What Are the Sacraments?

by R.C. Sproul

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

Dr. 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.

Reviews

[Aardvark · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[GERALD GENTRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

RC Sproul is a theologian that makes the most difficult, simple to understand.

[Kentin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and articulate explanation of the sacraments.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well thought through book, covered the topics well, gave you things to think through - worth a read...

[Carrena · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ella Arevalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

RC Sproul has an excellent gift in explaining difficult topics to me. Now, I want my future children to be baptize! 🤍✨