Ligonier Ministries

Since no one seeks after God, why do so many unconverted people come to church?

LAWSON: In a lot of churches, I think people are going to be entertained, or they are going to make relationships, or they are going out of religiosity. They are going not for God, but for what God would provide …Read More

Can our prayers change God’s will? If not, why pray?

SPROUL: To ask that question is to answer it. What could I possibly say to God that would change His mind? Would I give Him information that He didn’t have before I talked to Him? Could I give Him counsel …Read More

If Jesus was born of “the substance” of the Virgin Mary, how was He without original sin?

SPROUL: When we talk about Jesus receiving “the substance” from His mother, the Virgin Mary, we’re talking about His human nature. Because we’re talking about His deriving His human nature from His mother, you would think that human nature would …Read More

When John identifies Jesus as “the Logos,” is he referring to the Logos in Greek philosophy?

I think John is writing intentionally to communicate with Jews and Gentiles. Therefore, he knows that as he begins his gospel and says, “In the beginning,” all the Jews will sit up and think, “We’re back in Genesis.” Then he’ll …Read More

What does it mean to be “called” in the New Testament?

The New Testament uses the word “to call” in more than one way. We can distinguish among three different ways in which we speak of divine calling. There is the idea of “a calling” we have that is a vocation, …Read More

In John 4:23, what does it mean to worship God “in spirit”?

In the context of John 4:23, it probably does mean worshiping in the power of the Holy Spirit. It would take a long time to explain fully what that means, but Jesus is looking forward to the fulfillment of His …Read More

Does the Old Testament teach the doctrines of grace?

In Exodus 33 and 34, Moses says, “Show me your glory” (which is the title of a book I have coming out). Then, God descends in a cloud, and God Himself preaches to Moses. He preaches His own glory to …Read More

When God created the world, did He know it would be corrupted by sin?

Not only did He know it, but He ordained it. God, in His infinite wisdom and His sovereignty, that is, His absolute authority over all things, wills everything that comes to pass in history. He doesn’t do it in a …Read More

Was the Lord’s Day Sabbath revoked by Jesus?

THOMAS: “No” would be my answer. In Sinclair Ferguson’s fairly recent book on sanctification, I believe there is an appendix on this very issue, which I would certainly recommend. I think that Jesus put His imprimatur on the principle of …Read More

What is the fruit of repentance?

The fruit of repentance is a changed life. It is a turning away from something and a turning to something. It’s a change—a change of direction; a change of desire. It’s a turning away from a life pursuit of sin, …Read More

Is there anything wrong with using the “sinner’s prayer”?

NICHOLS: It’s in one of my favorite Johnny Cash songs, so I would have to say no—but really let me say this: I love the Book of Common Prayer—the old one, not the new stuff. They had a prayer for …Read More

Is there evidence of Adam and Eve’s repentance and faith after the fall?

Obviously, Adam and Eve experienced a profound sense of guilt and shame, which Scripture teaches. Even though they fled from God and hid from God, two things stand out in that narrative. One, the first act of redemption recorded in …Read More

What is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?

THOMAS: Interestingly enough, we talked a little bit about this today in a course that I was teaching here for Ligonier. We talked about the change of view that has taken place since the Puritan period in the seventeenth century. …Read More

I was baptized before conversion. Should I be baptized again after coming to faith?

No one is ever required to be baptized again. That’s a point Calvin makes very strongly throughout his writings. Baptism, by its very nature, can only happen once. Now, of course, the people who want to baptize you after you …Read More

How were people saved in the Old Testament?

LAWSON: There is only one way of salvation. It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. There is not one way to be saved in the Old Testament and a different way to be saved in the …Read More