C. It "comes by hearing... the word of Christ” 1

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 2

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, 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 well as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 3

So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 4

C. It "comes by hearing... the word of Christ” D. Not credulity – “a too great readiness to believe” C. It "comes by hearing... the word of Christ” D. Not credulity – “a too great readiness to believe” 5

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 6

A. The faith that has not been supplemented is not sufficient. 1. So said Jesus. A. The faith that has not been supplemented is not sufficient. 1. So said Jesus. 7

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. 8

A. The faith that has not been supplemented is not sufficient. 1. So said Jesus. 2. So said James. A. The faith that has not been supplemented is not sufficient. 1. So said Jesus. 2. So said James. 9

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 10

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 11

A. The faith that has not been supplemented is not sufficient. 1. So said Jesus. 2. So said James. 3. So said John. A. The faith that has not been supplemented is not sufficient. 1. So said Jesus. 2. So said James. 3. So said John. 12

Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. 13

A. The faith that has not been supplemented is not sufficient. 1. So said Jesus. 2. So said James. 3. So said John. B. The faith that avails is a "working faith." A. The faith that has not been supplemented is not sufficient. 1. So said Jesus. 2. So said James. 3. So said John. B. The faith that avails is a "working faith." 14

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 15

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. 16

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 17

A. The faith that has not been supplemented is not sufficient. 1. So said Jesus. 2. So said James. 3. So said John. B. The faith that avails is a "working faith." C. "Mere belief" must grow into "trusting obedience." A. The faith that has not been supplemented is not sufficient. 1. So said Jesus. 2. So said James. 3. So said John. B. The faith that avails is a "working faith." C. "Mere belief" must grow into "trusting obedience." 18

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 19

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” 20

…through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations…. 21

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. 22