The Bible clearly states how and why condemnation and death came upon mankind. For by oneman'soffence death reigned; the race of mankind is only Adam multiplied. Wages are what we get for what we do. The act of Adam, disobeying God, was an offence to God. Adam represented his entire family and we are all under condemnation and death. That is why we all die, corporally. Every death man is involved in is because of sin. "The wages of sin is death."

Man is to blame for sin, not God, Death and life are not the same; neither do they come from the same source. The cause that brings death does not bring life, but just the opposite. By man came sin, and by sin came death. Christ Jesus said that He did not come to destroy, but to save. Sin has brought condemnation. Justice does not, nor cannot free the guilty. It condemns; demands the full penalty - death. By nature, no person has the right to live continually. For this reason they all die. The suffering, death, and shed blood of Jesus Christ is what frees, and justifies from condemnation and wrath, giving them a right to live forever in heaven, though they die and leave this world. "Much more then, being justified by His blood, we shall be (not may be) saved from wrath through Him." (Romans 5:9)

If only corporal death is for the wicked, and the saints die in body also, and suffer corporal death, and that is the full penalty for sin, why was the blood of Christ Jesus shed? It would be vain, for the child of God pays the penalty himself, and does not need atonement for sin. Death, eternal death [and punishment], is what Jesus Christ saved His children from by His suffering, death, and shed blood. All He represented have a right to live in heaven, and God gives eternal life to them through Jesus Christ, and by His grace (great favor). They will live with Him; "As thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give (not offer) eternal life to as many as thou hast given Him." (John 17:2) The Lord said, "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." (John 11:26) Why? Because they have eternal life that does not, nor cannot, die

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power." (Revelation 20:6) And where there is no power to cause death, there cannot be any death. When Christ Jesus raised His children out of death in sin to a state of life and salvation in Him, that is when eternal life is given. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; (not offer, but give) and they shall never perish." (John 10:27-28) Men who dispute the Lord must be ignorant of Him. Perhaps some might do it deliberately, "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Not an offer, but a gift; and offer is based on condition, and as soon as the conditions are met, title and possession are given. But the title and possession of the gift are unconditionally bestowed through Jesus Christ our Lord. "He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth." (Isaiah 42:4) So salvation is sure to all the seed, the heirs of promise, which make up on innumerable host out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. In hope of living with Him though I die and leave this world Elder C. M. Mills --From the Primitive Baptist, 1956