RC Sproul 11 Does regeneration precede faith?

In 2004, Real 2 Real Ministries / The Apologetics Group produced a 4-1/2 hour video documentary, Amazing Grace - The History and Theology of Calvinism. It was popular and sold over 30,000 copies. RC Sproul's interview was the high point of the series as he succinctly explained the Reformed doctrines of grace. However, much of Sproul's interview was cut from the final product. In this series, we present the raw, unvarnished interview with RC Sproul in its entirety.

[AMessengerofTruth]

People hate these Biblical truths because it attacks the heart of a man. It hurts deeply to know that it's GOD ALONE who saves. You can't come to faith on your own, it IS the gift of God.

[KevinKake_]

Excellent video.
We are saved by Grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone according to the scripture alone for the glory of God alone.

[strokeguru]

Makes sense to me. I was as lost and as far away from God as anyone could be, and the fact that I found my way to Christ is nothing short of a miracle. I truly feel like God saved me. Thank you God.

[schisandra]

This gospel truly liberated me!!! Glory to God

[xodrinker]

this is so high quality preaching. Gods mercy is immense.

[toughbiblepassages]

RC Sproul’s mind is incredibly sharp. He has influenced not my beliefs per se, but the way I think about anything. His thought process in tackling issues is second to none of his peers.

[Rueuhy]

It is an internal change that takes place within us, through the power of His Spirit, before we can truly believe and trust in Him. We may be able to understand the message of the gospel in our own wisdom before He enters, but it is our spirit reborn when we can truly see the depths of His mercy upon us. And it is only with open eyes that we truly repent for we cannot truly understand the measurement of His sacrifice that leads us on a lifelong commitment to Him until He opens our eyes to His truth. That is the miracle of salvation. Those who have been saved have received the greatest miracle - Amazing Grace.

[lmorter]

I bet Hunt and Sproul aren't arguing theology now. One of them is saying "I told you so!" 😉

[tlauhon]

Ephesians 1:13 says you are sealed after you believe and not the other way around, and we know that being sealed by the holy spirit happens at the moment of spiritual birth.

But for sure if you haven't been given the new heart and new birth from above it doesn't matter what order you believe in but what does matter is that Christ has changed your heart and given you new desires and you want to obey him and serve him rather than sin.

[emmanuelchika]

Thank God for this clarification through the mouth of R.C. Sproul.

[CBALLEN]

True, True, True !!! All are spiritually dead until God makes us alive with Christ, by Grace we have been saved !!

[nathanhellrung]

Added to that, the logical order of faith preceding being made alive in Ephesians 2, that is what determines what the definition of dead is. Not the other way around. The logical order proves that Paul is using the word dead metaphorically, not literally. We are metaphorically dead, meaning we are separated from the Lord, like the Prodigal Son was "dead" but was actually just separated from his father. We are separated from God relationally because of our trespasses and must put our faith, our trust, in God in order to be brought back in a relationship with Him, reconciled, and we do this by the means of faith.

[tomw]

I loved R.C.'s teaching. I will miss him until the Lord calls me home too.

[ronlanter]

When I'm feeling down and lonely, Jesus always comes and rescues me through RC

[bobrei]

I had no intentions of seeking Christ never owned a Bible never went to church, in fact I believe born again Christians were the worst One day the Holy Spirit came upon me and let me know this is the son of God. I never looked back.

[RezG_]

My favorite quote from R.C. Sproul on how regeneration preceeds faith:
"You will resist it as hard as you can. But God will overcome your resistance. When God chooses to save somebody, in his sovereignty, he saves them. Edwards called it ‘the holy rape of the soul.’ Some people are violently offended by that language. I think it’s the most graphic and descriptive term I can think of, of how I was redeemed.” Man does not have any free agency in the face of an aggressor like God! I love Reformed theology! I could never learn this stuff from just the Bible.

[robertschutt]

Can RC sproul truly look and unbeliever in the eye and truly say to him in the light of his Calvinistic philosophy That Jesus loves him. I mean truly in his heart of hearts.

[sbcns]

Praise God and glory to God alone for raising R.C Sproul. Looking forward to see you in Heaven.

[johnriley]

HE that comes to God must first believe that he is

[ntanner]

He talked about Martin Luther but Martin Luther taught that faith comes before the new birth. Scripture proves this - Ephesians 1:13b - "in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.". You have to believe in Christ first before you can receive the indwelling Spirit. The gospels prove this also...Peter made a confession of faith first-. "we believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God" - John 6:69, but he didn't receive the Spirit until after Christ's resurrection. The Word of God speaks for itself. I wish Christians would read the Bible more than they read theology books