The Holy Spirit¶
We've crafted an unofficial, source-cited, non-commercial index of Dr. R.C. Sproul's publicly available teachings, weighted by how many independent sources corroborate each point. The content is authored by Dr. R.C. Sproul and published by Ligonier Ministries (a few items are third-party YouTube re-uploads); see the Methodology & Rights page for more info. Quotations are brief, linked to their source, and reproduced for study under Ligonier's Copyright Policy (ligonier.org/copyright-policy). This site is humbly offered for personal use only, out of love and respect, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ligonier Ministries or St. Andrew's Chapel.
98 positions — 4 corroborated across multiple sources.
Well-attested positions¶
Independently stated in two or more of his messages.
Regeneration must precede faith, and this process is entirely the work of God alone.
In historic Reformation thought, the notion is this: regeneration precedes faith. We also believe that regeneration is monergistic. Now that's a three-dollar word. It means essentially that the divine operation called rebirth or regeneration is the work of God alone.
Corroborated across 3 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 28:21 · TULIP and Reformed Theology: Irresistible Grace (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 28:06
Regeneration is entirely the work of God alone, not a joint effort between the person and the Spirit.
In the case of regeneration, it is God alone who is able, and it is God alone who performs the work of regenerating the human soul. The work of regeneration is not a joint venture between the fallen person and the divine Spirit; it is solely the work of God.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Holy Spirit in Regeneration (Ligonier article) · The New Birth (Ligonier article)
The ideal model for pastoral ministry is found in the work of Jesus, who is described using the metaphor of the Good Shepherd.
The supreme paradigm, or model, for pastoral ministry is seen in the work of Jesus Himself. One of the titles that the New Testament bestows upon Him is that of the Good Shepherd.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Shepherding the Flock (Ligonier article) · What Does It Mean to Be a Shepherd Over the Flock? (Ligonier article)
Human effort in ministry is preparatory, as God is the ultimate agent who causes the growth and harvest of the seed planted.
We plant the seed, go to bed, and, while we sleep, God germinates the seed so that life grows and eventually produces a full harvest. Then God Himself reaps for His own glory.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Coming of the Kingdom (Ligonier article) · Parables of the Kingdom (Ligonier)
Further positions¶
Drawn from a single high-trust (official transcript) source.
The speaker's involvement with the Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company began purely for economic reasons.
I leapt at the chance, not motivated by any desire to propagate Reformed theology, but merely out of a pure economic motive.
Source: B.B. Warfield: Defender of the Faith (Ligonier article)
God's mission has consistently been a sending program throughout history.
But the mission of God has always been a sending program. God spoke to Abram in the land of the Chaldeans and sent him to a new land where he would be the father of a great nation.
Source: The Biblical Basis for Missions (Ligonier article)
The core of the New Testament gospel lies in the person and work of Christ.
It is the person and work of Christ that is the essence of the New Testament gospel.
Source: Book Review: Christless Christianity (Ligonier article)
Christ, in his role as Mediator, assumed the office of the second Adam, representing humanity in a corporate solidarity.
In His role as Mediator and the God-man, Jesus assumed the office of the second Adam, or what the Bible calls the last Adam. He entered into a corporate solidarity with our humanity, being a representative like unto Adam in his representation.
Source: Born of the Virgin Mary (Ligonier article)
The ministry requires a willingness to endure hostility and criticism, especially the petty slights.
Again, mature faith requires that we be willing and able to absorb petty slights and insults.
Source: Dear Bob (Ligonier article)
Elvis's reputation for honesty was not based on his words, but on his personal openness and deep communication with his audience.
His 'honesty' was not a matter of words but of personal openness. Elvis' stage presence was unique. Even Sinatra, the master of timing, could learn something from Elvis.
Source: The “Elvis” Phenomenon (Ligonier article)
While Christians have a responsibility to participate in the body's mission, they are not always the primary agents who execute the task.
I participate in the responsibility of the body of Christ to see that the task is met, but I myself am not the one who delivers the goods as the practicing evangelist.
Source: God’s Will and Your Job (Ligonier article)
Sanctification is a process that involves human effort alongside God's work, though God remains the primary agent.
Sanctification, however, includes our efforts. We say it is synergistic because both God and we are doing something. Yet, we aren’t equal partners.
Source: No Shortcuts to Growth (Ligonier article)
The 'ourness' of the relationship addressed in the Lord's Prayer is established through Jesus' unique ministry of adoption.
Again the “ourness” of this relationship is grounded in the unique ministry of Jesus by which, through adoption, He is our elder brother and He gives to us those privileges that by nature belong only to Him.
Source: Our Father (Ligonier article)
Christ's ministry was characterized by actively going out to the people rather than waiting for people to come to him.
But Jesus didn't have a building; He didn't wait behind closed doors for people to come and see Him. His was a ministry of "walking around." He went out to where the people were.
Source: If No One Is Lost, Then the Mission of Christ Was a Waste of Time (Ligonier article)
He stated that he never experiences boredom while speaking on the topic, and he makes efforts to keep his research current.
Sometimes before I speak I say to myself, “I can’t do it one more time, and besides, people in the congregation have probably already heard it and they’ll be bored as well.�” But I have never experienced boredom while speaking, and I don’t think my listeners have either. I never give the messages exactly the same way twice and I try to keep researching the text to find new things.
Source: Striking a Chord in the Heart of the Believer: An Interview with R.C. Sproul (Ligonier article)
Christ acts as the guarantor who backs up humanity's indebtedness by taking upon Himself the obligation to pay what must be paid.
That Christ is our guarantor means that He is the One who cosigns our note. He backs up our indebtedness by taking upon Himself the obligation to pay what must be paid.
Source: What Is Sin? (Ligonier article)
The Mediator did not initiate the process; rather, the Father sent and gave the Son.
However, when we think like this, we forget whose idea it was to provide a Mediator in the first place. The Mediator did not come on His own. God so loved the world that He “gave,” that He “sent,” His Son.
Source: What Is Sin? (Ligonier article)
Paul's associates, like Demas, were deeply involved in his ministry, witnessing his suffering and steadfastness.
He’s mentioned in two of Paul’s epistles as a co-laborer and co -worker. He was one of Paul’s associates who went with him on his missionary journeys. Stood next to him when Paul was preaching.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:56
The person of Christ and the work of Christ cannot be separated because one is understood by the other.
But you can't ever separate them. Because there's a sense in which how do we know the person of Jesus? By what He did. And how do we know the significance of what He did? By understanding Who He was.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 18:41
When discussing Jesus, one must acknowledge him as the Incomparable Christ, drawing attention to the various titles given to him in the Bible.
And so when we talk of Jesus, we have to talk of Jesus as the Incomparable Christ.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:08
The Spirit's work is not to cause despair, but rather to work toward the believer's restoration.
you understand that the Spirit never drives us to despair; but rather He is working for our restoration.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 21:40
The interpretation of a child's movement within the womb, as done by Elizabeth, is attributed to the Holy Spirit.
The interpretation of that act is by the Spirit. So, I think we can say with assurance that, in fact, John the Baptist began his witness-bearing to Christ before he was even born.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:12
Life is characterized by people working and fighting to achieve something of great importance to them.
It's a story of people desperately working, fighting, hanging together to reach something that is of utmost importance to them.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 6:37
Pilate, despite being confronted by Christ, failed to recognize the truth standing before him.
The irony is that when Pilate was asking the question, "What is truth?" the very incarnation of truth was standing right in front of his eyes and he missed it, completely missed it.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 42:22
The basis for Abraham's salvation, and the salvation of Old Testament saints, was the work of Jesus Christ.
Well, the basis of Abraham’s salvation was the work of Jesus Christ.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:42
Luther had a notorious problem with flatulence and used this habit in relation to his public life.
And on one occasion, he said, "If I break wind in Wittenberg, they will hear me in Leipzig."
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 5:12
Josephus was a well-known writer of his day who was in a unique position to report on both sides of the conflict.
at least we have the benefit of an eyewitness who was a well-known writer of his day and who was in a unique position to report on both sides of the conflict.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:49
The Holy Spirit is the main agent among the Trinity responsible for enabling sanctification, which is the process of being conformed to Christ's image.
It is the Holy Spirit who principally is the actor among the Trinity working for our sanctification, for enabling that process by which we are being conformed to the image of Christ by which we are being made holy.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:40
Salvation is a monergistic work initiated by God, not a joint effort between God and man.
But you do that only after God initiates through His grace. But if sola gratia is true and sola fide is true, then soli Deo gloria must also be true because the glory for your salvation belongs to God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:50
John the Baptist is an underrated figure in the New Testament, despite being highly regarded by the biblical writers and Jesus himself.
I’ve said many times that John the Baptist is the most underrated person in the whole New Testament. That is, underrated by us, because he certainly was not by the biblical writers.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The primary Comforter (Paraclete) in the New Testament is Jesus, who provides comfort through His Word.
The primary Paraclete, the primary Comforter of the New Testament is Jesus, and He bestows comfort to His people through His Word.
Source: Bearing Others' Burdens (Ligonier)
Our service to Christ is the primary concern in which Christians must be involved with diligence and fervor.
Our service to Christ is the chief business in which we are to be involved, with diligence and with fervor of soul and spirit.
Source: Behave Like a Christian (Part 1) (Ligonier)
A person must be in Christ to be reconciled with God.
If you are not in Christ, you’re not reconciled. You’re still at war.
Source: The Benedictus (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Bartimaeus was already aware of Jesus's reputation and ministry before encountering him.
No, by this time, news of Jesus had spread across the whole country. People had been telling Bartimaeus about Jesus, who had given hearing to the deaf, sight to the blind, and even raised people from the dead.
Source: The Blind Man (Ligonier)
God's story encompasses both the individual's story and the speaker's story.
It is your story, it is my story, and it is God’s story.
Source: Cleansing of the Leper (Ligonier)
Phoebe was given a high honor and played a specific, important assisting role in the Apostolic ministry, as evidenced by Paul's instructions to the church in Rome.
Paul directs the Christians in Rome to receive Phoebe in the Lord, in a manner worthy of the saints. She is to be aided and assisted in whatever she needs, because she has been bestowed a high honor, being called a “helper of many” and of Paul himself.
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
Paul's greetings to various individuals demonstrate his concern for acknowledging women who had labored with him in the Lord.
Again, we see Paul’s concern to give his Apostolic good wishes to women who labored with him in the Lord.
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
Tertius, not Paul, was the person who actually wrote the epistle of Romans.
In verse 22, we read, “I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.”
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
Paul's letters were often dictated to a private secretary (amanuensis) who recorded them.
Likewise, Paul has been dictating the letter of Romans to the church at Rome, and Tertius— whose name means “the third”—has been dutifully recording it under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost and the deliberation of the Apostle Paul.
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
God's work is demonstrated by taking individuals from seemingly similar backgrounds and elevating them to positions of leadership.
God took Moses from the household of Pharaoh and exalted him in His sight. God took from the very house of Herod Antipas his foster brother Manaen and made him a leader of the Apostolic church in Antioch.
Source: The Death of Herod (Ligonier)
A person who commits to following Christ must maintain a steadfast focus and cannot look back.
No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Source: Discipleship (Ligonier)
Any works performed by the individual are insufficient for achieving righteousness in the sight of God.
Any works that I bring to the table count for nothing. The only righteousness by which we will ever be determined to be righteous in the sight of God, as Luther said, is a righteousness that is extra nos . It is apart from us and aside from us.
Source: Good & Bad Fruit (Ligonier)
Luke was a medical missionary who was a close companion and friend of the Apostle Paul.
We see that this man was not only a doctor but a medical missionary who was a close companion and friend of the Apostle to the Gentiles, Saul of Tarsus.
Source: The Gospel of Luke (Ligonier)
Luke was the only companion remaining with Paul in the prison cell, highlighting his importance.
Context: Quoting Paul's letter to Timothy.
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.
Source: The Gospel of Luke (Ligonier)
The Apostles continued their ministry and preaching despite being banned by religious officials.
The Apostles ignored the ban and continued being faithful to the mission of Christ, and they were rounded up again and thrown into prison.
Source: If It Is of God (Ligonier)
Paul solemnly charged Timothy with the critical task of preaching.
Timothy, I solemnly charge you—Timothy, my son, I can’t be any more serious. This is the most solemn business with which you have to do. Timothy, preach . . .
Source: Israel Rejects the Gospel (Ligonier)
The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are all working together through the Word.
There is a conspiracy here, a divine conspiracy with the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. They are all working together in and through the Word.
Source: Israel Rejects the Gospel (Ligonier)
Paul's ministry was focused on being a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ensuring the offering of the Gentiles was acceptable and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
Christ's atoning work restored humanity's ability to approach God without shame or fear.
For the first time since the fall, we could go home, without shame or fear, to the presence of God.
Source: Jesus Dies (Ligonier)
Jesus' ministry pattern, exemplified by Elijah and Elisha, demonstrated that God's plan was to minister to outsiders or those outside the immediate community.
Jesus was saying that the miracle that Elijah performed was not for somebody from his home nation. There were many widows there that he could’ve ministered to in this miraculous fashion, but in the providence of God, He was sent to Sidon.
Source: Jesus Rejected (Ligonier)
The author of the Gospel wants the reader to focus on the Nazareth incident because it clearly reveals Jesus' mission and agenda.
In Luke’s arrangement of how he presents the life of Jesus, he wants to focus our attention on this event in Nazareth because in this incident, we clearly see the agenda or mission of Jesus.
Source: Jesus in the Synagogue (Ligonier)
Many people, including John the Baptist and Peter, did not fully grasp the meaning of Jesus' titles or the full scope of his mission.
I do not believe that Nathaniel, Andrew, Simon Peter, or even John the Baptist had a comprehensive understanding of the meaning of these titles.
Source: The Lamb of God (Ligonier)
After being rescued by God, the believer has a duty to proclaim God's great works to the world.
But once God rescued me, He gave me the duty—and you the duty—to proclaim His great works to the whole world.
Source: Legion (Ligonier)
A Christian's primary calling is to be a nonconformist who resists the cultural pressures of the world.
Dear friends, the biggest problem we have that saps the strength of Christian witness is the common conformity of the Christian community to the world. Many of you have children who are teenagers, and many of you were once teenagers.
Source: Living Sacrifices to God (Ligonier)
Jesus defended Mary's actions by stating that she had done a good work for him, and that the critics did not always have him.
Jesus said: “That’s enough. Be quiet. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.”
Source: The Anointing at Bethany (Ligonier)
Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent council member who was also a believer in Jesus, evidenced by his actions.
We are told in the text that Joseph was a prominent council member. The only council this can refer to in terms of Jewish prominence would have been the Sanhedrin, the very council that turned Jesus over to Pilate and sought His execution. This indicates that not everybody on the council of Jewish leadership was opposed to Jesus.
Source: The Burial of Jesus (Ligonier)
The church's task is not accomplished by human effort alone, but requires the help of the Lord who leads the ministry.
The task given to the church is not a task to be accomplished by human effort alone. The task we are called to carry out is to be done with the help of the Lord who works with His people, who goes before His people.
Source: The Great Commission (Ligonier)
Jesus Christ's life and work were flawless and perfectly executed.
He has done all things well. What a description of Christ. Jesus never did anything poorly in His life. When He set His face toward Jerusalem and determined to make His meat and His drink be obedience to the will of the Father, He did it well. There was no failure. There was no blemish to His work.
Source: The Healing of the Deaf Mute (Ligonier)
People misunderstood the Messiah's mission, expecting a political deliverer from Rome rather than a figure who would save them from sin.
Everywhere Jesus went, people completely misunderstood His mission. They completely misunderstood what the Messiah would do. They were still waiting for the champion that would deliver them from Rome, not for the Suffering Servant of God who would deliver them from their sins.
Source: Jesus Heals Many (Ligonier)
The Sabbath was given by God as a gift for the benefit of humanity, intended to provide a break from work.
Don’t you understand that the Sabbath day is a gift that God has given to His people, a gift to keep them from wearing out their bodies, animals, servants, and fields? That one day in seven, every single week, you, your animals, and your servants are not supposed to work, and the land is supposed to be given a break. That is for your benefit.
Source: Lord of the Sabbath (Ligonier)
Jesus' actions of associating with tax collectors and sinners were highly scandalous to the religious authorities.
As scandalous as Jesus’ touching the leper was, it was even more scandalous that He would invite into His company a social leper like a tax collector.
Source: New Wine Skins (Ligonier)
Jesus' ministry was necessary because people get sick, just as a doctor is needed when people are ill.
Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Source: New Wine Skins (Ligonier)
Receiving Christ means accepting not only Him but also the Father who sent Him.
Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me. And whoever receives Me, receives not Me but the One who sent Me.
Source: Who Is the Greatest? (Ligonier)
The detailed historical framework provided by Luke is significant because it shows that the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus were both grounded in real history.
Luke gives all this information to give us the timeframe in which the ministry of John the Baptist began. This is significant because the text is showing that the ministry of John and the ministry of Jesus were both solidly rooted and grounded in real history.
Source: The Ministry of John the Baptist (Ligonier)
Human efforts to commission people are insufficient; God the Holy Spirit must send and anoint them for their labors to be effective.
We can commission people, but we have no power. We can license, ordain, and send people for sacred tasks, but unless God the Holy Spirit sends and anoints them, their labors will be in vain.
Source: Paul at Cyprus (Ligonier)
The early departure of John Mark from the mission journey was a significant detail that Paul was disturbed by.
We know in Acts 15 that when Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark back into their mission enterprise, Paul would have none of it because it was obvious that Paul was disturbed by John Mark’s early departure from this mission.
Source: Paul's Sermon at Antioch (Ligonier)
The Apostle Paul ultimately became the primary leader of the missionary enterprise, taking over from Barnabas.
But it is clear from this point through the rest of the book of Acts that the one in charge of this missionary enterprise was the Apostle Paul. That shift took place right here when they left Cyprus and went to Asia Minor.
Source: Paul's Sermon at Antioch (Ligonier)
When Peter told the story of God delivering him from prison, he was referring to a different James than James the brother of John; he was talking about James the Just.
No, of course not. Peter was not talking about the same James. He was talking about a different James, not James the brother of John, but James the Just, and by chapter 15 of Acts, we will see that James was the presiding leader of the church in Jerusalem.
Source: Peter in Prison (Ligonier)
The preaching of the Apostles, including Peter's sermon, is inherently focused on the person and work of Christ.
Context: Referring to observations made by Dr. James Montgomery Boice.
Second, during this sermon, the Apostle Peter took people inexorably to the person and work of Christ. Christ is at the center of the preaching of the Apostles. So, it is biblical, and it is Christocentric.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 1 (Ligonier)
The Holy Spirit should empower all of God's people to engage in ministry and service.
Do you hear the prayer and the plea of Moses? “Joshua, I ask that God would take the same Spirit with which He has anointed me and not just give it to seventy but to the whole congregation. That’s my dream: a laity empowered by God that is mobilized rather than satisfied with hiring professionals to do the work of ministry, people who will come next to their neighbor when their neighbor is in need and who will pray as a priest for their friends. Would to God that all the Lord’s people would do these things.”
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 1 (Ligonier)
Every Christian is anointed by God the Holy Spirit for ministry.
Every one of you who is a Christian has received the same power that the seventy elders received in Israel and the same power that the people assembled at Pentecost received on that day.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 1 (Ligonier)
The Holy Spirit's work is likened to the wind, which is powerful and visible in its consequences, but whose source and destination are unseen.
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
Source: Rebirth (Ligonier)
Any affection for Christ that a person currently possesses is due to the work of the Holy Spirit.
The affection that you have in your heart today for Christ, if you have any at all, is there because God the Holy Spirit, in His sweetness, power, mercy, and grace, has been to your funeral, to the cemetery of your soul, and has raised you from the dead.
Source: Rebirth (Ligonier)
Jesus approached the men walking to Emmaus, but they were initially unable to recognize him.
While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
Source: The Road to Emmaus (Ligonier)
The Apostle Paul is the greatest missionary in the history of the church.
Who was the greatest missionary in the history of the church? That is simple too: the Apostle Paul.
Source: Saul of Tarsus (Ligonier)
The speaker asserts that the Apostle Paul is the greatest pastor who ever lived.
Let’s narrow it and ask this: Who was the greatest pastor that ever lived? Again, it is no contest; it is the Apostle Paul.
Source: Saul of Tarsus (Ligonier)
Paul was complicit in the murder of Stephen, even though he probably thought he was doing the right thing at the time.
Paul knew that Stephen’s execution was unjust. Paul knew the execution was against the law of Moses, in which he was an expert. He let it happen, held the clothes, drove the getaway car, and was aiding and abetting a capital crime.
Source: Saul of Tarsus (Ligonier)
The primary duty of a minister is preaching the Word of God and feeding the congregation.
The number one task of the minister is the preaching of the Word of God, the feeding of the flock. I say to these young men: “Ninety percent of your time should be involved in preaching and teaching. God hasn’t called you to be a psychological counselor. He hasn’t called you to be a brilliant administrator. He’s called you to preach the Word and feed the sheep.”
Source: Serve God with Spiritual Gifts (Ligonier)
Jesus asserts that he is working in the same manner as the Father, who has been working until now.
My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.
Source: The Son of the Father (Ligonier)
God's involvement and labor in creation did not stop when the physical work was completed, but continued until the present time.
Though the work of creation was completed at the end of the sixth day, God’s involvement, His labor in creation, did not stop. It continues, Jesus says, even until now.
Source: The Son of the Father (Ligonier)
Jesus is referred to as the Messiah who would bring God's consolation to a suffering people.
Here, Jesus is called the Messiah who would bring God’s consolation to a suffering people.
Source: Song of Simeon (Ligonier)
Those for whom all things work together for good are those who love God, who are identified as the called according to His purpose.
The assurance is given to those who love God, and those who love God are identified as the ones who are “the called according to His purpose.”
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Effective ministry requires identifying and partnering with individuals who are more gifted, anointed, and authoritative than oneself.
He looked for somebody more gifted than he was, more anointed than he, and with greater authority than he had. He thought, “If we’re going to tackle the world, I want Saul.”
Source: The Team of Barnabas and Saul (Ligonier)
Peter was initially characterized by instability and unreliability during Jesus' ministry.
As we find throughout the gospels, Peter was known as a man who was exceedingly impetuous and, in many ways, unstable, unreliable, and not dependable.
Source: The Twelve Apostles (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The primary cause of drunkenness in both the Old and New Testaments was consuming too much wine.
But the primary way in which people became drunk in the Old and New Testament days was by drinking too much wine.
Source: The Wedding Feast (Ligonier)
John the Baptist made a public confession that he was not the Christ.
John says emphatically, “I am not the Christ.”
Source: Who Are You? (Ligonier)
John the Baptist was not Elijah, but he was the fulfillment of Elijah's ministry and spirit.
Because John was endowed with the power of Elijah, came in the spirit of Elijah, and fulfilled the ministry of Elijah, Jesus gave that cryptic introduction, “If you can bear it”—that is, in a special sense, this was Elijah.
Source: Who Are You? (Ligonier)
The new mediator of the New Testament is Christ, fulfilling the role previously held by Moses.
A prophet like Moses would be a prophet who mediates, but the new mediator, the mediator of the New Testament, is Christ.
Source: Who Are You? (Ligonier)
John the Baptist identified himself by quoting Isaiah 40, stating he was the voice crying in the wilderness.
John quotes Isaiah 40, and he says: “Do you want to know who I am? I’m the one who the prophet Isaiah talked about in his book when he said, ‘I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord.”’”
Source: Who Are You? (Ligonier)
Sproul interprets the Pharisee's invitation to Jesus as an attempt to trap him, rather than an act of kindness.
It is obvious from the rest of the text that the Pharisee did not ask Jesus over for dinner as an act of graciousness or kindness. He was not interested in giving Jesus a nice meal. He was trying to trap Jesus in one way or another.
Source: Woes to Hypocrites (Ligonier)
Jesus' primary mission is to fulfill the will of the Father and complete His work.
My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
Source: The Woman at the Well (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Christ's work involves not only taking away sin but also providing a double transfer by giving his righteousness.
Now, however, He has not only taken our sin but has also given us His righteousness. It’s a double transfer.
Source: How can I obtain eternal life? (Ligonier Q&A)
The Holy Spirit's work in the Old Testament included regeneration, indwelling, and working toward sanctification, similar to the New Testament.
In the Old Testament, you couldn’t be born again apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit did His work of regeneration then as He does now. The Holy Spirit indwelt people in the old covenant just as He does now. The Holy Spirit worked towards the sanctification of the saints in the Old Testament, just as He does now.
Source: How does the Holy Spirit work distinctly in the Old and New Testament? (Ligonier Q&A)
Unbelievers are not actually seeking God; rather, they are fleeing from their condition.
The imagery of Scripture in the unbeliever’s case is not that of seeking, but of fleeing.
Source: If “no one seeks for God,” why did Paul call his listeners to seek God? (Ligonier Q&A)
The purpose of the Spirit's work is to equip the whole body of the people of God to carry out its mission.
But the point of the New Testament is that the whole body of the people of God is now being equipped and empowered from on high to carry out its task.
Regeneration is a vital work of the Holy Spirit that changes the disposition of the heart.
For example, regeneration is so vitally important, and the Holy Spirit is the One who changes the disposition of our hearts.
Source: Were the Old Testament saints indwelt by the Holy Spirit? (Ligonier Q&A)
Pentecost marked the distribution of the Spirit not only for ministry but to the entire Christian community.
That’s the significance, I think, of what took place at Pentecost. Pentecost saw the Spirit of Christ distributed, not just for seventy people to empower them for ministry, but to the whole Christian community (Acts 2:16-21).
Source: Were the Old Testament saints indwelt by the Holy Spirit? (Ligonier Q&A)
Understanding the person and work of Jesus is the most critical issue facing the church today.
I think the biggest problem we face in the church today is a very, very serious failure to understand the person and work of Jesus.
Source: What is the biggest issue we face in the church today? (Ligonier Q&A)