In Romans 5:12-21, Paul describes Adam and Christ side by side. The first point Paul makes is that when Adam sinned, sin, and therefore death, was brought into the world and spread to everyone (5:12). Because there was no law to break, sin was technically not counted as sin (5:13). Adam was a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come (5:14). Adam’s sin led to the death of many. But, this is greatly contrasted with the gracious gift from God that was to come, a gift of forgiveness to all through Jesus Christ (5:15). Despite all the guilt and condemnation that entered the world though the sin of Adam, all men were made right in their relationship with God through Jesus Christ’s one free act of righteousness. God’s grace rules over all people’s sins. Jesus’ death and resurrection gave man right standing with God and an eternal life. Long story short, Jesus Christ’s obedience countered Adam’ s disobedience.

According to Paul, when one is baptized, you died and were buried with Christ and then raised so you may live a new life (6:4). This means that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ, so sin lost its power and we are no longer slaves to sin (6:6). We are free from the power of sin. Sin’s power and mastery is dead. We may now live with Christ under the freedom of God’s grace. As a result of baptism, you are free from your slavery to sin, but become a slavery to righteous living so that may become holy and have eternal life.