Romans September 7, 2014 Thru the Bible in One Year Xavier Reyna, Director Ben Compere, Editor The Gospel of God’s Righteousness

Romans 1:16,17 are the Key Verses: “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”

Paul’s Letter to the Church at Rome Is: Paul’s explains “his” gospel in view of his desire to visit Rome, unify the Jews and Gentiles, and solicit the support of the Roman church for his proposed mission to Spain. Missions Gospel Jew/Gentile

Saint Augustine and Romans Converted by reading Romans 13:14 in 386 AD “Clear light flooded my heart and all the darkness of doubt vanished away.” Subsequently, became one of the greatest theologians of the church

Martin Luther and Romans Converted by studying the book of Romans for his theological students “Righteousness of God” “I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise.” Commonly credited with beginning the Protestant Reformation

John Wesley and Romans Converted while listening to a reading of the preface of Luther’s commentary on Romans. “… while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation…” Became one of the greatest evangelists in history Laid foundation for the Methodist Church Influence

Themes in Romans 1.The Gospel of God’s Righteousness 2.Equality of Jews and Gentiles before God 3.Paul’s Missionary Plans Themes

Romans Begins and Ends on a Missionary Note Romans 1:1-6 “to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith” Romans 16:25-27 “all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith” Romans 1:7-16:24

Romans’ Influence “Probably no book in the New Testament has been so influential in the history of the Christian Church as the letter to the Romans.” Marshall, Travis and Paul, “ Exploring the New Testament: A Guide to the Letters and Revelation” “This letter is arguably the most influential book in Christian history…” Fee and Stuart, “How to read the Bible Book by Book”