Yes.

At birth, what did Cain need a Savior for? Had he already sinned at that point? If so, what? If not, does one need a Savior if one has not sinned?

"All have sinned . . ." I believe this applies to infants, too. Sinning is what we do naturally, instinctively, automatically. Whether or not we are held accountable in judgment is up to God. I suspect sins committed before we reach the age of accountability are handled in ways differently than sins of volition.

I also believe this passage includes infancy, that is, if we say we didn't sin during infancy we are deceived.

1 John
1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

I'm talking about Cain just being born; before even taking his first breath of air. Would it be true to say, "Cain has sinned" at that point? If so, what sin? In the womb?

How does Ezekiel 18 reconcile with the Exodus and Numbers quotes? Are they talking about the same thing? Is visiting the same thing as bearing iniquities?

I would say that, because Cain assumed Adam's fallen nature, he was in need of a power outside of himself in order to not be enslaved by sin, throughout his whole life, including infancy. If this counts as needing to be reconciled, then that would be "yes." (although that's not how I would use the term).

I believe the condition of a baby depends upon its parents to a large extent. Discussing babies is a tricky matter. From Ellen White's writings, she appears to say there are times when the baby of unbelieving parents might be saved, and it's not automatic that the baby of believing parents will be saved. That might be in 3SM.

That Cain did not need to be atoned for genetic reasons (by virtue of having a fallen nature) seems to be clearly not the case, since Christ assumed the same fallen nature Cain had. (actually one that had fallen a bit more, since He assumed it after 4,000 years of sin).

Maybe in a simmilar way in which Jesus presented God as "dady" while He had previously been someone who would kill you for touching His ark...

I see. Neither would I call that reconciliation. To me, the need for reconciliation implies a negative initial condition. What you describe seems more neutral.

Re: power, I think that's an independent issue. He needed external power, and so does everyone outside of Eden, even those who have been born again and reconciled to God. So the need for power is separate from the need for reconciliation.

Let me put it another way. At birth, and aside from the benefit of Christ's propitiation, did Cain have a title to heaven?



I'm familiar with the baby quotes. They do present data points difficult to account for. I haven't yet seen a theory that elegantly explains them.

Arnold, I agree with Tom. Cain inherited Adam's sinful nature. He was born carnal, sold in slavery to sin, self, and Satan. Whether or not he sinned in the womb depends, I suppose, on what one believes about life and prenatal influences.

5T 515
But you must remember that your will is the spring of all your actions. This will, that forms so important a factor in the character of man, was at the Fall given into the control of Satan; and he has ever since been working in man to will and to do of his own pleasure, but to the utter ruin and misery of man. {5T 515.1}