R.C. Sproul, founder of Ligonier Ministries, passionately discusses why God's plans remain unthwarted by human actions. He dives deep into Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, highlighting Christ's intimate intercession for believers. Sproul tackles the complex doctrine of limited atonement, contrasting Calvinist and Arminian views, and addresses the importance of effective grace in salvation. Throughout, he emphasizes the assurance found in Christ's atonement, reassuring listeners that those chosen by God will ultimately be saved.
Christ's intercession in His High Priestly Prayer assures believers of their security and connection to Him as the ultimate source of comfort.
The doctrine of limited atonement asserts that Christ's sacrificial death intentionally targets the elect, distinguishing believers from non-believers.
Deep dives
The Comfort of Christ's Intercession
Christ serves as a High Priest, daily praying for the preservation of His people, which offers believers immense comfort. His intercession is highlighted in the high priestly prayer found in John 17, where He prays specifically for His disciples and for all who will believe through their testimony. This assurance is rooted in the belief that those for whom He died will never be lost, emphasizing the intimate connection between Christ and His followers. The notion that Christ actively prays for believers reinforces the idea that they are secure in their faith.
Understanding the Hard Sayings of Jesus
A challenging aspect arises from Jesus' explicit statement that He does not pray for the world, creating a distinction between believers and non-believers. This difference highlights the doctrine of limited atonement, which maintains that Christ's sacrificial death was intended specifically for the elect rather than for everyone universally. However, this teaching can be contentious among various Christian traditions, especially when contrasting Reformed theology with Arminian perspectives. The podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing the biblical basis for these doctrines while grappling with their complexities.
The Nature of Atonement and God’s Purpose
The debate surrounding the purpose of Christ’s atonement examines whether it was meant to save everyone or only a specific group of people chosen by God. The assertion that God's design in sending Christ was effective suggests that He intended to save the elect, thus ensuring that none of those given to Christ by the Father will be lost. This viewpoint presents the atonement not just as a general provision available to all, but as a deliberate act of redemption tailored for individuals who believe. Ultimately, the discussion reinforces the belief in God's sovereignty and the certainty of salvation for those who are part of His divine plan.
God’s plans are never frustrated by human affairs. Why, then, are some people saved while others are not? Today, R.C. Sproul provides insight from Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer regarding the extent of Christ’s atonement.
Get R.C. Sproul’s book Hard Sayings, plus lifetime digital access to his four teaching series on the hard sayings of the Bible, the prophets, Jesus, and the Apostles, for your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/3648/hard-sayings Meet Today’s Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was known for his ability to winsomely and clearly communicate deep, practical truths from God’s Word. He was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, host of the Ask Ligonier podcast, and a graduate of Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne, Australia. Nathan joined Ligonier in 2012 and lives in Central Florida with his wife and four children.
Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
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