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THE GOSPEL How well do you know the Gospel? What impact does it have on your life? Do you need the gospel daily? Do you have a passion to share the gospel? Resources

MAKING "THE GOOD NEWS" GREAT "ROMANS" "ROMANS: AN INTRODUCTION" (Chuck Swindoll) (Thomas R. Schreiner) AN INTRODUCTION The "good news" of the gospel is that Christ—Son of God and Son of Man—died for our sins and (Chuck Swindoll) The influence of Romans in the history of the church is remarkable. Augustine’s rose from the dead (1:1-4; cf. I Cor. 15:1-5). This good news about the person and work of Christ is "the understanding of grace was mined especially from Romans, though there were other sources power of God for salvation" (Rom. 1:16). What good news! The power of God comes to powerless humanity, Travel back in time with me. Let's go back to the winter of AD 57. We're at a narrow land bridge as well. ’s entrance into the gates of paradise came as it dawned on him what providing all that's necessary for salvation through Jesus Christ! Can such great news get any greater? In fact, when we are confronted with our own sin and need for a savior and turn to Christ's person and work to save between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese, where a Roman city rakes in fortunes from heavy-laden Paul meant by the of God. The Reformation that swept through Europe and ships and cash-heavy tourists. Outside the city, in the home of a wealthy and hospitable Christian named us, the good news of the gospel becomes great news for us. Paul said the gospel is "the power of God for turned the Western world upside down was certainly shaped by the message of Romans. Gaius, two men discuss a scroll. One paces the room, pouring out his thoughts to the other, who sits at a salvation to everyone who believes" (1:16). Believing in the gospel makes the good news great. Then in the early part of the twentieth century, Karl Barth’s commentary on Romans, as he large table taking copious notes. noted, pulled on a bell that rang throughout the theological landscape and called into In light of Paul's spotlight on the gospel of Jesus Christ, let's ask ourselves, "So what? What should I do with this truth?" Let me give you three reasons why it's vital for us to not only know about the good news, but The speaker walks with a deliberate strength, although his shoulders are rounded and a noticeable question the theological liberalism that was sweeping through the Western world. hitch interrupts his gait. His arms and face bear the marks of wind, sun, age, and mistreatment. His fingers know how to make the good news about Jesus Christ great news for us. No one seriously doubts Pauline authorship, and we know that Paul wrote the letter are knotted and curled and fused at an unnatural angle, a telltale sign of stoning. You would expect that a First, you accept the gospel. You don't rewrite it, reshape it, revise it, or rework it. You accept it. That when he was in Corinth (:2-3), and it should probably be dated in AD 55 or 56. In the body such as this would contain a broken, demoralized spirit, but the eyes reveal something different. means the "good news" is an invitation. You're invited to a new life of faith in Christ—forgiven of all your sins, past some scholars claimed that Romans was a treatise, a complete and full presentation of They flash with energy and sparkle with the optimism of a teenager about to get his driver's license. cleansed by the work of Christ on your behalf, and set free to live a new life by the power of the Spirit. Paul Paul’s theology. Certainly Romans is a fuller exposition of Paul’s theology than any other letter The city is Corinth. The one pacing the floor is Paul; his amanuensis at the table, Tertius. The will expand on all of these effects of the gospel throughout his letter to the Romans. But in order for the good and is the most important Pauline letter for understanding his theology. Still, some important document they are preparing will eventually become the apostle's letter to the church in , the most news of Jesus Christ to be great news for us, we need to first accept the invitation. If you accept by simple significant piece of literature the Lord would ever commission His most prolific evangelist to write. Little themes in his theology remain undeveloped in the letter. For instance, Ephesians represents a faith the good news that Jesus Christ died for your sins and was raised from the dead, you're in the family of does Paul or anyone else realize the impact it will have throughout the centuries to come. From Origen of fuller exposition of the role of the church than we find in Romans or any other Pauline letter. God. It's a gift, not a reward. Along the same lines, -14 says far more about spiritual gifts than we learn in Alexandria in the third century to Barnhouse of Philadelphia in the twentieth, countless theologians will Second, you live the gospel. Living the gospel means being set apart for the gospel for "obedience of pen innumerable pages of exposition and meditation on the apostle's magnum opus. Augustine will find :4-8. Eschatology permeates Paul’s theology and plays a critical role in Romans, faith" (1:5). Anyone who genuinely comprehends the magnitude of God's gift won't be able to remain idle. the seed plot of his faith in this letter. This document will spark a revolution in the heart of Martin Luther, but we see nothing like the extended reflections on Jesus’s return that we find in Their priorities, passions, and pursuits will necessarily change. They'll begin to praise and thank God for what who will reintroduce the truth of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone—a doctrine 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Christology isn’t neglected in Romans, He's done. They'll worship and obey the one who saved them. They'll set their hope on things above, love all but obscured by the dogma of men who stood to profit from a false gospel of works. It will ignite the and we see an important Christological confession at the inception of the letter (1:3-4), and God, and live a life of service rather than selfishness. Accepting the gospel means living the gospel. mind of Jonathan Edwards, strangely warm the heart of , and fuel the revival fire of George yet virtually all would agree that we lack the depth of Christology found in Philippians 2:6-11 Third, you share the gospel. Paul considered himself indebted to all of humanity because he had been Whitefield. or Colossians 1:15-20. OtherBasic areas of Paul’s entrusted with a priceless gift, the only cure for the deadly disease of sin (1:14-15). Like Paul, those who have Engaging theology could be explored, but it is clear that accepted the free gift of eternal life and have molded their everyday lives around it have an obligation to "CALLED AS AN APOSTLE, SET APART FOR THE GOSPEL OF GOD" (1:1) Romans isn’t a comprehensive unfolding of share it. WeChallenging should let others know that God has extended the offer of salvation to everyone, whether Paul’s thought. privileged or poor, sophisticated or simple, religious or rebellious. Keep in mind that the gospel appears Paul's journey to this place and time had been anything but predictable. Though born in the foolish to those who don't understand or accept it. In the past, ignorance has given way to ridicule and cosmopolitan hubbub of Tarsus, Paul matured in the shadow of the great temple in . Within its We need to ask why Paul includes the persecution. In our increasingly post-Christian, unbelieving world, sharing the gospel will mean facing the enormous, gleaming white walls, he learned at the feet of the subjects addressed in Romans. Is there an same kinds of rejection and persecution Paul himself faced in the first famous rabbi Gamaliel (:3). Though a Roman citizen (Acts explanation that helps us understand every part century. But we must remain steadfast, even if it requires the sacrifice of 22:25-28), Paul was first and foremost a son of the covenant. He of the letter? What strikes careful readers is the our livelihoods and lives. heard of the great privileges and responsibilities God had given focus on issues pertaining to Jews and . his kindred people. He studied the Law of and devoted Paul speaks of the Jew first and also the Greek Thankfully, we're not alone. Countless lost sinners throughout his- himself to fulfilling every tradition to the letter. And he immersed (Rom. 1:16; 2:9-10). The sins of gentiles are tory provide examples of those who have accepted the gospel, lived the himself in the rituals of the Pharisees with a singular goal in mind. revealed (1:19-32) but also the sins of the Jews gospel, and shared the gospel in dangerous and even deadly times and He wanted to become like the temple itself: sacred, strong, (2:1-29). When it comes to righteousness by places. In fact, according to Christian history, Paul himself never lost his zeal. He remained energized and shameless in his proclamation of the undefiled, a worthy vessel for the righteousness of God. faith, one of the central affirmations is that both good news. His lifelong evangelistic journey finally ended with his But, as often happens in the lives of great men, Paul's zealous Jews and gentiles are justified in the same way martyrdom in Rome. The words of his letter to the church in Rome stand pursuit of righteousness took an unexpected turn. While Paul was (3:29-30; 4:9-16), and Paul emphasizes that as a memorial of Paul's testimony and tenacity ... and as a motivator for on the road in order to silence and persecute Christians, Jesus both Jews and gentiles are children of us today to accept, live, and share the gospel. Christ confronted him, rebuked him, changed him, and then set (4:17-25). In addition, the letter often him on a whole new course (:3-22). The righteousness he

-1- -1- Te epistle is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the beter it tastes.

Martin Luther If we understand this epistle we have a passage opened up to us to the understanding of the whole of scripture.

John Calvin Tere is no telling what may happen when people begin to study the …so be prepared for consequences. You have been warned!

F.F. Bruce PAUL’S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY c. AD 46 – 48 (Ac 13:4 –14:28)

ASIA A A I G I Caesarea Y T I A R L (Mazaca) C H Pisidian A O L D P Antioch Y A

A P C P

G A A Iconium C O I S I D I A N P I A Cilician Gates AMPH Derbe P Y Ta Tarsus Issus LI u Perga A r u s . A s M t I Attalia I C I L C Seleucia Aleppo Pieria Antioch (Syrian)

SYRIA S U P P R Salamis H C Y O . R E Paphos s N e t S e a I n M n C o e d i t e r r a n e a r

I O

0 50 km. A 0 50 miles PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY c. AD 49 – 52 (Ac 15:39 –18:22)

THRACE Black Sea C E D O N N D P O N T US M A I A A Philippi Byzantium I A Amphipolis Neapolis N Thessalonica Y Samothrace Nicaea H A Berea Apollonia T t I I A Gulf on I sp Prusa B C lle T He O A Troas A Dorylaeum D e MYSIA g e L A a Thyatira A n I P A

A C H A I G Pisidian P A S ASIA

e G a Y Antioch A Athens Ephesus . Corinth R C s Iconium t H Cilician M Sar Lystra Cenchreae P Gates Derbe I A s Gulfon Sila u C nd s l a ic I Pau n L Tarsus a I m C Seleucia A Rhodes Pieria Antioch S Y as ab R CRETE S arn k U B ar . R d M A R I P an C Y I s e A M C t e I n d o i N t r e E r r O a Sidon O n e a n S e a H Damascus Tyre P

Caesarea I A Route of the Egnatian Way 0 100 km. PALESTINE A B R 0 100 miles Jerusalem A PAUL'S PARTNERS IN ROME After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. :1-3 PAUL’S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY c. AD 53 – 57 (Ac 18:23 – 21:17)

D O THRACE Black Sea T U S A C E N I A P O N M Philippi Byzantium & A A Thessalonica I I Y N A Berea H T I T C A I A lte B O rna Troas tive L route ? Assos D A A A I Mitylene P G G ASIA Pisidian P Y A C H A I A Chios Antioch A Athens Ephesus R Samos Iconium C Corinth Laodicea H Lystra Cilician Gates Miletus P Patmos Derbe Kos Attalia Tarsus Rhodes Patara Antioch S Rhodes Y C RETE U S A C Y P R I R

C I I M e N d i t E e r r S e a A a n e a n Tyre O H P Ptolemais Caesarea I A B 0 100 km. PALESTINE A Jerusalem R 0 100 miles A PAUL’S JOURNEY TO ROME c. AD 59–60 (Ac 27:1—28:16)

A Rome dr Black Sea ia Three Taverns ti c THRACE S TU Forum of Appius ea D PON S AN IA M AC E D O N Puteoli N I A Y H A A T I I I B A C T e O g e Adramyttium A D a

L A A n Rhegium I P S ASIA A A e P SICILY H a G A Syracuse C A C I A PELOPONNESE AMPH C P YL I Cnidus LYCIA I I L A C Antioch MALTA Myra Seleucia S CRETE Y US A R I CYP R C I I N A E Sidon O

H P Caesarea Gulf of Syrtis Antipatris E N LIBYA Jerusalem I Alexandria ST PALE ARABIA Salmone Phoenix C RETE E GYPT Cauda Lasea Fair R Havens e 0 50 km. d

Wind of hurricane 0 150 km. S 0 50 miles e force–”northeaster” a 0 150 miles Suetonius (circa 69-122) claims that Claudius (r. AD 41-54) removed the Jews from Rome because they were "constantly making disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus.” “Chrestus” was a common Latin name and may refer to a particular troublemaker. It may also refer to a controversy between Jews and the Jewish Christians over "the Christ,” and Suetonius misspells the name.

David Garland Romans: The Righteousness of God The Roman Church GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS… 1. The Roman church was not Valued Needed Imputed Developed Validated Demonstrated started by Paul. It is likely made up of converts from who later returned to Rome (:10).

2. Tensions between Christian andAD non-Christian 49-54 Jews increased until Claudius expelled all Jews in 49 AD. 3. All Jews were allowed to return to the city in 54 AD; but the tensions remained.

4. The church in Rome grew Unity (15:1-13) significantly with leaders such as , Priscilla & Aquilla, perhaps Mark and later (after the letter) Peter. 5. Paul is writing to this church in order to establish a home baseAD connection 56-57 for his mis- sion work in Spain. 6. Paul is likely in Corinth when he writes Romans after Abraham: The Father of Faith Abraham: The Father The Condemnation of the Jews God's Past Relationship to The Fruits of Righteousness The Fruits Righteous Living in the World:

gathering a collection to Relationship to Israel God's Future Righteous Living in the Church: The Condemnation of the Gentiles God's Present Relationship to Israel God's Present God's Righteousness through Faith God's Righteousness through The Condemnation of All Humanity take to the Jerusalem church Christ God's Righteousness through (cp. 15:26-28; Acts 20:1-3). Salutation and Greeting Epistolary Prescript: Thanksgiving for a Faithful Reputation Thanksgiving for a Faithful Paul's Prayer and Desire to Visit Rome to Visit Paul's Prayer and Desire Righteous Living with Weaker Brothers: Righteous Living with Weaker Liberty (14:1-12) Peace (14:13-23) Liberty (14:1-12) Peace The Triumph of Grace over the Power of Sin the Power of Grace over The Triumph The Triumph of Grace over the Power of Law the Power of Grace over The Triumph Spiritual Gifts (12:1-8) Relationships (12:9-21) Spiritual Citizens (13:1-7) Neighbors (13:8-14) Imputation: Adam - Sin / Christ Righteousness THEOLOGY IN ROMANS and Benediction Greetings Personal Epistolary Postscript: The Triumph of Grace in the Power of the of Grace in the Power The Triumph The Righteousness of God through Faith The Righteousness of God through 1. Natural Revelation (1:19-20) 3 3 4 5 5 1:1-7 1:8 1:9-15 1:16-17 1:18-32 2:1-3:8 3:9-20 6:1-23 7:1-22 8:1-39 9:1-33 10:1-21 11:1-33 12:1-21 13:1-14 14:1-15:13 15:14-16:27 2. Hamartiology - sin (3:9-20) 21-26 27-31 1-25 1-11 12-21 3. Justification (3:21-24;4:25) Salutation Sin Salvation Sanctification Security Service 4. Propitiation (3:25) 5. Justification by Faith (4:1-25) 6. Original Sin (5:12) Probatio Peroratio Narratio Exordium Postscript 7. Union with Christ (6:1-10) Prescript Propositio 8. Life in the Spirit (8:1-39) Paul wrote to the believers in Rome setting forth a clear, systematic, and compelling presentation of the gospel 9. Election/Sovereignty (9-11) message which he proclaimed–A Righteousness of God which comes through Faith in Christ–in order to unite the 10. Spiritual Gifts (12:3-8) church in preparation for his visit, and gain their support as he travelled to take the gospel to Spain. 11. Christian Liberty (14:1-15:13) Ken Wilson 2020 The Man A Set-apart Servant Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. :1 Perhaps because he's writing to a church he never visited before, Paul spends six verses identify himself before he mentions the recipients and extends them a greeting.

Doug Moo Paul begins his letter in a very personal way. The personal pronouns and possessive (I, me, my) occur more than 20 times and he is evidently anxious from the start to establish a close relationship with his readers. John Stott The Man A Set-apart Servant His MasterPaul, a servant of Christ Jesus, His Office called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. His Purpose Romans 1:1 servant, bond servant (δοῦλος) Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. One good translation is “bondservant” in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force. (NET) Apostle (αποστολος) The word αποστολος is made of two parts which mean “send from.” The idea is that the one who is sent has been commissioned with an authoritative message and must deliver it clearly and with the authority of the sender. Set apart (ἀφορίζω) To be set apart is to be set apart with a purpose. The word could actually be translated as “reserved”, like, “There is a spot reserved for you.” Each of us is set apart by God for a specific purpose in his glorious plan. Christians are set apart to serve God and proclaim the gospel. The Ministry A Controlling Calling … the gospel He promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of , and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:2-7 Verses three and four do not depict two natures of Christ, but two stages in his existence. His resurrection gave Him the power to dispense salvation.

Doug Moo The Ministry A Controlling Calling Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:2-7 •The origin of the Gospel is God. •The content of the Gospel is Jesus Christ. •The purpose of the Gospel is to produce obedient faith.

Chuck Swindoll Or, to simplify these truths by the use of six prepositions, we can say that the good news is the gospel of God, about Christ, according to the scripture, for the nations, onto the obedience of faith, and for the sake of the Name. John Stott The Ministry A Controlling Calling

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:2-7 The gospel of grace is the culmination of God's plan to reconcile people to God through faith in Jesus Christ. The Mission A Consuming Commitment First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. Romans 1:8-10 The Mission A Consuming Commitment I long to see you so that I may impart to you some to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. Romans 1:11-13 Encouragement Needed •I have heard about you. •I pray for you. •I long to see you. •I desire to use my gifts for you. •I want to be encouraged by you. •I look forward to a harvest with you. The Mission A Consuming Commitment

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks [barbarians], both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. Romans 1:14-15 The Gospel message is for all people. The Message A Compelling Content

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the . For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 Virtually all scholars acknowledge that these verses are decisive for the interpretation of Romans. Thomas Schreiner The Message A Compelling Content

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 I would summarize the theme as follows: the gospel is the saving power of God in which the righteousness of God is revealed.

Thomas Schreiner The exciting good news we proclaim is that salvation comes through faith resulting in righteousness. (14) “I am under obligation.” (15) “ I am eager.” (16) “I am not ashamed.” Indebted Passionate Confident UNASHAMED

The transforming reality of the gospel is worthy of our lives. NEXT STEPS Accept the Gospel. Live the Gospel. Share the Gospel.