Romans 1:6-15 – Imparting Spiritual Gifts
I. Called of Jesus Christ
a. Paul is linking the believers at Rome experience to his own -- "called"
b. This is a root word that relates to the church "the called out" ones
c. Paul will later talk about calling as part of the process of salvation -- foreknew, predestined, called, justified, glorified
i. While we look at salvation as a moment or experience, it is both that and a process
ii. There are many words in scripture that relate to our salvation -- forgiveness, justification, regeneration, new birth, sanctification, cleansed, called, redeemed
iii. Confusion often exists because if you refer to someone being saved, it can refer to any or all of these
1. I have BEEN SAVED -- when I at the altar confessed Jesus as Lord of my life I was saved in a moment, made a new creation
2. I am BEING SAVED -- God is working a process of redemption in me where is conforming me to the image of Christ, crucifying my sinful nature, and walking in light as I take up my cross daily
3. I WILL BE SAVED -- God will fully bring about my glorification and remove the effects of sin and death. Beloved, now are we the sons of God and it does not appear what we shall be but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.
iv. So this results in confusion over the question, "what brings salvation?" because you must know if you are referring to the new birth, sanctification or glorification
v. So if brothers in other traditions believe that "baptism is necessary for salvation" are they right or wrong?
1. From the new birth standpoint, I believe baptism is NOT necessary -- the new birth comes by grace through faith alone
2. From the sanctification standpoint, I believe baptism IS necessary -- to grow in your discipleship you need to obey Christ in baptism
3. So if you want to be a theology nerd and someone asks if you are saved, you can say "sort of" or "under construction"
vi. So if someone says baptism is necessary for salvation, it might be best to ask the question, "what part?"
1. We know that the thief on the cross was saved without baptism, as are many who believe on Christ at their deathbed.
d. Those in the church were CALLED -- calling is the wooing grace of God that brings us to repentance
e. We are called to be saints or the "holy ones"
i. Again grace results in holy devotion and is inseparable a life of devoted service
II. Mystery of the Godhead
a. AND
i. There is evidence for the TRIUNE mystery in narrative passages
1. Jesus prays to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane
2. Jesus prays “Father forgive them” on Calvary
3. At the baptism of Christ, the Father speaks from heaven while the Spirit descends
ii. There is evidence in doctrinal passages
1. Who was the Father of Jesus:
a. Isaiah (9:6) refers to Jesus as the “Everlasting Father”
b. Matthew 1:18 says Jesus was “conceived of the Holy Ghost”
c. Ephesians 1:3 says God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
iii. In passages like this text in Romans 1, it is not teaching about the Trinity, but the truth is so understood that you see references to:
1. The Father as God
2. The Son Jesus Christ as God
3. The Holy Spirit as God
4. Conjunctions like “AND” that show plurality
5. Yet it all refers to One Mysterious God
iv. God our Father AND the Lord Jesus Christ
III. The Church at Rome
a. Their faith was spoken of throughout the world
i. What a great, positive, powerful testimony, that at the heart of sin, idolatry, government, commerce, persecution they had renowned faith
b. Who started the church at Rome?
i. We don’t know, but we do know that it was NOT Paul
ii. It is speculated that it was started by a disciple of Paul from a church plant he had done in Corinth, Athens, Ephesus, Philippi or other city of commerce
1. If it was not started by one of Paul’s disciples, he had many disciples that attended the church as you can see from the numerous greetings he gives in Romans 16 to the people he knows
iii. It is speculated that it was started by a Jew of the Diaspora that was visiting Jerusalem and saved on the Day of Pentecost
iv. Whomever started the church, they must have had solid teaching and leadership for Paul to need to send such an thorough theological resume to introduce himself as a missionary partner
c. Paul’s prayed for the church at Rome
i. Perhaps because of their influence throughout the Roman Empire
ii. Shows us the scope of Christian prayer and vision
iii. How often do we pray for church’s in critical Kingdom locations?
1. 10/40 Window where there is the least Gospel light?
2. The underground church in China that is facing persecution
3. Church in New York, DC or LA that can have impact for our country?
IV. Paul’s Planned Journey
a. Unlike Paul’s other ministry trips, where he would preach the gospel to virgin territory, his ministry to the church at Rome would be like when Barnabas brought him to Antioch
i. In Antioch, he spent a few years taking a young fiery church to be a productive missions center with five-fold ministry team leadership
ii. Antioch, under Paul’s leadership had become the center of the early church as it moved from Jerusalem
iii. Antioch, had seen the heart of the Church move from winning Jewish followers to also preaching to and reaching Gentiles
b. It looks like this is Paul’s plan to develop the church at Rome
c. His ministry there would include:
i. To preach the gospel to those at Rome
ii. To have spiritual fruit in this Gentile Church as he was the apostle to the Gentiles
1. Fruit is referred to as spiritual character in the fruit of the Spirit
2. Fruit is also referred to as spiritual reproducing seed of new believers
iii. To be comforted by mutual faith
1. Interesting that Paul sees his need for the community of faith as bringing mutual benefit
2. It is not a “clergy” to “laity” ministry, but a body where ministry flows both directions
iv. To establish them in the faith
1. There is a process where you move from passion to productivity that needs spiritual “Fathers”
2. It includes laying a teaching foundation to understand the truth of the Gospel
3. It includes creating a strong culture of mutual accountability and respect for God-ordained leadership
4. Flowing with the vision of the leadership in unity brings the church to being a living organism
v. To impart a spiritual gift
1. Spiritual gifts can flow through ministers to you
2. 2 Timothy 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
