THE BOOK OF ROMANS-SUMMARY
WEDNESDAY P.M./5-4-94
I. SUMMARY OF THE BOOK:
A. Author-Paul (1:1; 15:18-31)
B. Written from Corinth (16:23). Paul was ready to depart for Jerusalem with the contribution for the saints. (15:25-26) The year being 57 or 58 A.D., probably early in the spring.
C. Written to the church in Rome, which had existed for some time (15:23), and had a reputation for faithfulness. (1:8; 16:19)
D. Theme of the book: 1:16 The gospel is the power of God unto salvation for both Jewish and Gentile believers.
E. Basic outline of the book: (1) To state and justify the doctrine of justification by faith apart from the works of the Law. (Chapters 1-5) (2) To defend it against slanderous perversions (Chapters 6-8). (3) To deal with the "problem" of unblessed Jews. (Chapters 9-11) (4) Such mercy as seen in the sacrifice of Christ demands a transformed life. Manifested in our dealings with brethren and the world (Chapter 12). Our relationship to civil government (Chapter 13). In learning to give up our rights for the soul of a brother. (Chapter 14-15)
II. CHAPTER BY CHAPTER SUMMATION:
CHAPTER: 1. The Premise Stated (1:16)/Man Made Religion Has Only Degraded Mankind.
2. The Jews Had Also Sinned Against the Knowledge They Had Because Of An Uncircumcised Heart.
3. All Have Sinned/Faith in Jesus the Access To Justification.
4. Abraham and David/Examples of Men Justified By Faith.
5. Christ Didn't Die For Righteous Men/Law Demonstrates the Need for a Saviour.
6. Does Grace Mean We Can Continue In Sin? No! Our Baptism Demonstrated a Death to the Practice of Sin. Our Obedience From the Heart Has Given Us a New Master.
7. The Struggle Of One Trying To Live By Perfect Lawkeeping.
8. No Condemnation In Christ Jesus, For Those That Walk After The Spirit And Endure With Him. The Hope Of The Resurrection, The Intercession Of The Spirit, God's Love For Me Despite The Situation.
9. All Israel Isn't True Israel, Being Used In God's Plan Didn't Guarantee One Favor With God.
10. How Accessible Righteousness Based On Faith Is/One Needs To Simply Confess and Obey What They Hear Preached.
11. At Present A Remnant Exists/Unbelief Cuts One Off From God
12. Change Happens When the Mind is Renewed/Use Your Talents.
13. The Reason Behind Subjection To the Civil Authorities/Time to Wake Up.
14. Love of Neighbor Applied In the Realm of Personal Liberity and Matters of Opinion.
15. Please Your Neighbor For His Good/Pauls Aim in Preaching and His Desire to Visit Rome.
16. Commendation of Phoebe/Personal Greetings/Warning Against False Teachers.
III. KEY CALVINISTIC ISSUES ADDRESSED:
A. Total Hereditary Depravity vs. Man has Great Potential for Good or Evil, Depending On His Own Choice:
Instead of teaching that one is born in sin and opposed to all good. In this book we find that even sinners understand God's will (1:32). Man ends up in sin, not because he inherits the guilt of Adam's sin, but because he chooses to walk in the ways of Adam. (5:12) Man isn't born a sinner, for Paul describes the period of his childhood as one of spiritual life. (7:9) And even when Paul was outside of Christ, he still desired to do good. (7:15-16)
B. Unconditional Election (Predestination) vs. Free Will:
Instead of teaching the predestination of specific individuals, regardless of their own choice in the matter. This book teaches that salvation to open to all (1:16). And the only thing predestined was the Saviour and the conditions on which salvation would be obtained. God predestined that salvation in Christ would be on the basis of faith, hence no one has been excluded from the opportunity to be saved. Since all can express faith. (4:16) That your eternal destiny depends on your own free-willed choice, is continually stressed throughout the book. (1:16; 2:4-11; 6:16-17; 8:12-13; 9:30-32; 10:1-3,8-11,17; 11:20-23; 14:15)
C. Limited Atonement vs. Christ Died For All Men:
Instead of teaching that Jesus only died for the predestined, this book teaches that Christ died for all. Hence salvation can be proclaimed in honesty and integrity to the whole of mankind. (1:14,16; 3:22,26) Paul proclaims that the benefits of Christ's death are available to every sinner. (5:15,18)
D. Irresistible Grace vs. Faith Comes By Hearing:
Instead of teaching that the direct operation of the Holy Spirit is needed, before a man can even respond at all to the gospel message. Paul teaches that the "power" is in the message itself. (1:16; 10:17)
E. Once Saved Always Saved vs. Salvation Is Conditional:
Too many passages exist in this book that contradict the idea that a Christian can never lose their salvation. (2:1-13; 6:1-2; 12-15; 8:13,25; 11:21) Such a view is just as erroneous as the belief which many Jews held, that a geneology traced back to Abraham was their ticket to heaven. In this letter, we find many people that knew about God, knew His will, and were at one time the "people of God"; who found themselves outside of God's blessing of salvation. (1:18-19,32; 2:1-5; 23-29; 3:3,9; 10-18; 9:1-6, 27-29; 10:1-3; 19-21; 11:7)
IV. KEY PRINCIPLES IN THE BOOK:
A. The Faith That Has Always Resulted In Justification Is An Obedient Faith: (1:5; the type of faith that a man would "live" by-1:17; the faith expressed by Abraham-4:16-22; 6:17; 15:18; 16:19,26.)
B. God Placed Salvation On the Basis Of Such A Faith, Because Every Person Can Fully Trust Him: (4:16) Hence we only have ourselves to blame if we miss eternal life. (2:1-5) Salvation isn't based on who you are related to, or works of human merit, or being merely a good moral person.
C. Grace Isn't An Excuse To Sin, Rather It Should Bring Gratitude And A Transformed Life: (12:1ff)
D. Most People/Cultures Know More About God/Right And Wrong, Then They Would Care To Admit: (1:18-32) Hence, all stand before God without excuse for not obeying His Will.
E. Outward Religion Is Never Enough/True Change Comes When the Heart is Changed. (2:28-29; 12:1-2)
F. Human Faithlessness Doesn't Deter God's Plans: (3:3-4; 9:16-33; Chapter 11)
G. All Have Sinned: (3:23) Everyone has failed in their attempt to try to please God outside of Christ. Outside of Christ no mercy is found, outside of Christ is the realm of "pure law", without forgiveness for transgressions. (8:1) Even Paul had failed to successfully live a life pleasing to God, outside of Christ (Chapter 7).
H. Considering the Type of Death That Christians Are Baptized Into/ Newness of Life, Service For God Should Result: Chapter 6
I. God Is For Us! (5:6-11; 8:18-39)
J. All Israel Never Constituted The People Of God/God Has Always Considered Obedient Believers To Be His True People: (Chapters 9-11)
K. Salvation In Christ Demands A Life Of Other-Centeredness: (Chapters 12-15)
THE BOOK OF ROMANS FINAL QUIZ:
1. The Author of the book of Romans is:
a. Apollos b. Peter c. Paul d. Hillary Clinton
2. The Theme of the book may be best identified in which of the following verses?
a. Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
b. Romans 8:28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, {even} to them that are called according to {his} purpose.
c. Romans 5:1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
d. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
3. Paul said the gospel revealed God's: a. Holiness b. Faithfulness c. Righteousness d. Eternal Nature
4. The existence of God has been clearly seen since: a. The Flood b. The Tower of Babel c. The Babylonian Captivity d. The Creation
5. The greatest advantage the Jewish nation had was: a. The Ark of the Covenant b. A picture of Moses c. The oracles of God d. The Temple
6. Paul said that through the Law came: a. Righteousness b. Justification c. Freedom d. The Knowledge of Sin
7. David spoke of the man that God reckons righteousness to as the: a. Good moral man b. The forgiven man c. The perfect man d. The unrepentant man
8. Paul said that when the Law came in, transgression......: a. Increased b. Decreased c. Stayed the same d. Ceased altogether
9. In Chapter six Paul uses which relationship to make his point: a. Parent-child. b. Husband-wife c. Master-slave
10. In Chapter seven Paul said the Law is: a. Hard to Understand b. Unfair c. Mysterious d. Holy, righteous and good
11. 'For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through.....' a. The flesh b. It's lack of clarity c. It's age d. It's irrelevance.
12. Paul said that we are heirs of God if: a. We suffer with Him b. Have the right ancestry c. Are good moral people d. We have good lawyer.
13. Paul said that Christians eagerly await: a. The destruction of the wicked b. The redemption of our body c. Sanctification d. The next election
14. All things work together for good to : a. Jews b. Gentiles c. Those that live sinless lives d. Those that love God
15. Paul was convinced that nothing could seperate him from: a. Salvation b. Justification c. God's love for Him d. His love for God
16. In Chapter nine which job is mentioned? a. A potter b. A metalsmith c. A carpenter d. A politician
17. In Chapter ten one needs to believe that: a. Jesus lived b. Arose from the dead c. Died d. Jesus was a good man
18. What O.T. character is mentioned in Chapter 11? a. David b. Abraham c. Elijah d. Isaiah
19. All Israel will be saved: a. Unconditionally b. Against their will c. By works d. In the same way others end up saved.
20. Paul said 'Let love be without...': a. Hypocrisy b. Emotion c. Obedience d. Apologies
21. Paul said 'Abhor...': a. High prices b. Disease c. What is evil d. Tribulations
22. We need to be in subjection to governing authorites: a. To look good. b. Because of taxes c. Because of wrath and conscience d. Because we don't have any choice
21. 'Make no provision for': a. Hard times b. The flesh c. Sleep d. Guests
22. 'Let us pursue the things which..': a. Are comfortable. b. Build others up c. Make us feel good. d. Cause problems
23. 'For whatever was written in earlier times was written for..': a. Past generations b. Our instruction c. No good reason d. A time in the future
25. 'For I am not ashamed of the Gospel': a. 2:4 b. 1:16 c. 11:25 d. 15:26
26. 'All the churches of Christ salute you': a. 3:2 b. 7:17 c. 12:6 d. 16:16
27. 'not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance': a. 5:9 b. 2:4 c. 8:6 d. 11:23
28. 'Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed..?: a. 15:1 b. 1:8 c. 6:21 d. 8:27
29. 'So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ': a. 10:17 b. 3:19 c. 13:12 d. 16:4
30. 'Do not be conformed to this world': a. 12:2 b. 16:17 c. 2:3 d. 4:5
31. 'Behold then the kindness and severity of God': a. 12:12 b. 9:3 c. 11:22 d. 1:2
32. 'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God': a. 4:12 b. 11:35 c. 15:1 d. 3:23
Match the subject matter with the chapter in which it is found:
Ch. 1_____ A. Christ didn't die for righteous men
Ch. 2_____ B. All have sinned
Ch. 3_____ C. One needs to simply confess and obey what they hear preached
Ch. 4_____ D. Does grace mean we can continue in sin? No!
Ch. 5_____ E. Man made religion has only degraded mankind.
Ch. 6_____ F. Commendation of Phoebe
Ch. 7_____ G. No condemnation in Christ Jesus
Ch. 8_____ H. Paul's aim in preaching and his desire to visit Rome.
Ch. 9_____ I. Jews had also sinned against the knowledge they had because of an uncircumcised heart.
Ch. 10_____ J. At present a remnant exists, unbelief cuts one off from God.
Ch. 11_____ K. Change happens when the mind is renewed.
Ch. 12_____ L. Abraham and David, examples of men justified by faith.
Ch. 13_____ M. The struggle of one trying to live by perfect lawkeeping.
Ch. 14_____ N. All Israel isn't true Israel, being used in God's plan didn't guarantee one favor with God.
Ch. 15_____ O. The reason behind subjection to the civil authorities.
Ch. 16_____ P. Love of neighbor applied in the realm of personal liberity.