ROMANS
ROMANS : In this book, a letter from Paul to the early
church in Rome, are many of the essential points of the New
Testament. Paul tells the Good News about Jesus Christ
being the Son of God, with the Holy nature of God Himself, saying
that everyone (not Jews alone, but Gentiles [non-Jews]
also) with faith and trust in Christ was doing right and was
ready for heaven. Paul said that nobody was good enough to
keep His laws, yet we are "justified freely by His grace
through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (i.e.,
declared innocent because of Jesus taking away our sins): Paul
stated that Christ's blood and our faith will save us:
- "For we maintain that a man is justified (i.e.,
saved) by faith (implied that this is faith in Jesus
Christ) apart from observing the law (i.e., following the
Ten Commandments)." (Romans 3:28)
- "He (i.e., Jesus) was delivered over to death (i.e.,
died) for our sins and was raised to life (i.e., rose)
for our justification (i.e., to declare us free from
blame or guilt; to pardon us)." (Romans 4:24-25)
Paul contrasted Adam as the first man, bringing death to the
world through sin, with Jesus Christ as one Man bringing
forgiveness to many through God's mercy, with Christ freely
taking away many sins and His righteousness making men right
with God. (Romans 5:12-19)
Paul had many other main points that he preached, some including:
- "...just as sin reigned in death, so also grace
might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:21)
- "We (i.e., Christians) were therefore buried with
Him through baptism into death in order that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the
Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:4)
- "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God
is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
(Romans 6:23, from King James' Version)
- "You...are controlled not by the sinful nature but
by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you."
(Romans 8:9)
- "But if Christ is in you, your body is dead (or will
die) because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of
righteousness." (Romans 8:10)
- "And we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God , to them who are the called
according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28, from King
James' Version)
- "...If God is for us, who can be against us?"
(Romans 8:31)
- "For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the
future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate
us (i.e., Christians) from the love of God that is in
Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
- "Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of
God..." (Romans 11:22)
- "I am talking to you Gentiles (non-Jews)...I am the
apostle to the Gentiles..." (Romans 11:13)
- "...How unsearchable His judgments...Who has known
the Mind of the Lord?..." (Romans 11:33-34)
- "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all
things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen..." (Roman
11:36)
- "We have different gifts, according to the grace
given us...(i.e., different abilities given to us by
God)." Paul instructs each person to do well in what
he does best, saying further: "Never be lacking in
zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord
(i.e., don't be lazy in your work)." And, further:
"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud,
but be willing to associate with people of low position.
Do not be conceited." Paul said to be "careful
to do what is right in the eyes of everybody..." and
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with
good." (Romans 12:6-21)
- "Everyone must submit himself to the governing
authorities (i.e., do what the government says), for
there is no authority except that which God has
established..." (Romans 13:1)
- "The commandments...are summed up in this one rule:
'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " (Romans
13:9)
- "...why do you judge your brother?...For we will all
stand before God's judgment seat." (Romans 14:10)
- "...the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and
drinking...but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that
causes someone else to stumble...better not to eat meat
or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your
brother to fall." (Romans 14:17-21)
- "...Christ has become a servant of the Jews...so
that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy...."
(Romans 15:8-9)
Paul also pointed out his belief in predestination, such as:
- "For those God foreknew He also predestined to be
conformed to the likeness of His Son...And those He
predestined, He also
called...justified...glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)
- Regarding God's blessing Jacob but not Esau, "
...before the twins were born...in order that God's
purpose in election (i.e., predestining them) might
stand...Jacob I loved..." (Romans 9:10-13)
Paul told of the future events around his time (or even possibly
yet to come now) of the "last days:"
- "...Israel has experienced a hardening in part until
the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all
Israel will be saved..." (Romans 11:25-26)