ETCF VI.47 HUMAN BEINGS AS FLESH AND SPIRIT

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VI. Human Beings and the Fall
47. HUMAN BEINGS AS FLESH AND SPIRIT

Summary

1. The Bible rejects the Greek idea that the body is intrinsically evil.
2. Christians are neither to despise nor exalt the body. The body and the soul are in need of sanctification.
3. No Christian is completely carnal or completely free of carnality.
4. Every Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
5. The warfare between flesh and spirit is not a conflict between body and soul but a conflict between our fallen sin nature (old person) and our regenerated nature (new person).
6. The struggle between the flesh and the Spirit continues in the Christian life until glorification.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Mat 26:36-41 ; Joh 3:6 ; Rom 7:13-8:17 ; Eph 2:1-3 ; 1Pe 2:11

Link to All the Audio

ETCF VI.48 SATAN

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VI. Human Beings and the Fall
48. SATAN

Summary:
1. Satan is not to be compared to mythical creatures.
2. Satan is a fallen angel with sophisticated powers to delude, tempt, and accuse people.
3. Satan is a finite creature without divine powers or attributes.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Job 1:6-12; Mat 4:1-11; Luk 22:31; 2Th 2:5-10; 1Pe 5:8-11;

Link to All the Audio

ETCF VI.46. HUMAN BEINGS AS BODY AND SOUL

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VI. Human Beings and the Fall
46. HUMAN BEINGS AS BODY AND SOUL

Summary:
1. Human beings have a material body and an immaterial soul.
2. Human beings are a unity-in-duality. Christianity rejects the Greek notion of dualism.
3. The human body is part of God’s good creation. Though it is fallen, as is the soul, neither are inherently evil.
4. The human soul is not naturally eternal. It must be created and sustained by God.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Genesis 1:1-2:25; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Matthew 10:28; Romans 8:18-23; 1 Corinthians 15:35-55;

Link to All the Audio

ETCF VI.45. HUMAN BEINGS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VI. Human Beings and the Fall
45. HUMAN BEINGS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

Summary:
1. God created human beings—both male and female—in His image and likeness.
2. There is some analogy between God and human beings that makes communication between them possible.
3. Human beings, like God, are moral agents with the faculties of mind and will.
4. Human beings are called to have dominion over the earth.
5. In the Fall, the image of God in human beings was marred.
6. Christ is the perfect image of God. He is restoring us to the fullness of the image of God.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Genesis 9:6; Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:42-57; Colossians 1:15

Link to all the audio

ETCF VI.44. KNOWLEDGE OF SELF AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part VI. Human Beings and the Fall
44. KNOWLEDGE OF SELF AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Summary
1. We cannot know God without first being aware of ourselves.
2. We cannot accurately know ourselves without first knowing God.
3. Human beings in relationship to God: Purposive origin + Purposive
destiny = Meaningful life.
4. Human beings without relationship to God: Meaningless origin +
Meaningless destiny = Meaningless life.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 51; Acts 14:8-18; Act 17:22-31; Romans 1:18-23

Link to All the Audio

ETCF V.42. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS COMFORTER

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part V. The Holy Spirit ~ 42. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS COMFORTER

Summary:

1. Jesus is our first Comforter in His role of Advocate before the Father.
2. The Holy Spirit is another Comforter who is a substitute for Jesus after His ascension.
3. The Spirit acts as our present Helper.


Biblical passages for reflection[Link to All the Scriptures]:

John 14:16-18
Acts 19:1-7
Romans 8:26-27
Galatians 4:6

Link to All the Audio

ETCF V.41. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part V. The Holy Spirit ~ 41. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Summary:

1. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct work in which the Spirit
endows believers with gifts for ministry.

2. In Acts, the Holy Spirit is poured out on four groups (Jews,
Samaritans, God-fearers, and Gentiles), indicating they all are included
in the New Covenant church.

3. Pentecost fulfills the Old Testament prophecy that the Spirit would be
poured out on all believers and not restricted to a few.

Biblical passages for reflection[Link to All the Scriptures]:

Joel 2:28-29
John 7:37-39
Acts 2:1-11
1 Corinthians 12
1 Corinthians 14:26-33

Link to All the Audio

ETCF V.39. THE INTERNAL TESTIMONY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part V. The Holy Spirit ~ 39. THE INTERNAL TESTIMONY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Summary:

1. The testimony of God is completely trustworthy.
2. The Bible offers objective evidence that it is the Word of God.
3. We are not fully persuaded of the truth of Scripture without the
testimony of the Holy Spirit.
4. The internal testimony of the Spirit offers no new argument to the
mind, but works upon our hearts and spirits to yield to the evidence
already there.
5. The doctrine of the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit is not a
license for believing that whatever we feel to be true is true.

Biblical passages for reflection[Link to all the Scripture]:

John 15:13
Acts 5:32
Acts 15:28
Romans 8:16
Galatians 5:16-18

Link to All the Audio

ETCF V.38. THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part V. The Holy Spirit ~ 38. THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Summary:

1. The Holy Spirit is a person, not an impersonal force.
2. Scripture uses personal pronouns when referring to the Holy Spirit.
3. The work of the Holy Spirit both requires and exhibits personality.
4. The Christian enjoys a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.
5. The Holy Spirit is to be worshiped and obeyed.

Biblical passages for reflection[Link to all the Scripture]:

John 16:13
2 Corinthians 13:14
1 Timothy 4:1
James 4:5
1 John 5:6

Link to All the Audio

ETCF V.37. THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part V. The Holy Spirit ~ 37. THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Summary:

1. The liturgy of the church ascribes deity to the Holy Spirit.
2. The Old Testament ascribed divine attributes and authority to the Holy
Spirit.
3. The New Testament assigns divine attributes to the Holy Spirit.

Biblical passages for reflection[Link to all the scripture]:

Genesis 1:1-2
Acts 5:3-4
Romans 8:9-17
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Ephesians 2:19-22

Link to All the Audio

ETCF V.43. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS SANCTIFIER

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part V. The Holy Spirit ~ 43. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS SANCTIFIER 

Summary:

1. God calls us to reflect His holiness.2. To become holy requires that we receive holiness from outside of ourselves.3. The Holy Spirit is called holy because of His work as our sanctifier.4. Sanctification is a lifelong process. 5. Sanctification is a cooperative work, involving both the believer and the Holy Spirit.6. The indwelling Holy Spirit does not work to deify us.

Biblical passages for reflection[Link to All the Scriptures]:

John 15:26
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Galations 4:6
Philippians 2:12-13
1 Peter 1:15-16

Link to All the Audio