Fall and depravity of mankind

We believe that the human soul was created in the image of God. The image of God refers to the reflection of His divine essence. Man's image reflects God's image in his immaterial makeup. Adam sinned willfully against God's command not to eat of the forbidden tree and died spiritually. Mankind instantly became separated from God and unable to fellowship with Him (Genesis 3:18–19; Romans 3:23; 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:12). All human beings inherit a sin nature which has been genetically passed down through the male since Adam. To this sin nature is imputed Adam's original sin (Romans 3:23; 5:12) and each person is therefore born physically alive and spiritually dead. This describes the depravity of all mankind. Man, controlled by the sin nature, wants independence from God. God condemns mankind and will bring him to judgment (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11–15). God is fair and offers mankind an alternative through the sacrifice of His Son. Adam and the woman accepted the coats of skins from the hand of the Lord in Genesis 3:21. The shedding of animal (lamb, sheep, goats) blood and the couple's faith in the promised, future Savior enabled them to receive the free gift of eternal life. This became the pattern of recovery for all of mankind. Each individual must personally accept the Savior in order to be removed from judgment (John 3:36).