Romans Overview

Hand out Romans Road

Hand out Romans Overview

Introduction

Man’s Insight to Romans:

- Some have called Romans Pauls greatest work

- Romans has been called the Gospel according to Paul

- It has been described as God’s legal document and the believer’s title deed.

- The great apostle Paul authored at least 13 New Testament epistles. If he were here today with us, and was asked which epistle was the most needed for this time in history, I believe he would say without hesitation, the book of Romans. And the reason? Well, 2000 years ago he warned that “in the latter times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (). So then, the only real cure for bad doctrine is biblical doctrine; thus, the most theological book ever written – the book of Romans!

- Martin Luther - “This epistle is the chief part of the NewTestament and the very purest gospel . . . it can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with, the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.”

Author to Romans:

Romans was written near the end of Pauls 3rd missionary journey…

you can argue that Paul knew his persecution would take hiprobably just before he knew that he would be persecuted in Jerusalem

About the the church in Rome:

The Founder:

- The founder of the Roman church is unknown:

• It was definitely not Paul.

• It was probably not Peter (see 15:20-21).

(Both Peter and Paul, however, were later martyred at Rome (; ).

-The founder to church at Rome was probably some believers from Pentecost

The people:

- The membership consisted of both Jews and Gentiles, but mostly Gentiles (1:13; 11:13; 15:16).

- At least four facts are brought out concerning the internal affairs of this church. (2 positive, and 2 negative)

• The positive things:

a. They shared their faith (1:8).

b. They were obedient to the faith (16:19).

• The negative things:

a. Some were guilty of judging others (14:10).

b. Some were causing divisions (16:17).

Background to Romans:

In AD 64 Tacticus (a Roman Historian reffered to Christians as "an immense multitude"

teaching us that the Romans church did a great job at spreading the gospel

Major things learned in Romans:

This book is a book about righteousness. It says, God is righteous, God demands righteousness, and God provides righteousness. We are told just what righteousness is, what it isn’t, who needs it, why it is needed, where one may and may not find it.

This book overviews the need for, method of, and results of salvation. It also provides God’s relationship to the nation Israel.

Romans provides the greatest contrast between Christ and Adam in the Bible (5:12-21).

It gives us the most expanded explanation of God’s past, present, and future dealings with Israel in all the Bible (9-11).

It records the first of two overviews in regard to the responsibility of the believer and secular government (13:1-7; ).

secular government (13:1-7; ).

It offers us the first of three listings of the spiritual gifts (12:3-8; ; ).

It offers us the first of three listings of the spiritual gifts (12:3-8; ; ).

Romans is the only New Testament book with five distinct benedictions. (closing prayers) (See 11:33-36; 15:13; 15:30-33; 16:20; 16:24-27).

33. Romans is the only New Testament book with no less than five distinct benedictions. (See 11:33-36; 15:13; 15:30-33; 16:20; 16:24-27).

It offers us the first of three listings of the spiritual gifts (12:3-8; ; ).

Romans explores the signigicance of Jeuss sacrifical death.

Romans explores the significance of Jesus’ sacrificial death.

is considered by many as the most profound and precious chapter in the New Testament.

It is the only biblical book which states that the indwelling Holy Spirit actually prays for the believer (8:26, 27).

In Paul greets 26 or 27 people in a congregation he has never visited

Key words used over 60 times in Romans: righteous , faith, law, all, & sin

Great doctrines in Romans:

Romans defines for us more great theological terms and concepts than any other biblical book.

Justification (5:1)

These include:

• Justification (5:1)

Sanctification (6:1-13)

• Sanctification (6:1-13)

Propitiation (appeasement or satisfaction) (3:23-25)

• Propitiation (3:23-25)

Imputation (given righteousness) (4:6-8)

• Imputation (4:6-8)

Glorification (8:16-23)

• Glorification (8:16-23)

Preservation (nothing can keep us from God’s love) (8:35-39)

• Preservation (8:35-39)

Supplication (prayer) (8:26, 27)

• Supplication (8:26, 27)

Transformation (being changed) (12:1, 2)

• Transformation (12:1, 2)

As well as:

Righteousness - The quality of being right or just with God.

FourgreatdoctrinesinRomans:

Justification - God pronounces those righteous whose sins have been forgiven.

• Righteousness - The quality of being right or just with God.

• Justification - God pronounces those righteous whose sins have been forgiven.

Election - God has predetermined a means of salvation.

Election - God has predetermined a means of salvation.

In essence it tells us what to believe (1-11) and how to behave (12-16).

is considered by many as the most profound and precious chapter in the New Testament.

• Sanctification - Set apart from evil ways.

It is the only biblical book which states that the indwelling Holy Spirit actually prays for the believer (8:26, 27).

These include:

• Justification (5:1)

• Sanctification (6:1-13)

COMPARISON WITH OTHER BIBLE BOOKS

• In Genesis, Abraham is the patriarch of Israel; in Romans he is the patriarch of all who believe (4:16).

• Propitiation (3:23-25)

2. Galatians:

• Galatians, with its discussion of justification by faith, could be called “Romans in shorthand.”

• Imputation (4:6-8)

3. James:

• Glorification (8:16-23)

• Romans shows the root of salvation: faith alone. James shows the fruit of salvation: good works.

• Preservation (8:35-39)

• Supplication (8:26, 27)

• Transformation (12:1, 2)

DIVISION OF ROMANS:

1. God’s general accusation of the world ()

2. God’s specific accusation of Gentiles and Jews ()

3. The final verdict declares the entire world guilty before God ()

justification

4. Our guilt can be justified by Jesus ()

5. We can be justified through faith ( illustrated by Abraham and David) ()

6. The results of justification; (seen by the contrast of Adam and Jesus) ()

7. The three commands leading to sanctification: (1) know, (2) consider, and (3) yield ()

8. The relationship of the law of God to the unsaved and to the saved ()

9. The believer’s new position and future in Jesus ()

10. Israel’s chosen by God ()

11. Israel’s current rejection by God ()

12. Israel’s future restoration by God ()

13. The believer’s responsibilities regarding (1) Self, (2) Gifts, (3) Other Believers, and (4) The Unsaved ()

believers, and (4) his unsaved acquaintances ()

14. The believer’s responsibilities regarding (1) the government, (2) society, and (3) individually ()

return of Christ

15. The believer’s responsibilities with the weaker members of the church ()

16. Pauls Conclusion - travel plans, greeting, & advice ()

16. Paul’s closing greetings to his friends in Rome; his advice concerning troublemakers in the church at Rome

About the the church in Rome:

The Founder:

- The founder of the Roman church is unknown:

• It was definitely not Paul.

• It was probably not Peter (see 15:20-21).

(Both Peter and Paul, however, were later martyred at Rome (; ).

-The founder to church at Rome was probably some believers from Pentecost

The people:

- The membership consisted of both Jews and Gentiles, but mostly Gentiles (1:13; 11:13; 15:16).

- At least four facts are brought out concerning the internal affairs of this church. (2 positive, and 2 negative)

• The positive things:

a. They shared their faith (1:8).

b. They were obedient to the faith (16:19).

• The negative things:

a. Some were guilty of judging others (14:10).

b. Some were causing divisions (16:17).

- Paul requests prayer from this church (15:30-32).

-Romans is probably the only biblical book delivered by a woman, Phoebe (16:1).

There are 6 people mentioned in this book:

1. Paul, author of Romans and at least 12 other New Testament books, church planter, evangelist, missionary, and perhaps the greatest of all the apostles

2. Abraham, referred to by Paul showing that justification in the Old Testament was accomplished apart from circumcision

3. David, referred to by Paul showing that justification in the Old Testament was accomplished apart from the Law of Moses

4. Adam, referred to by Paul in contrasting his sin with that of Christ’s righteousness

5. Isaac, Jacob, Moses and an Egyptian Pharaoh, referred to by Paul to illustrate God’s

sovereignty

6. Phoebe, godly woman who was entrusted to carry the epistle of Romans to the Church in

Rome

Romans Compared to Other books of the Bible

1. Genesis:

• In Genesis, Abraham is the patriarch of Israel; in Romans he is the patriarch of all who believe (4:16).

2. Galatians:

• Galatians, with its discussion of justification by faith, could be called “Romans in shorthand.”

3. James:

• Romans shows the root of salvation: faith alone. James shows the fruit of salvation: good works.

Titles and Types for Jesus

1. Jesus Christ (1:1)

2. The Seed of David (1:3)

3. The Son of God (1:4)

4. The Lord Jesus Christ (1:7)

5. Christ Jesus (3:24)

6. A Propitiation (3:25)

7. Jesus (3:26)

8. Jesus our Lord (4:24)

9. Lord of Sabaoth (9:29)

10. A Stumbling Stone and Rock of Offence (9:33)

11. The End of the Law (10:4)

12. The deliverer (11:26)

13. Lord of the Dead and Living (14:9)

14. A Root of Jesse (15:12)

Conclusion

The heart of Romans

- is justified, sanctified, and glorified.

- It explains why we need justification, how we are justified, and who can be justified.

Those who are justified are sanctified, and glorified.

Romans Key Verse

Romans 8:28 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

If you are called then you will love God and everything will work together for your good.

BONUS: Unique features of Romans:

- Paul requests prayer from this church (15:30-32).

-Romans is probably the only biblical book delivered by a woman, Phoebe (16:1).

There are 6 people mentioned in this book:

1. Paul, author of Romans and at least 12 other New Testament books, church planter, evangelist, missionary, and perhaps the greatest of all the apostles

2. Abraham, referred to by Paul showing that justification in the Old Testament was accomplished apart from circumcision

3. David, referred to by Paul showing that justification in the Old Testament was accomplished apart from the Law of Moses

4. Adam, referred to by Paul in contrasting his sin with that of Christ’s righteousness

5. Isaac, Jacob, Moses and an Egyptian Pharaoh, referred to by Paul to illustrate God’s

sovereignty

6. Phoebe, godly woman who was entrusted to carry the epistle of Romans to the Church in

Rome

Romans Compared to Other books of the Bible

1. Genesis:

• In Genesis, Abraham is the patriarch of Israel; in Romans he is the patriarch of all who believe (4:16).

2. Galatians:

• Galatians, with its discussion of justification by faith, could be called “Romans in shorthand.”

3. James:

• Romans shows the root of salvation: faith alone. James shows the fruit of salvation: good works.

Titles and Types for Jesus

1. Jesus Christ (1:1)

2. The Seed of David (1:3)

3. The Son of God (1:4)

4. The Lord Jesus Christ (1:7)

5. Christ Jesus (3:24)

6. A Propitiation (3:25)

7. Jesus (3:26)

8. Jesus our Lord (4:24)

9. Lord of Sabaoth (9:29)

10. A Stumbling Stone and Rock of Offence (9:33)

11. The End of the Law (10:4)

12. The deliverer (11:26)

13. Lord of the Dead and Living (14:9)

14. A Root of Jesse (15:12)