Romans 1:1-7

Called and Chosen: Embracing Our Identity in Christ

Bible Passage: Romans 1:1-7

Introduction

The Date: 57 AD

The Occasion: Promoting and defending the true gospel in hope of transforming power that it brings to the practice of the Christian life. And this being done in such a way as to clarify and refute false misconceptions of law observance as taught by false teachers

Influence:

1. The Apostolic Call

Romans 1:1 “1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”

A. Paul saw himself as a servant of Christ and as such he was “called to be an apostle” and “set apart for the gospel of God” by Christ. The term “Apostle” refers to one who is sent as a delegate or messenger on behalf of another (BAGD). In Paul’s case it was Jesus Christ who had called him on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:1-19.

The initial encounter is seen in Acts 9:3–6: 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

The details of the call are seen in the Lord speaking to Ananias in Acts 9:15–16: 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

The Apostle Paul had an encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus Road. Christ revealed Himself to Paul and confronted him in his persecution of Christians. The Lord Jesus foretold of future instruction that would come through Ananias.

B. The conversion of the Apostle Paul remains today as one of the great apologetic defenses for the Christian faith. The conversion of Saul to the Apostle Paul demonstrates the power of transformation that an encounter with with Christ can bring. That one can go from persecuting Christians to defending and promoting Christianity is a miracle in itself. There is simply no rational explanation for such an immediate and conclusive transformation.

Without a doubt the reputation and history of the Apostle Paul was known by the Christians at Rome but it was common for the Apostle Paul to defend his “Apostleship” due to false teachers (Judaizers) attempting to discredit him. They would do this due to their attempts to mix Old Testament law observance into New Testament Christian practice.

It is very likely that the church at Rome had both Gentiles and Jewish Christians present in the congregation and this caused some divisions because of things like the practice of circumcision being implemented. The false teachers would promote the idea that circumcision was a necessity for Christian practice.

Why do you think that man has a tendency to gravitate towards performance based religion? How does such thinking undermine the Christian faith?

Have you ever experienced this battle in your own life as a Christian? Should such ideas be combatted? Why or Why not?

Why would the Apostle Paul (thinks background) be seen as such a threat to elements of a performance based religion like Judaism (Law Observance)?

2. The Apostolic Message

Romans 1:2–4 “2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,”

3. The Apostolic Purpose

Romans 1:5–7 “5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”