ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 22 thessalonica.htm

If God Demands Obedience from Man, if He Formed Man, Called Him ...
... For not alone antecedently to Adam, but also before all creation ... For to follow the
Saviour is to be a partaker ... and the spiritual images, and the types of things ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xiv if god demands obedience.htm

Resources
Why does the Bible speak against wearing clothing made of different types of fabric? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different types of psalms? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different types of prayer? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Types

Types of Christ: Aaron

Types of Christ: Abel

Types of Christ: Abraham

Types of Christ: Adam

Types of Christ: Ark

Types of Christ: Ark of the Covenant

Types of Christ: Atonement, Sacrifices offered on the Day of

Types of Christ: Brazen Altar

Types of Christ: Brazen Serpent

Types of Christ: Burnt offering

Types of Christ: Cities of Refuge

Types of Christ: David

Types of Christ: Eliakim

Types of Christ: First-Fruits

Types of Christ: Golden Altar

Types of Christ: Golden Candlestick

Types of Christ: Isaac

Types of Christ: Jacob

Types of Christ: Jacob's Ladder

Types of Christ: Jonah

Types of Christ: Joseph

Types of Christ: Joshua

Types of Christ: Laver of Brass

Types of Christ: Leper's offering

Types of Christ: Man

Types of Christ: Melchizedek

Types of Christ: Mercy-Seat

Types of Christ: Morning and Evening Sacrifices

Types of Christ: Moses

Types of Christ: Noah

Types of Christ: Paschal Lamb

Types of Christ: Peace offerings

Types of Christ: Red Heifer

Types of Christ: Rock of Horeb

Types of Christ: Samson

Types of Christ: Scape Goat

Types of Christ: Sin offering

Types of Christ: Solomon

Types of Christ: Tabernacle

Types of Christ: Table and Show Bread

Types of Christ: Temple

Types of Christ: Tree of Life

Types of Christ: Trespass offering

Types of Christ: Vail of the Tabernacle and Temple

Types of Christ: Zerubbabel

Types of the Saviour

Types of the Saviour: Abel

Types of the Saviour: Adam

Types of the Saviour: David

Types of the Saviour: Eliakim

Types of the Saviour: High Priest, Typical of the Mediatorship

Types of the Saviour: Jonah

Types of the Saviour: Manna

Types of the Saviour: Melchizedek

Types of the Saviour: Moses

Types of the Saviour: Noah

Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Altar

Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Laver

Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Serpent

Types of the Saviour: The Cities of Refuge

Types of the Saviour: The Curtain

Types of the Saviour: The Institutions Ordained by Moses

Types of the Saviour: The Mercy-Seat

Types of the Saviour: The Morning and Evening Sacrifice

Types of the Saviour: The Paschal Lamb

Types of the Saviour: The Red Heifer

Types of the Saviour: The Sacrifices

Types of the Saviour: The Tree of Life

Types: Miscellaneous: Bride, a Type of the Body of Christ

Types: Miscellaneous: The Sanctuary a Type of the Heavenly Sanctuary

Types: Miscellaneous: The Saving of Noah and his Family, of the Salvation Through the Gospel

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Types of the Saviour: Abel
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