ROMANS 1:1-17

LESSON 1 GOSPEL POWER

ROMANS 1:1-17

 INTRODUCTION (1:1-6)

1. The origin of the Gospel is God. “Set apart for the Gospel of God.”

The apostles did not invent it; it was revealed and entrusted to them by God. What we have to share is no human speculation, not really a religion at all. It is God’s good news for a lost world. It is what God is going to do to bring in his kingdom. See Psalm 145, Isaiah 40.

2. The attestation of the Gospel is Scripture. “Which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures.”

It had already been promised through the prophets in the Old Testament. The essential continuity between the Old Testament and the New. The Scriptures bore witness to Christ. The Son of Man in Daniel 7, the suffering servant in Isaiah 53. The OT quoted in the NT. It was according to the Scriptures – 1 Cor.15:3f.

3. The substance of the Gospel is Jesus Christ. “Concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared to be the Son of God in power.”

Jesus Christ is the Son of David, Son of God, both truly human and truly divine, frail and powerful through the outpoured Spirit of resurrection. The Holy Trinity.

4. The scope of the gospel is all the nations.

His apostleship is to all people. The gospel is for everybody; its scope is universal. Although a Jew he is called to be the apostle to the Gentiles. We too, are committed to world mission. We cannot be limited to our own nation, tribe, caste or class. This is a major theme of Romans.

5. The purpose of the Gospel is the obedience of faith.

This purpose is repeated at the end of the letter, 16:26. It is the obedience that comes through faith. Paul looks for a total, unreserved commitment to Jesus Christ. It is not possible to accept Jesus Christ as Savior without surrendering to him as Lord. This affects all parts of our belief system, ideology and lifestyle, both individual, social and political.

6. The goal of the Gospel is the honor of Christ’s name.

The highest of all missionary motives is burning and passionate zeal for the glory of Jesus Christ.

APPLICATION: This describes the agenda for the proclamation of the gospel in the church.

PAUL AND THE ROMANS (1:7-13)

The Christians in Rome are described in three ways.

First, they are loved by God, his own dear children.

Secondly, they are called to be saints.

Thirdly, they are recipients of God’s grace and peace.

1. He thanks God for them all (8).
2. He prays for them (9,10)
3. He longs to see them and he tells them why: to impart to them some spiritual gift to strengthen them, and so that they may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. (11,12).
4. He has often planned to visit them to win some converts in Rome (13).

APPLICATION: This is a description of the local church.

PAUL AND EVANGELISM (1:14-17)

v.14 “I am bound (under obligation)

v.15 “I am eager

v.16 “I am not ashamed”

The reasons these affirmations are so striking is that they are in direct antithesis to the attitude of many in the contemporary church. People nowadays tend to regard evangelism as an optional extra and consider (if they engage in it) that they are conferring a favor on God; Paul spoke of it as an obligation. The modern mood is one of reluctance; Paul’s was one of eagerness or enthusiasm. Many of us today would have to confess, if we are honest, that we are ashamed of the gospel; Paul declared that he was not.

1. The gospel is a debt to the world (14-15)

We owe the world what we have received in trust for everyone. Good news is for sharing.

2. The gospel is God’s power for salvation (16)

We need not be ashamed of the gospel for it is God’s saving power over sin, death, depression, anxiety and all kinds of evil that destroys meaning and purpose to everyone who believes it.

3. The gospel reveals God’s righteousness (17)

What is the righteousness of God? It is a divine attribute or quality of character. It is seen supremely in the cross of Christ. It is the covenant justice of God fulfilling his promises to overcome evil. It is the divine achievement which he reveals in the gospel as a gift which is offered to faith to give us a righteous status. It puts sinners right with himself by bestowing on them a righteousness which is not their own but his when we put our trust in him and what Christ has done for us. All this is ours if we live by faith in Christ, q.v.Martin Luther

APPLICATION: This describes the missionary vision of the church and its members.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR ROMANS 1:1-17

1. The Gospel of God: How do you know it is of God? What reason can you give to an atheist or agnostic for your belief in God?
2. Which God? What is your conception of God?
3. How do you understand by “the obedience of faith” as the purpose of the Gospel?
4. How does this understanding of the Gospel affect the agenda of the church, its mission and worship?
5. What does the desire to mutually encourage one another in the faith and to win converts to Christ influence how we relate to one another in the church?
6. How is the Gospel God’s power for salvation?
7. What is God’s righteousness?
8. What obligation to share your faith with others do you feel?