Welcome to the Adult Two Couples Class Immanuel Baptist Church

Question of the Day What do you do to relax?

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Question of the Day What do you do to relax?

Context Written by Paul to the church at Rome Written by Paul to the church at Rome Composed of Jewish & Greek Christians Composed of Jewish & Greek Christians It is the longest letter of the Apostle It is the longest letter of the Apostle Probably written around 56 A.D. Probably written around 56 A.D. Jews in the church were causing problems Jews in the church were causing problems Paul deals with relating to others and the world Paul deals with relating to others and the world

Context Paul had offered the Roman church a great deal of instruction in this letter. He stated that all can be saved by God’s grace alone; all who are saved have a responsibility to live godly lives; all who are saved have a responsibility to be rightly related to others. Now he gives final greetings and instructions to the Roman church.

Overview Paul’s Greetings Paul’s Greetings Paul’s Warning & Encouragement Paul’s Warning & Encouragement Paul’s Salutation Paul’s Salutation

Key Truth We are to promote unity in the church by seeking right relationships.

Romans 16 : Paul’s Greetings

The famous 33 The famous 33 –Paul mentions 33 names of people whose primary distinction was their faithful friendship and help in spreading the gospel  Nine were with Paul  24 were in Rome  25 men and eight women Phoebe Phoebe –Businesswoman from Cenchrea-deacon in the church there –She had proven her faithfulness Priscilla and Aquila Priscilla and Aquila –Jewish convert tentmakers that Paul lived & worked with in Corinth –They are mentioned six times in the Bible –Probably displaced with Paul when he was thrown out of Ephesus –Having church meetings in their new home in Rome

Paul’s Greetings Epaenetus Epaenetus –A close “beloved” friend of Paul –First convert from Asia Minor Mary Mary –A tireless worker in the ministry of the church Andronicus and Junias Andronicus and Junias –They were probably fellow Jews (kinsman) –They had been imprisoned with Paul –They had an excellent reputation in the church –They were early Christians Ampliatus, Urbanus and Stachys Ampliatus, Urbanus and Stachys –Possibly slaves who were converted, loved by Paul Apelles Apelles –“Approved”, may indicate he endured serious hardship for his faith

Paul’s Greetings Aristobulus Aristobulus –There is a tie in that may show him to be the grandson of King Herod –Paul warmly accepts entire household as they have turned to Jesus Herodian Herodian –Another Jewish convert, possible of the house of Herod –Catholic tradition has him as relative of Paul, martyred in the first century Narcissus Narcissus –Possibly the name of an aide to Claudius Ceasar who committed suicide, or was killed when Nero come to power Tryphaena and Tryphosa (‘Dainty’ and ‘Disdain’) Tryphaena and Tryphosa (‘Dainty’ and ‘Disdain’) –Possibly twin sisters commended for efforts in the cause of Christ Persis Persis –Unknown but faithful laborer-may have come from Persia as a slave

Paul’s Greetings Rufus and his Mother Rufus and his Mother –This may be the son of Simon of Cyrene of Mark 15:21 –The mother of Rufus must have shown some extraordinary kindnesses to Paul Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas –Some of the names were common to slaves; may have all been converted slaves Philologus and Julia, Nereus & his sister & Olympas Philologus and Julia, Nereus & his sister & Olympas –Philologus & Julia were likely husband & wife –Nereus & sister were their children –Together with Olympas, possibly another servant, they hosted church meetings in their home

Romans 16 : Paul’s Warning and Encouragement

Paul warns the church about the inevitable conflict Paul warns the church about the inevitable conflict –Paul guarantees that there will be “dissensions and hindrances” –These would run contrary to “the teaching” they had learned Paul’s instruction for overcoming such people Paul’s instruction for overcoming such people –“Keep your eye” on them –Every church has people who cause dissention The motivations of such people The motivations of such people –They are committed to only satisfying themselves –Paul gave a description of this type of person to the church at Philippi  Philippians 3:17-19 –They preyed primarily on the unsuspecting –What type of picture does this draw?

Paul’s Warning and Encouragement Paul gives an encouragement and admonition Paul gives an encouragement and admonition –Overall, they were an obedient and searching church –Their faithfulness was an encouragement to others –Fill your mind with the good things of God and you will have no room for the poison of false teachings –The work of the enemy of our souls will end God crushes Satan

Paul’s Salutation Romans 16 :

Paul’s Warning and Encouragement Timothy Timothy –Paul’s trusted missionary colleague and pastor of the church at Ephesus Lucius, Jason and Sosipater Lucius, Jason and Sosipater –Lucius may have been the brother of Rufus –Jason suffered with Paul in the mobbing in Thessolinica –Sosipater could be the Sopater of Barea Tertius Tertius –Paul’s amanuensis, or taker of dictation Gaius Gaius –Paul’s host in during his stay in Corinth Erastus Erastus –The public treasurer at Corinth who had been saved Quartus Quartus –“The fourth” may have been brother to “the third”

Paul’s Warning and Encouragement Paul’s doxology Paul’s doxology –Paul ends the letter with praise and ascription of God’s power and faithfulness –God established us with the gospel –God revealed His plan for mankind fully through Jesus Christ –Accepting the gospel message leads to obedient faith

Overview Paul’s Greetings Paul’s Greetings Paul’s Warning & Encouragement Paul’s Warning & Encouragement Paul’s Salutation Paul’s Salutation

Adult Two Couples Class