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Transcript
BIBLE 1102
ROMANS: PART I
CONTENTS
I.
II.
III.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
2
The Roman Empire • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
3
The Roman Church • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
9
The Book of Romans • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
13
PAUL’S EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS • • • • • • • •
18
Salutation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
18
State of Condemnation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
22
State of Justification • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
28
THE WAY ACCORDING TO ROMANS • • • • • • •
37
Sin • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
37
Salvation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
41
GLOSSARY
50
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Author:
Editor:
Graphic Design:
Tricia Buddin
Alan Christopherson, M.S.
Alpha Omega Staff
300 North McKemy Avenue, Chandler, Arizona 85226-2618
© MM by Alpha Omega Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
LIFEPAC is a registered trademark of Alpha Omega Publications, Inc.
All trademarks and/or service marks referenced in this material are the property of their respective owners. Alpha Omega Publications, Inc.
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ROMANS: PART I
In 2 Timothy 2:15 you have been exhorted to
“study to shew [show] thyself [yourself] approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The
same man who wrote these words authored the
book of Romans. He appreciated the importance of
education. The apostle Paul was a noted Jewish
scholar and a Roman citizen. He had been a
Pharisee well known for his persecution of those
who called themselves Christians. Then one day he
encountered the very Jesus Whom he had been
persecuting, and from that moment he began to
increase in the wisdom and knowledge of Christ. A
yearning grew in his heart to see other young
Christians become established in the doctrine of
Jesus.
The Epistle to the Romans is Paul’s masterly
exposition of man’s need for salvation. He had
found that there is no other foundation that can be
laid than that which is in Jesus Christ (1
Corinthians 3:11). The letter was written to a
group of Christians Paul had never met, yet he
intended to visit them as soon as possible. The
book of Romans sets forth the theme of justification by faith and of sanctification through the Holy
Spirit.
In this LIFEPAC® you will scan the Christian
church as viewed in the setting of the mighty
Roman Empire. You will focus on the first eight
chapters of the book of Romans for a close-up of the
basic Christian truths concerning sin, salvation,
and sanctification. Finally, you will be exposed to a
scripturally-based approach to proclaim to others
the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
OBJECTIVES
Read these objectives. The objectives tell you what you will be able to do when you have successfully completed this LIFEPAC.
When you have finished this LIFEPAC, you should be able to:
1.
List the first five emperors of the Roman Empire.
2.
List the five social classes of Rome’s population.
3.
Describe the characteristics of the empire in terms of land area, political control, cities,
education, occupations, and clothing.
4.
Explain the official state religion.
5.
Relate the attitude of the empire toward the Christian church.
6.
Tell how the Christian church began in Rome, where believers assembled, and how they
worshiped.
7.
Tell where and when Paul wrote the Epistle to the Romans.
8.
List at least five reasons why Paul wrote Romans.
9.
Briefly outline the first eight chapters of Romans, chapter by chapter.
10.
Illustrate the Roman form of a letter.
11.
Describe how Paul introduced himself to Roman believers.
12.
Memorize the theme of the letter in Romans 1:16-17.
13.
Explain the downward progression of sin.
14.
Contrast Jewish faithlessness to Abraham’s faithfulness.
15.
Contrast the works of Adam and Jesus.
16.
Explain the transfer from sin and carnality to righteousness and a walk in the Spirit.
17.
Describe the problem of universal sin and its effects.
18.
Relate the process of salvation by faith in Jesus.
19.
Define the process of sanctification through Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
20.
Memorize the following Scriptures: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:1, Romans
5:8, Romans 6:11, and Romans 8:1.
1
Survey the LIFEPAC. Ask yourself some questions about this study. Write your questions here.
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I. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Before studying any book of the Bible, you
should gain an understanding of the historical perspective of the author. Though every word of
Scripture is relevant today, you must keep in mind
the fact that the authors were real people, writing
to real situations. The inspiration of the Holy Spirit
has revealed to us Jesus Christ, through God’s
eternal Word. In this section you will explore the
Roman Empire at the time when the apostle Paul
wrote his Epistle to the Romans; you will discover
how the Roman Church began and functioned; and
you will determine when, where, and why Paul
wrote the book of Romans.
SECTION OBJECTIVES
Review these objectives. When you have completed this section you should be able to:
1. List the first five emperors of the Roman Empire.
2. List the five social classes of Rome’s population.
3. Describe the characteristics of the empire in terms of land area, political control, cities,
education, occupations, and clothing.
4. Explain the official state religion.
5. Relate the attitude of the empire toward the Christian church.
6. Tell how the Christian church began in Rome, where believers assembled, and how they
worshiped.
7. Tell where and when Paul wrote the Epistle to the Romans.
8. List at least five reasons why Paul wrote Romans.
VOCABULARY
Study these words to enhance your learning success in this section.
equestrian
exactitude
forum
freedmen
pantheism
plebes
Praetorian guard
procurators
saint
senatorial aristocracy
stole
syncretism
toga
tunica
Note: All vocabulary words in this LIFEPAC appear in boldface print the first time they are used. If you are
unsure of the meaning when you are reading, study the definitions given.
2
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Throughout the histories of the world, one of
the most impressive of ancient civilizations has
been the Roman Empire. It included the land areas
around the Mediterranean Sea. Its millions of peo-
ple spoke many languages, were engaged in many
occupations, and worshiped many different gods;
but they were united by the military power and
government of the Romans.
The political situation. At the time the book
of Romans was written, Rome was the capital center of the civilized world. The Roman government
possessed the coastal land areas of Europe, Asia,
and Africa surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.
Commerce flourished throughout the empire.
Because of excellent roads and seaports, communication and transportation were easily accessible.
The city of Rome was the great metropolis of the
vast empire, and because of power, fame, and popularity, Rome became known as the Eternal City.
Rome was noted for its development of civil law
and legal justice. The enforcement of law and order
was designated to district governors and Roman
soldiers. The Roman army formed a civilizing force
as well as a conquering one. When soldiers were
neither fighting nor patrolling the empire’s boarders, they were building roads, bridges, and walls. A
handpicked group of soldiers served as bodyguards
for the emperor and were called the Praetorian
Guard.
The early Roman Empire was a cultural world
of holidays and festivals featuring public entertainment at government expense. Charioteers
raced the oblong arena called a circus.
Amphitheaters, such as the Colosseum, featured
mighty gladiators matched with each other or with
wild beasts, condemned criminals, or Christians.
They were sometimes thrown to lions or other animals for the amusement of governmental authorities and the public’s pleasure. Roman theaters presented Greek and Roman plays. Huge establishments known as public baths housed pools, gymnasiums, art galleries, and libraries. The empire was
a world within a world.
3
Generally, the first 100 years of the history of
Rome is described in terms of the personal lives of
the emperors. Many were inferior men, but
through the reigns of both good and bad emperors,
competent administrators gave the Roman government the efficiency to become one of the world’s
greatest empires.
leader, he was among the best; but as an emperor
he did not know how to work well with the governing society of the capital. He made the mistake of
turning over temporary rule to a friend named
Sejanus while he retreated to the island of Capri.
Sejanus murdered all followers of Tiberius and
ruled a reign of terror for five years. In retaliation,
Tiberius had Sejanus put to death and continued
killing anyone whom he mistrusted. During the
reign of Tiberius, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Jesus Christ was put to death. The
emperor’s death in A.D. 37 was a relief to the governing class in Rome.
The grandnephew of Tiberius became the third
emperor of Rome. His real name was Gaius, but he
is known by his nickname Caligula. The first eight
months of his reign were characterized by his mildness and acts of justice. However, he suffered from
a severe illness that left him mentally imbalanced,
resulting in a reign of cruelty and torture. He considered himself a god and had a temple built in his
honor. In A.D. 41 he was murdered by the officers
of his own guard.
The First Emperors of Rome
Name
Augustus
Reign
27 B.C–A.D. 14
Tiberius
A.D. 14-37
Caligula (Gaius)
A.D. 37-41
Claudius
A.D. 41-54
Nero
A.D. 54-68
Augustus, first Roman emperor, for whom the
month of August is named.
Around 27 B.C., shortly before the birth of
Jesus, Augustus named himself emperor. He was
the supreme authority, aided and advised by
appointed senators. During his reign he restored
peace and order to the land after 100 years of civil
wars. He developed an efficient postal system,
improved harbors, and established colonies. An
elaborate highway system connecting the most
remote parts of the empire with Rome was built
during his reign. Thus evolved the phrase, “all
roads lead to Rome.” Augustus introduced many
reforms, and the resulting peace and prosperity
won him the admiration and great respect of the
people.
After Augustus’ death, his stepson Tiberius
became emperor. He followed the peaceful policies
laid down by Augustus in the early part of his
reign. As a governor of the provinces and military
Caligula was known as the mad emperor of Rome.
The fourth Roman emperor was the nephew of
Tiberius and step-grandson of Augustus. His name
was Claudius. During his reign he formed the
nucleus of the empire’s first cabinet of statesmen.
Another of his outstanding achievements was the
accumulation of the southern part of Britain as a
province of Rome. Claudius was poisoned by his
fourth wife in A.D. 54. She wanted the empire for
her son Nero.
Nero was seventeen when he became emperor,
so the senate actually ruled until he came of age.
When Nero began to rule, he had his stepbrother,
his mother, and his wife murdered. He became like
4
a wild animal, murdering anyone who was the
least suspicious of threatening his position. His
private life was one of wicked immorality. He is
generally regarded as one of the most evil of all
men. In A.D. 64 a great fire destroyed the city of
Rome. Legend says that Nero may have started the
fire himself and played the fiddle while Rome
burned. Nero placed the blame on the Christians
and began severe persecutions under accusations
of arson and treason. The apostle Peter may have
been among those who were killed under Nero.
Paul may have suffered from his persecutions as
well.
Nero motioning thumbs down, which meant death
for a gladiator in the arena.
➨
Match the following items. (Do not match name for name.)
1.1
_____
Praetorian Guard
a. Augustus
1.2
_____
Eternal City
b. baths
1.3
_____
self-acclaimed emperor
c. Rome
1.4
_____
Tiberius
d. Gaius
1.5
_____
Augustus
e. emperor’s bodyguard
1.6
_____
Caligula
f. Tiberius
1.7
_____
second emperor
g. roman soldiers
1.8
_____
persecuted Christians
h. reformer
1.9
_____
Nero
i. Claudius
1.10
_____
formed first cabinet
j. center of civilized world
1.11
_____
circus
k. played the fiddle while Rome burned
1.12
_____
gymnasiums
l. chariots
1.13
_____
built roads
m. Sejanus
1.14
_____
Rome
n. Nero
➨
Fill in the following chart with the correct names and dates.
1.15
_____________________________________
27 B.C.-A.D. 14
1.16
_____________________________________
A.D. 14-A.D. 37
1.17
Caligula
____________________________________
1.18
Claudius
____________________________________
1.19
_____________________________________
A.D. 54-A.D. 68
5
➨
Answer true or false.
1.20
1.21
1.22
1.23
1.24
1.25
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
➨
Write the name of the emperor to which the statement applies.
1.26
1.27
1.28
1.29
1.30
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
The Roman Empire included all of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Tiberius was emperor when Jesus was born.
Caligula was known as the mad emperor of Rome.
Gaius was Caligula’s nickname.
Rome was noted for civil law and legal justice.
Claudius was poisoned by his fourth wife.
the grandnephew of Tiberius
accumulated the southern part of Britain
emperor when Jesus was put to death
brought peace to Rome
developed an efficient postal system
The population. The Roman Empire was
composed of all different races of people. No one
was an “average Roman.” Germanic tribesmen, cultured Greeks, Jewish scholars, and Egyptian farmers were included among those who claimed
Roman citizenship. One common denominator
among this variety of peoples was the use of one
common language. Many other languages were
spoken within the empire, but Greek was spoken
in all the provinces during the first century.
Creation of unity among the diverse nationalities was the most serious internal problem for the
empire. The problem was attacked politically by
the emperors; either the Roman government was
superimposed on the native governments of the
provinces, or a client king was recognized. In either
case, the Roman presence was clear to all. The
Roman Empire recognized the emperor as the
supreme authority to the point of making him a
god. He was advised by a senate of about six hundred men. The provinces were ruled by governors,
also called procurators, appointed by the emperor. The provinces had little voice in the government, but local officials were permitted to manage
local affairs.
Taxation was a constant reminder of Roman
authority. Roman soldiers patrolled the provinces
to maintain peace among them and to protect them
from non-Roman invasion. The price that the
provinces paid for peace consisted of accepting
Roman political institutions and paying the high
taxes. Aside from political control, Rome did not
intrude into social and religious affairs in the
provinces.
Social classes among the Romans were very
definite. Money and talent were beginning to be
more significant than birth and legal status. Five
basic classes were seen. The top class was the sen-
A Roman Soldier In Full Armor
atorial aristocracy. Besides being noble by birth,
these people were required by Augustus to meet a
monetary worth requirement comparable to
$50,000. The chief source of such capital for senatorial families was land and commerce. The second
class was the equestrian order. Their capital
requirement was $20,000. They were successful
businessmen who often became the governors of
Roman provinces. The class of freedmen, or emancipated slaves, composed the third class of Roman
society. They were often aggressive businessmen
able to become wealthy and occupy positions of
power. Some were employed by the emperor to
manage administrative departments of the government. The fourth class was made up of plebes.
They were freeborn Romans but were poor and
6
often on public relief. They served as construction
workers, farm hands, and common laborers. Their
wages were low because they had to compete with
slaves for jobs. Slaves formed the bottom rung of
the social ladder. Slavery was accepted throughout
the Mediterranean world, and the ranks were
filled with Rome’s conquered people. Most provincial foreigners were considered equal with slaves
unless citizenship was granted to them by the
emperor. Citizenship was granted mainly to native
political leaders in the provinces or to those persons who made outstanding contributions to the
empire.
Roman dress often indicated a person’s social
class. Both men and women wore a short-sleeved
garment called a tunica that hung to the knees.
Over this, the men who were Roman citizens wore
a toga, an oblong drape with rounded corners. The
style and color of the toga varied according to the
person’s age and position. Women wore a similar
garment called a stola, a long tunic fastened with
clasps. Both citizens and noncitizens wore cloaks of
various shapes. Their clothing was homemade, and
styles seldom changed. Both men and women wore
sandals. The women were especially fond of elaborate jewelry and ornate hair styles. Sometimes
they dyed their hair and powdered it with gold
dust. The temperature around the Mediterranean
remained mild in the winter and hot in the summer, much like the climate of southern California.
Therefore, they wore the same clothes year round.
In spite of class distinctions, schools were available for a wide range of men, women, and children.
They were not exclusively for the wealthy. The
three levels of education included primary, secondary, and advanced. At age seven, children entered
the primary school where they learned the Greek
and Latin classical writers, music, and mathematics. In the secondary schools, students learned to
write in the classical style. Professional occupations of law, rhetoric, medicine, and philosophy
were learned in the advanced level of education. If
a person attended all three levels, he generally finished at about age twenty. Jewish education was
parallel to the Roman structure, but the curriculum consisted almost entirely of the Scriptures.
The occupations of the people were much the
same as they are today. Mining ranked among the
most important industries because of the needs
involved in vast building projects. Manufacturing
varied from province to province throughout the
Roman Empire: perfume from Alexandria, silk
from Phoenicia, wool from Pergamum, bronzeware
from Corinth, and glassware from Syria. Traders
had plenty of business importing grain, drugs, precious stones, and ivory and exporting oil, wine, and
manufactured goods. Agriculture formed a basis of
economic life in the Roman Empire. Romans grew
all varieties of fruits and vegetables. Olive trees
yielded olives for food and oil. Livestock of many
kinds was tended. Rich landowners often owned
houses in the country and in the city. Even when
Rome became a vast empire years later, agriculture was regarded as the only fit occupation for a
gentleman.
The cities of the Roman Empire generally
resembled the city of Rome. At the time of
Augustus, the population of Rome was about one
million. Elaborate mansions were owned by the
wealthy, and private dwellings were owned by
many others. Most Romans were crowded into
apartment houses built five to six stories high.
They were built close to the crowded, twisting,
unmarked streets of the city. Residential areas and
shops surrounded a group of public buildings
called a forum. Temples were erected throughout
the city in honor of the various gods. The magnificent buildings of the Eternal City were ornamented with white marble, triumphal arches, and great
columned porches. The Romans borrowed much of
their style from the Greeks, but made their buildings larger and more ornate.
Transportation throughout the empire was
easily accessible. The Romans traveled more easily,
quickly, and safely than any other people before
them or after them until the 1700s. Seaports were
located all along the Mediterranean coast. On land,
the famous Roman road system connected all parts
of the empire. Wealthy people hired carriages and
drivers, but most Romans walked or rode horses or
mules.
The Romans sent news by sea more often than
by land because it was faster. The postal system
was established on land, but it was used only for
official governmental correspondence. Generally,
businesses and wealthy individuals provided their
own messenger systems. Any important announcements were either posted on buildings or, in the city
of Rome, circulated in a government newspaper.
7
➨
1.31
1.32
1.33
1.34
1.35
1.36
Answer true or false.
____________
No one was an “average Roman.”
____________
The emperor Gaius considered himself a god.
____________
The provinces were ruled by senate members.
____________
High taxes were a means of maintaining Roman political control.
____________
Social and religious life was strictly censored in the provinces by Roman officials.
____________
Only the elite were allowed an eduction.
➨
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words or phrases.
1.37
The Roman Empire consisted of the land areas around the __________________________________ .
1.38
The common language of the early empire was __________________________________ .
1.39
The provinces paid for peace by accepting Roman institutions and ___________________________ .
1.40
The emperor was advised by the __________________________________ .
1.41
Another name for the governor of the provinces was __________________________________ .
1.42
The elite social class was the __________________________________ .
1.43
Governors were usually selected from the __________________________________ order.
1.44
The class of freedmen, or _____________________________ , generally became wealthy and occupied
positions of power.
1.45
The fourth social class consisted of free-born Romans called __________________________________ .
1.46
Most provincial foreigners were considered equal with __________________________________ .
1.47
The main sources of income for senatorial families were commerce and ______________________ .
1.48
One of the empire’s major industries was __________________________________ .
1.49
Another basis of Roman economic life was __________________________________ .
1.50
Jewish curriculum consisted mainly of a study of the __________________________________ .
1.51
The group of public buildings surrounded by residential areas was called the ________________ .
1.52
Many forms of Roman art and architecture were borrowed from the _________________________ .
1.53
The postal system was only for __________________________________ correspondence.
➨
List the names of the five social classes in rank from highest to lowest.
1.54
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1.55
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
1.56
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
1.57
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
1.58
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
8
➨
Name the articles of clothing.
1.59
1.60
1.61
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
1.59
➨
1.62
1.60
1.61
Complete this activity
Using the past two sections of material, pretend you were on a tour of the ancient city of Rome.
Describe in detail all the features of the Eternal City on another piece of paper. Your teacher
will check your essay with you.
✔
Adult check ______________________
Initial
Date
THE ROMAN CHURCH
God has all the history of the world in the
palms of His infinite hands. Nothing has ever happened outside of His control. Before the Christian
church developed, He set the stage for it in the
Roman Empire. Though a state religion existed,
the Roman attitude toward religion was conducive
to the growth of the Christian church. Believers
were free to worship when, where, and how they
chose, with very little interference from the Roman
government.
The organization. The Roman Empire was a
conglomeration of many peoples, customs, and reli-
gions. The emperor exercised political control
throughout the empire, but social and religious
affairs were generally not disturbed. Only when
independent religions clashed with the official
state religion did the political powers of the empire
intervene.
The Romans adopted their pantheistic beliefs
from the Greeks. They worshiped individual gods
that were personified abstractions of the powers of
nature such as the sun, moon, thunder, and wind.
Besides the major deities, they had thousands of
lesser gods because the Romans believed that a dif9
ferent god represented every object as well as the
many events that occurred in a person’s life. For
example, they had a goddess of fever, a god of gold
coins, a god of a door, etc. Such a religion was never
a matter of feeling, but of form. Pleasing the gods
was dependent upon the exactitude of prayers
uttered and the perfection of all ceremonial activities. The slightest error in word or gesture would
invalidate the entire proceeding. Sometimes the
same ritual was repeated thirty or even fifty times
because of one wrong movement.
Since the emperor was the most powerful person alive, he was also considered deity. He was
believed to have in his hands the ultimate destiny
of all the people residing within the boundaries of
the Roman Empire. Imperial worship included reverence to the emperor himself and to his image,
whether it be a portrait or life-size statue. Often in
festival parades, as the emperor rode past, the people were expected to bow before him in adoration.
Under the reigns of Gaius and Nero, imperial worship included making a sacrifice to the emperor.
Though a state religion existed, the Roman
religious policy was one of syncretism. The government tolerated all religions of its conquered
peoples and did not impose worship of their gods as
exclusively powerful. Such a disposition allowed
Jews to settle in all parts of the Graeco-Roman
world and to administer Jewish government under
Roman authority. Jewish synagogues were found in
almost every city. In many cases the synagogues
furnished opportunity for the planting and growth
of Christian truth.
At first the presence of Christianity was unnoticed by Roman officials. It appeared to them merely as a reformed and more spiritual form of
Judaism. Christians were only another Jewish sect.
This friendly relationship became strained when
Gentiles began to be converted. Exclusive Judaism
finally began to persecute the infant church to the
point of accusing Christians before Roman courts.
At first the Roman government protected the new
faith, not only from Jews, but also against the populace. Acts 21:27-32 records the story of Roman soldiers helping Paul escape a mob of people in
Jerusalem who were trying to kill him. Christian
missionaries such as Paul soon recognized an ally
and a power for good in the Roman Empire. In
writing to Roman Christians, Paul counseled them
to submit in obedience to the ruling authorities
(Romans 13:1). Toward the accusation of the Jews
against their rivals, the Romans either showed
indifference (Acts 18:12-16) or recognized the innocence of the accused, as did both Felix (Acts 24:2225) and Porcius Festus (Acts 25:24-27). The Jews
finally disowned Christians in formulating a
charge of disloyalty to Caesar (Acts 17:5-7), thus
making a strong distinction in the eyes of Rome
between Jews and Christians. Christians were no
longer considered a Jewish sect, but were recognized as a distinct religion based in the person and
teachings of Jesus Christ.
➨
Complete the statements.
1.63
The Roman policy toward religion was one of __________________________________ .
1.64
Roman pantheism was an adaptation of the beliefs of the __________________________________ .
1.65
Belief in nature and nature gods is called _____________________________ .
1.66
Romans believed _________________________________ was more important than feeling.
1.67
The institution that fostered the planting and growth of Christianity was the
__________________________________ .
1.68
The Roman government first thought Christianity was a __________________________________ .
1.69
Christians were charged as being disloyal to __________________________________ .
1.70
Who were the Christians’ first persecutors? __________________________________
➨
Answer these questions.
1.71
Why did the Romans worship the emperor? Give a complete answer. ________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
10
1.72
1.73
1.74
How did the Romans worship the emperor?_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
What was Gallio’s response to Jewish accusations?_______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
How did Felix respond to the Jews’ charge against Paul?__________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
The local church. The church is an organism
held together by belief in the Lord Jesus, by participation in a common life and salvation, and by common aims and interests. The New Testament use of
the term church carries with it the concept of holiness. The term was specifically applied to groups of
believers assembled together for the worship of
God, the exercise of discipline, the edification of fellow believers, and the fulfillment of Christian service. By the time the apostle Paul wrote his letter to
the Romans, many such churches had been formed
throughout the Roman Empire. Scholars do not
know exactly who founded the church at Rome. It
was probably not founded by Peter, since his ministry was to the Jews, as we are informed in
Galatians 2:9. Paul had not yet been to Rome.
Probably the nucleus of the church at Rome had
been formed by the Romans who were at
Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Twenty-eight
years lapsed between Pentecost and the time Paul
wrote to the Romans. During those years,
Christians migrated to the capital city from
throughout the empire.
Some who settled in Rome were Paul’s own converts and intimate friends. In Romans chapter 16,
Paul greeted twenty-four of his acquaintances who
had relocated in Rome. Paul’s first greeting is to
Priscilla and Aquila. Acts 18:1-3 relates Paul’s first
meeting with them. We are told that the Jews were
banished from Rome at the command of Emperor
Claudius. Aquila and his wife Priscilla were among
them. They settled in Corinth, where they lived
and worked with Paul over a year and a half.
Subsequently, the couple moved back to Rome and
became teachers of a Roman congregation that
assembled in their home.
The Roman congregation consisted of Christian
Jews and Gentiles. The church was a mixed community socially and racially. Generally, Christian
communities of the first two centuries derived
their adherents from the lower classes of the
Roman population—slaves, freedmen, free-born
Roman citizens of low rank, and non-Romans of
various nationalities.
Apparently, the believers in Rome were not
centrally organized. Rather, they were associated
into various small groups. In Romans 16:5, Paul
mentions “the church” that met in the house of
Aquila and Priscilla. In Romans 16:10-11, Paul
addressed the households of Aristobulus and
Narcissus. Romans 16:14 refers to five men and
“the brethren which are with them” as an individual unit. Lastly, verse 15 salutes another group
consisting of “…Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and
his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which
are with them.”
Paul’s traditional greetings to the churches at
Corinth, Galatia, and Thessolonica are not the
same as his greeting to the Romans. Rather than
specifying the church, “the church of Rome,” Paul
simply greets (Romans 1:7) “all that be in Rome,
beloved of God, called to be saints…” Such a salutation includes all small groups of believers found
in the capital city.
Since Jewish Christians were influential members of Roman congregations, the term synagogue
could have been employed to designate the assemblies. James 2:2 is a good example of this. James
was admonishing all Christian churches to halt discrimination in favor of the wealthy in the “synagogue.” Generally the apostles began their evangelistic efforts in Jewish synagogues and transferred
their labors from there to other meeting places
when opposition forced them to do so. If synagogue
members had been united in accepting Jesus as
Lord, it would easily have been transformed into a
Christian church with very few modifications.
After a group of believers were cast out of a
synagogue and met together for worship, the older
and more experienced men would by common consent become the leaders, or elders, of the church.
Once a church was established in basic doctrine,
the evangelistic apostle would move on to the next
city, leaving the appointing of leadership to the
local assembly. At the time Paul’s Epistle to the
Romans was written, the office of deacon or deaconess was already recognized (Romans 16:1), but
basically the churches had very little structure. By
11
the time Ephesians and Timothy were written,
much more structure had been introduced
(Ephesians 4:11-13, 1 Timothy 3:1-13).
The worship of early Christians was very free
and informal. Mainly, it consisted of prayer, the
singing of psalms, the exercising of the gifts of the
Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, and
the reading and exposition of the Scriptures.
Church meetings were essentially free from mere
ceremonialism.
➨
1.75
1.76
1.77
1.78
1.79
➨
However, the rites of baptism and the Lord’s
Supper were ordinances recognized by all
Christian churches. The Lord’s Supper, or “love
feast,” was a full meal shared by believers for fellowship and the commemoration of the Lord’s atoning work on the part of baptized believers. The crux
of the Christian church, then as now, was uniting
in worship and fellowship around the person of the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Choose the best answer to complete these statements.
The Christian community was not considered an organization held together by
________________________________________________________________________________________________ .
a. participation in a common life
c. the founding of a popular apostle
b. belief in the Lord Jesus Christ
d. common aims and interests
The church at Rome was probably founded by __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________ .
a. Paul
c. Aquila and Priscilla
b. Romans present in Jerusalem
d. Peter
on the Day of Pentecost
The Christian community was mainly comprised of ____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________ .
a. the lower classes of the empire
c. the wealthy and powerful
b. Paul’s own converts and friends
d. Jewish believers
Priscilla and Aquila were not ______________________________________________________ .
a. Jews
c. Paul’s friends
b. banished from Rome
d. Gentiles
When moving into a new area for the purpose of evangelizing, the apostles generally went first
to _______________________________________ .
a. a love feast
c. a synagogue
b. a home church
d. a forum
Complete these activities.
1.80
List four general reasons why believers assembled together.
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
d. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
1.81
List four elements used in worship in the early Christian church.
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
d. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Complete this activity.
➨
1.82
Briefly describe how Paul met Priscilla and Aquila and what position they held in the Roman
church. _________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
12
THE BOOK OF ROMANS
Paul had never been to Rome so he did not actually know the church in the capital city. Yet, apparently the witness of the church in Rome had spread
throughout the empire. Paul believed that, because
the Roman church had begun without any authoritative leadership, Roman Christians needed a thorough
grounding in the fundamental doctrines of the faith.
The first eight chapters of the book of Romans illustrate Paul’s fears that Judaizing influences, with all
their legalistic Jewish traditions, might reach Rome
and destroy the work of God among the people.
After delivering the collection to Jerusalem, Paul
hoped to visit Rome. From Rome, he intended to carry
the gospel to Spain. Thus, he wrote to acquaint
Roman Christians with his desires to use Rome as a
base for evangelism in Spain and to secure the financial support of that church for his work farther to the
west.
Paul learned that a woman named Phoebe, a deaconess in the Corinthian church, was preparing to
sail to Rome (Romans 16:1-2). Her visit presented an
opportunity for Paul to send his letter to the saints in
that city. The Roman Empire had no postal system
except for official governmental business. Personal
letters had to be carried by friends or special messengers.
The church in Rome was already showing the
vitality that later would play a significant role in
the history of the world. Yet Paul wrote his letter to
the Roman church, which he had never personally
visited, to introduce himself and to establish the
growing church in the basic doctrines of Jesus
Christ.
The occasion. During several years of intense
missionary activity, Paul had been collecting contributions from the Gentile churches in Greece and
Asia Minor for the needy Jerusalem church, which
had been the springboard for the Christian church
as a whole. (The collection is referred to in Acts
11:27-30.) His hope was that these gifts would
allay certain suspicions that some in the Jewish
Christian community at Jerusalem felt toward him
concerning his activities with the Gentiles. The collection had been completed when the apostle Paul
Paul’s Third Missionary Journey
wrote to the Romans. Paul was awaiting an opportunity to personally present the gifts in Jerusalem.
At the time the letter was written, Paul was in the
midst of his third missionary journey. The dating of
the letter is generally accepted as the winter of
A.D. 57-58, during the fourth year of Nero’s reign.
The letter was written shortly after the composition of 2 Corinthians, during Paul’s three-month
visit to Greece referred to in Acts 20:2-3. It was
probably written in Corinth from the home of
Gaius, a wealthy Corinthian Christian (Romans
16:23).
Phoebe, Paul’s Letter Bearer
13
➨
Fill in the blanks with the correct answers.
1.83
Paul wrote to the Romans during his ___________________________ missionary journey.
1.84
The ruling Roman emperor at the time the letter was written was __________________________ .
1.85
His host was a wealthy Christian named ___________________________ .
1.86
Paul had just completed writing ___________________________ .
1.87
The dating of Romans is the winter of ___________________________ .
1.88
Paul planned to travel to ___________________________ after visiting Rome.
➨
Complete this list.
1.89
List four reasons why Paul wrote the book of Romans.
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
c.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
d. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
➨
Answer the following questions.
1.90
Why did Phoebe deliver the letter to the Romans? ____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
1.91
Why did Paul want to go to Jerusalem before visiting Rome?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
The persuasion. Paul had never personally
visited the Roman Christians. He had friends in
the various congregations, and was looking forward
to meeting more of the brothers and sisters in the
Lord. Before his personal visit, he felt it necessary
to introduce himself and to send greetings to
friends and coworkers. He was concerned for
Phoebe, his letter bearer, and wanted to commend
her to the church at Rome. Besides establishing
relations, Paul wanted to acquaint Roman believers with his travel plans and ask for their aid concerning the projected trip to Spain.
The letter goes much farther than introducing
Paul and his travel plans. In his letter to the
Romans, Paul gives the most complete, systematic
statement of his theology we have. A much briefer
note would have been sufficient, unless he had
other purposes in mind. Romans is the longest,
weightiest, and most influential of all Paul’s letters. It conveys the full richness of his experience
with Christ as well as the full maturity of his
thought.
Why would the apostle put so much effort into
this letter addressed to a group of believers he had
never met? Perhaps Paul was conscious of a kind of
turning point in his life. He had completed a number of missionary endeavors and was planning to
begin work in a totally new region. He had
preached the gospel in the east: now his attentions
were turned toward the west. He must have
intended this letter to be a summary and restatement of his basic thinking as well as instruction of
the fundamental doctrines of salvation to believers
in Rome. The bulk of the letter deals with the problem of sin and what God has done about it. Paul
attempted to fortify the Romans against the error
of the Judaizers by the careful explanation of the
grace of God, void of human acts of righteousness.
Paul purposed to explain the unbelief of Israel,
indicating its extent and duration, and also reveal
God’s favor toward His “chosen nation.”
Paul urged his readers to become whole-heartedly involved in the full Christian life through participation and interaction with His church body. He
14
admonished the Roman church to remain subject
to higher authorities and to remain in an attitude
of submission and love toward one another, maintaining unity in Christ Jesus.
Paul’s persuasion is one of instructional clarification and admonition written in a style of pater-
➨
1.92
1.93
1.94
1.95
➨
nal tenderness. His letter to the Romans is the
great “Gospel Manifesto” for the world. Paul viewed
Rome as a center of the world for which Christ died
and recognized it as a key city for the dissemination of the “Good News” of Jesus Christ.
Choose the best answer.
Before visiting the Romans, Paul wanted to _____________________________________ .
a. introduce himself
c. commend Phoebe
e. not a, b, or c
b. send greetings
d. a, b, and c
f. only a and b
Paul wanted Roman support for his trip to _____________________________________ .
a. Asia Minor
c. Jerusalem
b. Corinth
d. Spain
The bulk of the letter deals with _____________________________________ .
a. Judaizers
c. sin and God’s solution to it
b. justification through human
d. life in the body of Christ
righteousness
Paul’s letter to the Romans is _____________________________________ .
a. his shortest letter
c. the least influential of his letters
b. a “Gospel Manifesto”
d. instruction only for the chosen nation
Complete the following purposes for Paul’s Epistle to the Romans.
1.100
Paul wrote the book of Romans to:
Fortify them against the errors of the ________________________________________________________ .
Explain the unbelief of _______________________________________________________________________ .
Urge them to participate and interact with __________________________________________________ .
Admonish them to maintain unity by submitting to __________________________________________
and to each other.
Instruct them in the fundamental doctrine of ________________________________________________ .
➨
Answer the following question.
1.96
1.97
1.98
1.99
1.101
✞
Besides the purposes mentioned in 1.96-1.100, why did Paul put so much effort into this letter?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Review the material in this section in preparation for the Self Test. The Self Test will check
your mastery of this particular section. The items missed on this Self Test will indicate specific areas where restudy is needed for mastery.
15
SELF TEST 1
Match these items (each match, 2 points).
1.01
1.02
1.03
1.04
1.05
1.06
1.07
1.08
1.09
1.010
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
procurator
tunica
Roman religious policy
Eternal City
Jews
forum
Phoebe
collection
“Gospel Manifesto”
pantheism
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
group of public buildings
Paul’s messenger
the book of Romans
short–sleeved garment
syncretism
governor of a province
worship of forces of nature as gods
Rome
first Christian persecutors
Jerusalem
Complete these lists (each answer, 3 points).
1.011
1.012
List the first five Roman emperors in the order of their reign.
a. ___________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________
e. ___________________________________________
List the five social classes of the Roman Empire in the order of highest to lowest rank.
a. ___________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________
e. ___________________________________________
Write the letter for the correct answer (each answer, 2 points).
1.013
1.014
1.015
1.016
1.017
1.018
Paul’s planned missionary expansion was to _______________ .
a. Jerusalem
c. Corinth
b. Spain
d. Rome
Women wore an outer garment called a _______________ .
a. toga
c. stola
b. tunica
d. cape
A constant reminder of Roman authority was _______________ .
a. the Praetorian Guard
c. the state religion
b. judaizers
d. taxes
The dating of the writing of Romans was _______________ .
a. A.D. 54-55
c. A.D. 56-57
b. A.D. 55-56
d. A.D. 57-58
The postal system was _______________ .
a. highly developed
c. poorly developed
b. only for the wealthy
d. only for governmental business
The reforming emperor was _______________ .
a. Augustus
c. Nero
b. Caligula
d. Claudius
16
1.019
1.020
1.021
1.022
Roman soldiers did not _______________ .
a. build roads
c. enforce law
b. patrol the empire’s borders
d. govern the provinces
Education was _______________ .
a. reserved for the wealthy
c. only for children
b. available to all
d. available only for professional training
The Christian community was not considered an organization held together by _____________ .
a. belief in the Lord Jesus
c. the founding of a popular apostle
b. common aims and interests
d. a common life and salvation
The bulk of the Epistle to the Romans deals with _______________ .
a. Judaizers
c. justification through human righteousness
b. life in the body of Christ
d. sin and God’s solution for it
Complete the following statements (each answer, 3 points).
1.023
1.024
1.025
1.026
1.027
1.028
1.029
1.030
1.031
1.032
Roman religion was a matter of _____________________ rather than feeling.
Christianity was initially considered by the Romans to be a _____________________ .
The only fit occupation of a Roman gentleman was _____________________ .
The common language used by Romans in the first century was _____________________ .
Apostles began their evangelistic work in the Jewish institutions called _____________________ .
The Roman Empire included the land area around the _____________________ .
Charioteers raced around an oblong arena called a _____________________ .
The emperor’s bodyguards were known as the _____________________ .
Many forms of art and architecture were borrowed from the _____________________ .
Paul’s friends, Priscilla and Aquila, were banished from Rome when _____________________ was
emperor.
Describe the Roman Christian church (this answer, 10 points).
1.033
Include information on how it began, where they met, and what the meetings included.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
✔
88
110
17
Score
Adult check
______________________
______________________
Initial
Date
II. PAUL’S EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
thanksgiving, he launches into the subject of the
world’s desperate need for redemption and the
importance of righteousness in man’s relationship
with God. He explains that this relationship is only
achieved through God’s saving act in Christ. He
reinforces this discussion by describing how a man
should live who has become righteous before God
through His Son.
The Epistle to the Romans, in its sixteen chapters, is the most comprehensive of the Pauline
Epistles. In this LIFEPAC we will study only chapters 1-8. The next LIFEPAC will cover the last half
of the letter. Paul opens his letter with preliminary
comments preparing the readers for all he intends
to write and establishing excellent rapport with
the believers in Rome. After the salutation and
SECTION OBJECTIVES
Review these objectives. When you have completed this section you should be able to:
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Briefly outline the first eight chapters of Romans, chapter by chapter.
Illustrate the Roman form of a letter.
Describe how Paul introduced himself to the Roman believers.
Memorize the theme of the letter in Romans 1:16-17.
Explain the downward progression of sin.
Contrast Jewish faithlessness to Abraham’s faithfulness.
Contrast the works of Adam and Jesus.
Explain the transfer from sin and carnality to righteousness and a walk in the Spirit.
VOCABULARY
Study these words to enhance your learning success in this section.
autonomous
faith
grace
✞
guilt
justification
propitiation
redemption
remission
reprobate
Read Romans 1:1–17.
SALUTATION
Paul’s salutation covers Romans 1:1-17.
Ancient Greek letters usually began with the
names of the sender and those to whom it was
addressed and included a short greeting. Paul
expanded the usual form to express his Christian
faith. Following the salutation, customarily a short
prayer of thanksgiving or a petition on behalf of
the addressee was given. Again Paul followed the
custom in a characteristically Christian way. As a
means of introduction to the body of the letter, a
key sentence or two summarized the theme of the
discourse.
Address (1:1-7). In a winsome way Paul introduces himself to a church he had never met. Any
relationship should be started well since people
often form opinions in the first few minutes of contact. Paul was undoubtedly aware of this fact. He
did not inform his readers of his wonderful
achievements or of his missionary fame. Instead,
he described himself as a servant of Christ. Often
we have met people who introduce themselves with
great self acclaim. Paul’s boasting was of Jesus
Christ.
18
Modern Letter Form
Ancient Roman Letter Form
The introduction tells of Paul’s calling. Paul did
not travel as a tourist. He was on a specific mission
for the kingdom of God. He had not encountered
peril for the purpose of gaining power and position.
He was called by God. This sense of calling sustained him through all the dangers and hardships
that threatened his life daily. Because of the force
of his calling, Paul was separated, or set apart,
“unto the Gospel of God.” In verse 6, he makes clear
that his readers, too, are called of Jesus Christ.
Such a calling can only be fulfilled by separation,
or coming out from, anything that is contrary to the
perfect will of God. Second Corinthians 6:17 says,
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate…” God never calls us out to desert us in a
neutral state of uncertainty. Rather, for every place
from which He calls us, He leads us into a more glorious position. We, like Paul, are called out of the
kingdom of darkness and separated unto the
Gospel of God, which is Jesus Christ.
The letter is addressed to “all that be in Rome”
rather than to a single congregation. Apparently,
several small groups of believers were meeting in
homes or other places throughout the metropolis.
Yet they had a common bond. They were all called
to be saints. A saint is any person made righteous
by the saving blood of Jesus Christ. The address to
the Romans could be summarized as
Paul, the servant (1:1)
wrote to the saints at Rome (1:7)
on the subject of the Saviour (1:3-4).
➨
Write the answers on the lines.
2.1
Paul introduced himself as being a ___________________________________________________________ .
2.2
His boasting was of____________________________________________________________________________ .
2.3
Paul was a. _______________________ of God to fulfill the ministry of an b. ________________________.
2.4
His letter was addressed to ___________________________________________________________________ .
2.5
Who is a saint? _______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________ .
19
2.6
In your own words, explain Paul’s phrase “separated unto the gospel of God.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
➨
2.7
✔
Adult check ______________________
Initial
Date
✔
Adult check ______________________
Initial
Date
Complete this activity.
List or draw the form of a Roman letter.
Witness (1:8-17). After Paul’s greeting to the
church, he extended a prayer of thanksgiving for
the faith of the Roman Christians. As you will see
later in this epistle, Paul developed the concept of
universal sin and human degradation. However, he
began with edifying comments to the readers. This
approach is an example of the spirit of Jesus. Our
Lord always lifts up his children, restores, and
refreshes. He does not insult or condemn. From
God’s first conversation with man recorded in
Genesis 1:28-31 and Genesis 2:16-17, His provisions for love and kindness were demonstrated
before any mention of the one and only restriction.
Again, in the book of of Revelation chapters 2-3, the
pattern of edification is re-established in the
Spirit’s messages to the seven churches. The Holy
Spirit commends the churches before administering any correction. God’s intention is always for his
best for his children. In this same attitude Paul
greeted his Roman brethren with thankfulness and
prayers.
The apostle expressed his wish to personally
visit them. As an apostle, Paul was to establish
churches in the truth of Jesus Christ. A dictionary
explanation of the word establish would include
such meanings as to make stable, to settle, to make
firm, and to secure. Paul intended to fulfill the commission of Jesus recorded in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye
therefore and teach all nations…” The command
was not to “convert and then depart from all
nations,” but to teach them. Such a job involves the
time, energy, and sincere dedication of the teacher.
Jesus was the greatest of all teachers. His
twelve students had learned all they needed to
know in only three short years. It wasn’t the time
spent in learning, but the quality of the education
and the character of the Teacher that mattered.
Jesus’ most popular teaching method was the use
of parables. His goal in teaching was to firmly
implant in his learners the basic principles of life.
He knew that any growth begins with a firm foundation. Read Matthew 7:24-27.
According to Matthew 16:15-19, the church was
to be built on solid rock; but where was this rock?
It was not a specified geographic location. Nor was
it in a human founder, such as Peter. It was the revelation from God in heaven that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of the living God. Once this foun20
dation is laid, “the gates of hell cannot prevail
against it.” This affirmation does not mean that the
church will defensively continue to push back the
forces of hell. Rather, that hell will not be able to
withstand the mighty offensive onslaught of the
church of Jesus Christ. Paul’s job was to firmly
secure believers, like those in Rome, in the awesome rock of victorious salvation.
A consuming passion for the gospel propelled
Paul to continue in his apostolic ministry. The
theme of his letter to the Romans is summarized
in Romans 1:16-17: “For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the
righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
as it is written. The just shall live by faith.” Thus
Paul expressed his sense of obligation by three
simple “I am’s”:
Paul had been beaten, mocked, shipwrecked,
chased out of town, and imprisoned for the sake of
the gospel. Yet he had never wavered from carrying
forward the gospel message. His life had been completely transformed when he encountered the glorified Christ on the road to Damascus. One glimpse
of the risen Lord left Paul with only one message—
faith in Jesus Christ.
Faith is not dependent on keeping rules and
regulations. The Pharisees had already been convicted of that crime by Jesus Himself. Faith is not
dependent on human righteousness. Isaiah 64:6
declares that all our righteousnesses are as filthy
rags in the sight of the Lord. Faith is belief in the
atoning work of Jesus accomplished at Calvary and
evidenced by His Resurrection. Faith comes by
hearing the gospel. Gospel means good news. Paul
knew that to obtain faith, a person must hear the
good news of Jesus Christ.
Ridicule, pain, threat, hardships, and even
death itself could not turn Paul away from
preaching the gospel. Paul was separated unto the
gospel (1:1), serving in the gospel (1:5), and saved
by the gospel (1:16). He recognized that the gospel
is the power of God unto salvation, and nothing
short of this power of God could make anyone a
true disciple of Jesus.
I am debtor (to all people,
Jew and Gentile) Romans 1:14.
I am ready to preach (fulfill
the apostolic ministry) Romans 1:15.
I am not ashamed of the Gospel
of Christ (the message) Romans 1:16.
➨
2.8
2.9
2.10
2.11
2.12
➨
2.13
Choose the best answer. Write the letter and the answer on the blank.
After the initial address, Paul greeted the Romans with _____________________________________ .
a. small talk
c. condemnation
b. edification
d. correction
The work of an apostle is to __________________________________________________________________ .
a. locate physical laborers to build churches
c. establish churches
b. employ pastors
d. travel throughout the world teaching parables
A church must be built _______________________________________________________________________ .
a. on a rock
c. on doctrine
b. in a sandy place
d. in Jesus
Jesus’ Great Commission was to ______________________________________________________________ .
a. teach all nations
c. convert all nations
b. exhort all nations
d. restore all nations
Jesus’ goal in teaching was to ________________________________________________________________ .
a. popularize parables
c. establish learners in the basic principles of life
b. establish schools for disciples
d. become the greatest of all teachers
From memory, write the theme of Paul’s letter.
Chapter and verse _______________________
The theme: ____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
21
➨
2.14
2.15
2.16
2.17
✞
Answer the following questions.
The word gospel actually means what? _______________________________________________________
What is faith dependent upon? _______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
How is faith obtained? ________________________________________________________________________
Why was Paul willing to be an apostle? ______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Read Romans 1:18 – 4:25.
STATE OF CONDEMNATION
Without the saving grace of God, man would
remain in a perpetual state of condemnation. To
emphasize God’s mercy and love, Paul contrasts
man’s sinful nature. Light could not be fully
explained without an understanding of darkness.
We would not know right without some knowledge
of wrong. A solution could not exist without a problem. Therefore, to explain to the Romans the good
news of salvation, Paul first presented the bad
news of universal guilt and the downward spiral of
the human condition resulting in judgment and
condemnation (see Romans 1:18-2:29). Paul narrowed the discussion to the faithlessness of the
Jewish population (Romans chapter 3) and used
the father of the Jews, Abraham, as the example of
how righteousness can be obtained when faith is
exercised (Romans chapter 4).
Guiltiness (1:18-2:29). All the world stands
guilty before God! Hell’s fire leaps higher as the
wrath of God is loosed toward all those who hold
the truth in unrighteousness. In the creation of the
universe, God displayed His magnificence and
splendor, yet man refused to acknowledge the
Creator. Because man would not join in the praises of the created world, God’s judgment of guilt was
branded into the minds and hearts of all mankind.
None stands righteous before God.
Sin can be compared to a cancerous disease.
There seems to be no single cause. Once the disease has developed, if not treated, it begins to
spread until it becomes malignant and incurable.
In Romans 1:18-32, Paul illustrated the spread of
cancerous sin in the diseased body of mankind.
By paralleling Scripture, his explanation can be
clarified.
God’s x-ray of the human heart shows that
“the heart is deceitful above all things…” Jeremiah
17:9. Our condition is hereditary, for we are sons of
Adam. Because God is righteous and true, He must
judge our sinfulness. He has made His laws explicitly clear by setting them into nature so that no
man could misinterpret them unless he deliberately decides to be blind. Ephesians 4:18 says that
men developed their incurable condition by ‘’having the understanding darkened, being alienated
from the life of God through the ignorance that is
in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”
Once we have been exposed to God’s laws, we
become responsible to act in obedience and become
doers of the truth. Those who reject the truth are
22
participates in all the vices mentioned in Romans
1:29-31. That passage is a picture of the human
race as a whole. However, each of us is guilty of
some of the evils mentioned. Often the sin we
detect in others is a mirror reflecting the same
flaws in our own character. Yet it is easier to diagnose the disease in other people than in ourselves.
in very serious trouble according to 2
Thessalonians 2:10-12: “…with all deceivableness
of unrighteousness in them that perish; because
they received not the love of the truth, that they
might be saved. And for this cause God shall send
them strong delusion, that they should believe a
lie: That they all might be damned who believed
not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
The cancer began to grow when, rather than
being thankful to God, men became vain, thinking
themselves to be wise. God’s wisdom was demonstrated at the Cross of Calvary. First Corinthians
1:18 says: “For the preaching of the cross is to them
that perish foolishness; but unto us which are
saved it is the power of God.” Man became
autonomous in his own eyes and made images to
worship rather than worshiping the Creator.
The cancer continued to spread, infecting the
mind and body. People became so separated from
God that they practiced unnatural sexual relationships. Compare stories of similar dishonor in
Genesis 19:1-10, Judges 19:22-26, and Judges
20:13. Both in the Old and New Testaments, God
makes His law against homosexuality clear.
Homosexuality is not inherited, it is learned. (Also
refer to Leviticus 18:22, 1 Corinthians 6:9, and 1
Timothy 1:10). Those who practice such things are
violating the Word of God, and by their lifestyle
calling God a liar. In so doing they puff themselves
up against the knowledge and power of their
Creator. When the mind and body became cancerous to the point that people did not retain God in
their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind. A reprobate person is one who is
depraved, rejected by God, and damned. The fruits
of reprobation are listed in Romans 1:29-31.
In the first sixteen verses of chapter 2, Paul
explained the universality of sin. No one is excluded—not even “good” people. Jesus said in Matthew
7:1-5:
God is the only one Who has the right to judge,
for He alone is pure. Yet God is patient and forebearing. He does not immediately strike us dead
when we commit sin. He is not, like a bullying
stereotyped soldier with a whip in one hand and a
club in the other, waiting for someone to make a
mistake so He can derive pleasure from cracking
that person’s skull. Neither does He (God) pretend
not to notice our sins and simply grant us amnesty.
Rather, by His goodness and longsuffering He is
giving the sinner time to recognize His love and
mercy and to repent. Repentance means to change
one’s mind. If one does not change, but continues in
sin, his heart becomes hardened toward God.
Meanwhile, he incurs God’s wrath against the
Judgment Day. Unto those who continue to seek
the Lord, He will grant eternal life. Deuteronomy
4:29 says, “But if from thence thou shalt seek the
Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him
with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with
what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged:
and with what measure ye mete, it shall be
measured to you again. And why beholdest
thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but
considerest not the beam that is in thine own
eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother; Let
me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and,
behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own
eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast
out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
God does not judge according to wealth, fame,
position, or race. He is no respecter of persons. God
looks on the heart. The Jews inherited the Law of
Moses as a standard for conduct. The Gentiles
were given a law of conscience as a standard.
Therefore both Jew and Gentile could be justly
judged. Romans 2:1-16 lists four standards of God’s
judgment on mankind:
1. according to truth (2:2)
2. according to a person’s deeds (2:6)
3. according to the Law (2:12)
4. according to God’s Gospel (2:16)
Paul basically restated this same principle in
Romans 2:1. He was not saying that every one of us
23
The act of circumcision was a very important
sacrament to the Jewish nation. It was first instigated in God’s covenant with Abraham as recorded
in Genesis 17:9-14. It was a token of the everlasting covenant between God and His chosen nation.
In Deuteronomy 30:6 God said to His people:“...
The Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart, and
the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with
all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou
mayest live.” A real Jew is one who has presented
his heart before God for circumcision by the Holy
Spirit.
Romans 2:17-19 narrows universal guilt to the
guilt of the Jewish nation. Paul addressed God’s
chosen people in much the same attitude as Jesus
did in Matthew chapter 23. Paul, a Jew, was writing to congregations comprised of a considerable
Jewish faction. Therefore, he spoke as “the voice of
authority.” Paul gives a summarizing statement of
a real Jew in Romans 2:29. “But he is a Jew, which
is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the
heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose
praise is not of men, but of God.”
➨
2.18
2.19
2.20
2.21
2.22
2.23
➨
2.24
2.25
Choose the best answer.
Who has been pronounced guilty? ____________________________________________________________
a. Jews
c. no one
b. Gentiles
d. everyone
How did humans catch the cancerous disease of sin? ____________________________________
a. through our parents
c. through Adam
b. by committing acts of sin
d. by exposure to our sinful environment
Why was the disease not cured? _______________________________________________________
a. no one told of the cure
c. God did not want man cured
b. man ignored God’s obvious Law
d. there was no cure
What happens to people who ignore God in their knowledge? ____________________________
a. they become reprobate
c. they are killed
b. they are granted amnesty
d. they become wise
What leads us to repentance? __________________________________________________________
a. the threat of judgment
c. God’s goodness
b. our change of mind
d. our softened hearts
A real Jew is _________________________________________________________________________ .
a. a member of God’s chosen race
c. one whose heart is circumcised
b. a person who follows the Law of Moses
d. a follower of Paul
Complete the following activities.
Write a brief essay on a scripturally–based discussion of homosexuality. Give references to
support your statements. (Hint: See Gensis 19:1-10; Judges 19:22-26 and 20:13; Leviticus
18:22; 1 Corintions 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10; and Romans 1:23-32).
Is there a scriptural solution to the problem of homosexuality? Give at least five Bible references to support your answer. (Hint: See 1 Corinthians 7:9 and 1 John 1:5-9).
✔
➨
2.26
2.27
2.28
Adult check ______________________
Initial
Date
Define these words.
autonomous ___________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
repentance ____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
reprobate _____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
24
BIBLE
1
1
0
2
LIFEPAC TEST
Name
74
Date
93
Score
BIBLE 1102: LIFEPAC TEST
Match the following items (each answer, 2 points).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
first Roman emperor
an apostle
tunica
Judaizers
autonomous
new field of evangelism
sanctification
A.D. 57-58
pantheism
edification
sin
senatorial aristocracy
A.D. 54-68
justification
Greek
equestrian order
Jerusalem
reprobate
syncretism
stola
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
p.
q.
r.
s.
t.
highest Roman social class
common language of Roman Empire
Nero
worship of forces of nature as many gods
Roman attitude toward religion
collection
totally independent
death
Augustus
candidates for procurator
Spain
writing date of book of Romans
damned
under garment
woman’s outer garment
make Jewish proselytes
Paul
greeting
act of God that declares a sinner righteous
an on-going process
Answer true or false (each answer, 1 point).
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
_____________
_____________
_____________
_____________
_____________
Paul wrote the book of Romans from Corinth.
The Roman church was definitely founded by Priscilla and Aquila.
The state religion of the empire included emperor worship.
Paul introduced himself as a servant of Jesus Christ.
Sin is a downward spiral.
Choose the best answer (each answer, 1 point).
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Paul did not write the Romans to _________ .
a. extend greetings
c.
b. establish them in doctrines of faith
d.
A real Jew is _________ .
a. one whose heart is circumcised
c.
b. a member of the Jewish race
d.
The Holy Spirit is the _________ of redemption.
a. token
c.
b. pitch
d.
The source of salvation is _________ .
a. righteousness
c.
b. Jesus
d.
Sin has affected _________ .
a. Jews
c.
b. Gentiles
d.
1
ask them to sponsor the Jerusalem collection
refute the error of the Judaizers
a Jewish proselyte
one who believes in God
seal
representation
Abraham
blood
everyone
Adam
Complete this drawing (this activity, 5 points).
31.
Draw the form of a Roman letter.
Complete the outline (this answer, 10 points).
32.
Outline the first eight chapters of the book of Romans.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
From memory write the following verses of Scripture (each answer, 4 points).
33.
Romans 1:16-17 _______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
34.
Romans 3:23 _________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
35.
Romans 6:23 _________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
36.
Romans 5:1 __________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
37.
Romans 5:8 __________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
38.
Romans 6:11 _________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
39.
Romans 8:1____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
2
NOTES
3
➨
Complete these activities.
2.29
List the four standards of judgment mentioned in Romans chapter 2.
a. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
d. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
2.30
Write examples of man’s sinful nature that are given by Jesus in Matthew and by Paul in
Romans.
Jesus
Paul
Tell others what to do, but do not follow
their own advice.
You teach others but do not teach yourself.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
25
Faithlessness (3:1-4:25). Before his conversion, Paul had spent his life trying to obey the Law
of Moses. He was “a Pharisee of the Pharisees.”
Then he met Jesus Christ and discovered that
legalism was not the way to find God’s favor. He
found that only the grace of God could make a person whole. Yet, Paul did not disown his Jewish heritage. He knew Jews were still God’s covenant people. God had given them the Scriptures (Oracles of
God) and the unconditional promises they contained, but that did not mean that intrinsically
they were any better in God’s sight than any other
nation. The Hebrew nation was called forth to pave
the way for God’s age-long plan of redemption
devised before the foundations of the world.
The covenant with Israel was not an agreement
between equal parties. It was a free institution of
God’s grace. Therefore, the faithfulness of God was
not invalidated by the faithlessness of His
covenant people. However, the failure of the Jews
to fulfill their part of the covenant could not be
excused on the plea that God would receive more
glory because of their failure and that His truth
would shine brighter when His part was fulfilled.
Numbers 23:19 states: “God is not a man, that he
should lie; neither the son of man, that he should
repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath
he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” God is
true, and His judgment is according to truth. If the
Jews insisted on living according to the legalism of
the Law of Moses, then God would judge them
according to that Law. Through experience, Paul
had learned that this requirement was impossible
to perform.
Did the Jews have the answer to pleasing God
in the Law? Paul said “No!” Both Jews and Greeks,
despite the formerly mentioned advantages, stand
on the same ground. All are under the power of sin.
No one is innocent. To make sure his statement
was clearly understood, Paul vividly described the
Judge’s verdict in Romans 3:10-18. Sin means to
miss the mark. Everyone has missed the mark of
God’s righteousness. Nothing man could have done,
or will ever be able to do, would meet God’s standard—not even fulfilling the Law of Moses. As a
matter of fact, God instituted the Law for the purpose of making men aware of their helpless and
hopeless condition.
Imagine a courtroom scene. At a prior hearing,
both Jews and Gentiles were pronounced guilty.
The case has been taken to the Supreme Court of
heaven. God listens to the pleas of both Jews and
Gentiles. The Gentile members say, “We cannot be
held responsible for our actions because we were
ignorant of the laws we transgressed.”
The Judge responds, “Ignorance of the Law is
no excuse, for I wrote my Laws on your hearts. I
pronounce you guilty.”
The Jews’ plead, “We found the Law of Moses
humanly impossible to obey. The standards were
unobtainable.”
God’s sentence is given, “By your own confession you are found guilty of sin. Both Jews and
Gentiles are found Guilty.” There is a pause in the
courtroom. Again God speaks, “Is anyone able to
plead the cause of the accused before I pronounce
the sentence of eternal damnation?” Again there is
silence. No man can give an answer. The Judge
speaks again, “According to justice, mankind must
die, but according to mercy, I have substituted my
Son to die for the sins of the world.”
Jesus stands from His royal throne at the right
hand of His Father and addresses His Highness: “I
am willing to represent these people. It is true that
they are guilty and have committed all manner of
sin. Yet I died in their place that they might be free
from the power of sin. I bore their guilt on the
Cross. Their righteousness is not of their own
accord. For those who believe, their righteousness
is in Me.” At this news, the Judge, the Defense
Attorney, and all those on trial celebrate the glorious pronouncement.
Because (Romans 3:23) “…all have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God;” there is only one
solution to man’s desperate plight. In Romans 3:2426 Paul explained the solution in legal terms. First,
Paul stated the fact of justification. To justify is to
free from blame, to declare guiltless, to acquit (to
release from a specific charge by a judicial decision), or to absolve (implies a setting free from
responsibilities or obligations or from the penalties
for a violation). Simply, justified means an act of
God that declares a sinner righteous. Secondly, justification is by God’s grace. Grace is unmerited
favor. Thirdly, justification is obtained through
redemption in Jesus. To redeem means to ransom,
rescue, buy back, or recover, as by paying a fee. The
fee paid for redemption was the sacrificial blood of
Jesus Christ. God sent forth His Son to be a propitiation through faith in His blood (Romans 3:25;
1 John 2:2; 4:10). Faith does not indicate any work
on the part of the redeemed. It is simply the act of
believing in His blood. Faith is not belief in the historical facts that Jesus lived and died. Nor is it
belief in His moral teachings and character. Faith
is believing in the atoning work of His blood. Only
in His blood is there remission of sins. Remission
means forgiveness, cancellation of a debt, or release
from a penalty.
Our justification was a legal process accomplished by our Redeemer because of the love of
God. At Calvary, Jesus broke the power of sin. He
26
not only forgave our sinful acts, eliminated the general state of sin, and delivered us from the penalty
of sin; but He also freed us from the consciousness
of guilt. The result of sin is guilt, which propels us
to hide and keeps us in a state of fear and selfdegradation. No one can accuse us of anything God
has forgiven and forgotten—not even ourselves.
Our justification is by faith. Does this fact
mean that the Law is done away with entirely? No!
Jesus fulfilled all the Law. Therefore, if we are
found in Him, rather than throwing away the Law
we establish it. The Law is not bad. God used it to
pave the way for its fulfillment, Jesus Christ. The
Old Covenant God made with Israel led the way to
the fullness of God’s promises revealed in the New
Testament. The message of the New Testament is
the salvation of mankind, both Jew and Gentile,
through faith in Jesus Christ the Lord.
In Romans chapter 4, Paul used the illustration
of Abraham to exemplify faith, rather than obedience to Law, as the source of our righteousness.
Paul took great pains to establish the Roman congregations in the principle of justification by faith
so that they would not be negatively influenced by
the common teaching that Gentiles must become
Jewish proselytes to become Christians. The teaching held that God’s promises were only to Abraham
and his seed, those who were of the circumcision.
Paul undermined this line of reasoning by pointing
to the fact that the rite of circumcision was a result
of faith in God, which was credited as his righteousness.
Paul chose the “father of the Jews” as his example of faith. God’s call to Abraham caused him to
leave the comforts and securities of an established
home to wander in the uncertainties of the
unknown. Yet he was not alone. God was always
with him. Abraham trusted God, for he knew His
promises were sure. It was through this unquestioning faith that God would fulfill what He had
spoken that was counted as righteousness. God’s
blessings depend neither on our achievements nor
on our perfection in following directions. If they
did, Abraham would have been disqualified at the
conception of his son Ishmael. God’s blessings are
toward those who in faith accept His free gift of forgiveness. Paul cited Psalm 32:1-2 as further verification of the issue, when he says in Romans 4:7-8,
“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to
whom the Lord will not impute his sin.” David was
well acquainted with the forgiving kindness of the
Lord. In this psalm he described the torture of carrying his unconfessed sin and the joyous release of
God’s forgiving mercy.
God’s mercy and blessing was not limited to the
Jewish nation, as Paul clarifies in verses 9-16.
Once again the Roman Christians were reminded
that Abraham was justified before he was circumcised. Abraham’s example to future generations
was not of circumcision, but of faith. Faith does not
contend with God. Faith recognizes God’s loving
kindness and acts on it.
In Romans 4:17-25, Paul recounts the amazing
promises of God to Abraham. Abraham was about
one hundred years old and Sarah was about ninety. It was physically impossible for them to become
parents. Yet God kept His word by restoring their
youth and giving them the healthy child of promise. Abraham had remained (Romans 4:21 ) “…fully
persuaded that, what he [God] had promised, he
was able also to perform.” Abraham received three
things by faith:
1. righteousness (4:3)
2. inheritance (4:13)
3. posterity (4:17)
The true heirs of Abraham are those who (Romans
4:24-25) “…believe in him that raised up Jesus our
Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our
offenses, and was raised again for our justification.”
➨
On the blank write the correct term for each meaning. (Use an additional source, if
necessary).
2.31
2.32
2.33
2.34
2.35
2.36
2.37
2.38
justification
faith
___________________
___________________
_________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
grace
redeem
propitiation
atonement
remission
guilt
unmerited favor; privilege freely granted; clemency
enables God to turn to man, to manifest Himself in grace
act of God that declares a sinner righteous
culpable; sense of wrongdoing, result of sin
recover; ransom; buy back
reparation; make amends; expiation; reconciliation
unquestioning belief; confidence; complete trust; allegiance
cancellation of debt; release from penalty
27
➨
2.39
2.40
2.41
2.42
2.43
2.44
2.45
2.46
2.47
2.48
2.49
✞
Answer the following questions.
Who did Paul use as the example of faith? ____________________________________________________
What does sin mean?__________________________________________________________________________
What made the Jewish nation special in the eyes of God? ____________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
What was God’s purpose in giving the Law? __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Why was the covenant not invalidated when the Jews disobeyed? ____________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is the basis for the blessing of God?_____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
What was the teaching Paul was opposing in Romans chapter 4?_____________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
How did Paul refute this error (from 2:45)? ___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
What was the basis of Abraham’s faith? ______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
What three things did Abraham receive as a result of his faith?______________________________
a. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Who are the heirs of Abraham? _______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Read Romans chapters 5–8.
STATE OF JUSTIFICATION
The first four chapters of Romans theologically
dealt with the sinful nature of mankind, the lack of
faith in God by both Jews and Gentiles, and the
futility of trying to earn salvation through circumcision and the Law. Paul used Abraham to illustrate faith which would result in righteousness.
Chapters 5-8 deal with the fruits of faithfulness
and the plan by which Jesus removes our guilt so
that we might become the righteousness of God in
Christ.
Faithfulness (Chapters 5-6). Imagine yourself standing high atop the rim of the Grand
Canyon. Far, far below in a remote crevice near a
bend in the rushing Colorado River, an escaped
criminal hides in fear of being discovered. Though
you are miles higher in altitude, you are as little
able to touch the glittering stars as he. However
28
high our moral standards are set, we can never
attain the righteousness that God requires.
Justification depends on a work done apart
from us, something accomplished at Calvary. In
God’s forgiveness our garment of unrighteousness
is removed. Through justification we are clothed in
God’s garment of righteousness. Justification
buries all our sin and guilt in the grave of Jesus
Christ and then lifts us into heavenly places where
we are victoriously seated with our Savior.
In the first five verses of Romans chapter 5, Paul
gave the progression of the fruits of justification by
faith: Peace ➞ Access to God’s grace ➞ Rejoicing ➞
Hope of Glory ➞ Glorying in tribulations ➞ Patience
➞ Experience ➞ Hope ➞ Love of God.
How could such a marvelous transaction take
place? How could sinful people who deserved to die
be justified? Paul explained it with the tremendous
declaration of Romans 5:8: “But God commendeth
his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In His death, Christ bore
the consequences of our sin, thus reconciling us to
God. Paul made clear that we are the ones
estranged from God. He is not reconciled to us; we
are reconciled to God. As a result of our justification through Christ, we are saved from God’s judgment.
In Romans 5:12-21, Paul presented an analogy
and contrast between Adam and Jesus. He
explained that men are not to blame for being sinners. At birth the nature of Adam was imparted to
the human soul. Adam did not start with a sinful
nature, but he chose it. As a result, this negative
nature became a human hereditary condition. We
sin because we are sinners. However, Christ undid
what Adam began. Through Jesus’ death, atonement was made. Just as one man brought death to
the human race, one man’s death was sufficient to
bring life to those who will receive it. First
Corinthians 15:22 says, “As in Adam all die, even so
in Christ shall all be made alive.” The following
chart summarizes Paul’s message.
Condemnation through Adam
source
nature
extent
cause
measure
effect
from one – first Adam
judgement
unto all; many
disobedience and offense
sin did abound
brought sin and death
Throughout the chapter, Paul repeated the key
phrase much more. He emphasized that although
Adam was the natural head of humanity, the spiritual head had more authority and dominion.
Romans 5:9 “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through him.”
Romans 5:10 “For if, when we were enemies, we
were reconciled to God by the death
of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
Romans 5:15 “But not as the offence, so also is the
free gift. For if through the offence
of one many be dead, much more the
grace of God, and the gift by grace,
which is by one man, Jesus Christ,
hath abounded unto many.”
Romans 5:17 “For if by one man’s offence death
reigned by one; much more they
which receive abundance of grace
and of the gift of righteousness shall
reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”
Justification through Jesus
from one – second Adam
free gift
unto all; many
obedience and grace
grace did much more abound
brought righteousness and life
Romans 5:20 “Moreover the law entered, that the
offence might abound. But where
sin abounded, grace did much more
abound.”
By the repetition of this key phrase, Paul
stressed the excellency of the work of the Cross and
of the new life in Jesus. Everything concerning the
Lord Jesus is far superior to anything outside Him.
As Hebrews 8:6 says, he has “…obtained a more
excellent ministry…”
Paul had strongly insisted that salvation was
an entirely gracious and undeserved gift of God. To
some he may have appeared guilty to the charge of
encouraging sin. Since they were no longer under
the Law and God promised to forgive sin, why
should they not continue sinning so that God could
continue forgiving? In Romans 6:1-14, Paul
emphatically refuted such reasoning by stressing
the importance of baptism. Colossians 3:3 says “For
ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in
God.” Galatians 2:20 further states, “I am crucified
with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but
29
Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in
the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who
loved me, and gave himself for me.” The union with
Christ in His death and Resurrection became the
basis of deliverance from sin. Sin could no longer
take dominion over the life of one who had been
saved by grace unto righteousness.
In Romans 6:15-23, Paul set forth an analogy
from slavery. A person has a choice of serving sin or
serving God. When one is a servant of sin, the
wages are impurity, greater iniquity, and death.
When one is a servant of God, his return is sanctification, righteousness, and eternal life. In one’s
heart he belongs to either sin or God, but not to
both. This relationship does not mean that immediately after becoming a slave to God he can completely overcome all sins, for no one in this life will
ever be beyond the need of God’s mercy. Through
faith in Jesus Christ, however, all the inheritance
of God belongs to those found in Him.
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Complete the list.
List five of the fruits of justification by faith.
a. _____________________________________
b. _____________________________________
c. _____________________________________
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Answer true or false.
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___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
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Briefly answer the following questions.
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Adult check ______________________
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d. _____________________________________
e. _____________________________________
Degrees of righteousness depend on moral standards.
Hope is a result of experience.
The only reason we are sinners is because we sin.
Justification is attained in degrees.
We were estranged from God and therefore had to be reconciled to Him.
At birth, the nature of Abraham is imparted to a person.
When we are justified, we are saved from God’s judgment.
Justification is a free gift of God.
Paul was not encouraging sin by stressing the grace of God.
After baptism, a person never sins again.
What was the cause of condemnation? ________________________________________________________
What was the source of justification? _________________________________________________________
What was the effect of justification? __________________________________________________________
What was the effect of condemnation? ________________________________________________________
What was the extent of condemnation and justification?______________________________________
What is the basis of deliverance from sin? ____________________________________________________
According to Romans 6:4 what should be the effect of our baptism into Christ? ______________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Write the correct answer on the line.
Summarize in short phrases the “much mores” promised in Jesus.
Romans 5:9
Much more:
saved from wrath
Romans 5:10
Much more:
a. ______________________________________________________
Romans 5:15
Much more:
b. ______________________________________________________
Romans 5:17
Much more:
c. ______________________________________________________
Romans 5:20
Much more:
d. ______________________________________________________
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Write an explanation.
In your own words, explain Paul’s analogy of slavery.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Adult check ______________________
Initial
Date
Guiltlessness (Chapters 7-8). Since
Christians are justified by faith, they are free from
the penalty of sin and guilt. However, a struggle
continues in the inward man between the old and
new natures. This struggle could result in guilt
and self-condemnation. Yet God has provided for
total salvation from sin and its adverse results.
Paul systematically explained the process of
removing sin and guilt once a person is justified by
faith. (Read Romans chapters 7-8 again.)
Often in Scripture the relationship between
Christ and His church is compared with the marriage union. Second Corinthians 11:2 states, “For I
am jealous over you with godly jealously: for I have
espoused you to one husband, that I may present
you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” Other similar
Scriptures include Isaiah 62:5; Revelation 19:7;
21:2; 22:17; and Ephesians 5:22-32. Paul used this
sacred union as an analogy in Romans 7:1-6. When
two people marry they are bound to each other
until one of them dies (Genesis 2:24; Matthew
5:32; Mark 10:9; and 1 Corinthians 7:10-11). If
they divorce and remarry, according to Romans
7:3, they live in the state of adultery. However, if
one of them dies, then the other is no longer bound
to the deceased spouse, but is free to remarry.
Likewise, once a person dies to the Law by accepting justification through Christ, he is free to be
married to the grace of Jesus. Through the atonement of the Lord’s blood we are loosed from the
bondage of the Law, and are freed to serve the spirit of the Law which is found in Christ Jesus (refer
to Matthew chapters 5-7).
Paul found it necessary to explain that the
Law in itself is not an evil culprit. The Law was
given as a preparatory measure to educate men of
their need of a Savior. Galatians 3:24 says,
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring
us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
The Law was given to allow us to distinguish right
from wrong. Sin was not known until the Law was
given. Therefore, since the Law is not evil, the real
enemy is sin.
When Adam was in the Garden of Eden he was
in a somewhat blissful state of innocence, enjoying
the goodness of a life in God. He could have continued in that state even after God forbade him to
eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
which would bring death. Satan tempted Adam
and Eve to disobey God. When they tasted of the
knowledge of good and evil, they became spiritually dead and sin began to multiply.
Once man obtained the knowledge of right and
wrong, his deceived heart provoked him to continue doing wrong. Similarly, once man obtained the
knowledge of the Law, he was provoked to disobedience. Satan is not only the tempter, but also the
accuser. Thus, once sin was provoked by the Law,
the Law became a means by which men could be
condemned. As Paul stated in Romans 7:11, “For
sin, taking occasion by the commandment,
31
deceived me, and by it slew me.” Sin deceives in
that it represents the Law as a limitation separating a person from happiness. Beyond the limitation, it charms a person into transgression by a
phantom of happiness.
God’s Law was perfect, but man was sold under
sin and could not obey. In Romans 7:14-24, Paul
agonizingly portrayed the warring inner conflict of
man’s carnal and spiritual natures. When trying to
obey the Law, the spiritual nature is always trampled by the carnal nature. The spiritual nature
wills what is right, but the carnal nature performs
what is wrong. In utter frustration and defeat
comes the moaning cry, “O wretched man that I
am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this
death?”
On our own merit we cannot live a victorious
life. The struggle Paul described in Romans chapter 7 is a result of a severe “I” problem. The word I
is used thirty-eight times in the last twenty-five
(Romans chapter 7) verses. Although “I” tries, he
only finds defeat. Obeying God is not hard; it’s
impossible! There is only one solution to such an “I”
problem as found in Romans 7:25. “I thank God
through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the
mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the
flesh the law of sin.” When “I” gives up, the Holy
Spirit can take over. Struggling yields to power;
defeat turns into victory; and misery is transformed into rejoicing. We are saved by faith in
Jesus Christ—not by our own futile attempts at
self-righteousness.
Furthermore, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.”
Condemnation implies being incurable and doomed
for all eternity. Paul began one of the best loved
chapters of the Bible, Romans chapter 8, with the
emancipating declaration that we are free from
condemnation. Instead of us, sin has been condemned by Jesus’ death and Resurrection. When
we yield our carnal humanity to Jesus and His
Spirit of Holiness, God does in us an unceasing,
unwearying work whereby we are transformed into
responsible, mature sons of God. Sometimes we
may not feel God working in us, or even be conscious of His presence, but God continues His
steady regenerative process. We accept it as a matter of faith.
Being “in the flesh” means to be giving our lives
over to the gratification of selfish and evil desires.
God’s requirement is righteousness leading unto
holiness. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit
can we hope for the righteousness which God
demands. This power is what Paul meant by “living
by the Spirit.”
Imagine yourself on a balloon ride. As the balloon is rising, you are defying the law of gravity
which normally holds you fast to the earth. The law
of gravity is not destroyed, it is simply rendered
inoperable. A balloon has no steering mechanism.
It must be carried by the wind. The Greek word for
spirit also means breath or wind. In John 3:8 Jesus
says, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou
hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell
whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every
one that is born of the Spirit.” When we commit
ourselves to Christ and submit ourselves to the
control of the Spirit, we can be lifted above sin’s
dominating control. Sin no longer need have
dominion over us. We are free from condemnation.
We may not always know where we are going, but
God is in control.
In Romans 8:11-18, Paul warned his readers of
problems and struggles to be encountered. The
Spirit-filled life is not all flowers and sunshine. A
look at the life of Jesus proves this point. Yet Paul
reassuringly stated, “But if the Spirit of him that
raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that
raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken
your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in
you.” God has given us the exact same life-asserting, resurrecting Spirit of God. Just as the Spirit
propelled Jesus from the clutches of death, even so
that same Spirit motivates us into a life of righteousness. In some of the most trying times during
Jesus’ life he cried (Mark 14:36) “Abba, Father.”
This plea is an endearing one from a Son to His loving Father. By the Spirit of adoption we also have
access to the use of this same phrase in appealing
to the heart of God, the Father.
Jesus says in John 3:5, “…Except a man be
born of water and of Spirit, he cannot enter the
kingdom of God.” Once we are born of the Spirit, we
become children of God and joint heirs with Jesus.
From childhood we must grow in maturity until we
become adult, responsible sons of God. Since the
Fall of man, all creation has groaned and travailed
until the total work of redemption was manifested.
Though we experience many “growing pains,” we
maintain hope as we await the unveiling of the full
glory of God.
Sometimes along the way we come to a point
where we don’t know which way to turn, or even
how to pray. Once again the Spirit helps us in our
infirmities by praying through us to the Father
(Romans 8:26-27) “…with groanings which cannot
be uttered. And he that searches” the hearts
knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he
maketh intercession for the saints according to the
will of God.” Through all events of life we have the
assurance that God has known us since the begin32
ning of time, and has preordained that whoever
will believe on Jesus Christ the Lord would be justified by His blood and glorified in the likeness of
His Resurrection. God is for us and wants to give
us of His bounteous blessings. We can proclaim
with Paul, “All things work together for good to
them that love God…” When we realize that God so
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loved us that “… he gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life,” then we will share Paul’s
certainty that nothing—absolutely nothing—shall
be able to separate us from the love of God, which
is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Choose the best answer. Write it on the line.
The relationship between Christ and the church is often compared with _____________________ .
a. slavery
c. balloons
b. marriage
d. adultery
If a couple divorces and remarries someone else, then they live in a state of _________________ .
a. acceptability
c. adultery
b. bliss
d. righteousness
People die to the Law when they ______________________________________________________________ .
a. quit sinning
c. make atonement
b. neglect the Law
d. accept justification through Jesus
The Law _______________________ sin.
a. provoked
c. insisted on
b. prevented
d. cured
The Law also became a means by which man could be________________________________________ .
a. justified
c. condemned
b. schooled
d. counseled
Answer the following questions. Base your answers on Scripture you have read.
In Romans chapter 7, why did the spiritual nature lose the war against the carnal nature ?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
What does “being in the flesh” mean? ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
What does “walking after the Spirit” mean? __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Complete the following verses of Scripture.
a. “There is therefore now no ____________________________ to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
b. “For to be carnally minded is ___________________________ ; but to be spiritually minded is life
and peace.”
c. “For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the
Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry 1. ________________________ , 2. __________________________ .”
d. “For I reckon that the __________________________ of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the _______________________ which shall be revealed in us.”
e. “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the
____________________________ .”
f. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should
__________________________ for as we ought…”
g. “And we know that all things work together for ______________________________ to them that
love God…”
h. “If God be for us, who can be ________________________ ?”
i. “Nay, in all these things we are more than _____________________________ through him that
loved us.”
j. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels ... shall be able to
1. _________________ us from the 2. ____________________ of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord.”
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✞
Review the material in this section in preparation for the Self Test. This Self Test will
check you mastery of this particular section as well as your knowledge of the previous section.
SELF TEST 2
Match these items (each answer, 2 points).
2.01
2.02
2.03
2.04
2.05
2.06
2.07
2.08
2.09
2.010
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
saint
repentance
separated
Abraham
Gospel
sin
grace
peace
Law
carnality
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
good news
miss the mark
fruit of justification
change one’s mind
set apart
example of faith
self-gratification
person saved by the blood of Jesus
unmerited favor
schoolmaster
Which of the following is NOT an accurate definition (each answer, 1 point).
2.011
________
establish:
a. make steady
b. unsettle
c. make firm
d. secure
2.012
________
reprobate:
a. depraved
b. rejected by God
c. damned
d. deprived
2.013
________
justify:
a. place blame
b. acquit
c. just as if I’d never sinned
d. absolve
2.014
________
redeem:
a. recover
b. buy back
c. avoid paying ransom
d. rescue
2.015
________
propitiation:
a. enables God to turn to man
c. regain good will
b. God manifesting Himself in grace d. flatter
2.016
________
remission:
a. cancellation of debt
b. release from penalty
c. omission
d. forgiveness
2.017
________
faith:
a. questioning belief
b. confidence
c. allegiance
d. complete trust
2.018
________
atonement:
a. at one-ment
b. reconciliation
c. sacrifice
d. make amends
2.019
________
grace:
a. unmerited favor
b. thanksgiving
c. clemency
d. privilege freely granted
2.020
________
guilt:
a. sense of wrongdoing
b. reprobation
c. result of sin
d. culpability
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Choose the best answer (each answer, 2 points).
2.021
2.022
2.023
2.024
2.025
2.026
2.027
2.028
2.029
2.030
2.031
2.032
2.033
2.034
2.035
The Roman Christian church was probably started by _______________________________________ .
a. Paul’s converts and friends
c. Priscilla and Aquila
b. Peter
d. those present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost
A group of public buildings was called a/an ___________________________________________________ .
a. circus
c. gymnasium
b. forum
d. arena
The top rung of the social order was the _____________________________________________________ .
a. equestrian order
b. freedmen
c. plebe
d. senatorial aristocracy
The dating of the book of Romans was _______________________________________________________ .
a. A.D. 55-56
c. A.D. 57-58
b. A.D. 56-57
d. A.D. 58-59
The Roman attitude toward other religions was ______________________________________________ .
a. syncretism
c. to enforce the state religion
b. pantheism
d. suppression
The job of an apostle is to ____________________________________________________________________ .
a. restore old churches
c. employ pastors
b. convert all nations
d. establish churches
Paul introduced himself to the church at Rome _______________________________________________ .
a. with great pomp
c. as a servant
b. as a pauper
d. as a missionary
Paul’s greeting to the Romans was ____________________________________________________________ .
a. condemning
c. flattering
b. edifying
d. usual
The only people guilty of sin are ______________________________________________________________ .
a. all people
c. Gentiles
b. Jews
d. Romans
A real Jew is __________________________________________________________________________________ .
a. a person who follows the Law
c. one of Paul’s followers
of Moses
b. one whose heart is circumcised d. a member of God’s chosen nation
In the work Jesus did at Calvary, he did not _________________________________________________ .
a. forgive our sinful acts
c. free us from guilt
b. ignore our sin
d. eliminate our general state of sin
God’s purpose in giving the Law was _________________________________________________________ .
a. to condemn the Jews
c. to make people aware of their need for gracious salvation
b. to derive pleasure from their
d. to disqualify all Gentiles from righteousness
disobedience
Being baptized into Christ’s death does NOT mean___________________________________________ .
a. we should continue in sin
c. we have been planted together in His likeness
b. we are dead to sin
d. our old man is crucified with Him
To describe man’s choice of justification or condemnation, Paul uses an analogy of __________ .
(See Romans 6:16)
a. marriage
c. gifts
b. mountains and valleys
d. servants
The relationship between Christ and the Church is often compared with ____________________ .
a. slavery
c. the Law and the Spirit
b. adultery
d. the marriage union
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Fill in the following Scripture verses (each answer, 2 points).
2.036
There is therefore now no __________________________ to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
2.037
“And we know that all things work together for __________________________ to them that love
God.”
2.038
“Nay in all these things we are more than __________________________ through him that loved
us.”
2.039
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and ________________ .”
2.040
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be
able to __________________________ us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Complete this list (each answer, 2 points).
2.041
List in order the names of the first five emperors of the Roman Empire.
a. __________________________
b. __________________________
c. __________________________
d. __________________________
e. __________________________
Complete this drawing (this answer, 5 points).
2.042
Draw the Roman form of a letter.
Write the correct answers (each answer, 5 points).
2.043
2.044
Write from memory the theme of the Epistle to the Romans. _________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Describe the teaching Paul refuted in Romans chapter 4, and how he opposed it.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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2.045
Explain how sin worked through the Law. ____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Complete this writing activity (each answer, 10 points).
2.046
On another sheet of paper, discuss the downward progression of man as given in Romans
1:18–2:9. Include the answers to the following questions: Who is guilty of sin and why? Why
does sin continue? What happens to men’s heart and mind? What is the final result? (Your
teacher will assign points for this activity.)
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110
Score
Adult check
______________________
______________________
Initial
Date
III. THE WAY ACCORDING TO ROMANS
Jesus said in John 14:6, “...I am the way, the
truth, and the life…” The early New Testament
church often referred to the Christian way of life as
“the way.” As responsible ambassadors for Christ
we are obligated to be able to explain the way of
salvation to others who have not yet come into a
personal relationship with the Savior of the world.
In this section you will review Romans chapters 18 in regard to sin, salvation, and sanctification; for
in 1 Peter 3:15 you have been commanded to “…be
ready always to give an answer to every man that
asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you …”
SECTION OBJECTIVES
Review these objectives. When you have completed this section you should be able to:
17.
18.
19.
20.
Describe the problem of universal sin and its effects.
Relate the process of salvation by faith in Jesus.
Define the process of sanctification through Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
Memorize the following Scriptures: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:1, Romans 5:8,
Romans 6:11, and Romans 8:1.
SIN
In Romans 1:18-2:29 you discovered that sin is
a universal condition inherited from Adam. As a
result of one man’s sin we were all made sinners.
We sin because we are sinners. By comparing
Scripture you will define sin and discover who it
has affected. You will also determine sin’s results.
Through Adam. Romans 5:12 states,
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the
world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon
all men, for that all have sinned.” Reread the
account of the Fall of man in Genesis chapter 3.
Notice how sin, once conceived, began to multiply.
By the time of David, sin was considered a universal fact. David said in Psalm 51:5, “Behold, I was
shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Sin is basically a matter of the heart, for
37
Jesus says in Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart
proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” James
summarized the process of sin in James 1:15,
“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth
sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth
death.”
A very simple definition of sin is to do wrong,
commit any kind of offense, or have any faults. God
demands perfect holiness. Therefore, missing His
standard in any way is sin. Obviously, every person
who has ever lived, with one exception, is guilty of
sin. Romans 3:23 summarizes this point: “For all
have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
All includes you.
Although this concept is very basic, it is one of
the most difficult things for many people to admit.
Our society has invented many other terms to
escape the admission of sin. For example, in the
realm of psychology, we hear such vocabulary as
psychotic, guilt complex, neurosis, tension, and
phobias of all sorts. All of these conditions suggest
one problem—sin. The universality of sin is further
verified by the following Scriptures:
Psalm 53:3
“Every one of them is gone back:
they are altogether become filthy;
there is none that doeth good, no,
not one.”
Isaiah 53:6
“All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own
way…”
Isaiah 64:6
“But we are all as an unclean thing,
and all our righteousnesses are as
filthy rags; and we all do fade as a
leaf; and our iniquities, like the
wind, have taken us away.”
1 John 1:8
“If we say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is
not in us.”
In sharing the Gospel with others, you should
follow Paul’s example. He began his letter in an
attitude of love and humility, yet he was fully
assured of his message. Our assurance is the infallible Word of God. He has promised (Isaiah 55:11)
that His Word will not return void. Therefore,
rather than expressing our opinions and perhaps
becoming guilty of Jesus’ charge in Matthew 7:3-5,
we can minister to others the universal fact of sin
by showing them what God has said about the matter through His Word.
➨
Complete the following statements.
3.1
Sin entered the human race through ___________________________________________________ .
3.2
Death is a result of ___________________________________________________________________ .
3.3
Sin is basically a matter of the_________________________________________________________ .
3.4
A brief definition of sin is _____________________________________________________________ .
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
3.5
Assurance of the message of salvation is not through personal experiences alone, but is
according to __________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________ .
➨
Complete the following activities.
3.6
From memory write Romans 3:23 ______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.7
Describe in your own words how sin develops, according to James 1:15. Give an example to
support your explanation. ____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Adult check ______________________
Initial
Date
3.8
Review Genesis chapter 3. The initial root of the final action of sin was the planting of doubt:
“Hath God not said ...?” List three incidents recorded in Genesis 3:7–14 that illustrate the multiplication of one sin.
a. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
➨
Begin a handy notebook with all the Scriptures given in this and the following sections so that you will have your witness references available at all times. By reviewing the notebook often, you may be able to commit all these verses to memory.
By nature. When Adam sinned, his seed
became corrupt. Since that time, parents have continued to pass the Adamic nature on to succeeding
generations. Children do not have to be taught to
be bad, but must be taught to be good. They don’t
need to be taught to lie, but they do need to be
taught to tell the truth. Man sins by choice because
he is a sinner by nature.
What are the results of sin? Romans 6:23 plainly states, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift
of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord.” The outcome of sin is death. Death does not
annihilate; it only separates. The Bible speaks of
three kinds of death: spiritual death, physical
death, and eternal death.
The first death is a spiritual death, which separates man from God temporarily. When Adam and
Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, they
were banished from the garden and separated from
the presence of God. Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your
iniquities have separated between you and your
God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that
he will not hear.” Christ shed His blood to open an
access whereby we may (Hebrews 4:16) “…come
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” The
way to restore fellowship with God is to confess our
sins, as 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We must also
forsake those sins. Isaiah 55:7 says, “Let the
wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and
he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for
he will abundantly pardon.”
The second kind of death is a physical death,
which separates the spirit and soul from the body.
As a result of the spiritual death of Adam and Eve,
their physical bodies began a process of aging and
decay. In comparison to life in Old Testament ages,
our life expectancy is far less today. Psalm 90:10
tells us that, “the days of our years are threescore
years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be
fourscore…” Compare 70 or 80 years of age with
the longevity of such men as Noah, who died at age
950, or Abraham, who died at age 175.
Methuselah, the oldest man in the Bible, lived
until he was 969 years old! The universal effect of
sin causes everyone to die a physical death. The
good and the bad, the young and the aged will continue to die until Jesus destroys this final enemy
as explained in 1 Corinthians 15:26, “The last
enemy that shall be destroyed is death,” and in
verse 54 of that same chapter, “…when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this
mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall
be brought to pass the saying that is written,
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
The third type of death is eternal death, which
separates men from God forever. Recall the story of
the rich man and Lazarus, recorded in Luke 16:1931. A great gulf separates heaven and hell. Once a
soul passes beyond the gates of hell there is eternal
separation from God. The person continues to exist,
but without hope and in torturous misery. Finally,
as we are told in Revelation 20:14, “…Death and
hell were cast into the lake of fire…”
For each of the three kinds of death, the origin
remains the same–sin. A person does not have to be
recognized as a sinner in the eyes of men to be
counted such before God. By moral standards we
differentiate degrees of sin, but the fact of sin and
its wages are not altered: “For the wages of sin is
death.” Suppose the newspaper reported two
drownings. One person drowned in a lake at a
depth of twenty feet. The other person drowned in
a bathtub accident. Is one more dead than the
other? Of course not! In our ability to save ourselves, we are all on the same level.
39
➨
Choose the best answer.
3.9
The origin of death is ________________________________ .
b. Satan
c. hell
d. man
a. sin
3.10
According to Psalm 90:10, the longevity of man’s life is between _________________________
years.
a. 50-60
3.11
b. 969
c. 875
d. 900
b. attitude
c. his behavior
d. nature
What separates heaven from hell? ________________________________
a. an ocean
3.14
d. 80-90
Man sins by choice because he is a sinner by ________________________________ .
a. choice
3.13
c. 70-80
How old was Methuselah when he died? ________________________________
a. 950
3.12
b. 60-70
b. a great gulf
c. 1,000 miles
d. another world
We are all _______________________________ to save ourselves.
a. equipped
b. able
c. ready
d. unable
➨
Complete the following activities.
3.15
From memory, write Romans 6:23. ____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
➨
Define these terms and give a scriptural remedy if one is available.
3.16
Spiritual death:
a. separation of ______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
b. remedy:____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
3.17
Physical death:
a. separation of ______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
b. remedy:____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
3.18
Eternal death:
a. separation of ______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
b. remedy:____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
40
SALVATION
Once a person realizes his state of sin, his natural inclination is to find the remedy within himself. He attempts to bring about his own salvation
by human means. He tries various reforms when
he needs to be regenerated. As with the Israelites,
he tries to become justified by the Law rather than
by faith in Jesus. Rather than cleaning up the old
man, he needs to be made a new man in Christ. He
doesn’t need to “turn over a new leaf,” he needs a
completely new life. The only remedy for man’s fallen state is salvation by the grace of God through
faith in His Son Jesus.
In Christ. The good news of the Gospel is that
Jesus died to save us from sin and its effects, and
that He rose again that we might live in newness
of life. First Corinthians 15:22 says, “For as in
Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made
alive.” Since one man’s sin brought death to the
entire human race, one Man’s righteousness also
brought life to all the race.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God commendeth his
love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.” God allowed Jesus to take all
the sin of the world to the Cross of Calvary on our
behalf. Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath
made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we
might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
God’s motive for allowing His Son to die in our
place was love. Recall the familiar verse, John 3:16.
Yet because of God’s justice, a blood sacrifice was
required to make atonement for sin. Hebrews 9:22
tells us that, “...without shedding of blood is no
remission.” Jesus was the only sacrifice acceptable
before God, for He was perfect in every way. Isaiah
the prophet foretold the mission of the Messiah in
Isaiah 53:4-5: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and
carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was
wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for
our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was
upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
God could have sent His Son to pronounce judgment on this world. Instead, He came to accomplish the wondrous work of salvation as a free gift
of God. John 3:17 says, “For God sent not His Son
into the world to condemn the world; but that the
world through Him might be saved.” All human
efforts of righteousness could not bring man back
into the presence of God. Thus, God had to provide
men with His own righteousness which is in Jesus.
Titus 3:5-6 tells us, “Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to his mercy he
saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us
abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.”
Paul summarized the concept of our righteousness in Christ in Romans 5:17-21. Note verse 20:
“…But where sin abounded, grace did much more
abound.” Out of the depths of sin, after it had multiplied through thousands of years and in millions
of unrighteous people, one Man came and replaced
sin’s depravity with His own perfection. Hebrews
2:3 asks the question, “How shall we escape, if we
neglect so great salvation…” Unless we accept the
saving work of Jesus, we will not escape the wrath
of God. Rather than facing eternal death, we can
accept the free gift of God. We are people condemned to die because of our sin, but we can look
to the Cross of Calvary and see that Christ has
already died for us. In exchange for our poor, sinful
rags, we can put on the Lord’s garment of righteousness and become clothed in His abundant life.
➨
Answer the following questions.
3.19
What is man’s natural response to his problem of sin?________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.20
What does God require for remission of sins? _________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.21
Why was Jesus the only acceptable sacrifice? _________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
41
3.22
According to Titus 3:5, how are we saved? Explain in your own words. _______________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.23
If not for the purpose of condemnation, why did Christ come into the world? Base your answer
on at least five Scripture references. __________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
➨
From memory write this verse of Scripture.
3.24
Romans 5:8. ___________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
By faith. In Romans 1:16 Paul said, “For I am
not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth…” The condition to God’s saving grace is
believing. Faith in Jesus releases the power of God
to save a person’s soul. Thus, Romans 5:1 guarantees us, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The story of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:2531 is a classic example of the salvation experience.
In verse 30 the jailer simply asked Paul and Silas,
“…Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They quickly
and positively responded, “…Believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy
house.” The jailer was not told to believe that Jesus,
a historical figure, once lived and passed on to the
world great teachings of moral character. Rather, he
was being told to believe that, as an action of God’s
love for him as an individual, Christ died for his
sins, was buried and rose again to live forevermore.
Intellectual acceptance does not qualify for
faith. Many people know about Jesus and believe
that he once lived. Fewer people know Jesus and
are assured that he is still alive. Many Oriental
religions include Jesus in their sacred writings as
a prophet, or great teacher, but they do not teach
God’s salvation. James 2:19 says, “Thou believest”
that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils
also believe, and tremble.” What then are we to
believe that would bring to us the gift of salvation?
Buddhists say to believe in Buddha. Moslems tell
men to believe in Mohammed. Jews say to believe
in God. Christians say to believe in Jesus. What
distinguishing characteristic should we believe
about Jesus that is different from other claims to
salvation?
Romans 3:25 tells us that we are justified
through Jesus, “Whom God hath set forth to be a
propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare
his righteousness for the remission of sins that are
past, through the forbearance of God.” Romans 5:9
further affirms, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath
through him.” Ephesians 1:7 tells us that we have
been made acceptable before God through Jesus “In
whom we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace…” Once again, 1 Peter 1:19 says that we were
redeemed “…with the precious blood of Christ, as of
a lamb without blemish and without spot.” From
the beginning God has required a blood sacrifice for
atonement. Leviticus 17:11 clearly states, “For the
life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to
you upon the altar to make an atonement for your
souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement
for the soul.” Our new life is found only in the blood
of Jesus, which was poured out for us. When we
believe in the atoning work of Calvary, we receive a
transfusion of the life of Jesus Christ.
To believe means to cling to, to trust in, to
adhere to, to become joined to, to be devoted to, to
rely upon, or to stick fast to someone or something.
All these terms are action verbs. They require emotional intensity and assertiveness. Romans 10:9-10
says “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation.” Recall the story of the man born
blind recorded in John chapter 9. He miraculously
received his physical sight when Jesus anointed
the blind man’s eyes with clay and told him to go
wash in the pool of Siloam. However, the man’s
spiritual eyes were not opened until he responded
to Jesus’ question “Does thou believe on the Son of
42
God?” with the reply, “Lord, I believe.” When by
faith we accept the work of Jesus as Savior, we are
saved from the workings of sin. We are born again
unto God. Jesus explained this process to
Nicodemus in John chapter 3.
In sharing with others the concept of salvation
by faith in Jesus Christ, we must not be sidetracked to other issues. The greatest issue of life is
the state of the human soul. Jesus’ mission was to
save sinners. When witnessing about the Lord, one
should stay on the subject of the discussion. If we
show a person some of the Scriptures covered in
this section, the Holy Spirit will have an opportunity to do His convicting work. Hebrews 4:12
states, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and
of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The disciple Andrew established a precedent
for all who want to share the love of God with others. In John 1:40-42, we find him bringing his
brother to Jesus. When asked a question about
Jesus by the Greeks (John 12:20-22), Andrew and
Philip take the issue directly to Jesus. In John 6:69, when Jesus projects the question as to feeding
the hungry multitude, Andrew knows the miraculous multiplying power of the Lord, so he directed
a little boy to present his lunch to Jesus. Andrew
had the answer for each situation—take it to Jesus.
As we share the message of salvation with others,
we should always apply the Andrew principle. We
can lead others to Jesus through the written Word
of God, for therein is He revealed.
➨
Choose the best answer.
3.25
To whom did Jesus explain the process of becoming born again? _____________________________
3.26
3.27
3.28
a. Andrew
c. Nicodemus
b. Philip
d. John
Salvation is given to everyone who ___________________________________________________________ .
a. believes the teachings of Jesus
c. believes that Jesus died on a Cross
b. believes in God
d. believes in the atoning work of Jesus’ blood
The word believe does not mean _______________________________________________________________ .
a. to intellectually accept
c. rely on
b. cling to
d. become joined to
Life is in ______________________________________________________________________________________ .
a. sacrifice
c. atonement
b. the blood
d. the soul
➨
Complete the following activities.
3.29
What does Romans 10:9-10 say about man and salvation?
a. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
3.30
3.31
List four characteristics of the Word of God according to Hebrews 4:12.
a. ___________________________________
c. ___________________________________
b. ___________________________________
d ___________________________________
From memory write Romans 1:16-17.
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43
3.32
3.33
3.34
From memory write Romans 5:1.
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Briefly explain the Andrew principle.
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How is atonement accomplished? Give at least three Scriptures to support your answer.
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From sin. When God looks at us in Christ, He
sees only Christ’s righteousness. All that Jesus
accomplished through His death and Resurrection
has been credited to our account. Just as we were
saved by faith, we must also continue to live by
faith, trusting in Christ. First Corinthians 1:30
tells us what Paul said concerning believers, “But
of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made
unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” How are we sanctified in
Jesus? Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:11 we are
washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the
Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our Lord. The
answer to how our sanctification process began is
found in Romans 6:3: “Know ye not, that so many
of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Justification from sin can
only happen through death. Forgiveness of sin does
not mean that the sin is forgotten or overlooked; it
means a real death on the part of the sinner and it
means separation from sin. It is baptism into the
death of Christ that affects our forgiveness and justification and completes our separation from sin.
➨
3.35
3.36
3.37
Romans 6:11 states, “Likewise reckon ye also
yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive
unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” To reckon means to consider as, or regard as being.
Suppose you inherited a sizeable amount of money
and it had been deposited into your bank account.
You could draw on that money at any time, even
though you never actually saw the money. If you
never used that money, it would serve no purpose.
However, if you reckoned that money to be yours,
wrote a check to yourself, and gave it to the bank
teller to cash, that which you had not seen would
become a reality. If we consider, or reckon, ourselves dead to sin, then it will also become a reality. The power of sin will have no hold on us.
We are also advised in Romans 6:13, “Neither
yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God,
as those that are alive from the dead, and your
members as instruments of righteousness unto
God.” Rather than trying to produce our own righteousness, we are to “let go” and “let God” live His
life through us.
Choose the best answer.
When God looks at us in Christ He sees ______________________________________________________ .
a. an improvement
c. Christ’s righteousness
b. one more Christian
d. a person almost made holy
Without the righteousness of Jesus we are____________________________________________________ .
a. totally righteous
c. totally unrighteous
b. totally saved
d. totally emancipated
Forgiveness of sins means_____________________________________________________________________ .
a. the sins are forgiven, but not forgotten
c. death results from sin
b. sin is overlooked
d. separation from sin
44
➨
3.38
3.39
3.40
Complete the following activities.
List the four things Christ is made unto us according to I Corinthians 1:30. _________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Give a definition of the verb to reckon, and in your own words describe how we reckon ourselves
dead to sin and alive to Jesus. ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
From memory, write Romans 6:11.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Our sanctification is through Jesus Christ. He
is our sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30). In
Hebrews 7:25 we read, “Wherefore he is able also to
save them to the uttermost that come unto God by
him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for
them.” In John 14:17, Jesus promised to send the
Holy Spirit to dwell in the disciples. While Jesus
unceasingly intercedes for us, the Spirit of holiness
continually works in us as we yield ourselves to
Him.
Romans 8:1 says “There is therefore now no
condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
The process of sanctification by the Holy Spirit is
the power enabling those who have been justified
to abide in Christ. Justification is the new creation
of the new man, and sanctification is his preservation until the day of Christ Jesus. Sanctification is
the fulfillment of God’s plan enunciated in the
words, “Ye shall be holy: for I am holy,” and also, “I
the Lord who sanctifies you am holy.” The Holy
Spirit is the “seal” whereby we are sealed as God’s
possession until total redemption is manifested.
The Holy Spirit reveals salvation in Jesus, and
then He takes up residence in our lives. To be a victorious Christian, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
must have the control of a believer’s life. The Spirit
brings the abundant life, which is not found in
environment or circumstances. The abundant life
is found only in the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18 commands us to “...be filled with
the Spirit.” When we experience the filling of our
lives with the Holy Spirit, we become Spirit-led,
Spirit-controlled, and Spirit-empowered.
When our lives are yielded to the work of the
Spirit, we begin to bear the fruit mentioned in
Galatians 5:22-24. The fruit of the Spirit is a gift of
God, and only He can produce it. Imagine an apple
tree. Does the fruit ask the tree if it may grow? Of
course not. As a result of growth, the tree simply
bears apples. Within the fruit are the seeds, which
are the new beginnings for even more apple trees.
The source of growth for the tree is an invisible
inside force. Firmly planted in Jesus Christ and
His Word, we grow in maturity by the ministry of
His Spirit; and we bear fruit for the glory of God.
In Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians he
honestly admitted that a person’s struggle with sin
is not over. We reckon ourselves dead to sin, and in
doing so are actively setting aside former ways of
life. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us.
Jesus not only saves us, He also keeps us.
Jesus is our Advocate. When we are separated
from God, the Spirit woos us into repentance
whereby we find forgiveness. We are delivered
from the universal power of sin through salvation.
We are kept from sin by the power of the Holy
Spirit. We are forgiven from sins by repentance. As
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness.”
The Christian life is not one of compromise, but
of separation unto the Gospel of God. We must
allow the Spirit of the Lord to kindle in us a burning passion to be established in and to establish
others in the truth of Jesus. Like Paul, we should
introduce ourselves as servants who have received
the grace of God and address others in the spirit of
love and edification. The message of justification by
faith should be our theme. With a sound scriptural
basis we should teach others the basic doctrines of
sin, salvation, and sanctification. Each believer is
an official eyewitness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
for in Him we personally have died and been resurrected unto a glorious hope. We are endued with
power from on high and have access to all truth
45
through the infallible Word of God. Through triumphs and failures, God is for us; and nothing
shall separate us from His love, which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
✞
➨
Summary of the book of Romans chapters 1-8
Romans 1 :1-17
Salutation
Romans 1:18-2:29 Downward spiral of sin
Romans 3
Universal sin and guilt with
emphasis on the Jewish nation
Abraham
Romans 4
Romans 5
Justification
Reckoning justification by bapRomans 6
tism
Romans 7
Carnal nature vs. spiritual
nature
Romans 8
Life in the Holy Spirit
Choose the best answer.
3.41
According to Hebrews 7:25, how far is Jesus able to save us? _________________________________
a. to heaven
c. to sanctification
b. to justification
d. to the uttermost
Since the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of believers, what is Jesus doing? ______________
a. waiting for us
c. saving us
b. interceding for us
d. glorifying us
Sanctification is the means whereby saints are _______________________________________________ .
a. justified
c. preserved
b. resurrected
d. fulfilled
Complete the following activities.
3.42
3.43
➨
3.44
From memory write Romans 8:1 ______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.45
Summarize the first eight chapters of the book of Romans. ___________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
✞
1.
2.
3.
4.
Before you take this last Self Test, you may want to do one or more of these self checks.
________ Read the objectives. Determine if you can do them.
________ Restudy the material related to any objectives that you cannot do.
________ Use the SQ3R study procedure to review the material:
a. Scan the sections.
b. Question yourself again (review the questions you wrote initially).
c. Read to answer your questions.
d. Recite the answers to yourself.
e. Review areas you didn’t understand.
________ Review all vocabulary, activities, and Self Tests, writing a correct answer for each
wrong answer.
46
SELF TEST 3
Match these items (each answer, 2 points).
3.01
________ separation of man from the presence of God
a. do wrong, miss the mark
3.02
________ believe
b. blood sacrifice
3.03
________ Phoebe
c. physical death
3.04
________ requirement for remission of sin
d. take it to Jesus
3.05
________ reckon
e. to set apart for a purpose
3.06
________ stola
f. spiritual death
3.07
________ sin
g. governor of a province
3.08
________ propitiation
h. cancellation of a debt
3.09
________ separation of spirit and soul from body
i. cling to; trust in; adhere to
3.010
________ remission
j. unmerited favor
3.011
________ grace
k. enable God to turn to man
3.012
________ procurator
l. self–gratification
3.013
________ Andrew principle
m. regard as being
3.014
________ carnality
n. Paul’s messenger
3.015
________ sanctification
o. woman’s outer garment
Answer true or false (each answer, 1 point).
3.016
________ The Roman Empire included all of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
3.017
________ The third emperor was Caligula.
3.018
________ Paul was going to Jerusalem to present the collection.
3.019
________ Taxes were a constant reminder of Roman authority.
3.020
________ Roman Christians had very formal worship services.
3.021
________ Christian churches usually had their beginnings in a synagogue.
3.022
________ Paul wrote the Epistle to the Romans from Spain.
3.023
________ Paul’s example of faith was Adam.
3.024
________ The Law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.
3.025
________ Baptism denotes washing away, cleansing, immersion, or identity.
Fill in the blank with the correct answer (each answer, 3 points).
3.026
Sin entered the human race through _____________________________ .
3.027
Death is a result of _____________________________ .
3.028
Our assurance of the message of salvation is according to the infallible _____________________ .
3.029
Man sins by choice because he is a sinner by _____________________________ .
3.030
The remedy for spiritual death is _____________________________ .
3.031
The last enemy Jesus will destroy is _____________________________ .
3.032
Separation of man from God forever is _____________________________ death.
47
3.033
God’s motive for sending Jesus was _____________________________ .
3.034
Jesus explained how to be born again to _____________________________ .
3.035
Without the shedding of __________________________ there is no remission of sins.
3.036
Justification from sin could only happen through the _____________________________ of Christ.
3.037
Our sanctification is through Jesus by the _____________________________ .
Choose the best answer (each answer, 2 points).
3.038
3.039
3.040
3.041
3.042
3.043
3.044
3.045
3.046
3.047
The common language of the Roman Empire in the first two centuries was __________________ .
a. Latin
c. Greek
b. Italian
d. Spanish
Education was for ____________________________________________________________________ .
a. the wealthy
c. professional training
b. the children
d. anyone
The Christians’ first persecutors were __________________________________________________ .
a. the Roman soldiers
c. the emperor
b. the Jews
d. the Praetorian Guard
The postal system was ________________________________________________________________ .
a. highly developed
c. only for governmental business
b. poorly developed
d. only for the wealthy
As stated in his salutation to the Romans, Paul was called of God to be ___________________ .
a. a servant
c. a separator
b. an apostle
d. an evangelist
When people totally ignore God in knowledge, they become_______________________________ .
a. reprobate
c. rich
b. autonomous
d. justified
The source of condemnation is found in _________________________________________________ .
a. Jesus
c. Adam
b. Abraham
d. the Jews
The assurance of the message of salvation is in _________________________________________ .
a. the infallible Word of God
c. a historical fact
b. our personal experience
d. testimonies of others
Salvation is given to everyone who _____________________________________________________ .
a. believes the teachings of Jesus
c. believes that Jesus died on a Cross
b. believes in God
d. believes in the atoning work of Jesus’ blood
Sanctification is NOT _________________________________________________________________ .
a. an ongoing process
c. through Jesus Christ
b. a single event
d. worked in us by the Holy Spirit
Complete the following activities (each numbered item, 5 points).
3.048
List in order the first five emperors of the Roman Empire.
a. ________________________________________
d. ________________________________________
b. ________________________________________
e.
________________________________________
c. ________________________________________
3.049
List the five social classes of the Roman Empire.
a. ________________________________________
b. ________________________________________
c. ________________________________________
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d.
e.
________________________________________
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3.050
List five reasons why Paul wrote to the Romans.
a. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
b.
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c.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
d.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
e.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
From memory write the following verses of Scripture (each answer, 4 points).
3.051
Romans 1:16-17 _______________________________________________________________________________
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3.052
Romans 3:23 _________________________________________________________________________
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3.053
Romans 6:23 _________________________________________________________________________
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3.054
Romans 5:1 __________________________________________________________________________
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3.055
Romans 5:8 __________________________________________________________________________
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3.056
Romans 6:11 _________________________________________________________________________
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3.057
Romans 8:1 __________________________________________________________________________
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Complete this outline (this answer, 10 points).
3.058
Outline the first eight chapters of the book of Romans.
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✔
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Score
Adult check
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______________________
Initial
Date
GLOSSARY
autonomous. Self-contained; totally independent; self-governing.
equestrian. Second ranking Roman social class from which provincial governors were drawn; actually
the word means of or pertaining to horsemanship.
exactitude. Exactness.
faith. Confident belief; trust; religious conviction; allegiance.
forum. Group of buildings; the public square or marketplace of an ancient Roman city.
freedmen. Third ranking Roman social class composed of emancipated slaves; free-born Roman citizens; often became successful businessmen.
grace. Unmerited favor; clemency; privilege freely granted.
guilt. Result of sin; culpable; sense of wrong doing.
justification. Act of acquittal; act of absolving; to free from blame.
pantheism. The doctrine or belief that all laws, forces, manifestations of the self-existing universe are
gods.
plebes. Fourth ranking Roman social class; poor Roman citizens; common laborers.
Praetorian Guard. A hand-picked group of soldiers serving as bodyguards for the emperor.
procurator. A Roman official who managed the financial affairs of a province and acted as governor.
propitiation. Cause to be favorably inclined; enable God to turn to man.
redemption. Recover; ransom; rescue; buy back.
remission. Cancellation of or release from a debt or penalty.
reprobate. Depraved; rejected of God; damned.
senatorial aristocracy. The highest ranking Roman social class; nobility by birth and wealth.
stola. Woman’s outer garment; a long tunic fastened with clasps.
syncretism. The combination or reconciliation of differing beliefs in religion, philosophy, etc.
toga. Men’s outer garment; oblong drape with rounded corners varying in color and style according to
social class.
tunica. Short-sleeved under garment that hung to the knees; worn by men and women.
✞
Before taking the LIFEPAC Test, you may want to do one or more of these self
1.
______
Read the objectives. Check to see if you can do them.
2.
______
Restudy the material related to any objectives that you cannot do.
3.
______
Use the SQ3R study procedure to review the material.
4.
______
Review activities, Self Tests, and LIFEPAC vocabulary words.
5.
______
Restudy areas of weakness indicated by the last Self Test.
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