Westminster Shorter Catechism – Lord’s Day 9
Q & A 13
Q Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
A Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.*1
Q & A 14
Q What is sin?
A Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.*2
Q & A 15
Q What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
A The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.*3
Q & A 16
Q Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?
A The covenant being made with Adam,4 not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.5
*1 Genesis 3:6-8, 13; 2 Corinthians 11:3.
*2 Leviticus 5:17; James 4:17; 1 John 3:4.
*3 Genesis 3:6.
*4 Genesis 2:16-17;James 2:10.
*5 Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 15:22.