▶ DESCRIPTION
Who does the “prodigal son” represent? Is it an unregenerate sinner, or a backslidden believer that is in view? There is a division of sentiment upon this point. Personally, we have no doubt whatever that in this part of the parable of the Salvation of the Lost, the Lord Jesus pictures an unregenerate sinner. Our interpretation will proceed along this line, but before we give it, let us first present some proofs that it is not a backslidden believer that is before us.

▶ CONTENTS
Luke 15:11-32
Introduction

The Prodigal Himself
1. He had a “substance” or “portion.”
2. He “took his journey into a far country” (:13).
3. He “wasted his substance with riotous living” (:13).
4. He encountered “a mighty famine” (:14).
5. He “began to be in want” (:14).
6. He “went and joined himself to a citizen of that country” (:15).
7. He “came to himself” (:17).
8. He said, “I will arise and go to my father” (:18).
9. He is still legalistic.
10. He “arose and came to his father” (:20).

The Prodigal’s Reception
1. The Hearty Welcome He Received
2. The Prodigal’s Response
3. The Robe Which Was Put upon Him
4. The Ring Placed upon His Hand
5. The Shoes Provided for His Feet
6. The Fatted Calf Killed and Eaten
7. The Resultant Joy

▶ AUTHOR
Arthur W. Pink was born in Nottingham England in 1886, and born again of the Spirit of God in 1908 at the age of 22. He studied at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, USA, for only six weeks before beginning his pastoral work in Colorado. From there he pastored churches in California, Kentucky, and South Carolina, before moving to Sydney Australia for a brief period, preaching and teaching. In 1934, at 48 years old, he returned to his native England. He took permanent residence in Lewis, Scotland, in 1940, remaining there 12 years until his death at age 66 in 1952.