Genesis Lesson 2 - Garden of Eden

1. Read Chapter three of Genesis. What is the major theme of chapter 3?
The Book of Genesis records the "Fall of Man". In the beginning, God created a perfect creation. It was all "very good". A necessary component for perfection is love. A necessary component for love is free will. True love, by definition, cannot exist apart from free will. Unless you have the ability to choose evil, there is no true ability to choose love. Thus, God created us with the potential for sin, but did not create sin itself. Adam, the first man, actualized that potential and brought sin into the world by choosing himself over God -- a selfish act. The word "sin" is an Old English archery term that simply means to "miss the mark" (in contrast, "bulls eye" means to hit the mark). The word "sin," like "love," has become cliché and has nearly lost its intended meaning. Simply, whenever we "sin," we miss the mark from God's perspective. God made us to choose Him, to get to know Him, to love Him. Generally, we care more about ourselves than God. We invent our own gods, rather than accept the only true God. We don't want to know Him. We don't choose to love Him.

2. Who are the four main characters in chapter three of Genesis?
Ans: Adam and Eve are the first characters introduced and without them we have no human race (Genesis 4:1). Cain was the first murderer. The sons of Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth are the progenitors of all of the divisions of the human race and they must be included in our list of main characters. We have to include Ishmael in this list of main characters for it is out of Ishmael, the son of Abraham with Sarah's maid Hagar, that rises the other arm of Semites that to this day fight against the decedents of Isaac. Without the narrative of Genesis -- which means beginning, or in the beginning -- and the main characters of this book, we would not know the reason man needs a Savior. We would not understand how the nation of Israel came to be and the background of the great conflicts in the Middle East. More importantly, we would not have the line through which the promised Redeemer would one day come. The accounts of these main characters in the book of Genesis are recorded truthfully. We are given their failures and their triumphs without embellishment. It is a great comfort to the believer today to understand that one's failures do not disqualify us for God's gift of grace. Therefore, we can learn much from reading and studying these great characters and their lives. The Apostle Paul gave us a commentary on the purpose of the record in the Old Testament. "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come" (1 Corinthians 10:11, NIV). As our LORD has said, " If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear" (Mark 4:23, NIV).

3. When Satan asked Eve “Did God say?” Genesis 3:1-5 to what verses in chapter 2 of Genesis was he referring? Hosea 6:7 refers to God’s commands to Adam & Eve as a covenant, “Like Adam, they have broken the covenant”. Did God’s covenant revelation apply to only Adam and Eve or all mankind? Explain the conditions of Deuteronomy 7:9.
4. Using the concepts of doubt, deception, desire, disobedience, and death rewrite verses 1-6 of Genesis chapter 3. (250 words or less)

Ans for questions 3 and 4 :
Genesis 3:1 "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And He said unto the woman, "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden"?"
Satan is "more subtil", and wiser then the ways of the world. The word "beast" does not refer only to the animal world, but all living beings, including man. When Satan asked the question to Eve, "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" He was not asking the question for the sake of inquiring, but to draw her attention to the matter. This was much like the method that the slick car salesman, or vacuum cleaner salesman uses in breaking down the resistance of the client. He uses the questions to force the person to agree with him. So, within the questions is the key to overcoming the mental barrier, and allowing half truths to be accepted, and twisted the mind of the person to accept a lie as the truth.
Satan's quotation of God, "Ye shall not eat of every tree of the Garden?" is stated in the form of a lie, from what God actually stated in Genesis 2:16 and 17. The exception to "every tree" was, "...but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat." That tree [man] is Satan.
This is Satan's first utterance in Scripture, and he knows from the start his opposition to God's word. For it is God's Word in the first earth age that sentenced Satan to death, and that is where his name "son of perdition" comes from. Satan is out to foul up the entire plan of God for the ages, which was to make way for the Christ child, whereby all of God's children can be drawn back to Him.
Genesis 3:2 "And the woman said unto the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:"
Genesis 3:3 "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, "Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die'."
Satan [the serpent] started the misquoting when he changed the words of God from "the tree of good and evil", [which is Satan the only exception], to "fruit of the trees of the garden". Now we see Eve continues the misquoting of Scripture, and twisting God's Word to change the entire meaning. God said, "Thou shalt surely die."; where as in the confusion caused by Satan's twisting, Eve is showing her ignorance in her statement; "lest ye die". It sounds like Eve just bought a car, and a vacuum cleaner, or worse then that, Satan's lie.
Are we talking about eating fruit from trees, or even trees in this chapter? No, We are talking about symbols for people, which are represented as the trees. When we look up the common word for "trees" in the Strong's Hebrew dictionary, we find the number # 6086. It reads; "ets, ates; from # 6095, stock tree, timber, wood." It is a common tree.
However the trees in the garden of Eden reads, # 6095. We read in the Strong's Hebrew dictionary; "Atsah, aw-tsaw, prime root, prop. to fasten (or make firm), i.e., to close (the eyes): shut." Under # 6095 Hebrew for trees in the garden) page 90 of Strong's Hebrew dictionary, the other reference to this is # 6096.
The # 6096; "Atseh, aw-tseh, from 6095; the spine, (as giving firmness to the body):-backbone." This # 6096 "atseh" is the tree referred to in Genesis 3:3. In referring to the fruit of a tree, then, you are talking about children.
What runs through the backbone of your body? It is your central nervous system. It is controlling the opening, or closing of your eye. In fact it controls every movement that a person makes, as the system continues the process of sending messages to and from your brain, which never stops. All bodies of all mankind are made in the image of God, whether in the soul body [angelic] like of the first earth age, or the physical body we posses in this earth age. Though the appearance [image] is the same, the substance of our physical bodies are different from the soul bodies.
Although manna, the angel food, supported the Israelites in the wilderness [Exodus 16]; when the angels came to earth, as stated in Genesis 6, they survived from the food of physical man.
There is another word in this third verse we must understand, and it is the word "touch". God's command to Eve was; "neither shall ye touch it." In the Hebrew text the number for this word "touch" is # 5060 in the Strong's Hebrew dictionary. It reads; "Naga, neh-gah; a prime root, prop. to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for the purpose; euphemism, to lie with a woman), to reach, "
So we see that the warning to Adam and Eve specifically, was to stay away from Satan [called both the "serpent", and the "tree of good and evil"]. The fruit of that tree was not to be taken; and we know that the "fruit" as the results of a sexual relationship between any man and woman is a child. God's command was that Eve "not touch [lay with Satan]." So by reviewing the Hebrew text, we see that the order by God is that Eve not have sexual union with Satan." Eve was a woman living in the flesh, with all the limits of the flesh, while Satan is not of the flesh, but a supernatural person from another dimension.
Genesis 3:4 "And the serpent said unto the woman, "Ye shall not surely die:"
Satan, throughout the entire Scripture, has had that way about him. However, before we continue in Genesis, lets see what Paul and Jesus had to say on this matter. We read in II Corinthians 11:1; "Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me." The Apostle Paul is saying, I want to tell you what is really on my heart.
II Corinthians 11:2 "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
"Espoused" is to cause one to become engaged. What is the subject and the object here? The subject is "presenting you as a chaste virgin; while the object is loosing ones virginity." Christ is the husband and we are the bride of Christ. This is using a flesh term to explain a spiritual matter. Virginity is a state of condition relating only to sexual matters of a woman [female], and when Christ called the church His bride, He expects us to act as a bride.
II Corinthians 11:3 "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." In other words, you turn away from the simplicity of reading God's Word.
The word "beguiled" in the Strong's Greek dictionary is # 1818; "exapatao, ex-ap-at ah-o, from 1537 and 538, to seduce wholly, to beguile, deceive." In # 1537 we read; "ex, shows point of origin".
This verse has only one meaning, and that is not to be wholly seduced, and lose your virginity as Eve did. So in the Greek text this verse would read; "I am afraid your going to lose your virginity as Eve did, who was wholly seduced by the serpent [Satan]." Paul will say later in this chapter [verse 14], "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed [fashioned himself] into an angel of light." Upon Satan's arrival on earth very shortly, he will appear just as Jesus Himself will appear. The word "transformed" in the Greek manuscripts is, "disguised" as an angel of light.
II Corinthians 11:4 "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."
If someone preaches another Jesus; another message; a story of some apple on a tree, or any other Satanic type lie or distortion, then mark him well. Or if they bring any child's play into God's House, or short cuts to the Gospel of Christ; Paul is saying that it seems to him that you swallow it wholly. It seems also that the churches of today go hunting for someone to deceive them.
Paul is telling us that when you accept lies for what happened in the Garden of Eden, you are accepting an damnable lie. We know that by accepting this lie, then you are thrown off the understanding of the true "parable of the sower". Friend, there is no way you can understand any of the other parables in the Bible, if you do not understand what happened in the Garden of Eden.
II Corinthians 11:12 "But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we."
Paul is telling us that he is out to jerk the rug out from under these false teachers, to make them straighten up and teach the true Word of God.
II Corinthians 11:13 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ."
They call themselves "apostles of Christ", but they are deceivers, and false apostles. When ministers and teachers of the gospel preach another message, without letting their flock know exactly what happened in the Garden of Eden, they become liars and deceivers to their flocks.
II Corinthians 11:15 "Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
When Satan comes again, he will come disguised as Jesus Christ. Friend, if you do not know what happened in the Garden of Eden you will be fooled. For Satan's kids, the "Kenites", the offspring through "Cain" of the sexual relations between Eve and Satan, are paving the road for you to accept Satan upon his [Satan's] arrival to earth.
Remember, "touch" means "to lie with a woman". Tell it like it is.
Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
Satan is twisting God's Word and telling Eve, "your not going to die". However, when she takes Satan to herself, just the opposite will happen. Her eyes will be closed and her mind shut to the simplicity of God's word. "Knowing" and "evil" are enlightenment in the wrong way.
But like Adam they have transgressed the covenant; There they have dealt treacherously against Me.Hosea6:7. Adam’s violation of the covenant and Israel’s unfaithfulness.Here God shows that the Israelites boasted in vain of their sacrifices and of all the pomps of their external worship, for God did not regard these external things, but only wished to exercise the faithful in spiritual worship. this as a reference to Adam’s sin of eating the fruit in the garden, however, the words “there they dealt faithlessly with me”, suggests that “Adam” is to be understood as a place name, rather than as a person. Adam is a place name ( a city) associated with the crossing of the Jordan (Joshua 3:16). This crossing of the Jordan represented God’s fulfillment of his covenant promises. It also brought into force the covenant obligations the chosen people agreed to take upon themselves. Perhaps Hosea is not referring to one specific sin. Rather, he is implying that the people, from the very start of their existence in the promised land, were not faithful to these obligations.
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5. Read verses 7-13 of chapter three of Genesis. What were the results of Adam and Eve’s disobedience? (250 words or less) Meditate upon the results of Adam & Eve’s sin (hide, blame, cover-up, guilt, fear etc) on man’s emotions. Do you see a connection of sin with emotional problems? Do you see how sin affects fellowship with God and others?

6. What elements of the curse (punishment) listed in Genesis 3:14-19 are still in effect? (250 words or less)
Ans: Genesis 3:7 "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."
Once this sin was committed, their eyes were open to wickedness, but closed to truth. Think on this! Jesus told us to learn the "parable of the fig tree" in three of the gospels. This warning is given in Matthew 24:32, Mark 13:28, and Luke 21:29; yet most churches of today are completely ignoring God's warning, and following after fairy tales the Kenites are teaching them.
Adam and Eve are in a fig orchard, and not an apple orchard. Do you think that they made apple masks from apple tree leaves to cover their mouths? How silly can you get! Yet this is the type of ignorance being preached from most pulpits today. Adam and Eve made aprons out of fig leaves to cover their private parts, for their sin was the sex act with Satan. Once this sinks into your mind, then you will start to understand the truth that is winding through the entire scriptures. You will see why it was important to the Kenites that you believe a lie, for this lie allows them to virtually take over the duties of the scribes [I Chronicles 2:55]. These Kenites, or sons of Satan, took control of the interpretation of the words that God spoke to His children through the prophets coming out of the Babylonian captivity.
(When God called to the man, "Where are you?", though Adam had a fig leaf covering made by himself, he fearfully confesses that he is naked. If this covering was sufficient for Adam he would not have feared and hid behind a tree.
The Word of God in 1 John 4:18 says: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
Surely if Adam did not find his man made covering enough to cover his sin then his descendants try in vain to hide theirs from The Holy LORD. This covering does not even satisfy man’s soul, how can we expect it to please the Almighty God.)
I Chronicles 2:55 "And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez [Jerusalem]; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and Suchatites. These are the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab."
The sons of Levi were to be the priests and the keepers of God's house. The Levitical priests were to carry out the duties of the sacrifices, as well as the teachers of the Temple, and the recorders and keepers of God's instructions to His people. These Kenites are not of God, but of that sexual union between Satan and Eve. They are the offspring of Cain, and the oriental woman [from the land of Nod] that he took to wife. The Kenites are not of Abraham, nor are they of Judah, but of their father Rechab, of the lineage of Cain, from the land of Hemath.
Strong's Hebrew dictionary classifies these Kenites under # 7014 and 7017. #7014 states: "Qayin, kah'-yin; the same as 7013 (with the play upon the affinity to 7069); Kajin, the name of the first child, also of a place in Palestine, and of an Oriental tribe:-Cain, Kenites."
# 7017; "Qiyniy (I Chronicles 2:55), kee-nee'; patron. from 7014, a Kenite or member of the tribe of Kajin: Kenite." The Kenites is not a member of the tribe of Judah or any other tribe of Israel, but from the tribe of Kajin. The Kenite is not of the seed of Abraham, but they have assumed the role of the Levitical priests because the Israelites allowed them to sit in the seat of Moses and teach their traditions instead of God's Word.
When you come to the understand of what took place in Eden, then you will understand the "parable of the sower and fig tree" which is the key to most of the prophecies of both the Old and New Testaments. To this day, fig leaves symbolize that which is hidden. That thing hidden within Eve's womb was an evil thing. It turned out to be Cain, who was the first murderer, because his father was a murderer and a liar.
Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden."
Genesis 3:9 "And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, "Where art thou?"
Genesis 3:10 "And he said, "I heard Thy voice in the garden and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."
Genesis 3:11 "And He said, "Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?"
God Himself walked and talked with this first man of the Garden of Eden. Adam had the glory, and mercy of contact with almighty God. God loved Adam so much that He formed this special garden just for him and his wife Eve. The law that existed at that time consisted of only one thing; "Don't eat of that one tree". Don't mess around with Satan.
Satan knew God's plan, that the Christ would come through the womb of Eve, and Satan was out to destroy that plan of God's. Satan wanted to destroy the seed of the woman, meaning "Christ". Satan tried to see to it that the lineage of Christ would become polluted, and that the promised Messiah would be unable to give Himself for the perfect sacrifice, so that men and women could be brought back to the Father, our God.
We see in the sixth chapter that Satan tried again to destroy the plan of God, when he sent his fallen angels to destroy woman again. The results of that try by Satan was the creation of hybrids [the Nephilim, or Giants].
Genesis 3:12 "And the man said, "The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat."
Adam is trying to put the blame for his actions and sin on his wife. We see that not much has changed in the past six thousand years. Adam was responsible because it was he that was placed in charge, and given instruction to not mess around with Satan.
Genesis 3:13 "And the Lord God said unto the woman, "What is this that thou hast done?" And the woman said, "The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat."
This is the same reason that Paul used in his concern about the end generation. He worried that the Church, or body of Christ would not understand that the false Christ will come disguised as the true Christ. They would rather hear and believe fairy tales then the truth of God's Word. Are you ashamed to talk about what happened in the garden of Eden with a friend? If you are, my friend, you have serious problems for you are living in a time when all prophecy of this age will come to a conclusion, and you will be deceived as Eve was.
Eve stated just as Paul quoted her; "The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat." Eve had intercourse with Satan and lost her virginity. From that union came Cain, the father of all Kenites. Learn the truth.
Genesis 3:14 "And the Lord God said unto the serpent, "Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:"
This is God speaking to Satan. God is cursing Satan above all living creatures. This is a figure of speech, meaning you are the lowest thing of all creation. Now God continues to speak to the serpent [Satan].

(A) What are the ramifications of verse 15 of Genesis chapter three? (250 words or less) (B) What are the ramifications of verse 21 of Genesis chapter three? (250 words or less)
Ans: Genesis 3:15 "And I [God] will put enmity between thee [Satan] and the woman [Eve], and between thy seed [the Kenites] and her Seed [Jesus Christ]; It [Christ] shall bruise thy [Satan's] head, and thou [Satan] shalt bruise His [Christ's] heel."
Eve's seed is our Lord Jesus Christ. While Satan's seed are the children, to the last generation, called the Kenites. Those offspring are born from the sexual union between Eve and Satan [the serpent, and the tree of good and evil]. God is telling us that He will put trouble between Eve's children [through Adam and Seth], and Satan's offspring through Cain, called the Kenites.
It is Jesus Christ that shall bruise the head of Satan, at Christ's return at the second advent; while it was Satan's children the Kenites, [not brother Judah] that bruised the heel of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. This was done when the spikes were driven through Christ's heel, as He hung on the cross to pay the full price for our sins, once and for all.
Most "men of God" acknowledge that Genesis 3:15 is talking about the death of Jesus Christ, when He was nailed to the cross for our sins. They recognize that "seed" is referring to the children of the woman "Eve", yet somehow they just want to spiritualize everything else that happened in the Garden of Eden between Eve and the two men [Satan and Adam]. The "seed" in the Hebrew is called "zirmah", and in the Greek it is "sperma". We in the English call it "sperm", and in Strongs Hebrew Dictionary # 2233; "Posterity, carnally, child, fruitful". Friend, it can't be any clearer. The seed of Satan's "posterity" are the "Kenites", while Adam's posterity is in Christ, and of the pure bloodline through Seth.
Until you understand what really took place in the Garden of Eden, and why; it will be difficult for you to grow up and mature in the Word of God, and in true Christianity.
Genesis 3:21 "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them."
This is the first blood sacrifice, given to cover them and protect them in the shame of their sin. Adam and Eve used fig leaves to hide their shame, however, here it is God that makes the sacrifice to cover the sin.
Our protection for living in this final generation is found in Ephesians 6:10-20. That protection is the armor of God that we must use to fight the spiritual battle of these end times. That battle is not of guns and bullets, but it is fought with words and concepts. It is a spiritual battle with demons and things not seen with the eye, for it will be fought with doctrines and ideas on the battlefield of your mind.
Christ was the blood sacrifice that God gave to all mankind, that we can see and accept to cover our sins. Though animal sacrifices were the acceptable covering temporarily for sin until Christ's death, the only true forgiveness for all sin is in the blood of Jesus Christ. That is the only acceptable way to God. [John 3:16]

8. Use the Internet and find a definition for homiletics, exegesis, and hermeneutics.
9.Explain the relationship of homiletics, exegesis, and hermeneutics (how used) in the preparation and presentation of a lecture, lesson, or sermon.
Ans for Question 8 and 9:
Homiletics:is the branch of theology that deals with sermons and homilies
theology, divinity - the rational and systematic study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truth or the art of preaching
Exegesis: Exegesis is the process of approaching Bible interpretation with a humble spirit, and an open mind. In order to gain a true understanding of God's Word, one must be willing to allow God's Word to speak for itself, and be willing to abandon cherished beliefs if they are in conflict with God's Word.
Exegesis is not merely an intellectual exercise we do all alone. God tells us that in order to properly understand His Word, we need the help of a) the Holy Spirit and b) others who have strong theological training. We are also cautioned to be careful about who we allow to influence us.
Hermeneutics: Hermeneutics was traditionally tied to the interpretation of texts. Traditionally hermeneutics provided rules for the correct interpretation of either religious text or of important legal codes.
10.Use the Internet a find a definition of Calvinism and Arminianism. The basic theology of Calvinism is known by an acronym: T.U.L.I.P. Write a brief comparison of Calvinism and Arminianism using the acronym: T.U.L.I.P.
Ans: It emphasizes predestination and salvation. The five points of Calvinism were developed in response to the Arminian position (See Arminianism). Calvinism teaches: 1) Total depravity: that man is touched by sin in all parts of his being: body, soul, mind, and emotions, 2) Unconditional Election: that Godճ favor to Man is completely by Godճ free choice and has nothing to do with Man. It is completely undeserved by Man and is not based on anything God sees in man (Eph. 1:1-11), 3) Limited atonement: that Christ did not bear the sins of every individual who ever lived, but instead only bore the sins of those who were elected into salvation (John 10:11,15), 4) Irresistible grace: that God's call to someone for salvation cannot be resisted, 5) Perseverance of the saints: that it is not possible to lose one's salvation (John 10:27-28).
Arminianism: Arminianism is a school of soteriological thought in Protestant Christian theology founded by the Dutch theologian Jacob Hermann, who was best known by the Latin form of his name, Jacobus Arminius. Its acceptance stretches through much of mainstream Protestantism. Due to the influence of John Wesley, Arminianism is perhaps most prominent in the Methodist movement.
Arminianism: Arminians believe Adam’s sin has resulted in the rest of mankind inheriting a propensity to sin commonly referred to as having a “sin nature.” This sin nature causes us to sin in the same way that a cat’s nature causes it to meow—it comes naturally. According to this view, man cannot stop sinning on his own, that is why God gives a universal grace to all to enable them to stop. This grace is called prevenient grace. And according to this view, we are not held accountable for Adam’s sin, just our own. This teaching runs contrary to the verb tense chosen for “...all sinned” in Romans 5:12 and also ignores the fact that all bear the punishment for sin (death) even though they may not have sinned in a manner similar to Adam (1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 5:14-15,18). Nor is the teaching of prevenient grace found in Scripture.Calvinism: Adam’s sin has resulted in not only our having a sin nature, but also has caused us to incur guilt before God for which we are deserving of punishment. Being conceived with original sin upon us (Psalm 51:5) results in our inheriting a sin nature so wicked that Jeremiah 17:9 describes the human heart as “deceitful above all else, desperately wicked, and beyond cure.” And not only was Adam found guilty because he sinned, but his guilt and his punishment (death) belongs to us as well (Romans 5:12,19). There are two views as to why Adam’s guilt should be seen by God as belonging to us as well. The first view states that the human race was within Adam in seed form; thus when Adam sinned, we sinned in him. This is similar to the biblical teaching that Levi (a descendent of Abraham) paid tithes to Melchizedek in Abraham (Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7:4-9), even though Levi was not born until hundreds of years later. The other main view is that Adam served as our representative and as such, when he sinned, we were found guilty as well.
Basically, Calvinism is known by an acronym: T.U.L.I.P. Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)Unconditional Election Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement)Irresistible GracePerseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)
First Point: T- Total Depravity (TULIP) Calvinism
T-otal Depravity -- Due to the imputation of the fallen nature of Adam (Romans 5:12), every man is born inherently wicked (Genesis 6:5), completely hostile to his Creator (Romans 8:7), and thoroughly content to remain in his sin (John 3:19). Though a free moral agent, man's will is nevertheless bound in that he can only choose to do those things which are in accord with his own sinful nature (Ephesians 2:1-3). Consequently, apart from divine intervention, he cannot see God (John 3:3), he cannot hear God's Word (John 8:43, 47), he cannot receive God's truth (I Corinthians 2:14), and he cannot seek after God for salvation (Romans 3:11).
First Point: D - Dead but Somehow Alive (DAISY) Arminianism
D-ead but Somehow Alive-- Arminians either implicitly or explicitly reject the biblical doctrine of the imputation of Adam's fallen nature and categorically deny "Total Depravity." In other words, each individual is not born inherently sinful, but becomes an enemy of God sometime after a mythical "age of accountability" when he consciously decides to rebel against divine authority. Though it is believed that the person "dies spiritually" at this moment, he is nevertheless supposedly able to later respond to the call of the Gospel and to choose to believe in Christ of his own free will. Thus, faith is not seen as a divine gift, but as a human virtue.
Second Point: U - Unconditional Election (TULIP) Calvinism
U-nconditional Election-- Since man's spiritual condition is hopelessly lost, his eternal destiny rests solely in the hands of his Creator (Romans 9:20-21). Furthermore, since all men have sinned against God in thought, word, or deed, all stand guilty and justly condemned before Him (Romans 3:23). It is therefore the unquestionable prerogative of God to graciously bestow His pardon upon those whom He has sovereignly elected to pardon, while justly requiring those whom He has not elected to answer for and to eternally suffer for their wickedness (Exodus 33:19). Thus, those finally consigned to the lake of fire will have received exactly what they have earned, while those in heaven will be the recipients of a gift which they neither merited nor sought (Romans 6:23).
Second Point: A - Abolition of True Grace (DAISY) Arminianism
A-bolition of True Grace-- Since man is not completely dead spiritually, and is somehow able to come to God of his own volition, Arminians will invariably reinterpret the Bible's clear teachings on predestination to mean God's election of believers based upon His foreknowledge of their future choice. They also insist that God will never force anyone to come to Him against their will, but will gently reward for the righteous act of believing on the part of the sinner rather than the outpouring of the unconditional grace of God.
Third Point: L - Limited Atonement (TULIP) Calvinism
L-imited Atonement-- While the redemption of sinners was predetermined by God even before the creation of the world (Revelation 13:8), it was on Calvary where this providential grace was finally manifested to the world (Colossians 2:15). Christ's death on the cross was not a purposeless act of a hopeful Savior, but was specifically designed to atone for the sins of those whom God had elected out of the world to salvation (Luke 19:10). Being omnipotent in its power to save, Christ's Blood was nevertheless intended to be the purchase price of His Bride, the Church (Acts 20:28), and thus fully accomplished that purpose for which it was shed (John 19:30).
Third Point: I - Impotent Savior (DAISY) Arminianism
I-mpotent Savior-- Since they do not believe that the salvation of the individual believer was predetermined by God's eternal decree, Arminians necessarily reject the idea that Christ's redemptive work was in behalf of His elect only. It was instead undergone with the entire human race in mind, making salvation a possibility for all men. Such is a clear denial of the doctrine of an accomplished redemption and reduces the Son of God to a soteriological imposter who, in dying on the cross, invited all, but saved none. It also denigrates His Blood to a means to and end, rather than the end itself.
Fourth Point: I - Irresistible Grace (TULIP) Calvinism
I-rresistible Grace-- Since man in his fallen state is not able to seek after God, he is likewise not able to resist the special calling of God unto salvation (John 6:37). God's eternal election of His people coupled with Christ's death in behalf of these same individuals has rendered their salvation certain (Ephesians 1:4-5). It is impossible for the elect to decline God's grace simply because all innate desire to reject God has been removed and replaced with a new heart that seeks after Him (Ezekiel 36:26).
Fourth Point: S - Sovereignty of the Sinner (DAISY) Arminianism
S-overeignty of the Sinner-- Arminians have no concept of the sovereignty of God due to their insistence that His plans and desires may be thwarted and altered by the whims of mankind. Stressing in their evangelistic efforts that God does not wish any man to perish, they nevertheless believe that any man can reject God's gift of eternal life no matter how fervently He may attempt to bestow it upon the objects of His affection. Since the desires of fallen man can obviously take precedence over the decrees of their Creator, God becomes the servant of man rather than vice versa, and is merely a passive observer of worldly events, rather than the active Director thereof.
Fifth Point: P - Perseverance of the Saints (TULIP) Calvinism
P-erseverance of the Saints-- With a proper understanding of God's immutability (Malachi 3:6) and His eternal grace towards those whom He has elected (I Peter 5:10), the legitimate believer may rest in the assurance that his current favor with his Creator will not, and indeed cannot, ever be nullified or revoked (Romans 8:38-39). Though the Christian will never experience sinless perfection while still in his mortal state (Romans 7:21-24), he can be confident that the Holy Spirit will continually work within him to sanctify him (Philippians 2:12-13) and to conform him to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) until he is finally glorified in the presence of God (I Corinthians 13:12). In this way, the three stages of salvation -- justification, sanctification, and glorification-- are the exclusive work of God (Hebrews 12:2), completely separate from the religious efforts of man (John 1:12-13).
Fifth Point: Y - Yielding Eternal Uncertainty (DAISY) Arminianism
Y-ielding Eternal Uncertainty-- Arminians that remain consistent with their beliefs also reject the biblical concept that genuine salvation is eternally secure and cannot be lost. If salvation can be traced to the individual choice of the believer, then it must logically follow that it can also be terminated by a similar act of the will. A God who is not sovereign in bestowing eternal life cannot be sovereign in preserving it and must again submit Himself to the whims of human freedom. And so, in direct contrast to the biblical view, Arminian soteriology is completely man-centered from beginning to end and for this reason must be rejected as the very dangerous heresy that it is.

11. Meditate upon the situation of chapter 3. A) Did God grant Adam and Eve the freedom to disobey? B) Did He foreknow of their disobedience? C) Did He foreordain (force) their disobedience? D) How did their unfaithfulness affect their fellowship? E) Was God faithful to His Word?
A) Genesis 2:16 reveals that God gave Adam the freedom to choose to obey or to fall, and Genesis 2:15 reveals that God settled Adam in the garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it.
B) God knew that Adam and Eve would sin, and would thereby bring evil, suffering, and death into the world. Why, then, did God put the tree in the Garden of Eden and allow Satan to tempt Adam and Eve? God put the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden to give Adam and Eve a choice. God allowed Satan to tempt Adam and Eve to force them to make the choice. Adam and Eve chose, of their own free wills, to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit. The result – evil, sin, suffering, sickness, and death have plagued the world ever since. Adam and Eve's decision results in each and every person being born with a sin nature, a tendency to sin. Adam and Eve's decision is what ultimately required Jesus Christ to die on the cross and shed His blood on our behalf. Through faith in Christ, we can be free from sin's consequences, and ultimately free from sin itself. May we echo the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:24-25, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
c) God put the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden to give Adam and Eve a choice – to obey Him or disobey Him. Adam and Eve were free to do anything they wanted, except eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:16-17, “And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.’” If God had not given Adam and Eve the choice, they would have essentially been robots, simply doing what they were programmed to do. God created Adam and Eve to be “free” beings, able to make decisions, able to choose between good and evil. In order for Adam and Eve to truly be “free” – they had to have a choice.There was nothing essentially evil about the tree or the fruit of the tree. It is unlikely that eating the fruit truly gave Adam and Eve any further knowledge.

D) When Adam and Eve defied God’s authority, they rejected His place in their lives. The fellowship and companionship Adam and Eve enjoyed with God was now broken, replaced by with an ugly separation, a gap that could not be breached by any act of mankind. Like Lucifer cast out of heaven, Adam and Eve found themselves banished from the Garden of Eden, condemned to bear children in pain, to work by the sweat of their brow to grow their food.
E) Sin entered the world through Adam and it resulted in death. Through Adam all sinned and fell short, hence death was for all. Many centuries passed and the loving God faithful to His promise to Adam and His Word to the prophets, sent his only loving Son Jesus Christ to this world. He was to die for the sins of the world as the sacrificial lamb without blemish. You and I and all unborn are included in this. It was necessary for him to bear the sin of the world on the cross. On the third day He rose from the dead victorious and full of glory. He is the onlyone who could break the chain of death and bring salvation to human kind. So he crushed the head of the serpent - Satan.
The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. This was the clothing made of sacrifice and poured blood, a symbol of Jesus Christ. The garments made of fig leaves by man were no longer sufficient. Such clothing can never cover our sin and shame. The only acceptable covering is the one God has sent to us, through belief in him we can find refuge. We are covered under the shadow of his wings.
Adam sinned hence all sinned. Death became contagious throughout the world, however God’s provision of Grace through the acceptable work of Jesus Christ was made available to many.
In Roman’s Chapter 5 verse 17-19, God’s Word says, "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life to 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."
We then read in Genesis 3:22 "He (man) must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live for ever." So the LORD God banished him from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After He drove the man out, He placed on the east side of the garden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
The righteous God, after banishing Adam and his wife from the Garden of Eden, lovingly opened another door for us to enter His presence.
Jesus Christ states, in John 10:9 says, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." Later in John 14:6 He says; "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Also, in the book of Revelation 1:17 we read; "I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and Hades." And in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."