AN INTRODUCTION TO JESUS CHRIST
BASIC DOCTRINE
Romans 1:8-17
BACKGROUND
The Apostle Paul identifies himself as the writer of the book of Romans.
He claimed his call to be an apostle by Jesus Christ. He wrote the letter
to believers in Rome in 56AD
The Church in Rome got its start after the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. According to Acts chapter 2, there were devout men in Jerusalem from every nation under the sun.
At one time in Rome, there were 50000 Jews( IVP Background Commentary).
In 40 AD, Emperor Claudius expelled all the Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2).
When Paul wrote to the Romans, It was to a Gentile Church.
Services were held in the homes of believers. Perhaps the word
of the faith of the believers of Gentile Church at Rome got back to Paul
from returning Jews. Knowing their need for correct doctrine, Paul was
eager to get to Rome.
PRAISE GOD FOR OTHER BELIEVERS
V:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
A. We should be in the habit of thanking God for the faith of other
Christians.
1. Others do us good by serving Christ and proclaiming His name.
2. You never know the full effect of Christian service on the government
and the community.
3. While the world opposes Christ, the Word of God never loses its
effectiveness..
4. It is the contrast between the world and Christian values that affect
hearts of men and women and drives us to pursue righteousness.
EFFECTIVE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS
B. The Roman Emperor Claudius expelled all the Jews, but
the Church still prospered.
According to Warren C Campbell the Jewish Synagogues cause
problems in Rome.
“It seems plausible, then, that Claudius's ban on the Jewish synagogue
meetings was an attempt to restrict Jewish activity in general terms,
with the intention of limiting any further religious or political
disturbances.”
1. The effort of the government to get rid of the Church, caused it to
grow among their people.
2. The devil is busy in all circles attempting to destroy the Church.
3. The prayers of believers activate God’s power to strengthen the
faith of those who serve.
4. We join in the struggles of believers throughout prayers to Jesus
Christ.
STUDY THE WORD CONTINUOUSLY
V:11. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.
A. Paul was called to preach the Gospel to Gentiles though out the Roman
Empire.
Acts 13:2
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
"Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called
them."
1. The Church in Rome had begun from devout men who were converted by
Peters preaching on the day of Pentecost.
2. While there is no mention of the start of the church in Rome, it could not
have begun without the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. Paul had heard of the faith of the believers in Rome, wanted to be
encouraged by their testimony and to encourage them by his.
4. Paul armed with Christian doctrine could train them in deeper meanings
of their salvation.
5. Paul had been trained in the doctrine of the Old Testament by one of the
best teachers of his time.
Acts 22:3
Then Paul said: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in
this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our
fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.”
B. In the Book of Romans, Paul’s extensive knowledge of the Old
Testament scriptures guided by the insight of the Holy Spirit
provided the church with deeper knowledge into the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
Paul laid out the facts of the gospel in chapters 1-11 and
then summons his readers to reconciliation and mutual service in
chapters 12-15; (from IVP Bible Background Commentary)
1. Church at Rome may have had only limited teaching of The Old
Testament along with Peter’s sermon on the resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
a. The Jews during the time of Jesus taught the Old Testament
scriptures mixed with their historical traditions.
b. Their traditions outweighed the value of the scriptures.
Mark 7:8-9 ( Jesus statement to the teachers of the law)
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of
men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like
things ye do.
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God,
that ye may keep your own tradition.
2. Paul’s letter to the Romans tied the prophecies of the Messiah in
the Old Testament to the risen Christ.
3. We can never get to the point where we know all the mysteries
of the Bible.
2 Tim 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER IN THE LORD
V:13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.
A. Many times God delays our plans to grow us up to the task of the plan.
1. Other times God delays our plan because there are more pressing
work to do in other places.
2. Paul may have started as many as 20 churches before going to Rome.
3. In each church, many individuals were drawn to Christ.
B. Rome was Paul’s final destination.
1. During Paul’s missionary journeys his faith was tried and tested.
2. He wrote 13 of the 26 books in the New Testament.
3. He revisited and strengthen churches previously established.
4. By the time Paul got to Rome he was prepared to die for Christ
which was his greatest testimony.
C. Even though Paul was the appointed apostle to the Gentiles, He preached
to the Jews also.
1. Paul understood that his mission was to preach the Gospel to as many
people and in many places that God placed him.
2. God is no respecter of people and He holds us accountable for
proclaiming the Gospel everywhere we go.
3. We are never off the job of proclaiming Jesus Christ.
4. We are to stay in prayer that God guides our footsteps so that
none miss the opportunity of hearing the Gospel.
D. Each day we should be eager to teach the Word and bring light
those in the dark.
1. It is our job to enlighten each other on the goodness of the Lord.
2. We all need encouragement from time to time.
3. Never miss an opportunity of sharing your testimony
with others.
EXCITED ABOUT THE GOSPEL
V:16. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
A. We have but one mission and that is to glorify God with our testimony
Of His goodness.
1. It is God’s power that saves us from His wrath of our sins.
2. It was by His love that Jesus stepped down out of Heaven to be
our salvation.
B. It is by His grace that we come to know Jesus Christ.
1. John 6:44
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and
I will raise him up at the last day.
2. Not only that, but it is Jesus that enables us to believe in Him.
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of
yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with
sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has
given you.
C. We are all one race in Jesus Christ.
1. Jesus was a Jew by birth. We are all adopted Jews in Jesus.
Eph 1:4-6
In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus
Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his
glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
2. It is impossible to please God without faith in Jesus Christ.
3. Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.
4. We are not righteous in ourselves. The righteousness of Jesus has been
imputed to us.
5. Atonement of our sins comes through faith in Jesus, our risen Savior.
James 2:23
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,
and he was called God's friend.
D. We cannot determine what will be tomorrow.
1. We cannot determine what trials we will face beforehand.
2. What we do know if we trust God, He will guide our path.
Psalms 37:23
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord : and he delighteth in
his way.
THANK GOD FOR THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST
Rev M. Mitchell
Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church
5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North
Houston, Texas 77041
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