2015 Fall Conference at Reformation Bible College: So Great a Salvation
As R.C. Sproul has said, the most serious problem we face as humans is that "God is holy and we are not." During our 2015 Fall Conference at Reformation Bible College, we considered this problem and addressed the scope of the biblical gospel. Hosted in partnership with The Master's Seminary, the conference featured Dr. John MacArthur as our special guest. In addition to those attending Fall Conference, we were joined this weekend by prospective Reformation Bible College (RBC) students as they took classes during the college's Preview Weekend, spent time meeting with faculty and current students, toured the campus, and joined us for RBC's fifth annual convocation service on Friday evening.
You can look back over the weekend by browsing #ligcon on Instagram and Twitter.
Steven Lawson began our conference by reading Ephesians 1:3-6 and turning our attention to Paul's "lofty summits of praise." He called us to praise God, and God alone, because He is the author of election and our salvation. He chose us, not because of us, but in spite of us.
Stephen Nichols then explained the "bad news." He turned to Genesis' account of the fall and described the reality that we now live "east of Eden" in a fallen, in fact a falling, world. But there is hope, for God sent His Son to undo what Adam did and be the perfect sacrifice.
Friday evening, John MacArthur delivered Reformation Bible College's Convocation address. He reminded the students of the high and holy calling we have to proclaim the message of reconciliation to the world. The truth that sinners can have their sin forgiven is the greatest truth the human mind can ever understand. He then explained how God secured salvation and the appropriate response to this message.
Saturday morning, Steven Lawson turned to John's Gospel and the words of Jesus to describe the power and extent of the atonement. Jesus' death is the heart of the gospel and it's a death that didn't make salvation only possible, but a death that actually saves the sheep for whom the Good Shepherd died.
John MacArthur and R.C. Sproul then joined us for a special time of questions and answers. They discussed their friendship over the decades, ministry, challenges facing the church in America, evangelism, and other topics.
Stephen Nichols returned and encouraged us in the effectual work of the Holy Spirit in our salvation. We are not sick, reaching out for a Savior as some teach. We are dead, and the Spirit is the one who brings us to Jesus.
After lunch, Stephen Nichols moderated a questions and answers session with Nathan Busenitz, Steven Lawson, John MacArthur, and R.C. Sproul. They discussed Reformed theology, Satan, God's foreknowledge, the Law, and other topics.
John MacArthur then closed our Fall Conference discussing the perseverance of the saints. God's gift of eternal life is a gift, and it is permanent. MacArthur said, "If it were possible for me to lose my salvation, I would lose it."
Instagram and Twitter Highlights
A photo posted by Ligonier Ministries (@ligonier) on Sep 18, 2015 at 11:31am PDT
All that God does He does to the praise of His glory. —@DrStevenJLawson #refbiblecollege #reformed #ligcon pic.twitter.com/VOO67CEmmQ
— RefBibleCollege (@RefBibleCollege) September 18, 2015
A photo posted by Ligonier Ministries (@ligonier) on Sep 18, 2015 at 4:39pm PDT
You live in this world to tell sinners, “You can be reconciled to God.” —@JohnMacArthur #ligcon pic.twitter.com/DupLhjKzTu
— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) September 18, 2015
A photo posted by Ligonier Ministries (@ligonier) on Sep 19, 2015 at 4:54am PDT
The very heart of the gospel is the saving death of Christ upon the cross. —@DrStevenJLawson #ligcon pic.twitter.com/Lbi6Ted305
— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) September 19, 2015
A photo posted by Ligonier Ministries (@ligonier) on Sep 19, 2015 at 6:49am PDT
A photo posted by Reformation Bible College (@refbiblecollege) on Sep 19, 2015 at 10:32am PDT
The biggest problem in the church today is that we don't know who God is. —RC Sproul #ligcon pic.twitter.com/fwF1f7b22j
— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) September 19, 2015
A photo posted by Reformation Bible College (@refbiblecollege) on Sep 19, 2015 at 7:42am PDT
If it were possible for me to lose my salvation, I would lose it. —@JohnMacArthur #ligcon pic.twitter.com/bnKsdsh8XT
— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) September 19, 2015
A photo posted by Ligonier Ministries (@ligonier) on Sep 19, 2015 at 1:44pm PDT
All of the messages from this conference will be available to stream for free. Stay tuned for an announcement.