The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 1:1-17)‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome to a new bi-weekly format of Encouraging Concepts!

 

Beginning this week, we will embark on a bi-weekly Bible study series focused on the incredible New Testament book of Romans!  This exciting new series will be titled “The Roman’s Road to Righteousness” and will  investigate the writings of the Apostle Paul in what is often referred to “The “Gospel of Paul.” 

 

Over the years, several excellent questions have been posed by our readers pertaining to the doctrines of Grace, the Sovereignty of God, Election, Predestination among other very important theological truths. The Apostle Paul – divinely inspired by God – masterfully addresses all of these doctrines as well as many others. Therefore, in order to stretch our hearts, minds and understanding of God’s perfect Word, I thought we would set aside the time necessary to carefully read through this timeless book as our next EC-1 Scripture series!

 

Please join us over the next several months as we study this very important book of the Scriptures. 

 

Let’s begin our study with a high-level overview of the first section of verses from chapter 1 of Romans – the best place to start!

 

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 1:1-17)

*Adopted from John Mac Arthur’s original sermon series presented in the year 1984 via Grace to You Ministries*

As we embark on this exciting theological adventure, I'm convinced that we will be utterly transformed in minds and hearts as we move through this very special journey in the book of Romans. The reason I have this confidence is because that is exactly what has happened throughout history. It's amazing to see how the book of Romans has affected people's lives. The greatest reformations and revivals that we know about were results of the power of this powerful book!

A Brief Biographical Sketch of the Apostle Paul:

Saul (later to be known as the apostle Paul) was zealous in all that he did. He was from the Jewish tribe of Benjamin and when describing himself, he said:

though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless – Philippians 3:4-6

Prior to his spiritual conversion, Saul did everything he could to try and stop the growth of Christianity. In fact, when Stephen (the first recorded Christian martyr in the New Testament) was killed, Saul was there holding the cloaks of those who were stoning Stephen – Please see the book of Acts for these and other important details of the Apostle Paul and the first-century Christian Church.

On the day Stephen was martyred, a great persecution broke out against the Christian Church in Jerusalem and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. At that time, Saul began to seek to destroy the Church. Going from house to house, he dragged off Christian men and women and put them in prison and some were even assigned to death. Eventually Saul obtained letters from the Jewish religious leaders to Jews in Damascus allowing him to bring the Christians (known as followers of The Way at that time) back to Jerusalem to be punished.

About noon, as he came near to Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed all around him. He fell to the ground and heard a Voice say to him, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute Me?'  “Who are you Lord?” Saul asked. 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting'  Jesus Christ answered. Jesus then instructed Saul to go into Damascus. Because of the brilliance of the bright light, Saul had been blinded. For three days he could not see and his companions had to lead him into Damascus by hand.

While in Damascus, Jesus instructed a devout follower of The Way to pray for Saul in order that his sight be restored. When he did, immediately Saul could see. Saul was told that he would be Jesus' witness to all men of what he had seen and heard. Saul was soon baptized as a follower of Christ Jesus and would become known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.   

Three years after his Divine conversion, Paul went to Jerusalem where he met with Peter, James and John. Later, he went forth with Barnabas to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ (from the church in Antioch where they were first called “Christians”)

Much more can be read about the life and missionary journeys of Paul in the New Testament Epistles of the Bible. Paul suffered much in spreading the Gospel. Most of his missionary efforts were in what is modern day Greece and Turkey, and the surrounding areas.  

 

After being released from imprisonment in Rome as part of his further missionary journeys, Paul would once again return to Rome and was taken prisoner again. In fact, it was finally in Rome that the Apostle Paul suffered martyrdom. By order of the Emperor Nero, Paul was beheaded with a sword.

Paul's great abilities and earnest enthusiasm in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ have made his name revered wherever the Christianity is known. In fact, it is his writings which make up half of the New Testament of the Bible!

To begin with, the book of Romans actually quotes the Old Testament more than any other New Testament book – a total of 57 times!

The most common words used in Romans are:

• God = 153 times
• Law = 72 times
• Christ = 65 times
• Sin = 48 times
• Lord = 43 times
• Faith = 40 times

Romans is about the Lord, God, law, Christ, sin & faith and all the ramifications of those terms – awesome!

For dramatic impact… Here are some very spiritually impacting questions that this amazing book answers:

1. What is the “Good News” of God?
2. Is Jesus Christ really God?
3. What proves He is God?
4. Why did He come?
5. What is a saint?
6. What is God like?
7. How can God send people to hell?
8. What will happen to people who have never heard the gospel?
9. Why do men reject God and Christ?
10. Why are there false religions and idols?
11. What is man's biggest sin?
12. Why is there sex perversion, hate, crime and why are they so rampant?
13. What is the standard by which God condemns people?
14. How can a person who has never head be held responsible?
15. Are Jews more responsible to believe than Gentiles?
16. Who is a true Jew?
17. Is it any advantage to be Jewish?
18. How good is man?
19. How bad is man?
20. Can anyone keep God's law?
21. How do we know we're sinners?
22. How are we justified and forgiven?
23. How is a Christian related to Abraham?
24. What is the importance of Jesus Christ's death?
25. What is the importance of His resurrection?
26. What is the importance of His present life?
27. For whom did Jesus Christ die?
28. Where can men find real peace and hope?
29. How are we related spiritually to Adam?
30. How are we related spiritually to Jesus Christ?
31. What is grace and what does it do?
32. How does a person die spiritually to be reborn?
33. What is the Christian's relation to sin?
34. How important is obedience?
35. How are law and grace related to one another?
36. Why is it such a struggle to live the Christian life?
37. How many natures does a believer have?
38. What does the Holy Spirit do for us?
39. How intimate is a Christian's relationship to God?
40. Why is there suffering in the world?
41. Will the world ever be any different?
42. How can I pray properly?
43. What does predestination mean?
44. How secure is a Christian?
45. Why have the Gentiles been chosen?
46. What is God's present plan for Israel?
47. What is His future plan for Israel?
48. What is our responsibility to Israel?
49. How is a person eternally “saved” or born again?
50. What is Christian commitment?
51. What is the Christian's relationship to the world, other Christians, the unsaved and the government?
52. What is love and how does it work?
53. How do we deal with “neutral” things – neither right or wrong?
54. How important is unity in the church?
55. What is true freedom?...

And these are only a few of the eternally important questions answered in the book of Romans! 

Although Paul’s reasoning is complex in this epistle, he is very clear. Among other doctrines, he proves in his “Gospel” that all of us are under a just condemnation for our sin. However, all who believe on Jesus Christ and receive Him as their personal Lord and Savior are rescued from that eternal condemnation and given a robe of righteousness by God Himself. And this is by no means an “easy believeism” Gospel. After all, as James tells us, even the demons believe – and tremble!  

You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! – James 2:19

In fact, here are the two marquee verses that sum up the totality of Paul’s message throughout the entire book of Romans and are the central truths to the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith – Romans 1:16-17

Saved by faith. This is the best news anyone has ever heard – Halleluiah!

With this information as a foundation for your personal studies, please read through verses 1-17 of the first chapter of Romans.

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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