Who is the second Adam?

The concept of the “Second Adam” or “Last Adam” is a significant theological theme in Christianity, rooted in the New Testament writings of the Apostle Paul. This term refers to Jesus Christ and is used to contrast Him with Adam, the first human created by God according to the Genesis account. This essay explores who the Second Adam is, why this comparison is made, and the implications of this concept for Christian theology and believers.

The First Adam: Creation and Fall

To understand the Second Adam, we first need to revisit the story of the first Adam.

1. Creation of Adam:
   • Genesis 1:26-27: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
   Adam, the first human, was created in the image of God, signifying a special status in creation with dominion over the earth.
2. The Fall of Adam:
   • Genesis 3:6: “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”
   The disobedience of Adam and Eve led to the fall of humanity, introducing sin and death into the world.
3. Consequences of the Fall:
   • Genesis 3:17-19: “Then to Adam He said, ‘Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, “You shall not eat of it”: Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.'”
   Adam’s sin brought about a curse on the ground, toil, and ultimately death, affecting all his descendants.

The Second Adam: Jesus Christ

The Apostle Paul introduces the concept of Jesus as the Second Adam in his epistles, particularly in Romans and 1 Corinthians. This comparison is crucial for understanding the redemptive work of Christ.

1. Jesus as the Second Adam:
   • 1 Corinthians 15:45: “And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”
   Paul explicitly calls Jesus the “last Adam,” highlighting a fundamental theological contrast: while the first Adam brought death, the last Adam (Jesus) brings life.
2. Contrast Between Adam and Christ:
   • Romans 5:12-19: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned… Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”
   This passage delineates the theological foundation of the Second Adam. Adam’s disobedience led to sin and death for all humanity, but Jesus’ obedience and sacrifice bring justification and victorious life for the believer.

Theological Implications of the Second Adam

The concept of Jesus as the Second Adam carries profound theological implications, especially concerning sin, salvation, and the nature of humanity.

1. Redemption and Reconciliation:
   • 2 Corinthians 5:17-21: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
   In Christ, believers are a new creation, reconciled to God. This reconciliation is made possible because Jesus, the Second Adam, rectifies the separation caused by the first Adam. As people receive their earthly nature from the first man, Adam, so they receive their new heavenly nature from Christ. The first Adam is the father of those that have temporal existence; the second is the father of all, who through faith in Him will have victory over sin in this life and at His second coming, receive new immortal bodies and have eternal life (Romans 5:15–18; 1 Corinthians 15:51–54).
2. Resurrection and Eternal Life:
   • 1 Corinthians 15:21-22: “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
   The resurrection of Jesus guarantees the resurrection of believers, emphasizing the new life that comes through the Second Adam. As Jesus had the power to raise the dead (John 5:21, 26; 11:25; Luke 7:14, 15; 8:54, 55) during His ministry, these resurrections proved that He also has the power to raise the righteous dead at His second advent. At that glorious time, the bodies of the saints will be changed, and the new bodies will be “fashioned like unto his [Christ’s] glorious body” (Philippians 3:20, 21). Thus, the redeemed will not only reflect Christ’s character at His coming but will be also clothed in an immortal bodies similar to that possessed by Jesus since His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:51–53). Praise the Lord!
3. Justification and Righteousness:
   • Romans 5:17: “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”
   The righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers, contrasting with the sin imputed through Adam. This justification is central to Paul’s gospel message. As people receive their earthly nature from the first man, Adam, so they receive their new heavenly nature from Christ. The first Adam is the father of those that have temporal existence; the second is the father of all, who through faith in Him will, at His second coming, receive spiritual bodies and have eternal life (Romans 5:15–18; 1 Corinthians 15:51–54). The Lord will in this life restore man to His pure character (Genesis 1:26,27).
4. Restoration of Creation:
   • Romans 8:19-23: “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”
   The work of the Second Adam not only redeems humanity but also promises the restoration of all creation, which has been affected by the fall.

Practical Implications for Believers

Understanding Jesus as the Second Adam has several practical implications for the life of a believer.

1. New Identity in Christ:
   • 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
   Believers are encouraged to live out their new identity in Christ, recognizing that they are no longer defined by their fallen nature but by the new transformed life they have in Jesus.
2. Victory Over Sin:
   • Romans 6:6-7: “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.”
   Through the second Adam, believers have complete victory over sin. The power of sin, which came through the first Adam, is broken by the power of the Second Adam. Believers will have all the power to over come sin in their lives (Philippians 4:13).
3. Hope in Resurrection:
   • 1 Corinthians 15:20-22: “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
   The resurrection of Jesus offers believers hope and assurance of their own resurrection, fostering a life beyond the present life.
4. Living in Grace:
   • Romans 5:20-21: “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
   The abundance of grace through the second Adam enables believers to live in victory over sin by the power of God’s grace, rather than under the dominion of sin.

Conclusion

The concept of the Second Adam, as revealed in the New Testament and particularly in the writings of Paul, presents a profound theological truth. Jesus Christ, as the Second Adam, brings redemption, reconciliation, and restoration to a fallen humanity and creation, reversing the effects of the first Adam’s disobedience.

Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus offers believers new life, victory over sin, and the hope of resurrection. Key passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:45, Romans 5:12-19, and 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, among others, elucidate these truths and their implications for Christian theology and daily living. In Christ, the Second Adam, believers find their true identity, victory over sin, and the promise of eternal life.

In His service,
BibleAsk Team