The book of Romans is a Pauline Epistle (letter from Paul). The Apostle Paul wrote it roughly about 56-57 A.D. The key personalities in the book of Romans are the Apostle Paul, and Phoebe who delivered the letter. Paul wrote the letter to the believers in Rome, hence the name “Romans”. He wrote it to give them a concrete theological foundation on which to construct their faith and to serve God effectively. Most scholars also describe it as the righteousness of God (1:17), which can be received only by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ. - In chapters 1-8, Paul explains the fundamentals and foundations of the Christian faith, this is the Gospel Message, which all believers are commanded to share with the entire world. Some of the most popular and precious memorization passages about Salvation can be found in the first several chapters of Romans, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”(6:23). Paul teaches about the sinful nature of all men in the eyes of God, justification by faith in Jesus Christ, freedom from sin, and victory in Christ.
- Chapters 9-11, Paul explains to whom this Gospel message is provided. He teaches that salvation is available to, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved”(10:13). Paul struggles in sorrow because of the Jew’s rejection of the Messiah Jesus Christ.
- In chapters 12-16, Paul gives instructions for all Christians about of how to live a holy lifestyle. In the beginning of chapter 12 he writes, “Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice”, and “Do not be conformed to this world”. Much of the errors and trials that Paul dealt with in his “Epistles”, were because the believers had conformed their lives to the world and not to God.
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