The book of Romans is a book that is pivotal to the Christian faith. It expounds on concepts such as righteousness, justification, and grace. Whether you are a new believer or you have been following Jesus for 50 years, the book of Romans is a book that will both humble and encourage you all while directing you to the one we all need… JESUS!
WHO WROTE IT?
The book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus. The Apostle Paul was a Jewish Pharisee and a Roman citizen who persecuted Jesus’s followers. You would think that God would want nothing to do with him, but God’s ways are indeed not our ways. One day, when Paul was on the way to Damascus to persecute more of Jesus’ followers and throw them in prison, Jesus spoke to him in a way that He would NEVER forget. Bright light shining and a voice from heaven changed Paul’s life forever, and from then on, Paul committed His life to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with Jews and Gentiles!
WHO WAS HE WRITING TO?
Paul was writing to the community of Jesus’ followers in Rome. At this time, there was some tension in this community. Emperor Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome for five years, and around the time of Paul’s letter, Claudius had allowed the Jews to return. The Jewish Christ followers were SHOCKED to return and find that many of their Jewish practices were not being followed by the Gentile Jesus followers. There were intense debates over the sabbath, circumcision, and eating Kosher. Tension was rising, and it was in this climate that the apostle Paul sent his letter.
WHY WAS HE WRITING?
Paul was a Jewish pharisee and Roman citizen who used to persecute Christians and is now one of them. He has committed his life to Christ and had gone through so much persecution.
The Jewish Christians underwent persecution from other Jews who did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. They suffered five years of being displaced from the place they called home because of the decree from Emperor Claudius.
The Gentile Christians have let go of the idol worship and the gods of their ancestors. They are now shunned by their own people, but they are also not entirely accepted by those that are Jewish believers. They are trying to learn this new faith while navigating the drastic change in their own life.
What could all these people have in common? There is one significant commonality… They all need JESUS, just as each of us do. Paul’s letter to the Romans reminds them that all people everywhere have free access to God’s grace through Jesus Christ as they respond in faith to the gospel. Through this letter Paul reminds us all that it was not our own works that saved us, but rather the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross that saved and changed our lives forever. It is Christ alone that makes us righteous and not we ourselves.
CHECK OUT THE MORNINGS WITH JESUS INTRODUCTION OF ROMANS!
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