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What Are the Sacraments?
Jesus appointed special practices, called sacraments, for His church to observe. As important as they are, the sacraments can be a subject of confusion and disagreement among Christians. How many sacraments are there? What do they mean? And who should receive them? In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul introduces the sacraments instituted by Christ—baptism and the Lord’s Supper—and shows how they confirm the cherished promises God makes to His people. The Crucial Questions booklet series by Dr. R.C. Sproul offers succinct answers to important questions often asked by Christians and thoughtful inquirers.
90 pages, Paperback
Published February 23, 2023
About the author
R.C. Sproul
695 books2,089 followersDr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.
Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.
He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.
Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 10, 2026
R.C. Sproul’s Crucial Questions series consists of 50 books, and I’ve read about a half-dozen of them so far. Based on what I’ve read, I’d probably give the series five stars as a whole.
First, Sproul covers a wide range of theological and practical topics.
Second, they’re short. Yes, the dates on Goodreads show that I read this one from 5/24–8/10. Actually it was longer. That’s because I spread myself too thin and start too many books at once. Most of these crucial questions books really take only a little over an hour to read.
However, these books are essentially lessons Sproul originally taught audibly and then put into book form. I like to find the corresponding message and listen to it while I read. Each chapter is roughly a 20-minute lesson, so what could be a one-hour-ish book turns into three hours simply because of my approach.
But the reality is that you could probably read all 50 books in 60 or so hours.
Third, they’re inexpensive. Ligonier sells them new for $2.40 each and often runs specials that put select titles at $1. And if you’re comfortable with electronic reading rather than having the book in your hand, all of them are available free in electronic formats.
Now, onto this specific book on the sacraments.
In this short survey, Sproul hits the main points. How many sacraments are there? He discusses Roman Catholic approaches versus Protestant approaches and then focuses on the two sacraments recognized by Protestants: baptism and communion.
Sproul is a Presbyterian. He doesn’t hide that in any of his books, and so there are specific places where he lands on an issue. But when it comes to presenting other views, I think he does a pretty good job of being fair.
Honestly, if you read his chapter presenting the Baptist view of baptism (credobaptism) and stopped there, you might end up being a Baptist! He presents arguments for and against infant baptism and, as a Presbyterian, ultimately lands on infant baptism, of course, but again from a Presbyterian approach and theology which is different than a Roman Catholic understanding of infant baptism.
He also discusses Roman Catholic views of communion as well as the diversity of Protestant views on the subject.
Whether you’re a Presbyterian or not, read these books. If you aren’t a Presbyterian, it’s good to read what Presbyterians believe and why, especially from a respected and clear-thinking Presbyterian like Sproul.
Look out—you might become one! And that’s okay whether you do or don’t.
More importantly, Christians share more in common than what we don’t have in common. Reading books like these can sharpen you where we share common beliefs, while also sharpening your understanding of where we disagree. Maybe it will even cause you to be more understanding of those who disagree with you.
Five out of five stars. A great way to spend 60–70 minutes—or longer, if you take some extra time to think about it.
First, Sproul covers a wide range of theological and practical topics.
Second, they’re short. Yes, the dates on Goodreads show that I read this one from 5/24–8/10. Actually it was longer. That’s because I spread myself too thin and start too many books at once. Most of these crucial questions books really take only a little over an hour to read.
However, these books are essentially lessons Sproul originally taught audibly and then put into book form. I like to find the corresponding message and listen to it while I read. Each chapter is roughly a 20-minute lesson, so what could be a one-hour-ish book turns into three hours simply because of my approach.
But the reality is that you could probably read all 50 books in 60 or so hours.
Third, they’re inexpensive. Ligonier sells them new for $2.40 each and often runs specials that put select titles at $1. And if you’re comfortable with electronic reading rather than having the book in your hand, all of them are available free in electronic formats.
Now, onto this specific book on the sacraments.
In this short survey, Sproul hits the main points. How many sacraments are there? He discusses Roman Catholic approaches versus Protestant approaches and then focuses on the two sacraments recognized by Protestants: baptism and communion.
Sproul is a Presbyterian. He doesn’t hide that in any of his books, and so there are specific places where he lands on an issue. But when it comes to presenting other views, I think he does a pretty good job of being fair.
Honestly, if you read his chapter presenting the Baptist view of baptism (credobaptism) and stopped there, you might end up being a Baptist! He presents arguments for and against infant baptism and, as a Presbyterian, ultimately lands on infant baptism, of course, but again from a Presbyterian approach and theology which is different than a Roman Catholic understanding of infant baptism.
He also discusses Roman Catholic views of communion as well as the diversity of Protestant views on the subject.
Whether you’re a Presbyterian or not, read these books. If you aren’t a Presbyterian, it’s good to read what Presbyterians believe and why, especially from a respected and clear-thinking Presbyterian like Sproul.
Look out—you might become one! And that’s okay whether you do or don’t.
More importantly, Christians share more in common than what we don’t have in common. Reading books like these can sharpen you where we share common beliefs, while also sharpening your understanding of where we disagree. Maybe it will even cause you to be more understanding of those who disagree with you.
Five out of five stars. A great way to spend 60–70 minutes—or longer, if you take some extra time to think about it.
November 14, 2023
Super clear and concise.
Sproul hit nearly everything I was looking for when I picked up this book.
He raised my view and appreciation of the sacraments, while at the same time, warning against sacramentalism. He rightly pointed to the God of the sacraments, rather than the sacraments themselves.
On top of this, he addresses credo vs. paedo baptism, and explains very simply, yet thoroughly why he holds to the paedobaptist view. He also writes perhaps the best and most easy-to-understand explanation of Calvin's "real presence" view of the Lord's Supper that I have read.
Extremely helpful. Wonderful read.
Sproul hit nearly everything I was looking for when I picked up this book.
He raised my view and appreciation of the sacraments, while at the same time, warning against sacramentalism. He rightly pointed to the God of the sacraments, rather than the sacraments themselves.
On top of this, he addresses credo vs. paedo baptism, and explains very simply, yet thoroughly why he holds to the paedobaptist view. He also writes perhaps the best and most easy-to-understand explanation of Calvin's "real presence" view of the Lord's Supper that I have read.
Extremely helpful. Wonderful read.
June 4, 2026
This small book by R C Sproul is a good introduction to the Reformed teaching on the Sacraments.
The discussion on baptism is very helpful in its defence of Infant Baptism.
The differences between the Roman, Lutheran and Reformed teachings on the Lord's Supper are made clear and related to Christology.
An ideal book to give to anyone, especially new Christians, interested in understanding the Reformed faith.
The discussion on baptism is very helpful in its defence of Infant Baptism.
The differences between the Roman, Lutheran and Reformed teachings on the Lord's Supper are made clear and related to Christology.
An ideal book to give to anyone, especially new Christians, interested in understanding the Reformed faith.
May 30, 2023
RC Sproul is a theologian that makes the most difficult, simple to understand.
September 19, 2023
Clear and articulate explanation of the sacraments.
February 29, 2024
Well thought through book, covered the topics well, gave you things to think through - worth a read...
May 3, 2024
Love this book! It was a nice, casual, easy to understand read but very edifying for me in giving me a more educated view on the sacraments.
March 22, 2023
RC Sproul has an excellent gift in explaining difficult topics to me. Now, I want my future children to be baptize! 🤍✨
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews