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Romans 1:1-6b
Last time we began to read the introduction to Paul’s letter to the Romans.
I took an important side road into servant hood. I pick up the flow here.
This epistle was written between 56 and 57 AD. Paul states in 15:26-28 that he has just completed the raising of funds for the poor believers in Jerusalem after visiting the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. Acts 20:1-2, identifies the time as the year after Paul left Ephesus on his third missionary journey.
Paul was in Greece when he wrote the letter, most likely in Corinth. This is seen in two incidental comments: (1) Phoebe of neighboring Cenchrea was apparently the letter-bearer (16:1-2) and (2) Gaius, who is Paul’s host (16:23), was a prominent Christian leader at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:14).
Audience
Romans 1:7, 15 identify this letter as being sent to the Christians at Rome. They were predominantly Gentile believers as is evidenced by Paul’s statements to that effect in 1:5, 12-14 and 11:13. But probably a strong Jewish element as well because (1) the heavy use of the OT suggests this .
Purpose
Paul expressed his desire to go west all the way to Spain (15:22-24, 28). Since he had already proclaimed the gospel in the major centers in the east, it now seemed good to him to go west. But as was his habit, he needed a base of operations. Antioch had provided that in the east and Ephesus had in Asia Minor; Paul was hoping that Rome would in the west. Consequently, he wrote this letter, explaining his gospel carefully and fully, in the hopes that the Roman Christians would embrace him and it completely. Also, since his life had already been in much danger from the Jews (Acts 17:5, 13; 20:3), Paul may have sensed the need to pen his thoughts about the gospel in a systematic way, rather than due to occasional circumstances
So the occasion-purpose for writing Romans is threefold: (1) he was going west and needed to have a base of operations in a church that shared both his vision and his theology; (2) he knew that his life was in danger and wanted to give something of a more balanced, systematic presentation of his gospel, to leave as a memorial; and (3) he detected anti-Semitism arising in the Roman church through the influence of Claudius’ edict (to expel Jews from Rome in AD 49) and wanted to give a theologically-based correction to this attitude.
Origin of the Church
In light of Rom 15:20, there is no doubt that the church at Rome was not founded by an apostle. This suggests that Peter was not yet in Rome. Most likely, the church came into existence through the converts who returned to Rome form Jerusalem after the feast of Pentecost in 33 AD (Acts 2:10).4 But this church would not have been very well taught. Mark may well have gone to Rome in the early 50s both to precede Paul’s coming and to fill up any doctrinal holes .
Theme
As the most systematic of all Paul’s letters, Romans addresses in detail the gospel of God. Romans 1:16-17, which concludes the introduction, best expresses the theme of the whole book: “the righteous revelation of God in the gospel.”
We saw last time that he started out declaring himself NOT a mighty worker, not a man of signs and wonders (thought he could have) but as a bond slave. That detoured us down a rabbit trail right off and now we jump back into the main stream of this 17 verse introduction and see that Paul not only says he is a servant, but he is “Apostle.”
The word apostle generally means “sent one” one commissioned to go with a mission or service.
Mission impossible “your mission today should you choose to accept…”
There were apostles of different degrees. Some missionaries and tentmakers were called apostles, but there were also a Specific group that were commissioned by Jesus for the foundation of his church as seen in Ephesians 2:20.
They had special qualifications, special gifts and special signs and wonders and received a special honor.
Qualifications: Acts 1 when choosing a replacement for Judas (v-21) “men who have companied with us all the time that Jesus was with us, taught by Christ himself, a disciple of Christ to the day he ascended.
He had to be a witness of the risen ascended Christ. (ordained to be a witness of the resurrection) and chosen by Christ v-24. So thought many were sent, still are, only 12 were Apostles of the Lamb and a 13th received special distinction.
They had special gifts: Mark 16:14-20 ( Mar 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
These special signs were given to convince people of the authority of the message. It was a must because the Word, the new Testament, was not yet complete.
If someone said “thus saith the Lord”, the proof was signs and wonders healing and even in several cases raising the dead. Today many attempt to resurrect these special apostolic signs (now don’t think God doesn’t answer prayers and do many wonderful things, including some very powerful testimonies)
But these signs were primarily apostolic gifts. If someone says today “Thus says the Lord where do you go to find out?? THIS BOOK.
Sadly many make a show of their supposed great gifts. These were all to point to Jesus. When the Apostles in Acts 3: 1-9 (Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
) NOTE: Immediately, not a faltering but NOW. Listen, God can heal today in answer to our prayers but to walk up to someone and say “BE well in Jesus name….” oh how I wish it were so. A friend of mine said he had that gift and I grabbed my coat and said “C’mon” Where we going? Over to The Hospital, we are going to put them out of business.
Better to pray and believe God.
Special qualifications, Special gifts, And special honor. Rev. 21: 12-14 The 12 Apostles of the Lamb have their names inscribed on the very foundations of the heavenly city.
Now Paul comes along and says “I am an Apostle as well, but with a difference. Look at 1 Cor. 15:1-11
There he says he is an Apostle born out of due time.
Does he qualify?
1. Has he been taught by Christ? Gal. 1:11-12 Taught by who?
Acts 9. HE was called by Jesus to follow him.
He also was privileged to SEE The risen Christ, as he states in 1 Cor. 15 “He was seen of many witnesses and “last of all by me.”
Did Paul have the special sign gifts?
Acts 13:91-12 Elymas was blinded.
14: 8-10 Healed a crippled man in Lystra
16: 16-18 Cast a demon out of a girl.
20: 7-12 Raised Eutichus from dead.
Those and many others show that Paul was gifted in the same way as the other Apostles of the lamb. BUT Paul’s sending was primarily to the Gentiles, he is OUR apostle Acts 26: 14-18
( Act 26:14 And all of us falling to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. And I said, Who are you, lord? And He said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. But rise and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of what you saw, and in what I shall appear to you; delivering you from the people and the nations, to whom I now send you in order to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God, so that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.
HE was sent to us. God spoke to the Gentile world and raised up a messenger for you.
So Paul is a servant, and a messenger.
Did you know you were to be a messenger too? Oh, not an Apostle in the sense of the 12 and of Paul. But you are sent out to tell the same good news that they put forth. Go and tell, that’s what he told us.
#3 Paul was not only a servant, a Sent one, but notice he was SET APART, Separated.
A term that means to mark off by boundaries, to devote to special purposes. In this case he was set apart for a special mission, the good news of Christ, the gospel. The good news that you can be a Child/servant of God too.
The gospel is given to people who serve sin. Rom. 5:12-21 (please look it up)
The result of the reception of the gospel is in 6:1-6 and in v. 16.
And down in verse 16 it says ( Do you not know that to whom you yield yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves to him whom you obey; whether it is of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness. )
Accepting the gospel, then, is turning from sin, self determination, self rule, to God serving. We become “bought with a price” and obedient to God, irrevocably saved. Those who obey the gospel are rescued, made alive, saved from God’s wrath.
(2Th 1:8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, )
1 Peter 4:17 says: For the time has come for the judgment to begin from the house of God. And if it first begins from us, what will be the end of those disobeying the gospel of God? )
And Romans 10:16 states: But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" ) Faith and obedience are one. Jesus said “follow me.”
Servants of the living God are enabled, empowered and kept by God and God alone. The gospel, good news that you can quit serving sin which ends in destruction, and start serving God whose end is eternal joy.
This gospel is sourced in God. He promised it, From Gen. 3:15 on
HE planned it before the foundation of the earth. And On a cross outside Jerusalem on the town garbage heap, HE perfected it.
Paul proclaimed it and in 1 Cor. 9: 16 he cries out “WOE is me if I do not preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In this world of countless religions there is hope from the God of the universe in unraveling the answers to life’s questions. Jesus stated in John 14:6 “I am the way…”
We see, then, that the gospel is sourced in God, the whole story of salvation would be nonsense apart from God’s love. God hated sin and his wrath had to be satisfied, but he loved us and sent Jesus to satisfy his judgment against us. When we see that we are servants to sin (conviction) then we can say God so loved the world/hated sin, that he gave his only begotten son.
To divide that concept is to divide God and distort his nature.
Sin separates mankind from God but this good news says that God has done something about it.
We will take a look next time we are in Romans, and see the prime mover of the gospel, Jesus Christ.
Have you been drawn by God? Has his spirit knocked at your hearts door and said “this is real, this is for you” If he is doing that then today would be the very best day to settle that issue.
