Bible Study Series
The Letters of Paul to the Church
Invitation to Romans
Every Wednesday June 18th -August 20th
In this study, we explore together the impact Paul's letter has had on the church and indeed the whole of western civilization. In this letter (Epistle) Paul gives us his most detailed exposition of the gospel,systematic discussion of the whole plan of salvation.
The Occasion – Paul wrote to introduce himself to the church at Rome and solicit support for the church in Jerusalem. His theological polemic was designed to unify the house churches in Rome so they would be willing and able to cooperate in his mission. The power of the gospel (1:16) to achieve the unification of all nations (15:7-13) provides the imperative for his mission and therefore stands at the heart of Romans.
Purpose-To establish the universality of the Gospel and God’s provision of salvation for Jews and Gentiles. To establish a faith Community where Christian Gentiles, non Christian Jews, Christian Gentiles and Christian Jews may coexist together. To establish a Christian Culture within the context of myriad cultures.
Time & Place-57 CE, Corinth
Community/Culture- Gentile Christians, Non Christian Jews, Christian Gentiles, Christian Jews. Big metropolis with diverse cultures; Jews returning after expulsion by Claudius in late 40’s; conflicts between different factions and house churches for leadership.
Wednesday June 18:
Overview of Romans
Wednesday June 25: Reading
Assignment
The Gospel of Christ
Romans 1:1-17
Wednesday July 2: Reading
Assignment
The Bad/Good News
Romans 1:18-3:31
Wednesday July 16: Reading
Assignment
Faith and Grace
Romans 4:1-5:21
|
Wednesday July30: Reading
Assignment
Christ and the Law
Romans 6:1-7:25
Wednesday August 6: Reading
Assignment
God’s Love/Words
Romans 8:1-11:36
Wednesday August 13: Reading
Assignment
Responding to God
Romans 12:1-13:14
Wednesday August 20: Reading
Assignment
The Living Church
Romans 14:1-16:27 |
Outline of Romans
Chapters 1-4 The Faithfulness of God
God’s gospel unveils the fact that in the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth the God of Israel has been true to the covenant established with Abraham and has thereby brought saving order to whole world.
Chapters 5-8 God’s People in Christ as the True Humanity
God has thereby done what the covenant was set up to do: to address and solve the problem expressed in biblical terms as the sin of Adam.
Chapters 9-11 God’s Promises and God’s Faithfulness
Highlights the ironic failure of Israel to believe Jesus was the Messiah, Israel’s rejection of Christ and their role in his crucifixion, extended salvation to all humankind.
Chapters 12-16 God’s Call to Worship, Holiness and Unity
The community that is created by this gospel must live as the true renewed humanity, in its internal and external life. In particular, it must reflect God’s intention that Jew and Gentile come together as one worshipping body in Christ.
Background
The Epistle to the Romans
The Epistle to the Romans was written to Christians residing in the city of Rome Rome was the center of the Empire and was ethnically diverse. In the first century AD it had a population of around one million people in an area less than ten square miles.
Of course the city of Rome was predominately populated by Gentiles and so it is expected that the church was comprised of both Jewish and Gentile believers . Paul addresses both groups in this epistle.
About the Church in Rome
At this time, the Jews made up a substantial number in Rome, and their synagogues, frequented by many, enabled the Gentiles to become acquainted with the story of Jesus of Nazareth. Consequently, a church composed of both Jews and Gentiles was formed at Rome.
Jews were expelled from Rome because of Christian disturbances around AD 49 by the Edict of Claudius. The conflict developed because Jewish Christians and Jews argued with one another over the validity of Jesus as the Messiah. Both Jews and Jewish Christians were expelled as a result of their infighting. The majority of people left in the Christian church at Rome would have been Gentile Christians. These gentile churches developed along a different trajectory from the Christian circles that grew out of Jewish synagogues.
Claudius died around the year AD 54, and his successor, Emperor Nero, allowed the Jews back into Rome. Gentile Christians may have developed a dislike of or looked down on Jews (see also Antisemitism), because they theologically rationalized that Jews were no longer God's people. With the return of the Jews to Rome in 54 new conflict arose between the Gentile Christians and the Jewish Christians who had formerly been expelled.
About Paul
Paul, the author of thirteen New Testament Epistles, was born as an Israelite in Tarsus of Cilicia (Acts 22:3; Phil 3:5). The name that he went by was Saul. He studied under Gamaliel in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3) and became a Pharisee (Phil 3:5). He was present at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58; 8:1) and became a persecuter of the church (Acts 8:1-3; Phil 3:6).
While seeking to have Christians bound, he was converted on the road to Damascus as Christ appeared to him (Acts 9:1-9). He went into Damascus (Acts 9:10-19) then went to Arabia for some time (Gal 1:17) before returning to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-29; Gal 1:18). He met up with Barnabas and ministered with him in Antioch (Acts 11:25-26). Then he began to go on various missionary journeys to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. He was imprisoned in Rome on two occasions and was martyred under Caesar Nero.
About the Epistle (Letter)
Paul was writing to a church that he had never visited. Here Paul wrote with regards to the big picture. He wrote that they would know the gospel of Christ. He also wanted to inform the church regarding his future plans because those plans would involve them.
Paul wishes to impart to the Roman readers a gift of encouragement and assurance in all that God has freely given them
©
2006 Grace Baptist Church |