ETCF V.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:
Joh16.13;2Co13.14;1Ti4.1;Jam4.5;1Jo5.6

ETCF V.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:
Gen1.1-2;Act5.3-4;Rom8.9-17;1Co6.19-20;Eph2.19-22; 

ETCF IV.36 THE TITLES OF JESUS

Summary:

1. Messiah means “anointed one” and is used as a title for Jesus to signify His role as both King and Suffering Servant. Messiah is the title most frequently used for Jesus.
2. Lord is the second most frequently used title for Jesus and refers to His supreme authority as Sovereign of the universe.
3. Son of Man is the title Jesus used most often in reference to Himself. This title primarily refers to Jesus’ role as Judge of the whole cosmos.
4. The title Logos has a rich heritage in both Hebrew and Greek culture. Jesus is the Logos—the Creator of the universe, the ultimate reality behind the universe, and the One who is constantly sustaining the universe.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Gen1:1-2:3;Mat9:1-8;Mat16:13-21;Joh1:1-18;Rev19:11-16;

ETCF IV.35 THE THREEFOLD OFFICE OF CHRIST

Summary:

1. Jesus was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and was Himself a prophet.
2. Jesus was both Priest and sacrifice. As Priest, He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin.
3. Jesus is the anointed King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Psalm 110;Isaiah 42:1-4;Luke 1:26-38;Acts 3:17-26;Hebrews 5:5-6;

ETCF IV.34 JESUS CHRIST AS MEDIATOR

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



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Summary:
1. A mediator works to bring about reconciliation between estranged
parties.
2. Christ as the God-man reconciles us to the Father.
3. Christ and the Father are agreed from eternity that Christ should be our
Mediator.
4. Christ’s work of mediation is superior to prophets, angels, and Moses.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Romans 8:33-34;1 Timothy 2:5;Hebrews 7:20-25;Hebrews 9:11-22 ;



Hebrews 7 verse 25 (KJV)~Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him,seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.~Hebrews 7 verse 25


Hebrews 9 verse 14 (NIV)~How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!~Hebrews 9 verse 14

ETCF X.102 HELL

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

X. End Times

102. HELL

Summary

1. The suffering of hell is beyond any experience of misery found in this world.
2. Hell is clearly included in the teaching of Jesus.
3. If the biblical descriptions of hell are symbols, then the reality will be worse than the symbols.
4. Hell is the presence of God in His wrath and judgment.
5. There is no cruelty in hell. Hell will be a place of perfect justice.
6. Hell is eternal. There is no escape through either repentance or annihilation.

Biblical passages for reflection:

Matthew 8:11-12;Mark 9:42-48;Luke 16:19-31;Jude 1:3-13;Revelation 20:11-15;



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ETCF X.101 THE BEATIFIC VISION

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

X. End Times

101. THE BEATIFIC VISION

Summary

1. God’s invisibility is often the occasion for human acts of idolatry.
2. Christ displayed the perfect image of God; to see Him is to see the Father.
3. The vision of God is promised to the pure in heart.
4. No mortal can see the face of God until we are purified in heaven.
5. The future vision of God is called “beatific” because it will flood our souls with blessedness.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Exodus 32:1-33:23;Numbers 6:24-26;Matthew 5:8;John 14:1-11;Revelation 22:1-5;



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ETCF X.100 HEAVEN

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

X. End Times

100. HEAVEN

Summary
1. Heaven will include the absence of all that brings pain and death.
2. Heaven will be a place without sin and the effects of sin.
3. Heaven will be a place where believers will enjoy the immediate
presence of Christ.
4. Heaven will include the beatific vision, the glorious experience of
gazing at the face of God, which is not possible in this life.
5. Heaven will be a place to enjoy God’s rewards forever.
6. No earthly knowledge or experience will be able to dim the fullness of
joy we will have in heaven.

Biblical passages for reflection:
1 Corinthians 15:50-57;2 Corinthians 5:1-8;1 Peter 1:3-9;Revelation 21-22;



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ETCF X.99. The Kingdom 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

X.End Times

99. THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Summary
1. God’s kingdom is by absolute rule.
2. The theme of God’s kingdom links the Old and New Testaments.
3. The New Testament announces the inauguration of the kingdom of
God with Jesus’ appearance and subsequent enthronement.
4. The kingdom of God exists already but will be fully consummated at
His glorious return.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Psalm 10:16-18;Psalm 22:27-31;Daniel 2:44;John 18:36;Hebrews 1:8-14

Link to the Audio

ETCF X.98. The Return of Chirst

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

X.End Times

98. THE RETURN OF CHRIST

Summary
1. The church has the assurance of the promised return of Christ.
2. Christ’s parousia will be personal and visible.
3. Christ will return as He departed in His ascension—with clouds of
glory.
4. The church will meet Christ to accompany Him in His triumphal
reentry to earth.
5. The church must be vigilant in its watch for Christ’s return, yet careful
to avoid the folly of dogmatic predictions of the day and hour of His
coming.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Matthew 24:1-25:46;Matthew 26:64;Luke 21:5-36;Acts 1:4-11;1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11;Titus 2:11-14;

Link to audio

ETCF X.97.THE ANTICHRIST

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

X.97. THE ANTICHRIST

Summary
1. The Antichrist works both “against” and “in place of” Christ.
2. Antichrist has been manifested throughout church history in persons and institutions.
3. The Bible foretells a special manifestation of antichrist with extraordinary power and influence at the end of the age.
4. The Antichrist will be defeated by Christ.

Biblical passages for reflection:

2Th2:1-12;1Jo2:18-23;1Jo4:1-6;

All the Audio

ETCF VII.67. FAITH AND WORKS

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

VII.67. FAITH AND WORKS

Summary

1. No one can be justified by good works. Only through faith in Christ can
we be justified.
2. Faith and good deeds must be distinguished but never separated. True
faith always produces works of obedience.
3. Justification is by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone.
4. Dead faith cannot justify.
5. Faith in Christ means trusting in Him as Savior and submitting to Him
as Lord.
6. We are rewarded in heaven according to our good works, though this
reward is one of grace.

Works = Justification ~ FALSE
Faith + Works = Justification ~ FALSE
Faith = Justification - Works ~ FALSE
Faith = Justification + Works ~ TRUE

Biblical passages for reflection:

Romans 3:9-4:8; Philippians 2:12-13;
James 2:18-24; 2 Peter 1:5-11;
1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 4:7-11;

AUDIO: http://bit.ly/msgp_etcf_67_wpl

ETCF VII.66.JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

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

VII.66. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

Summary

1. Justification is an act of God whereby He declares unjust sinners to be
just after He has imputed to them the righteousness of Christ.
2. No one can earn justification by good works.
3. Faith is the necessary condition to receive the imputation of the merits
of Christ.
4. Justification requires a living and real faith, not a mere profession of
faith.

Biblical passages for reflection:

Romans 3:21-28;
Romans 5:12-19;
2 Corinthians 5:16-21;
Galatians 2:11-21;
Ephesians 2:1-10;
Philippians 3:7-11;

AUDIO: http://bit.ly/msgp_etcf_66_wpl

ETCF VII.63 FREE WILL

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

VII.63. FREE WILL

Summary:

1. Every choice we make is for a reason.
2. We always choose according to our strongest inclination at the
moment of choice.
3. The will is the choosing faculty.
4. Fallen human beings have free will but lack liberty. We have natural
freedom but not moral freedom.
5. Freedom is self-determination.
6. In regeneration, God changes the disposition of our heart and plants a
desire for Himself within us.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Deuteronomy 30:19-20;
John 6:44, 65;
John 8:34-36;
Romans 8:5-8;
James 1:13-15;

http://bit.ly/MSGP_ETCF_63_wpl

ETCF VII.61 ATONEMENT

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

VII.61 ATONEMENT

Summary:

1. Atonement involves a payment to make amends for a debt.
2. Human beings cannot atone for their own sins.
3. Jesus’ perfection qualified Him to make atonement.
4. Christ fulfilled the curse of the Old Covenant.
5. Christ’s atonement was both a work of substitution and satisfaction.
6. The Father and Son worked in harmony to effect our reconciliation.

Biblical passages for reflection:

Romans 3:21-28
Romans 5:17-19
Ephesians 1:7
Philippians 3:8-9
Titus 3:1-7

Links to all the Audio (WPL)

...to be clear -- 'vicarious' is used in the 2nd definition:
vicarious
adj. 1 indirect, through another; 2 performed for or experienced by one person in place of another; substituted, delegated; happening in an unusual part of the body (Physiology)

http://www.box.net/shared/82i7h1hpiak9ah49ob10

While the use of the word is technically correct -- more common usage is something we 'imagine' ourselves -- on behalf of another. 2ndary --older usage is 'substitutionary'.

Christ's death was real _it was experienced for us_ --we benefit from the atonement through his _vicarious_ sufferings.

ETCF VII.62. DEFINITE ATONEMENT

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

VII.62. DEFINITE ATONEMENT

Summary

1. Definite atonement replaces the term limited atonement in the acrostic
TULIP.
2. Definite atonement refers to the scope of God’s design for redemption
and the intent of the Cross.
3. All who are not universalists agree that Christ’s atonement is sufficient
for all, but effective only for those who believe.
4. Christ’s atonement was an actual propitiation for sin, not a potential or
conditional propitiation.
5. The Atonement in a broad sense is offered to all; in a narrow sense, it
is only offered to the elect.
6. John’s teaching that Christ died for the sins of the whole world means
that the elect are not limited to Israel but are found throughout the
world.

Biblical passages for reflection:

Matthew 1:21
John 3:16
John 10:27-30
John 17:9-12
Acts 20:28
Romans 8:30

Links to all the audio

ETCF VII.60. REBIRTH

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

VII.60. REBIRTH

Summary:

1. All who are truly Christians are born again.
2. All who are truly born again are Christians.
3. Rebirth is a necessary precondition to entering the kingdom of God.
4. Regeneration is the sovereign, gracious work of the Holy Spirit.
5. Regeneration precedes faith. It is God’s divine initiative in salvation.

Biblical Passages For Reflection:

Deuteronomy 30:6
Ezekiel 36:26-27
Romans 8:30
Titus 3:4-7

WPL Link to Summary points and Scripture text and references

ETCF VII.58. PREDESTINATION AND REPROBATION

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

VII.58. PREDESTINATION AND REPROBATION

Summary

1. Predestination is double; it has two sides to it.

2. Some teach that God is equally responsible for election and reprobation. This is characteristic of hyper-Calvinism.

3. The Reformed view of double predestination reflects a positive- negative schema.

4. God passively, not actively, hardened Pharaoh’s heart.

5. God hated Esau in the sense of failing to give him a blessing of grace or in the sense of abhorring him as a vessel fit for destruction.

Biblical passages for reflection:

Exodus 7:1-5

Proverbs 16:4

Romans 9  text

Ephesians 1:3-6

Jude 1:4 

Link to WPL Audio of Summary points and Scriptures

ETCF VII.57. PREDESTINATION

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

VII.57. PREDESTINATION

Summary

1. Predestination is a difficult doctrine and must be handled with care.
2. The Bible teaches the doctrine of predestination.
3. Many Christians define predestination in terms of God’s
foreknowledge.
4. The Reformed view does not consider foreknowledge to be an
explanation of biblical predestination.
5. Predestination is based upon God’s choice, not the choice of human
beings.
6. Unregenerate people have no desire to choose Christ.
7. God does not elect everybody. He reserves the right to have mercy
upon whom He pleases.
8. God treats no one unjustly.

Biblical passages for reflection:

Proverbs 16:4
John 13:18
Romans 8:30
Ephesians 1:3-14
2 Thessalonians 2:13-13

Link to All the Audio

/ETCF Readings Calendar