ROMANS
Theme: The Gospel (justification)
Author: Paul
Time: 58 AD
Was the first doctor of the church because he was responsible for all the NT theology in one.
Key Words:
Law 78 times
Justification/ Righteousness 64 times
Faith 60 times
Sin 57 times
Grace 24 times
Key Scripture:
Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
It’s not my message and its the purpose of saving people
It’s not about making it palatable to people… we just have to present it as it is
Structure:
1-3: The whole world is guilty of sin (Jews and Gentiles)
Paul starts with original sin (you have to start with the bad news before the good news)
3-8: The Gospel Message
3-5 Justification - by believing in Jesus we can now have eternal life by faith
6-8 Sanctification - the Holy Spirit regenerates you… the new man is created
8:18-39 Glorification - we will have a new body, foretaste of eternity
9-11: The Nation of Israel
How the nation Israel fits into the salvation plan of God
12-16: Practical Duties of the Justified
How to make sense of what we do… very practical and encouraging us to do good
Purpose of the Book:
1. Strengthen roman Christians in their faith and win their financial support
2. To give a clear doctrinal exposition of God’s method of justification by faith
3. To show that both Jews and Gentiles are only acceptable to God through the New Covenant. Equal playing field and need to the atonement of Jesus
Message of the Book:
1. The just shall live by faith
2. All men are under sin and cannot be justified by the works of the law
3. The only righteousness God accepts is a faith righteousness