Justification is by an obedient faith in Christ Survey of Romans 1-8 Justification is by an obedient faith in Christ

I. General information

N.T. Letters Romans is one of 21 letters in the N.T. Biography (Mt. – Jn.) History (Acts) Letters (Romans – Jude) (Specific letters Rom. –Heb. – General letters or epistles Js. – Jude) Prophecy (Revelation)

Author Paul the apostle Rom. 1:1

To whom written To Christians in Rome – to all Christians for all time

Why it was written To show Jewish and Gentile Christians of their equality in the gospel “Paul wrote to people ‘in Christ’ and told them how to stay ‘in Christ’ by a lifetime of faithfulness and fervency.” Robert R.Taylor

To show that, “The gospel of Christ is God’s plan for man’s righteousness.” Roy Deaver “The theme of Romans is that the gospel is God’s power of salvation to every believer, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile.” Frank Dunn

This letter was written primarily to instruct the Christians in Rome, but also for the benefit of all the churches. The great theme of the book is set forth in Romans 1:16 " the gospel is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.“ Windell Gann

Rom. 1:16-17 – The theme of Romans [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Outstanding features of the book (adapted from material by Frank Dunn) Romans has been called the greatest of Paul’s epistles Righteousness – stresses being righteous before God in heart and in life

Justification – stresses forgiveness, freedom from the guilt of sin Election – God’s choice of those who are in Christ to be saved from sin (God has a plan for mans salvation – when we obey we become a part of the elect)

Sanctification – Stresses separation from uncleanness unto “the Master’s use” Set apart to serve God

Keys To Understanding Romans Righteousness of God – refers to the plan of salvation – to God’s means of making sinners righteous, by forgiveness of sins through the gospel (Rom. 1:16-17)

God imputes righteousness – God counts one’s obedient faith in Christ as the grounds for forgiveness and the basis of righteousness

Justification by faith – refers to forgiveness that results from an obedient faith – an obedient faith is the kind of faith that saves – it is not salvation by “faith only”

Led by the Spirit - The Holy Spirit leads us, saints and sinners alike, only by the word of God (Rom. 8:14)

“And so shall all Israel be saved” (Rom. 11:26) This does not mean that all Jews will come to accept Christ or be restored as a world-ruling nation. The adverb “so” denotes the manner or way that the Jews might be saved.

All Jews who are saved must be saved in the same way that all believing Gentiles are saved – BY OBEYING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST God’s plan of salvation is for all men everywhere (Rom. 2:11)

Brief outline I. Introduction 1:1-17 II. The Gospel – 1:18-11:36 III. The Gospel – Its application 12:1-15:13 IV. Conclusion 15:14-16:27

II. Survey of the book

Rom. 1 The power of the gospel and the sins of the Gentiles

Rom. 1:4 “[4] And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead”

Rom. 1:16-17 [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Rom. 2 The Jews were also in sin --- God’s judgment upon the Jews

Rom. 2:4 [4] Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Rom. 2:11 [11] For there is no respect of persons with God.

Rom. 3 All are under sin and can only be saved by faith

Rom. 3:23 [23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom. 3:28 [28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Rom. 4 Abraham an example of justification by faith

Rom. 4:20-22 [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.

Rom. 5 The blessings of justification by faith

Rom. 5:1 [1] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Rom. 5:8 [8] But God commendeth (demonstrates NKJV) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom. 6 New life in Christ

Rom. 6:3-4 [3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Rom. 6:23 [23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom. 7 Slavery under sin --- redemption is not found in Judaism

Rom. 7:4 [4] Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Rom. 8 Blessings and responsibilities of being in Christ --- encouragements to Christians

Rom. 8:1 [1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom. 8:14 [14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Rom. 8:16-17 [16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Conclusion Rom. 8:1 [1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.