---
title: "Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof | RP Testimony"
description: "Chapter 6 of the RP Testimony: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof. Read the 2026 RPCNA Constitution text, Scripture proofs, and the corresponding Westminster Confession chapter."
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=34"
---

# Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof | RP Testimony

1. This corruption of man’s nature is commonly called total depravity. Two examples in the Scripture demonstrate that being human is not equivalent to being sinful—that of Adam before the fall and of Christ in His human nature. Since the fall every part of man’s nature is affected by sin. His understanding is darkened; he is motivated by wrong principles, is rebellious and wholly unable of his own will to love God or to obtain salvation. Natural men are not equally evil, nor as evil as they might be. They may conform to some human standards of goodness. Heb. 4:15; Gen. 6:5; Rom. 5:12-17; Rom. 8:7; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 7:18; Eph. 4:18; Gen. 3:22; Mark 10:20.

2. Every man was created in the image of God. His life, therefore, whether he is regenerate or unregenerate, should be recognized as having value to himself, to society, and to God. Prov. 16:4; Gen. 9:5-6; Matt. 10:29-31; Gen. 1:27; Rom. 5:7-8; Acts 17:24-29; Rom. 9:20-24.

## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13)

These explanations are separate from the official text above.

Words to knowThe fallAdam and Eve’s first disobedience and the ruin it brought.CorruptionThe sinful condition that affects our whole nature.ImputedCounted or credited to someone; Adam’s guilt is counted to those he represents.

### Testimony 6.1

Sin affects every part of us and leaves us unable to turn to God on our own. This does not mean everyone is equally evil or as bad as possible, or that being human itself means being sinful.

[Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/#point-1)

### Testimony 6.2

Every human life has value because every person bears God’s image, whether or not that person is a believer.

[Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/#point-2)

### Talk about it

Why should we value every person, even though everyone sins?

### Discuss and remember

Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about.

- How does sin affect what we think, want, and do?
- Why do we need more than trying harder to make ourselves right with God?

#### Scripture to remember

Romans 3:23

[Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=Romans%203%3A23)

Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week.

#### Put it into practice

Practice confessing a specific wrong without blaming someone else.

[Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/)

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=34)

## Related reading

- [Understanding covenant theology](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/covenant-theology/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 4: Of Creation](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-4-creation/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 9: What is the work of creation?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-9-what-is-the-work-of-creation/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 15: What is the work of creation?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-15-what-is-the-work-of-creation/)
- [Find teaching on sin](https://ctkrp.org/sermons/?q=sin)
- [Westminster Confession · Chapter 6](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/)
- [Chapter 5](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-5-providence/)
- [Chapter 7](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/