Pliny the Younger
Pliny the Younger(61—c.113 AD),the Roman governor of Bithynia et Pontus (now in modern Turkey) wrote a letter to Roman Emperor Trajan c.112 AD and asked for counsel on dealing with the early Christians. “It is my custom,Sir,to refer to you in all cases where I do not feel sure,for who can better direct my doubts or inform my ignorance?
What is the main message of the letter to the Romans?
Its outlook is universal. Paul’s Letter to the Romans is a powerful exposition of the doctrine of the supremacy of Christ and of faith in Christ as the source of salvation. It is an implicit plea to the Christians at Rome, and to all Christians, to hold fast to that faith.
Why did Paul write to the Roman Christians?
Because Paul was going to a church he had not founded, his writing to the Roman Christians offered him an opportunity to present his theological views in a systematic way, which he had not done in other letters.
When were the first letters to the Apostle Paul written?
These letters were written in c. 112 AD when pagan Rome was still struggling with how to handle this popular Christian movement. But in the ensuing two centuries, when a governor or a judge sat in judgment on Christians, he asked, “Are you a Christian?”
What is the purpose of Paul’s letters to Corinth and Rome?
Paul’s Letters to Corinth Rome Paul’s 1st Letter to Corinth The Holy Spirit helps us understand Temples of the Holy Spirit Advice on Marriage Relationships Running the Race of Life The Lord’s Supper Spiritual Gifts Worship in the early church The risen Lord Jesus appears to his followers Paul’s 2nd Letter to Corinth
What does the letter to the Romans mean?
The Letter to the Romans | Bible.org. 2. The Letter to the Romans. “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”. ( Romans 3:22 NIV)
Why did the Jews think they were more righteous than the Gentiles?
The Jewish Christians had a tendency to think they were more righteous (better at worshipping God) than the Gentiles because the Bible was written by Jews and for Jews. Jesus was a Jew, and God had called the Jews His chosen people. After 5 years, it was safe for the Jews to come back to Rome.
Why is Jesus righteous?
Jesus Christ, who is completely righteous because He never sinned, died for our sin on the cross. When we believe, He takes our sin away and gives us His righteousness. This makes us acceptable to God. “Justify/justified” means to be declared not guilty of sin. This works equally for every person.
Why do we thank God for the gift of Jesus?
Thank God for His free gift of Jesus. Thank God for sending His Holy Spirit to live in you to help you live a life that pleases your God. Thank Jesus for being your righteousness, making you right with God by faith so that you are loved equally by your God.
What does it mean to be right with God?
The phrase “to be right with God” means the same as the word “righteous.”. When you are right with God or “righteous,” you are not separated from Him because of your sin. No one is right with God (righteous) or does anything good in God’s eyes on her own. That includes Jews as well as non-Jews. 2.
What is the letter that Paul wrote to the two groups of Christians?
The two groups needed to get along. So, he wrote a letter. We have that letter called “Romans.”. It is a gift from God to us. In his letter, Paul reminded both groups of Christians—those who had once been Jews and those from non-Jewish backgrounds—that they were equal before God. Neither was better than the other.
Was neither better than the other?
Neither was better than the other. Both had been equally guilty of sin. By faith in Christ, both had been made equally right with God. Even today, Christ makes us all—from different countries and traditions—equally right and acceptable to God by our faith in Christ. Let’s find out what that means.
What is the plan of salvation in the Romans?
Romans presents a plan of salvation stretching from Adam through Abraham and Moses to Christ ( Rom 4; 5) and on to the future revelation at Christ’s parousia ( Rom 8:18 – 25 ). Its outlook is universal. Paul’s Letter to the Romans is a powerful exposition of the doctrine of the supremacy of Christ and of faith in Christ as the source of salvation.
What is the hope of the apostles?
The apostle’s hope is that, just as rejection of the gospel by some in Israel has led to a ministry of salvation for non-Jews, so one day, in God’s mercy, “all Israel” will be sa ved ( Rom 11:11 – 15, 25 – 29, 30 – 32 ).
What is the gospel of Paul?
As the outline below shows, this gospel of Paul (see Rom 16:25) finds its center in salvation and justification through faith in Christ ( Rom 1:16 – 17 ).
What is the letter to the Romans?
THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS. Of all the letters of Paul, that to the Christians at Rome has long held pride of place. It is the longest and most systematic unfolding of the apostle’s thought, expounding the gospel of God’s righteousness that saves all who believe ( Rom 1:16 – 17 ); it reflects a universal outlook, …
What is the implication of Paul’s exposition of justification by faith rather than by means of law?
Then the implication of Paul’s exposition of justification by faith rather than by means of law is that the divine plan of salvation works itself out on a broad theological plane to include the whole of humanity, despite the differences in the content of the given religious system to which a human culture is heir.
Where did Paul go when he left Jerusalem?
He planned then to travel on to Rome and to enlist support there for a mission to Spain ( Rom 15:24, 28 ).
Was Paul arrested in chains?
Yet he recognized that the visit to Jerusalem would be hazardous ( Rom 15:30 – 32 ), and we know from Acts that Paul was arrested there and came to Rome only in chains, as a prisoner ( Acts 21 – 28, especially Acts 21:30 – 33 and Acts 28:14, 30 – 31 ). The existence of a Christian community in Rome antedates Paul’s letter there.
What makes it equally possible for a Jew or Gentile to come to Christ?
This is what Paul yearned for with respect to his fellow Jews. What makes it equally possible for Jew or Gentile to come to Christ is justification by faith, with the Law viewed as obsolete because Christ is the end of the Law (chapter 10, verse 4). Thus, there are, in effect, no distinctions between Gentile and Jew.
What is the power of God?
the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith (i.e., that Jesus is the Messiah), 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 righteous shall live by faith.”.
How does the Romans differ from the other Pauline letters?
Romans differs from all the other Pauline letters in that it was written to a congregation over which Paul did not claim apostolic authority. He stressed that he was merely going to Rome in transit, because it was his principle not to evangelize where others had worked.
Why did Paul go to Spain?
Because his apostolic ministry appeared to be completed in Asia Minor and Greece, Paul planned to go to Spain via Rome, a city that he had never visited. Before going westward, however, he first had to go to Jerusalem to deliver to the church there a collection of money. Because Paul was going to a church he had not founded, …
Where was the letter written in Romans 1-15?
There is little doubt about the integrity of Romans 1–15; the letter was written from Corinth c. 56. Chapter 16 , however, seems to be a later addition. It contains numerous salutations to individuals (which is unusual in that Paul had never been to Rome) and an antinomian (antilegalistic) tone that would be more appropriate to …
Is justification by faith a theology?
Justification by faith is not, however, the answer to the question of man , plagued by conscience, about his salvation nor is it deep theology. It is rather an argument totally grounded in the problem of the relationship of Jews and Gentiles—i.e., how it will be possible for the Gentiles to be fellow heirs with Jews and how both Jews …
Is the doxology rhetorical?
The doxology (16:25–27) is rhetorical and its vocabulary is not in keeping with that of Paul’s usual thought. Because the doxology occurs in different manuscripts in varying positions in the course of textual transmission, it is probably secondary.
What does Paul do in these verses?
The first thing Paul does in these verses is to talk about Jesus. Following Jesus, teaching others about Jesus, writing to encourage others in their obedience to Jesus was Paul’s passion. Having introduced himself at the beginning of this letter, Paul gives us concise statements of the Gospel of God.
What does Romans 1:1-15 mean?
Romans 1:1-15: 1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to …
What is the longest letter of Paul?
Romans is the longest of Paul’s letters that we have, and the most in-depth and comprehensive exposition of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That explains the introduction that we will look at today. He set the tone right. Lets read the beginning of this letter. Romans 1:1-15:
What is the purpose of the letter to the Romans?
Romans focuses on God and His plan of salvation for mankind, both Jews and Gentiles. Paul wrote the letter while he was in Corinth during his third missionary journey.
How much does a VRBo cost per night?
“Prices start at $105 per night, and condos and villas are popular options for a stay in Rome.
What is a VRBO website?
But if you did, there is a website called Vrbo that rents houses, condos, apartments or studios to stay in if you go. The apostle Paul wanted to go to Rome, but when he got there he didn’t have the fine accommodations that Vrbo advertises. 1. 2. 3.
Why did Paul write the letter to the Roman Christians?
So the practical reason for writing this letter was to tell the Roman Christians that he was planning to visit them after his trip to Jerusalem.
When did Paul arrive in Rome?
The Gentile Christians were not expelled, however, and by the time Paul arrived in Rome in the spring of 60AD to await his trial by the Emperor Nero, Aquila and his wife had returned to Rome (where the Christians were meeting in their home). Paul was greeted on the road to Rome by fellow-believers …
When was Paul’s letter to Rome written?
Paul’s Letter to Rome. This letter was written from Corinth in the early spring of 57AD, towards the end of Paul’s third missionary journey (see Map 27).
Who was greeted on the road to Rome?
Paul was greeted on the road to Rome by fellow-believers (see Acts 28:15) and there were already Gentile Christians in Nero’s household (see Philippians 4:22) (see Map 26).
Who dictated the letter to Tertius?
The letter was dictated by Paul to Tertius, a Christian colleague (see Romans 16:22). Phoebe – a believer from Cenchrea (the eastern port of Corinth) – probably took the letter by hand from Corinth to Rome (see Romans 16:1-2). In his letter, Paul explains how God puts people right with himself – through faith in the Lord Jesus.
Introduction
The Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Germanicus, Parthicus, Sarmaticus, to the People of Rome, and to the sacred Senate, greeting!
Circumstances
I explained my plan to you and what advantages I had gained on the borders of Germany after much labor and suffering. Due to the circumstances of this war, I was surrounded by the enemy in Carnuntum. 74 cohorts cut us off from help, being stationed 9 miles off.
The Christians Go to Battle
They began the battle not by preparing weapons or bugles. Such preparation is hateful to them because of the God they carry around in their conscience. We call them atheists, but it seems that they have a God as their ruling power in their conscience.
Marcus Aurelius Honors the Christians
Because of this, then, let us pardon such as are Christians, lest they pray for and obtain such a weapon against us! And I counsel that no such person be accused by our courts only on the ground of being a Christian.