Adam: a Type of Christ

We’ve all read that Adam is a type of Christ, but some of us may still be wondering how. The differences between the Old and New Testaments should’t be emphasized to the point of conflict. They are the product of the same divine mind and interface at an organic level. This is more than evident in the connection between Adam and Christ.Below is a list that shows just how much a type of Christ Adam actually is. The list partly comes from Mark Driscoll’s current series on Ephesians and Watchman Nee’s classic The Glorious Church.

Adam… who is a type of Him who was to come.
-Romans 5:14

• The first Adam turned from the Father in the garden of Eden; the last Adam turned to the Father in the garden of Gethsemane.
• The first Adam was naked & unashamed in the garden; the last Adam was naked & bore our shame on the cross.
• The first Adam’s sin brought us thorns; the last Adam wore a crown of thorns.
• The first Adam substituted himself for God; the last Adam was God substituting Himself for us.
• The first Adam sinned at a tree; the last Adam bore our sins on a tree.
• The first Adam died as a sinner; the last Adam died for sinners.
• The first Adam lost the tree of life; the last Adam is the tree of life.
• The first Adam was the head of the old creation; the last Adam is the head of the new creation.
• The first Adam was created in God’s image; the last Adam is God’s image.
• The first Adam was to reign over all the earth; the last Adam will reign over all the earth forever and ever.
• The first Adam was the first husband; the last Adam will be the ultimate, eternal husband.
• The first Adam was alone & needed a counterpart; the last Adam is alone & needs a counterpart.
• The first Adam was seeking a wife; the last Adam is seeking a wife.
• The first Adam was put to sleep to produce Eve; the last Adam was put to death to produce the church.
• The first Adam came out from the ground; the last Adam fell into the ground.
• The first Adam became a living soul; the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit.
• The first Adam died & returned to the ground; the last Adam died & returned to heaven.
• The first Adam’s side was opened; the last Adam’s side was pierced.
• Eve was taken out of the first Adam; the church was taken out of the last Adam.
• Eve was built with the first Adam’s rib; the church is being built with the last Adam’s life.
• Eve was brought to the first Adam without sin; the church will be presented to the last Adam without sin.
• Eve was the same as the first Adam in life, nature, & expression; the church is the same as the last Adam in life, nature, & expression.
• The first Adam & Eve became one flesh; the last Adam & the church have become one spirit.

As long as this list is, I’m sure it isn’t exhaustive. Feel free to add to it in the comments.