Genesis Lesson 21: Cain and Abel {Abel, a Type of Christ; Cain and the First False Religion}

Genesis 4:1-16

In this study of "Cain and Abel," we discuss why Eve selected those names for her first two sons, why God accepted Abel and his offering, but did not accept Cain and his offering, why Abel is referred to as a prophet (Luke 11:49-51), when Scripture does not record a single word he ever spoke, how Abel is a type of Christ, and how Cain (though he believed in the true God) established the first false religion - "the way of Cain" (Jude 11).

It is critical to understand why Abel's sacrifice is referred to in Hebrews 11:4 as the "more excellent sacrifice"; it is important to understand God's three divine rules of acceptable atonement for sin, and how Jesus Christ alone met the criteria for the "once-for-all" acceptable sin-Substitute to permanently atone for the sins of the whole world (cleanse them completely, not just cover them temporarily - as the animal sacrifices of Judaism did in anticipation of the coming Saviour).  Of course, one must repent and believe in His finished work on the cross (His burial and third-day resurrection) to receive His cleansing and forgiveness!