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THE CLEAREST GOSPEL OF ALL

(Romans Bible Study Series Tape One)

Recommended reading - Romans 1:1-17

No book or section of scripture expounds so clearly and so masterfully the plan of salvation, which is the doctrine of righteousness by faith, than Paul's Epistle to the Romans. This Epistle has been described as the clearest gospel of all.

In Acts 9: 1, We see the conversion of Saul. Saul's name was later changed to Paul. After Paul's conversion he immediately preached Jesus Christ. Prior to Paul's conversion he was a persecutor of true Christian's. Paul (Saul) was a Pharisee and spent his life in Judaism. However, to God, Paul was a chosen vessel. God chose Paul to be the instrument to expound the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to both the gentiles and the Israelite world.

Paul introduces the Epistle to the Romans in Romans 1: 1. Paul starts by stating that he is a servant (or by using the Greek word refers to himself as a slave) of Jesus Christ. Paul was a scholar of the scriptures. Almost half of the New Testament is the writing of Paul. A more specific reason for the book is that this is the only letter that Paul wrote to a church, or body of Christians, which he had not established or visited. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, or others, he was writing to people to whom he had already verbally expounded the Gospel. When Paul wrote to the Romans, a people he had not met, he expounded all the wonderful truths of the gospel. Romans 1: 11 - Paul wanted to impart to them a spiritual gift so that they might be established in Christ. We must also be established in Christ, that is why it is so important that we study this Epistle.

The great theme of this book is expressed in Romans 1: 15- 17. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for every one who believes. The Romans had class distinctions. The Romans viewed themselves as first class citizens, hence, they were almost never crucified because crucifixion brought shame to their country and to their nation. The Romans looked at Jews as second class citizens. The Christians who worshipped a crucified savior were third class citizens. Paul said I am not ashamed of this Gospel because it is the power of God. Rome, with all her pride and all her success, had failed to conquer sin. Paul said there is only one power that can conquer sin and that is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Man must accept that salvation and believe. There is only one solution for man's sinful problem and that is Jesus Christ. Paul preached and taught this message without shame, Paul refers to this Gospel in Romans 1: 17 . When Paul states the righteousness of God he means: 1) A righteousness planned by God; 2) A righteousness prepared by God without any human contribution; and 3) A righteousness made available by God Himself.

The gospel is not a conditional good news as we will see in a future study in Chapter five. There we will discover four things that the good news means to us; First, while we were helpless; Secondly, while we were un-Godly; Thirdly, while we were enemies and Finally, while we were sinners. God reconciled Himself to us by the death of His son. God takes the initiative.

We have not exemplified the meaning of the Gospel as we should have. The world is desperately waiting for this message. God takes the initiative, He gets all the credit. Paul is trying to present in this book the unconditional good news of salvation, which God prepared for us in His son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has come to redeem us.

In this book the Apostle Paul unfolds to us the whole counsel of God. 1) Our sin problem man's sinful condition. 2) The truth about Christ, His life and death as our substitute and surety. 3) Faith in Christ as the basis of making salvation effective and the solution to the sin problem. 4) Work of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification, we in Christ, then Christ in us. 5) The place of God's people in this world. We have a work to do. 6) Practical applications of the Gospel in daily Christian living.

Everything we need in the plan of salvation is found in this book. This book is a difficult book. The purpose in this study is to breech the gap so the Gospel, as revealed in Romans, will become meaningful to all of us. We will study this in detail because this is the most extended treatment of this most crucial doctrine of righteousness by faith. We must get this important point. We do not have righteousness by works. We cannot produce works of righteousness on our own, that can only be done by Christ in us. Salvation is not dependent upon our righteousness produced through us with Christ in us. Salvation is dependent upon our accepting Christ and our being in Him. It is a duty of God's people to search the truth. When this is done one truth will prevail, that is, Christ our righteousness.

There are four major areas that Paul covers in Romans. 1) The doctrine of Righteousness by faith is a truth about what God has already accomplished. God has already redeemed, not just the elect as some have taught, but all mankind. Legally all mankind stands justified in Christ. That is the unconditional good news of the Gospel. Ephesians 1:3. 2) The legal justification for all mankind must be made effective. All mankind will not be glorified, not because God has not redeemed them, but because they have rejected the salvation. The legal justification is made effective by faith alone, and nothing else. The believer who accepts Christ is clothed with the perfect righteousness of Christ, which is known as imputed righteousness. As far as God is concerned, we are qualified for glory now and in the judgment. This is the basis of peace. Romans 5:1. 3) Justification by faith does not stop there. We are partakers of the divine nature of God. We must escape the corruption that is in the world. The corruption in the world is in us because our nature is corrupt. We will remain corrupt until the second coming of Christ, when this corruption puts on incorruption. The Holy Spirit helps us to overcome corruption so that we can do righteous things. We can live lives that are pleasing to God because of the Holy Spirit. That is the power of justification by faith. John 15 - We are to abide in God and He in us. If we have received this justification by faith, we have actually accepted Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God is in us, therefore we will bear fruit. Matthew 5 - We are many but we comprise that one light. The one light is Jesus Christ. Jesus came as light in darkness. Jesus personally is not here. His body, the church, the ecclesia, and the called ones are here. We are to be the light of the world. Matthew 5:16. Only through justification by faith can we look redeemed. Justification by faith is able to produce a company of believers, a called people. It doesn't matter what their numbers are, they will be knit together in love. They will be of one heart and one mind. The gospel of Christ can do that. When this happens this earth will be lighted with His glory. Acts 4:32., We must be like minded and like hearted. V33 - The resurrection of Christ is the greatest evidence that God has conquered sin. The Gospel of Chris is His death, burial and also His resurrection. It is this way that He paid for our sins and provided for our salvation. Christ provided for our eternal life through the resurrection. If we can conquer the grave, we can conquer sin. Jesus conquered the grave as the greatest evidence that He conquered sin. The disciples, with great power, gave witness to this truth. V34 -35.

There are five things that are important to cover before the close of this first session. 1) Paul The name Paul means humble or little. The antithesis of Saul which means desired. 2) Apostle - The word means messenger. This was the least important office in the synagogue. Christ chose this least important office in the synagogue and elevated it to the most important responsibility among His people. Paul was set apart as a messenger of the Gospel of God. 3) The gospel had been promised through the prophets in the Holy scriptures. 4) Through Jesus Christ is effectuated the obedience of faith. Salvation is a gift, faith effects obedience. Those who do have salvation and grow in faith will effect obedience. 5) We are called to be saints. All true believers are saints because Christ's true righteousness is attributed to us.

May God bless us and help us to know the truth as we study the Epistle to the Romans.

Ray Wooten