IV. THE SAINTS AT ROME
Subject:
The assemblies at Rome.Theme: The problems they were to encounter.
Objective: To give us the awareness to avoid the same problems.
Text: Rom. 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7 To 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.
I. INTRODUCTION
A.
1. Paul had never been to Rome and there is no Biblical or historical records that the Apostle Peter had ever been there.
2. The epistle to the Romans was written by Paul during his three-month visit in Corinth.
(a). Acts 20:1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, 3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
(b). This would have been somewhere between 56-58 A.D. 25 years or less after the death of the Lord Jesus.
2. Paul's friends Aquila and Priscilla were originally from Rome---Acts 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
3. From the greeting to them in Rom. 16:3, we discover that they are back in Rome---
Rom. 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:4. Notice the fact that Paul does not address his letter to "the church at Rome, but rather "to all that be at Rome" (1:7).
5. This would indicate that rather than having one local church at Rome, they had small assemblies throughout that city (or area). 6. The Gospel was probably brought to Rome by Priscilla and Aquila and/or other converts.
B. Reason for Writing The Letter.
1. Paul was about to end his work in Asia and go to Jerusalem with his love gift from the churches of Asia.
2. His heart's burden had always been to preach at Rome, and this letter was to let the Christians know he was coming.
3. While at Corinth he also wrote his letter to the Galatians, his intentions was to answer the Judaizers who were confusing the church of Galatia.
(a). These Judaizers were "Christians" from the Jerusalem church who would come in behind Paul in each area after he left.
(b). Apparently they would sometimes join the local church in order to have even more influence.
(c). At any rate, in each and every case they would teach that Christians, as well as believing in Christ, had to submit to circumcision and obey the Law in order to be saved.
4. Paul knew it would only be a matter of time before these Judaizers would reach Rome and would perhaps even get there before him.
5. Paul's reasons for this letter can be summarized as follows:
(a). To prepare the Christians for his planned visit, and to explain why he had not visited them sooner.
(b). To instruct them in the basic doctrines of the Christian faith because the false teachers would soon be there.
(c). To explain the relationship between Israel and the church lest the Judaizers should lead them astray with their doctrines.
(d). To teach the Christians their duties to one another an. the state.
(e). To answer any slander about Paul.
II. PAUL TRIES TO TEACH AND PROTECT
A. Justification By Faith...
1. Apart from the Law--- Rom. 3:21 But now the righteousness of (from) God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
(a). Even today people are being taught righteousness by the Law and by works.
(b). This has never been the teachings of the Bible, not even in the O.T.---
Hab. 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.2. The Scriptures tell us that Israel missed this righteousness by faith and they tell us why (how).
(a).
(b). Paul wanted to make sure these Romans did not miss this righteousness by faith as the Jews had.
3. Justification is only available through Christ--- Rom. 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
4. Let’s look at some definitions here...
(a). Justified— declared righteous in God's sight through the merits of Christ, secure in our position in Christ before the throne of God. Justification is God's righteousness imputed, put to our account.
(b). Redemption— deliverance from sin and its penalties, by the payment of a price. This price was Christ's blood on the cross.
(c). Propitiation— Christ's sacrifice satisfied God's holy law, thereby making it possible for God to forgive sinners and remain just Himself. God's justice has been satisfied; He may now look with kindness and grace upon a lost world.
5.
Rom. 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:(a). Paul explains how God can be both "just and justifier", and the answer is the cross.
(b). When Jesus died, He bore our sins in His own body, paying the price God's law demanded.
(c). But He arose again! Thus He is alive and able to save all who will believe!
B. Paul Shows That The O.T. Taught Justification By Faith, Not Works.
1. First he mentions Abraham, the father of the Jews--- Rom. 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
(a). Now look at verses 10 & 11---
Rom. 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:(b). Paul just proved that "Father Abraham" was saved simply on the basis of faith.
(c). Abraham's faith and salvation took place fourteen years before he was circumcised!
(d). Circumcision was the seal of the covenant, the rite that made a Jewish child a part of the system of law.
(e). Abraham, the "Father" of the Jews, was in effect a Gentile (that is, uncircumcised) when he was saved! (f). Circumcision was merely an outward sign of a spiritual relationship, just as baptism is today.
(g). No physical ceremony can produce spiritual changes; yet the Jews of Paul's day (like many "religious" people today) trusted in the ceremonies— the outward signs— and ignored the saving faith that was required of them.
(h). Therefore, Abraham is actually the "father" of all believers, all who belong to the "household of faith"---
Gal. 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham... Gal. 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.(i). Paul already pointed out in Rom. 2:27-29, not all "Jews" are truly the "Israel of God"---
Rom. 2:27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.2. Then Paul refers to King David and quotes Ps. 32:1-2, proving that Israel's great king taught justification by faith, apart from works.
(a).
(b).
Psa. 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.C. Justification Is by Resurrection Power, Not Human Effort.
1. Rom. 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
(a). Paul identifies God as "God, who quickens the dead." (b). Abraham and Sarah were "dead," their bodies being well past the age of childbearing--- Heb. 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
(c). How could two people, one ninety years old and the other one hundred, ever hope to have a son?
(d). But when the flesh is dead, then the resurrection power of the Spirit can go to work!
2. We ought to marvel at the faith of Abraham.
(a). All he had was the promise of God that he would be the father of many nations; yet he believed this promise, gave the glory to God, and received the blessing.
(b). A perfect illustration of the miracle of salvation.
(c). As long as people depend on the flesh and feel they still have enough strength to please God, they will never be justified.
(d). It was Abraham's simple faith in God's Word that justified him, and that is how sinners are justified today.
III. CONCLUSION
(Salvation Is...)A. Not Of Works...
B. Not Of The Law...
C. But, By Grace Through Faith! (Eph. 2:-9)