Study of Romans

Introduction

Review the overall timeline in the Powerpoint.

Romans is the letter written to the Church of Rome by Paul. Paul had his conversion around 37 AD. He spent 3 years in Arabia, as many believe, being instructed on the doctrines he proclaims by Christ himself. It is estimated it was written between 54 and 57 AD. He writes the rest of his letters around 54-66 AD. He is killed in 67 AD. Keep in mind this is the same time the gospels are written and the other disciples are being killed. Then in 70 AD the temple is destroyed. Crazy times for people of those days.

Why Did Paul write to the Roman Church? Its apparent that in Paul’s other letters that he dealt with doctrinal issues largely stemming from Judiazers who professed faith in the finished work of the Cross, but continued to “add to” the salvation doctrine. Paul had never been to this church but we know he knew some things about them Romans 1:8. Varying opinions as to why Paul wrote the letter, my opinion is he had several reason. He was going to Spain for a missionary journey and certainly he needed material support. Its also shown that there was a high probability he needed to clear up some doctrinal issues. This was always the purposes of his letters and there would be no reason this wouldn’t also be the case.

Paul is special to you and I…why is that? Lets look at why.

Act 9:10-15 and Romans Paul was called by the Lord to be a the apostle to “The Gentiles”.

I want you to establish this mindset because it helps understand the scripture. The point to be made here is scripture is written (for these two things)

For us, or, to us. This has to be understood clearly. This is why churches believe they should be raising serpents up in service (if you catch my drift).

So what verses make someone think that? Mark 16:15-18 I want you to understand, Jesus told the disciples after His death to go into the world and they were given gifts, as signs. This was because Israel seeks signs (I Corinthians 1:22).

So as we read the writings of the 12 we can certainly get things to take away. However we need to be careful and understand those things were primarily written to Jews, but for us. Paul’s was the apostle to the gentiles (to us). Without Paul there are many concepts in Christianity that don’t get mentioned (the Body of Christ, the resurrection power for salvation,

So how does Paul view himself in reference to the 12 disciples? Lets look Romans 1:1 and compare that with Galatians 1:1-17.

So here we see that Paul is constantly having to make a case for his own legitimacy. This is because his messaging isn’t the same as the twelve. Which means we need to be careful readers of the Bible understanding Gods calling of Paul and how it effects our understanding.

Romans 1

Romans 1:1–7 KJV 1900

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know from the previous verses that Paul was the apostle to the gentiles. This didn’t stop him from preaching to the Jews. It seems that they were special in his heart. Look at Romans 9:1-3.

Verse 2 the gospel message is seen throughout the Old Testament. However, its not clear from the vantage of the Old Testament. Its only our ability to look backwards we are we able to put the puzzle together regarding the plan God had in mind for the salvation of man.

If you were an Old Testament prophet looking to the future, what would you see?

Daniel identified the coming of the Messiah given in the covenant promises (Abrahmic and Davidic).

This Messiah would be “cut off” or killed.

There would be 7 years of tribulation.

And after that the kingdom would be restored “Gospel of the Kingdom”.

Verse 3 Jesus was the descendant of David. Why did this have to be? Bonus question…Did this genealogy flow thru Mary or Joseph???

Turn to Jeremiah 22:24-30. Let me set this scripture up. Jehoiachin (Jeconiah, Coniah) was the son of Jehoiakim. Simply put, both men did evil in the sight of the Lord. Jehoiakim’s father Josiah was Godly king. Bible says “he did right – no king like him before or after”. But his son “did evil in the sight of the Lord”. What was it…Baal worship.

What does God do to the lineage…lets read Jeremiah 22:30. What do we see God does to the lineage of Jehoiachin?

Cuts it off from descendants. Write him off childless. In fact history records none of his descendants would ever become King of Israel. He was the last.

So now turn to Matthew 1:1 and lets discuss this further. Read 1:1. Now turn to Matthew 1:11-16 focusing on 11 and 12.

So if Jehoiachin or Jehoican line was cursed there is a problem with the Covenant because God had promised David would carry the Kingship of Israel.

Now turn to Luke 3:23. We see the first verse that this starts with Joseph. There is a lot of debate about who’s lineage this is. You need to study this for yourself. Matthew 1 names the father of Joseph as Jacob and Luke, here say Heli. Add to that there scholars say there was no word for son in law and it was not uncommon to list the father in the genealogy of the mother like this, I’m left to conclude it is Mary’s genealogy.

And one more point the Luke account goes back to God where Matthew starts with Abraham. Who is Jesus’ real father? So if God was the father what need would it be for Luke to draw lineage from Joseph. With that said….

Jesus was the rightful heir to the throne of David thru Joseph. Since the curse in Jeremiah he could not sit on the throne making the Covenant promise null. However, when we see that thru the virgin Mary, he carried the blood line of David thru his other son Nathan. How beautiful all that fits together.

Romans 1:3-4 show that Jesus was proved out or declared to the be Son of God. Its clear in Jesus’ own words He was the “Son of God” but we have to not place the physical birth of Christ as signifying the sonship. He doesn’t hold a dual sonship, one resulting in physical birth, however, his birth in the flesh (which we see is identified as a son of David), which was essential, blossomed into the “Son of God”.

Acts 13:32-33 shows that the power in the resurrection was the event that identified Christ as the Son. When the psalmist says this day have I begotten thee, begotten is meaning fathered. This day, the day of resurrection has God fathered His Son.

This is a difficult concept. It would seem that we as believers can consider we are Gods children only by the gift of salvation thru which the transformation of the resurrection of Christ made valid. Ephesians 2:1 “we were dead, in our trespasses and sins, but he has made us alive” . Any discussion around that? Questions?

Romans 1:6-7 is an identifying marker. What are we now called based on 6-7. Saints.

King James Version Chapter 1

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Paul begins by lifting up the brethren in Rome. Remember Rome is the known world at that time. It is the superpower of the world. The gospel message being spread like fire through the world.

Verse 9 we see that Paul’s driving ambition in everything he did was to serve God through the gospel. He wanted to come to them so that he might leave them with some gift or fruit that he could give to them to help them in their mission. Simply put Paul was compassionate. It seems as you think about his letters, (not just Romans), that he had such a desire to see the church he was writing to fulfil its purpose of service in the Gospel. Whatever the need, sin, heresy, praise, instruction, he pointed it out.

Remember I told you that Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. With that understood, consider that what he is writing is written to you and I. Its just like the letter was written to Bethel Baptist or any church that claims it believes the Gospel of Christ.

Verse 12 starts with the statement, that is, or literally but that is, indicating almost the need for a correction of the previous verse. He seems to be furthering his thought here that the strengthening or establishing of the congregation will not only be for them but also him…both of them. How true this is! I can assure you that the gospel message when preached lifts and edifies the listener, but the speaker as well.

We see in verse 13, that he had plans to come to see them and so wanted to do so. The “church” in Rome may or may have not just been one church based on Romans 16. It is unclear who started the church in the area either. Paul at this point had not been with them, rather he was in some other part of the empire during this writing. What is clear that even though he had not been there, he wanted to come.

Lets look at Romans 16 quickly. Here we see there were many that were coming to Rome and Paul was telling them to greet these people.

King James Version Chapter 1

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Here we see the main theme of the book. The gospel of Christ and its function in man. There are four clauses in verse 16 and 17.

He is “not ashamed” says it must have not been any easier in Paul’s day than it is in ours to proclaim. As we see from his life it was tremendously harder. Paul says in I Corinthians 9:16 that it’s a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greek. Nothing has changed!!!

Are we ashamed? Do we not coward away? The next clause tells us why he’s not ashamed.

Its the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. If you and I truly are believers we know this yet we are reluctant to tell. If I had knowledge of a sure fire product that grew hair on bald heads, I wouldn’t be afraid to tell Kemper. This is life changing assurance.

Its really time to stop considering what people will think of us as this world is barreling towards exactly what God has shown will happen in this Book.

Also note who this gospel is available to. He who believes. I want this to be a focal point as we go thru this book. The gospel is a gospel of faith. Period.