The Beginning Teachings of Paul's Epistles

From the teaching 2/11/12

The Beginning Teachings of Paul's Epistles

The Book Of Romans

Brief description of the Roman Empire

At the time when the New Testament was written the entire civilized world, with the exception of the little known kingdoms of the Far East, was under the domination of Rome. From the Atlantic Ocean on the West to the Euphrates River and the Red Sea on the East, and from the Rhone River to the Danube River, the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains on the North, to the Sahara Desert on the South, stretched one vast empire under the headship and virtual dictatorship of the Emperor called both “King” and “Augustus” in the New Testament. Rome took it's name from the capital city in Italy, the original settlement from which the Roman state grew. It was founded in 753 BC and was at first a community comprising a union of small villages in its vicinity and ruled by a King. About the beginning of the 5^th century BC it had achieved a degree of solid political organization under a republican form of government. Through 500 years of almost uninterrupted war, Rome grew from an obscure village on the banks of the Tiber River to become the ruling empire of the world. The rapid territorial expansion brought great changes in the life of the Roman people. As the military leaders gained a taste of power, they began to use their armies not only for foreign conquest, but also for supremacy at home. In a constant succession of civil wars, one after the other strove to make himself master of the Roman State until until finally Augustus, as he was called by the Senate, succeeded in exterminating his opponents in 30 BC, and became the first emperor. Under his rule the Roman imperium, or power of the Imperial State was thoroughly established. He ruled wisely and well. Politically it was a compromise between the old republicanism and dictatorship that Julius Caesar had advocated.

Statements regarding the Book of Romans

1. The 6^th of Paul's letters written from Corinth, about 58-60 AD, sent to Rome by Phoebe (Chapter 16:1).

2. Romans is 1^st in order of the Epistles doctrinally. It contains the ABC's of Christian education.

3. It is the very foundation of church teaching. If we are wrong in understanding here, we shall be wrong elsewhere.

4. The great theme is the Revelation of God's wrath against sin.

5. The righteousness through faith is the grounds of justification.

6. Romans makes the whole world guilty before God and in need of salvation through Jesus Christ.

7. The prominent feature is the large doctrinal section, (Rom. 1:16-8:39). God's method of dealing with the Jews and Gentiles individually is in this section.

8. Their relationship dispensationally, is in (Chapter 9:1-11:36)
9. The rest (chapter 12:1-16:27) is practical, showing the result of salvation.

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

Servant (defined):

1. A bondman, one who is the entire property of another.
2. Slave.

Called (defined):

1. Divinely selected and appointed to an office.

Apostle (defined):

1. One sent with the power of attorney to act in the place of another,

the sender remaining behind. God sends one to do what he, himself

would do if he went.

Separated (defined):

1. set apart
2. severed

Romans 1:5: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

 6Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:



 7To 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.



 8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.



 9For 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;



 10Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.



 11For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;



 12That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
 13Now 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.



 14I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.



 15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.



 16For 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.



 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.