---
title: "Question 16: Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression? | Westminster Shorter Catechism"
description: "Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 16: Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression? The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary "
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-16-did-all-mankind-fall-in-adams-first-transgression/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=160"
---

# Question 16: Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression? | Westminster Shorter Catechism

The covenant being made with Adam, 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.

Scripture proofs: Gen. 2:16-17; Rom. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:21-22.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=160)

## Related reading

- [Understanding covenant theology](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/covenant-theology/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 7: Of God’s Covenant with Man](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 12: What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-12-what-special-act-of-providence-did-god-exercise-toward/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 20: What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-20-what-was-the-providence-of-god-toward-man-in/)
- [Question 15](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-15-what-was-the-sin-whereby-our-first-parents-fell/)
- [Question 17](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-17-into-what-estate-did-the-fall-bring-mankind/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-16-did-all-mankind-fall-in-adams-first-transgression/