Romans 1:1-17: The book of Romans

Romans 1:1-17

I. Author of the book of Romans: The Apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus)

II. The original audience: the Church (people) in the city of Rome

A. The church was founded by people who had been reached by Paul

B. The church comprised converted Gentiles, converted Jewish proselytes who were born Gentiles, and full Jews who had converted to Christianity

III. The book of Romans was written to instruct the believers at Rome who had not been discipled by the Apostle Paul

A. He is preparing them for a possible visit

B. He is presenting the basic system of salvation to a church that had not yet been taught by an Apostle of Christ

C. He is explaining the relationship between Jew and Gentile in God’s plan of redemption and especially in the new covenant administration

IV. Romans was probably written from Corinth during Paul’s third missionary journey in AD 57-58

V. The book’s theme: The righteousness of God revealed and applied to sinners

A. The universal unrighteousness of humans

B. The gracious righteousness of God and His plan of salvation

C. The application of God’s just righteousness to believers

D. How humans acquire a right standing with God

VI. Theme of Romans chapter 1: The gospel of grace for unrighteous sinners

A. Introduction to Romans and the gospel of grace Rom 1:1-17

B. The gospel of grace saves humans and sets them apart for kingdom service vs. 1

1. Slave, Lordship, called to be an Apostle of Christ (only 13)

2. Set apart to share the gospel

C. The gospel of grace that saves was declared in the Old Testament vs. 2

1. Promised beforehand

2. Revealed in the Prophets (all Old Testament writers)

3. The Scriptures are holy, without spot, blemish, or error

D. The gospel of grace is centered on God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah vs. 3-4

1. Seed of David, humanity, Jewish, Abraham, Messianic covenant

2. God’s Son, fully divine, co-eternal, co-equal, 2 natures, the God-Man

3. Sender of the Holy Spirit, resurrected from the dead

4. Centered on Yeshu’a the Messiah, the LORD

E. The gospel of grace will radically change your city vs. 5-7

1. The obedience it produces is the fruit of faith and repentance

2. It includes the Gentiles in the new covenant for Jesus’ glory

3. Called to salvation in Yeshu’a the Messiah through faith

F. The gospel of grace must be nurtured in the true believer’s life vs. 8-13

1. Radical converts shake up the world with their lives

2. Radical converts shake up the world with their words—the gospel

3. Praying by believers for believers is necessary for all

4. The need for fellowship and edification is included in the prayers

5. Apostolic sign gifts were given by the Apostles’ own will during the writing of the New Testament to authenticate the men and the message

6. Mutual edification and encouragement are vital to the Christian life (Jesus started with 3, 12, 120, 3,000, see The Man-code)

7. Fellowship involves planning, traveling, effort, and results in fruit

G. The gospel of grace must be brought to all the ethnic groups vs. 14-15

1. It is the believer’s duty to spread the gospel to all by giving, praying, sending, and going

2. The message to be preached includes the gospel (Creation, Rule, Grace, Man, God, Christ, Repentance, Faith, Surrender)

3. Local evangelism and foreign missions are the obligation of all believers and all churches

H. The gospel of grace powerfully saves sinners who truly believe vs. 16

1. The world rejects the gospel, but we are not to be ashamed of this message that is foolish and without signs

2. The Jews were to receive the message first in God’s plan of redemption

3. The Gentiles also get to hear the message after the Jews hear it first

4. Everyone who believes is delivered from sin’s bondage by God’s power

5. It is not a person’s own strength, but the power of God that saves a sinner

6. The gospel has power in itself and when applied by the Holy Spirit; it is power upon power

I. The gospel of grace is the message of God’s righteousness by faith apart from works vs. 17

1. The righteousness, holiness, and justice of God are revealed in the gospel message

2. Man receives righteousness by faith and faith alone, from start to finish

3. Deliverance from sin and the Christian life begin and continue by faith

4. No one is saved by self-righteousness or good works, but by an alien imputed righteousness apart from rituals, ceremonies, or deeds