Renewing Your Mind – "A Basket Case"

Podcast: Renewing Your Mind
Host: Ligonier Ministries (Nathan W. Bingham)
Speaker: Dr. R.C. Sproul
Date: August 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode launches a new series on the Book of Acts, with a particular focus on the early ministry of the Apostle Paul. Dr. R.C. Sproul centers today's sermon on Paul's dramatic transformation—from persecutor of Christians to bold proclaimer of Jesus as the Son of God. Using Acts 9:20–31 as his text, Dr. Sproul explores what it meant for Paul to call Jesus "the Son of God," the theological and historical meaning behind this title, and the implications for Christian faith. The episode also examines both the spiritual and practical outworkings of Paul's conversion, such as his escape in a basket and the early church's acceptance of him.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Paul’s Radical Transformation

Reference: [01:39]–[06:15]

• Paul leaves Jerusalem empowered to persecute Christians but experiences a stunning disruption on the road to Damascus by the risen Christ.

• Dr. Sproul highlights the irony that Paul “entered into Damascus being led by the hand” after being struck blind—the strong persecutor entering the city in weakness.

  • Quote ([03:59]):
    “He left Jerusalem in strength, but was interrupted on the route to Damascus by the intrusion into his life by the risen Christ...he entered Damascus being led by the hand, because God had struck him blind.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul

• Paul is ministered to by Ananias, regains his sight, and is immediately empowered to preach Jesus as the Messiah.

2. The Theological Weight of ‘Son of God’

Reference: [06:15]–[14:30]

• Dr. Sproul notes this is the only time in Acts that Jesus is directly called the “Son of God.”
• The episode digs into the difference between the titular use of "Son of Man" and "Son of God."

  • While tempting to assign “Son of Man” to Jesus’s humanity and “Son of God” to his divinity, both titles are richer and more nuanced.

  • “Son of Man” refers to the heavenly figure in Daniel; paradoxically, it also reflects Jesus’s divinity.

  • “Son of God” in the Old Testament could refer to angels, the nation of Israel, or Davidic kings—but in the New Testament it is elevated to signify Jesus’s unique relationship with the Father.

  • Quote ([10:05]):
    “But the principal and chief significance of that title ‘Son of Man’ is that it refers to the Old Testament personage who is a heavenly character… In a sense, the title Son of Man describes more of Jesus’ divine nature than it does his human nature.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul

3. Obedience and Sonship

• Dr. Sproul connects biblical sonship to obedience. True children are those who obey their spiritual father.

• In John’s Gospel, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees: “You are of your father the devil” ([13:27]), highlighting that one’s actions declare their true lineage.

• Jesus is the unique Son because of his absolute and perfect obedience to the Father in his humanity, but there is more:

  • “He was the Son of God in his humanity because of his sinlessness and because of his perfect obedience, he warranted this title, the Son of God.” ([13:58]) — Dr. R.C. Sproul

• Yet, Sonship also refers to eternal generation—the unique (“monogenes”) Son, not created but eternally begotten.

4. Historic Controversies: Nicene Response to Arianism

Reference: [15:00]–[18:45]

• Dr. Sproul outlines the fourth-century controversy over Christ’s divinity. Arius argued that if Jesus was “begotten,” he had a beginning.

• The Council of Nicaea responded: Christ is “begotten, not made”—eternally begotten, of one substance (homoousios) with the Father.

  • Quote ([18:10]):
    “…the begottenness here refers to an eternal relationship…that Christ is individually, singularly, the only one ever uniquely begotten, begotten eternally of the Father, because he is very God, of very God. There never was a time when the Son was not.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul

• This message is at the root of Paul’s proclamation and early Christian confession: Jesus as God incarnate.

5. Paul’s Immediate Preaching and the Church’s Astonishment

Reference: [19:20]–[22:20]

• Paul’s about-face and bold preaching that Jesus is the Son of God provoke astonishment, then hostility.

  • Quote ([19:53]):
    “Isn’t this the one who destroyed everybody who called on this name Jesus in Jerusalem and had come here for that purpose that he might bring them bound to the chief priests? And the answer…was yes, yes, this is the same guy.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul

• As Paul preached, opposition grew and a murder plot forced his escape: he is lowered through a window in a basket, symbolizing humility and weakness.

6. Barnabas’s Advocacy and Paul’s Ongoing Ministry

• Upon return to Jerusalem, believers are understandably wary of Paul. Barnabas (“son of encouragement”) vouches for him.

  • Quote ([22:57]):
    “Barnabas…interceded for Paul, vouched for Paul to the disciples… and told how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul

• Paul continues to preach boldly in Jerusalem; again, plots necessitate his removal to Tarsus for safety.

7. Resulting Peace and Edification in the Church

Reference: [23:40]–[24:15]

• With Paul’s departure, “the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria had peace and were edified and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”
• The episode ties this growth and peace to God’s sovereign hand and Paul’s foundational ministry.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Paul’s Transformation:
  “He left Jerusalem in strength, but was interrupted on the route to Damascus by the intrusion into his life by the risen Christ…” ([03:59]) — Dr. R.C. Sproul

• On the Incarnation:
  “The Messiah of Israel was nothing less than God incarnate…” ([00:00] & [18:58]) — Dr. R.C. Sproul

• On ‘Son of Man’ and ‘Son of God’:
  “…the title Son of Man describes more of Jesus’ divine nature than it does his human nature.” ([10:05])

• On Christ’s Eternal Sonship:
  “There never was a time when the Son was not.” ([18:28])

• On Paul’s Reputation:
  “…isn’t this the one who destroyed everybody who called on this name Jesus in Jerusalem…? And the answer…was yes, yes, this is the same guy.” ([19:53])

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:39 | Reading of Acts 9:20–31 and setting the dramatic context | | 03:59 | Contrast: Paul entering Damascus in weakness vs. leaving Jerusalem in strength | | 06:15 | Examination of “Son of God” and “Son of Man” titles and their significance | | 13:27 | Connection between true sonship and obedience (dialogue with Pharisees in John’s Gospel) | | 15:00 | Explanation of “monogenes,” begottenness, and the Nicene Council's answer to Arianism | | 18:10 | “Begotten, not made”—eternal Sonship and the orthodox Christology | | 19:20 | Paul’s preaching, local astonishment, and the start of Jewish opposition in Damascus | | 21:40 | Paul’s daring escape from Damascus via being lowered in a basket | | 22:57 | The role of Barnabas—the son of encouragement, and vouching for Paul | | 23:40 | Summary of the church flourishing and finding peace in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria |

Conclusion: Application for Today

Dr. Sproul concludes by underlining how Paul’s early ministry—his radical conversion, bold confession of Christ’s full deity and perfect humanity, his tribulations, and the community’s growth—offers encouragement and challenges for Christians today. God’s grace can transform even the most unlikely, and deep theological confession fuels a fruitful, unified church.

For listeners seeking to explore further, the episode invites engagement with the Book of Acts, highlighting the theological riches and transformative stories found therein.