Jun26-Jul2: Paul and Rome

Teaching Points

1. Who is the author of Romans and who was he writing to? 

ANSWER:

• Rom. 1:1—Paul
• Rom. 1:6, 7—Jews and Gentiles in Rome

2. How does Paul introduce himself?

ANSWER:

• Romans 1:1— Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. 

3. Why does Paul describe Himself as “separated unto the gospel of God?”

ANSWER:

• Acts 13:2—The Holy Spirit said to separate Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work He had called them to—mainly working for the Gentiles. 

4. What was promised afore time?

ANSWER:

• Rom. 1:1, 2—Paul was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles—this preaching of the gospel was promised before (Isa. 65:1, Matt. 21).

5. What was Paul’s purpose in writing this letter? 

ANSWER:

• Rom. 1:14, 16—Jews and Gentiles—Gospel (righteousness by faith) is for everyone.
• Rom. 2:28, 29—Jews inwardly.
• Rom. 3:23—All have sinned.
• Rom. 4—circumcision—Abraham, a Gentile, was a Jew inwardly before circumcision.
• Rom. 5:17, 18—judgment came on all, free gift for all men.
• Rom. 9:6—Not all Israel who are biologically Israel.
• Rom. 10:12—No diference between Jews and Greeks
• Rom. 11:11--Salvation to the Gentiles.

6. What does this letter tell us about Paul?

ANSWER:

• Rom. 1:1—He is a servant of Christ, called to be an apostle, and separated to give the gospel especially to the Gentiles.
• Rom. 1:9-12—He is praying earnestly because He wants to visit the Roman Christians. 

OBSERVATION:

• Paul is the author of the Book of Romans and he is writing to Jews and Gentiles in Rome.
• God regards all humans the same—Jew or Gentile—God gives salvation to all! This is the purpose of Romans—showing there is no difference between Jew and Gentile for salvation and explaining righteousness by faith.  
• God promised through prophecy that the gospel would be preached to the Gentiles.
• Paul has a great burden to preach the gospel even in Rome.

7. Why did Paul devote his whole life and so much energy into preaching the gospel?

ANSWER:

• Rom. 1:16—The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
• Rom. 1:14—He felt the debt of sharing the knowledge of salvation that he had been entrusted with.
• Paul had an understanding of the infinite gift of Christ and His power to save man from the horrible pit of sin. This drove Paul to sacrifice all for Christ because Christ had sacrificed all for him.

8. What message does Paul give in Chapter 1?

ANSWER:

• Rom. 1:17-32—there is no excuse for rebellion but there is power through faith in Christ’s righteousness for salvation. 

OBSERVATION:

• Paul had experienced the gospel and dedicated His life and energy into saving those who did not know Christ.
• Paul shows that there is no excuse for rebellion and that God will judge but that God also extends salvation to those who will listen and repent.

SOP

• …The Lord told Paul that he must preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Light was to be given to the Gentiles. This is a mystery which had been hidden for ages.  {Signs of the Times, March 25, 1897 par. 5} 
• The Jews had grown into a belief that everything pertaining to the Gentiles was cursed and unclean. Prejudice had built up the wall of nationality and religious seclusion. But God himself instructed Paul that his work was to present Christ to the Gentiles. The great work of redemption was to be brought before all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples. Because of their disobedience, the Jews were broken off from the olive tree, and those among the Gentiles who would accept Christ as their Saviour were to be grafted into the good olive tree, and made one with the original branches. But in no case are they to boast because of this, lest they be broken off as were the natural branches.  {Signs of the Times, March 25, 1897 par. 6} 
• It is to this class that Isaiah referred in his prophecy, "A remnant shall be saved." [See Isaiah 10:20-22.] From Paul's day to the present time, God by His Holy Spirit has been calling after the Jew as well as the Gentile. "There is no respect of persons with God," [Romans 2:11] declared Paul. The apostle regarded himself as "debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians," [Romans 1:14] as well as to the Jews; but he never lost sight of the decided advantages possessed by the Jews over others, "chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God." [Romans 3:2.] "The gospel," he declared, "is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." [Romans 1:16, 17.] It is of this gospel of Christ, equally efficacious for Jew and Gentile, that Paul in his epistle to the Romans declared he was not ashamed.  {Gospel Workers 397.3}

CONCLUSION:

• Paul is writing to the Jews and Gentiles showing that there is no difference between them but that all need salvation and righteousness by faith.
• Paul’s mission is especially for the Gentiles. His passion is that all might be saved.
• He clearly shows that no one has an excuse for rebellion but that all could be saved by the gospel.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• What work has God separated you for—Are you doing it?
• Are you realizing that power of God’s salvation in your life enabling you to live righteousness by faith?
• Do you have knowledge of truth and yet are rebelling against God?