The Plan and Purpose of Paul

Addressing the Issues

Even though the epistle to the Romans contains the fullest expression of the theology of redemption, it is rather doubtful that the Apostle Paul intended to write such a complete treatise on this subject. In keeping with the Apostle’s pattern, we can surmise that Paul intended, along with introducing himself, sharing his purpose and plans with the Roman Christians, Paul intended to deal with issues within the Roman Church.

Paul addresses both Jewish and Gentile Christians in this letter. In the first three chapters we see Paul proving the point that all men are guilty as sinners, including both the Jews and the Gentiles. This would have been such a shock to the Jews since they considered themselves as God’s people and under no pronouncement of condemnation of guilt or judgment. Paul addresses issues that grow out of the doctrine of salvation. He even addresses issues that deal with the present and future condition of the nation of Israel.

One can actually see Paul’s thoughts on these subjects by seeing how he addresses these issues that face this great church:

• How does the law relate to obtaining a right relationship with God? (Ro 1:3:20)

• If Abraham is the father of faith, how does he relate to both the Jews and the Gentiles? (Ro 4:1-5:19)

• What is the relationship between the law of God and sin? (Ro 5:20-7:25)

• What does the salvation of the Gentiles have to do with the future of the Jewish nation? (Ro 9:1-11:36)

• How does a Christian relate to some of the Jewish laws and how does a believer live? (Ro 14:1-15:13)

It seems that there may have been some tension in the relationship between the Jewish and Gentile Christians within the church. Remember this church began shortly after the day of Pentecost as a Jewish Church. Although we don’t have any information from Scripture or extra-biblical information, it seems that Jews returned from Rome after the feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:10) and gathered together in a fellowship. Let me set the record straight right here – there is absolutely and positively no evidence that the Apostle Peter was at Rome or founded the church at Rome. Peter is not listed in the extant records of the pastors of this church.

After leaving Jerusalem, Peter seems to have concentrated his work and ministry in Asia, Bithynia, Northern Galatia, Pontus, and Cappadocia. Peter it seems never entered Rome until his crucifixion approximately AD 68.

In time certainly Gentiles became believers and joined the church at Rome. Keep in mind that the Roman historian Suetonius recorded that Claudius; the Roman Emperor expelled the Jews from Rome in AD 49. The Jews left the city and moved elsewhere. We have an example of that in Aquila and Priscilla. They left Rome and moved to Corinth and established their tent making and repairing business. Paul met this couple in Corinth and founded the Corinthian church in their home. They later moved to Ephesus where they opened that home to the Ephesian church.

The point is that with the Jews expelled from Rome the gentiles basically took over the church and progressed until the Jews began filtering back into the city of Rome. It would not stretch the imagination much to see the tensions between customs and practices of the Jewish and Gentile Christians coming into conflict.

So, Paul wrote in addition to introducing himself and sharing his plans for travel to Spain with the hopes of enlisting the Roman Christians help, he also wrote to clarify the gospel. Paul wanted a united church in Christ. He wrote to explain clearly what the grounds for forgiveness, justification, and sanctification were. Paul addressed issues that divided the Jewish and Gentile believers in order to fully unite them into one body in Christ.

What Have You Determined?

“I am determined that if all my senses contradict God, I would rather deny every one of them than believe that God could lie.”

- Charles Spurgeon

God is Eternal

The Bible starts with four very profound words: "In the beginning God …" (Genesis 1:1a, ESV)

There are no opening arguments for the existence of God—it is assumed that God exists. God is simply there. God has been there all along. God existed before plants, animals and people, before the earth and the universe. He had no beginning and he will have no end.

God has always been and will always be. The Bible says that God has existed from everlasting past to everlasting future. God is eternal.

 – “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalms 90:2,ESV)

Acts 2:38

I found this fantasticly funny story on a delightful new blog I discovered called Dare To Be Different. If you haven't visited this site yet, I certainly suggest that you do! Here is the story for your delight!

This lady surprised a burglar in her kitchen. He was all loaded down with the things he was going to steal. She had no weapon and was all alone. The only thing that she could think to do was quote scripture. So she holds up a hand and says: "ACTS 2:38!!!"

The burglar quakes in fear and then freezes to the point that she is able to get to the phone and call 911 for the cops. When the cops arrive, the burglar is still frozen in place. They are very much surprised that a woman alone with no weapon could do this. One of them asked the lady: "How did you do this?"

The woman replied, "I quoted scripture."

The cop turned to the burglar: "What was it about the scripture that had such an effect on you?"

The burglar replied: "Scripture! What scripture? I thought she said she had an ax and two 38's."

What Does the Bible Say about...?

Friday's Edition

of

What Does

the Bible Say?

Gospel-Driven Disciples
A -Z Biblical Resource

Send your bible questions to: askpastorgregg@gmail.com

 

This question was asked recently :

"Perhaps Gregg I am a wee bit naive I was under the impression what ever faith one believed in we all praised the same God,but in different ways. I went to church at an early age with my mother and also to Sunday school on a Sunday afternoon, we were taught that there were many religions but only ONE GOD. I know nothing about the Mormon religion I do know they used to knock on our door but left when we told them what our beliefs were. Why are there all these different religions?"

I am so glad you asked this question. It may be philosophically, politically, humanely, and socially acceptable to say that "we all praise the same God in different ways" but it is not biblical. The bible is very clear on how one is given access to God, how one is to worship God, and how one is made righteous. That way (John 14:6) is Jesus Christ, who is exclusively the only way to God the Father. But we must understand who the Jesus of the bible is and not a Jesus of our own imagination or devising. The Mormons do not believe Jesus to be who he said he was nor do they believe Jesus accomplished the revealed will of the Father as recorded in the Bible. They have a completely different belief structure that opposes what God revealed in the Scriptures.

The reason we have so many different faiths, religions, churches, and denominations is due to the deceptive, crafty, and deceitful work of Satan as he attempts to draw people away from the truth into half truths or into "no truth" in order to worship an imaginary God which actually is no God. Satan, the bible says, parades about as an angel of light deceiving people. He doesn't care if we worship or if we are religious as long as we do not worship the God of the bible.

There are only two religions, not many. One, which is biblical and reveals justification before God by faith and nothing else, and the religion contained in hundreds of different flavors and names that seek to justify men before God by human works, exercises, efforts, or synergistically.

Sunday School may teach there is one God but many religions, but that doesn't make it true. Deception is deadly, deadly to the soul and leads men to hell. Satan is an artist and expert at deception.

Jesus Christ died according to an agreement or covenant that He made with the Father in eternity past in order to appease, propitiate or satisfy God the Father due to the sin of the human race. When one believes in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross by God given gift of faith, one is justified through the vehicle of faith. God forensically declares that person just. Justification is not infused, earned, or obtained by any self effort or cooperation with God.

So many religions exist to mask, hide, destroy, or alter this truth. One must recognize their sin against God, repent of that sin - which involves turning from sin and turning to Christ as the only means of salvation, forsaking any and all human effort and energy.

Satan would love to have people believe we are all going to the same place, just on different roads. This however is not true. The way to destruction is broad, the way to eternal life is narrow and there are (the bible says) few who find it.

Today's Pop Quiz

Are You Ready? Bible Up! Go!

Take some time to think through these questions. When you find the answers in the scripture, take some time to:

Read the passage carefully, observing the passage thoroughly. Meditate on the main idea or thought of the passage. Principalize the text for application. We know "bible answers" but do we know bible principles? Do these principles influence our lives. If you are so inclined I would love to see, not just your answers but your meditations. Email me at askpastorgregg@gmail.com

1. John came to prepare the way for whom?

2. What two amazing things happened when Jesus was baptized?

3. How did Jesus prove He has the power to forgive sins?

4. What did Jesus call Himself?

5. Is it possible for a person who has received the word to fall away (see also Galatians 5:4)?

6. What part did the farmer play in the growth of the seed?

7. How did Jesus calm the storm?

8. What had been Jesus’ profession before He began His ministry?

9. Why had Herod arrested John the Baptist?

10. What causes a person to be defiled?

The Passing of Someone Else

“Obituary – Someone Else”

Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, Someone Else.

Someone’s passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person’s share of the work.

Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone’s list, “Let Someone Else do it.” Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; “Someone Else can work with that group.”

It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference.

Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do.

Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did? When you are asked to help this year, remember – we can’t depend on Someone Else anymore.

- Author Unknown

 
Every fellowship has a someone esle, someone who goes steps up and goes beyond the call of duty. Who is the someone in your fellowship and what do they do? What do you do for them?