The Gospel-Romans Chapter 1
What is the purpose of this Gospel
Verse 5 tells us: to bring all nations into obedience to the faith. When a person truly trusts Christ, he or she will obey Him.
That’s still true today..isn’t it?
When we read Romans it should be as though Paul is writing it personally to each of us.
The Gospel reveals a righteousness that is by faith.
In the Old Testament, righteousness was by works, but sinners soon discovered they could not obey God’s Law and meet His righteous demands.
When you sum it all up, the Book of Romans is saying to us—“Be right!” Be right with God, with yourself, and with others!
The righteousness of God received by faith makes it possible for us to live right lives. Rome needed this message, and we need it today.
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Romans 1:1-7 (KJV)
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.
Apostle ...This word means “one who is sent by authority with a commission. It was applied in that day to the representatives of the emperor or the emissaries of a king.
One of the requirements for an apostle was the experience of seeing the risen Christ
1 Cor 9:1-2 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord
Paul says he was separated unto the gospel of God, meaning
When he was a Jewish rabbi, Paul was separated as a Pharisee to the laws and traditions of the Jews.
But when he yielded to Christ, he was separated to the Gospel and its ministry.
Gospel means “the Good News.” It is the message that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again, and now is able to save all who trust Him.
I believe all of us have certain calling as an individual Christian.
Some can reach others that nobody else can.
******Have you ever felt the need to witness to someone?
That I believe is the calling in the NT
Verse 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
All through the OT there was a promise of a Messiah ...promise of a King.....Isaiah 9:6-7...Zechariah 9:9...Malachi 3:1
Jesus has been call the son of David because he was born in the line of David by Joseph...Joseph was in the line of David....in other words He was adopted ...He was God only begotten son.
Verse 4 Paul told of Christ power by His incarnation and triumph
Paul’s special calling was to take the Gospel to the Gentiles (the word nations means Gentiles)
Paul’s calling was simple...it was to carry the gospel to the nations but, yet it was extraordinary how God used him.
I’ve often said this, that I believe we would have read about Paul in our history books even if God would not have called him because he was so smart in the Jewish law...he was a Pharisee..a leader and keeper of the law.
Romans 1:8-15 (KJV)
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 ye 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 says in verse 8... I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world
I think he was excited about going to see them and preach the gospel....for one they were a great testimony for the Lord
Word had filtered out throughout the empire that many in Rome were turning to Christ—so much so that it disturbed the emperors. Later on, persecution began.
Paul says here that their faith was spoken of throughout the whole world
That I believe is the best calling...that we would be a great testimony to others...
There might be a question on who and how did they hear about the gospel of Christ because Paul hadn’t been there yet.
Some must have been there in Jerusalem at the day of Pentecost and they were some of the 3000 that were save that day.
Verse 14 Paul is stating here again that he is to carry the gospel to the world...that included everyone.
Romans 1:16-17 (KJV)
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.
Paul said For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ
I’ve heard this verse quoted many times...but, why did Paul say that?
Got to remember he is coming there for a visit soon and he has been preaching to much of the poor ...The Roman empire was the capital of the world...rich and upper class.
But Paul would preach to them just as he did to the poor....his calling was to carry the gospel to the world.
Also the Gospel was identified with a poor Jewish carpenter who was crucified.
The Romans had no special for the Jews, and crucifixion was the lowest form of execution given a criminal. Why put your faith in a Jew who was crucified?
for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
Salvation has power...how has God changed you?...how has His power worked in you?
How has the righteousness by faith changed you?
Love in Christ Jesus, Ronnie Miller
www.themillersbiblestudy.com
