Apostolic work: global recovery of the Way of Christ and His Apostles

Apostolic work: global recovery of the Way of Christ and His Apostles

Strategic Intent 2018-2020 Strategic Project 2: Plant and Network 68 Churches” Strategic Project 3: Train 340 Leaders in the C-BTE System” What’s visible there: establishment and expansion It’s not always clear on the relationship between the two

Romans – Author’s Intention Paul wrote Romans “to fully establish the Romans in ‘his gospel,’ which is the gospel of Jesus Christ, that they might fully participate with him in the progress of that gospel, as the key city in the Roman empire… “…arguing that in light of all that God has done, we need to fully dedicate ourselves to serve Him, shaping our lives and worldview around the gospel (1.16-11.36) “…and the ‘pattern of teaching’ (12.1-15.13), which allows the Holy Spirit to transform us and fully participate in the plan and purposes of God, both locally and with the progress of the gospel as led by apostolic leaders in our generation.”

Romans – Author’s Intention Paul wrote Romans “to fully establish the Romans in ‘his gospel,’ which is the gospel of Jesus Christ, that they might fully participate with him in the progress of that gospel, as the key city in the Roman empire “…arguing that in light of all that God has done, we need to fully dedicate ourselves to serve Him, shaping our lives and worldview around the gospel (1.16-11.36) “…and the ‘pattern of teaching’ (12.1-15.13), which allows the Holy Spirit to transform us and fully participate in the plan and purposes of God, both locally and with the progress of the gospel as led by apostolic leaders in our generation.”

Romans 15.14-33 “I myself feel confident about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. Nevertheless on some points I have written to you rather boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the good news of Christ. Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, “‘Those who have never been told of him shall see, “and those who have never heard of him shall understand.’

Romans 15.14-33 “This is the reason that I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, with no further place for me in these regions, I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you when I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints; for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. They were pleased to do this, and indeed they owe it to them; for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material things. So, when I have completed this, and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will set out by way of you to Spain; and I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. 

Romans 15.14-33 “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf, that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. The God of peace be with all of you. Amen. 

Discuss: Romans 15.14-33 What are the establishment aspects of this text? What are the expansion aspects of this text? How are these ideas linked in Paul’s thinking? How do they relate to Paul’s mission? How would you define Paul’s mission?

Paul’s Gospel and Mission Inclusio: a literary device bracketing text by means of similar elements at the beginning and end of the text, to show how the bracketed material relates to the inclusio itself Romans 1.18-15.13 is contained within a double inclusio 1.1-7, 16.25-27 1.8-17, 15.14-16.2

Romans 1.1-6 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”

Romans 16.25-27 “Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.”

Inclusio The Gospel of Jesus the Messiah, promised beforehand by the prophets, brings about the obedience of faith

Romans 1.8-17 “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish —hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith.’”

Romans 15.14-15.33 (excerpts) “I myself feel confident about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. Nevertheless on some points I have written to you rather boldly by way of reminder. … Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, “‘Those who have never been told of him shall see, “and those who have never heard of him shall understand.’ “With no further place for me in these regions, I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you when I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints. … So, when I have completed this, and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will set out by way of you to Spain; and I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Inclusio The Gospel of Jesus the Messiah, promised beforehand by the prophets, brings about the obedience of faith I know that you are mature; nevertheless, I want to strengthen you, to proclaim the gospel to you, and to come visit you I know that you are mature; nevertheless, I want to strengthen you, to proclaim the gospel beyond you, to come visit you, and be sent on by you

Romans – Author’s Intention Paul wrote Romans “to fully establish the Romans in ‘his gospel,’ which is the gospel of Jesus Christ, that they might fully participate with him in the progress of that gospel, as the key city in the Roman empire “…arguing that in light of all that God has done, we need to fully dedicate ourselves to serve Him, shaping our lives and worldview around the gospel (1.16-11.36) “…and the ‘pattern of teaching’ (12.1-15.13), which allows the Holy Spirit to transform us and fully participate in the plan and purposes of God, both locally and with the progress of the gospel as led by apostolic leaders in our generation.”

Inclusio The Gospel of Jesus the Messiah, promised beforehand by the prophets, brings about the obedience of faith I know that you are mature; nevertheless, I want to strengthen you, to proclaim the gospel to you, and to come visit you “In light of all that God has done, we need to fully dedicate ourselves to serve Him, shaping our lives and worldview around the gospel and the ‘pattern of teaching,’ which allows the Holy Spirit to transform us and fully participate in the plan and purposes of God, both locally and with the progress of the gospel as led by apostolic leaders in our generation.” I know that you are mature; nevertheless, I want to strengthen you, to proclaim the gospel beyond you, to come visit you, and be sent on by you

Paul’s Desire for the Romans Paul wrote Romans “to fully establish the Romans in ‘his gospel,’ which is the gospel of Jesus Christ, that they might fully participate with him in the progress of that gospel, as the key city in the Roman empire He wants them to be his new base of operations! Ro 15.19-21: “From Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the good news of Christ. Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, ‘Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.’”

The Levant Illyricum

The Levant

Paul’s Mission So what was Paul’s mission? Ep 3.8-9: “Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.” Mt 28.19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”

Paul’s Mission Paul did both! Paul’s mission: the multiplication of established churches Why is this important?

Apostolic work: global recovery of the Way of Christ and His Apostles

Strategic Intent 2018-2020 Strategic Project 2: Plant and Network 68 Churches” Strategic Project 3: Train 340 Leaders in the C-BTE System” The mission: the multiplication of established churches* *Your participation may vary

Romans – Author’s Intention Paul wrote Romans “to fully establish the Romans in ‘his gospel,’ which is the gospel of Jesus Christ, that they might fully participate with him in the progress of that gospel, as the key city in the Roman empire “…arguing that in light of all that God has done, we need to fully dedicate ourselves to serve Him, shaping our lives and worldview around the gospel (1.16-11.36) “…and the ‘pattern of teaching’ (12.1-15.13), which allows the Holy Spirit to transform us and fully participate in the plan and purposes of God, both locally and with the progress of the gospel as led by apostolic leaders in our generation.”

Discuss Mission: the multiplication of established churches Strategic Project 2: Plant and Network 68 Churches” Strategic Project 3: Train 340 Leaders in the C-BTE System” What side of the mission do you tend to be drawn to? What specific things can you envision, in terms of your participation in the mission? How can you participate together with your apostolic leaders? What do those leaders need from you?