Paul Writes to the Romans

Paul writes to the Romans

What Happened

Paul wrote his letter the church in Rome likely during his third missionary journey, probably around 57 AD. Paul explains God’s grace and fleshes out the reality of God’s wrath towards both Jews and Gentiles.

Paul draws on Old Testament scriptures to remind us that the righteous live by faith, and further explains that we live by faith so that we can’t boast of being righteous in our own strength. He was writing to a small community of believers both Jews and Gentiles. There were also other Jews in Rome, but not necessarily believers in Jesus.

He talks about the new Israel, with both Jews and Gentiles brought together by a common faith. Jesus’ statement that he had come to fulfill the law and the prophets comes to life in this letter, as the new nation of Israel is a nation of Christ followers, not necessarily a land.

Why it matters

Ever since Moses was given the law and the Jewish faith was established in the centuries after, people tried to live by the law, but failed to uphold all of the righteous requirements. They tried to follow the law, and in so many cases thought they had, only they hadn’t.

They offered sacrifices, but God wanted their hearts not so much their willingness to make sacrifices. Paul gives us a different way of looking at the law—it is intended to point us to the Messiah, the one who fulfilled the law.

Romans can either be a liberating force, or if Christ is rejected, an illustration of man’s failure to follow God’s law.

Bible Verse

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:21-26

Why it matters to you

Paul explains the difference between a personal relationship with God and religion. Religion is about what man can do to be acceptable to God. The personal relationship centers on what God did to make man acceptable to Him.

By recognizing our own shortcomings and insufficiency, we turn to God, put our trust and faith in His gift to us, the Lord Jesus Christ, and live by faith. Romans offers freedom of the soul.

Description

Paul covers a lot of ground in this letter, and discusses the spiritual condition of people everywhere. Paul does not separate Jews and Gentiles, but explains that both are sinners and in need of salvation through Christ.

There had been previous discussions about living under the law, as the Apostles still held to their Jewish traditions. Paul writes about living in the Spirit, because the flesh cannot withstand the temptations of sin. He further explains that what the law was incapable of doing, God did through Christ.

What you may not know

This letter may well be Paul’s crowning theological achievement, as he explains the Gospel and God’s grace completely and effectively.

He was writing to the church in Rome in anticipation of his planned visit, which he made in 59 AD. Romans is an excellent guide of what Christians need to know.

Paul’s First Missionary Journey

Paul's first missionary journey

What Happened

Paul and his associate, Barnabas, set out on their first missionary journey to reach the Gentile world. They traveled from town to town and preached the good news to the people. They went into synagogues to speak to the Jewish people as well.

Paul and Barnabas were a good team, but had disagreements. Barnabas wanted to have John Mark join the team, but Paul disagreed.

Barnabas would then take his young protege with him, and Paul selected Silas to continue his missions. Later a young man named Timothy joined Paul.

Paul’s first missionary journey began in 46 AD and ended in 48 AD (Acts 13). His second trip was from 49AD to 52 AD (Acts 16) and the third was from 53 AD to 57 AD (Acts 18). He went to Rome, his final journey, in 59 AD where he stayed until his execution in 60 AD.

First Trip: 46-48 AD

Paul, Barnabas and John Mark traveled to Cyprus to visit synagogues. They encountered a false prophet named Bar-Jesus who worked for the proconsul (Roman overseer). Paul rebuked the false teacher.

The proconsul ordered that Paul and Barnabas be brought to him so that he would hear more about Jesus. There the false prophet tried to turn the proconsul away.

Paul was filled with the Spirit and Bar-Jesus was blinded. This caused the proconsul to see the power of God. He converted to Christianity.

Then they went to Perga in Pamphylia. John Mark decided to go back to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas went from there to Pisidian Antioch. The Jewish authorities were not amused and out of jealousy removed them from the city.

They moved on to other cities, starting churches. Paul healed a crippled man while in Galatia and some people thought the two missionaries were gods. The two proclaimed Jesus Christ to correct the wrong statements.

Second Trip: 49-52 AD

Paul and Barnabas had planted churches during their first missionary journey. Upon his return there were men preaching that Gentiles must first be circumcised in order to serve with church leaders. Paul and Barnabas traveled back to Jerusalem, first, to get this matter settled.

Paul’s troubles were not over, as he and Barnabas had a disagreement over whether or not to have John Mark accompany them on the trip.

John Mark was with them on the first tour, but left them and Paul was not happy about it. It was decided that Barnabas would take John Mark on their own trip, and so Paul invited Silas to go with him.

The purpose of this trip was to follow up on these new churches and support the ministries of the leaders.

The churches in Galatia, Corinth, Phillipi, Thessalonica and Ephasis, would be the inspiration of support letters that would later be included in the New Testament.

Third Trip: 53-57 AD

By the time Paul set out on his third missionary journey, he had already established many churches. His purpose was to shore up these churches and encourage the members. Much of his time was in Ephesus.

He had visited Antioch, so Paul went through Galatia and Phrygia, with the intent of strengthening his brothers and sisters in Christ. His third missionary journey lasted from 53 to 57 A.D. and is found in Acts chapters 18:23-21:14.

Why it matters

Paul was inspirited and was guided by God to preach to the Gentile world. Everywhere Paul went he established churches. He would stay for a while, preach the Gospel and teach the faith.

He would follow-up with leaders of the churches by sending letters. These letters would be copied, read aloud in the churches, and given to others.

These letters, called the epistles, make up much of what would later become the New Testament and are still used to teach, encourage and bring people closer to God.

Paul’s missionary trips are reported in the Bible in the book of Acts, and are important because they bridge the movement from a small, Jewish community of believers, to the hugely expanded Gentile Christian church.

Bible Verse

For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
    that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 13:47

“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

Acts 28:28

Why it matters to you

Paul, the once murderous Pharisee, who wanted to arrest and kill every Christian, was now the most influential voice in the movement, bringing the message of salvation to the Gentiles.

He spoke with kings, the intellectual elites and the general public. His teachings have been influential in every culture and every time period since they were first written.

Description

Paul did not immediately set out for other countries to preach the Gospel. Rather he took time to study and learn, preparing himself for what would be a difficult challenge.

After preparing himself, he then set off to reach others. Like Jesus, Paul and Barnabas were a threat to the Jewish leaders, as the news of Jesus of Nazareth was very upsetting to the religious elites.

What you may not know

Unlike the other Apostles, Paul was a Roman citizen. Because of that he could not be abused or summarily jailed without a proper trial.

He was given the opportunity to reach out to not only the Jewish authorities, but the secular authorities as well.

Because he was a scholar, Paul was able to converse with the intellectuals in each place. He understood their religions and their beliefs. He had the good sense not to challenge those beliefs, but to share his own. He was a master communicator.

The John Mark mentioned in their first trip and was the author of the Gospel of Mark.