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Red Script = Main Point / Blue Script= Directive / Double underline= Important to remember / Boxed= Biblical Text & SDA Commentary Reference / Green Script: A Possible Answer

Lesson 1September 30-October 6/7The Apostle Paul in Rome

Memory Text:“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:8, NKJV).

It is important for a student of the book of Romans to understand the book’s historical background.Context isalways crucial when seeking to understand the Word of God. We need to know and understand the issues that were being addressed. Paul was writing to a specific group of Christians at a specific time and for a specific reason; knowing that reason as much as possible will greatly benefit us in our study.

Thus, let’s go back in time. Let’s transport ourselves back to first-century Rome, become members of the congregation there, and then, as first-century church members, let us listen to Paul and the words that the Holy Spirit gave him to deliver to the believers in Rome.

And yet however localized the immediate issues that Paul was addressing, the principles behind them-in this case the question of How is a person saved?-are universal. Yes, Paul was speaking to a specific group of people; and yes, he had a specific issue in mind when he wrote the letter. But as we know, many centuries later in a totally different time and context, the words he wrote were as relevant to Martin Luther as they were to Paul when he first wrote them. And they are relevant to us as well today.

SundayOctober 1The Apostle Paul’s Letter

Romans 16:1, 2 indicates that Paul probably wrote Romans in the Greek city of Cenchreae, which was near Corinth. Paul’s mention of Phoebe, a resident of greater Corinth, establishes that place as the likely background for the letter to the Romans.

One of the purposes of establishing the city of origin of the New Testament epistles is to ascertain the date of writing. Because Paul traveled a lot, knowing his location at a particular time gives us a clue to the date.

Paul established the church at Corinth on his second missionary journey, A.D. 49-52 (see Acts 18:1-18). On his third journey, A.D. 53-58, he visited Greece again (Acts 20:2, 3) and received an offering for the saints in Jerusalem near the end of his journey (Rom. 15:25, 26). Therefore the Epistle to the Romans was written probably in the early months of A.D. 58.

What other important churches did Paul visit on his third missionary journey?

Acts 18:23 After he had spent some timethere,he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

A Possible Answer: Galatia and Phrygia.

Visiting the Galatian churches, Paul discovered that during his absence false teachers had convinced the members to submit to circumcision and to keep to other precepts of the law of Moses. Fearing that his opponents might reach Rome before he arrived, Paul wrote a letter (Romans) to forestall the same tragedy from happening in Rome. It is believed that the Epistle to the Galatians also was written from Corinth during Paul’s three months there on his third missionary journey, perhaps shortly after his arrival.

“In his epistle to the Romans, Paul set forth the great principles of the gospel. He stated his position on the questions which were agitating the Jewish and the Gentile churches, and showed that the hopes and promises which had once belonged especially to the Jews were now offered to the Gentiles also.” - Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 373.

As we said, it is important in the study of any book of the Bible to know why it was written; that is, what situation it was addressing. Hence, it is important for our understanding of the Epistle to the Romans to know which questions were agitating the Jewish and Gentile churches. Next week’s lesson will address these questions.

What kinds of issues are agitating your church at present? A Possible Answer: 1. How to keep the Sabbath. 2. Women’s ordination. 3. The balance between works and faith. 4. The role, authority and function of the writings of E.G. White in the life of members. 5. The “headship” of husbands in the nuclear family. 6. What ‘modesty’ looks like as it relates to colorful cosmetics and jewelry. 7. The discipline of members.8. The authority and influence of the General Conference leadership outside of sessions. 9. Pastoral authority: inherent with the position or as an outgrowth of one’s character and relationship to members and Jesus. 10. Prejudice and racial biases. Are the threats more from without or from within?A Possible Answer: From within. What role are you playing in these debates? A Possible Answer: Hopefully a part of the solution. We all have some degree of influence. Hence we should use it to favorably impact the outcome of any debate. How often have you stopped to question your role, your position, and your attitudes in whatever struggles you’re facing? A Possible Answer: We should stop, think and pray for God’s direction before we do anything.Such a response readies us to be directed by God, hear His voice and participate appropriately. Why is this kind of self-examination so important?A Possible Answer: It is important because it will enable us to be open to hear God and respond to His promptings... it will help us see where we stand in the stream of things while helping us to assume the appropriate position to either respond or appropriately participate.

MondayOctober 2Paul’s Desire to Visit Rome

There’s no question that the personal touch is the best way to communicate in most cases.We can phone, email, text, even Skype, but face to face, flesh to flesh, is the best way to communicate. That’s why Paul announced in his letter to the Romans that he intended to see them in person. He wanted them to know that he was coming, and why.

ReadRomans 15:20-27. 20And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation,21but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.” (Plan to Visit Rome) 22For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.23But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you,24whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you.For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy yourcompanyfor a while.25But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.26For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.27It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

What reasons does Paul give for not having visited Rome earlier? What made him decide to come when he did? A Possible Answer: The reason why Paul had so far been prevented from visiting Rome was his eagerness to complete his preaching of the gospel in the regions through which he had been traveling. The demands of his work and such time-consuming problems as he encountered in the districts where he was laboring, had hindered him. At long last he now feels free to make the trip to Rome, since he has “no more place in these parts” (v. 23).How central was mission to him in his reasoning?A Possible Answer: It was at the very center of his thinking. What he did and when he did it revolved around the relentless purpose of completing his mission. What can we learn about mission and witnessing from Paul’s words here? A Possible Answer: That mission must drive action and investment. Further, how we witness must be influenced by the missionary goal and the individuals we desire to witness to.Mission must be God-based and people-conscious. What interesting and important point does Paul make in Romans 15:27 about Jews and Gentiles?A Possible Answer: The congregation at Jerusalem was the mother church from which the gospel, with all its spiritual blessings, had been communicated to the Gentiles hence the Gentiles who had benefited from the Jews sharing Christ with them felt indebted to them.In return for the great spiritual gifts the Gentiles had received from the saints at Jerusalem, surely they should “minister unto them in carnal things.”

The great missionary to the Gentiles felt constantly impelled to take the gospel to new areas, leaving others to labor in places where the gospel had been established.In the days when Christianity was young and the laborers few, it would have been a waste of valuable missionary power for Paul to work in already-entered areas. He said, “So have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation,” so that “they that have not heard shall understand” (Rom. 15:20, 21).

It was not Paul’s purpose to settle down in Rome. It was his aim to evangelize Spain. He hoped to get the support of the Christians in Rome for this venture.

What important principle can we take away regarding the whole question of mission from the fact that Paul sought help from an established church in order to evangelize a new area?A Possible Answer: It is in the mind of God for those who are blessed to share that blessing with others.Leaders are to use the resources made available by individuals who are blessed with plenty to achieve the task of missions.

Read again Romans 15:20-27. Notice how much Paul’s great desire was to minister and to serve. What motivates you and your actions? A Possible Answer: At the very best it should be, Love for Christ and the un-saved. For others it may be a desire to succeed or the desire to be like Christ, or even to make some contribution to the work of Christ. How much of a heart of service do you have?A Possible Answer: Hopefully it is a growing experience where reflect the same passion and spirit of sacrifice that Jesus demonstrated. For others, it may depend on what we ‘have going on’ or how we ‘feel’ or even ‘who’ is making the appeal to us. Experiencing or having a personal need in itself is a beginning point.

TuesdayOctober 3Paul in Rome

“Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him” (Acts 28:16, NKJV). What does this text tell us about how Paul finally got to Rome? A Possible Answer: It tells us that Paul finally got to Rome by ship/sea as a prisonerin the custody of Julius, the centurion. What lesson can we draw from this about the unexpected and unwanted things that so often come our way?A Possible Answer: We learn that God can be with us through the unexpected and unwanted things of life. God will watch over us as we fulfill his purpose in our lives. One’s positive Christian conduct will make a way and even ease the burdens and discomforts of life.

Yes, Paul eventually got to Rome, even if it was as a prisoner. How often our plans don’t come out as we anticipated and hoped for, even the ones formulated in the best of intentions.

Paul reached Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary journey with his offering for the poor, which he had collected from the congregations of Europe and Asia Minor. But unexpected events awaited him. He was arrested and chained. After being held prisoner for two years in Caesarea, he appealed to Caesar. Some three years after his arrest, he arrived in Rome,probably not in the manner that he had intended to when he first wrote years before to the Roman church about his intention to visit the church there.

Acts 28:17-31 Paul’s Ministry at Rome 17And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Menandbrethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,18who, when they had examined me, wanted to letmego, because there was no cause for putting me to death.19But when the Jewsspoke againstit,I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.20For this reason therefore I have called for you, to seeyouand speak withyou,because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

21Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.22But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.” 23So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him athis lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.24And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.25So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,26saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; 27For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Theirears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see withtheireyes and hear withtheirears, Lest they should understand withtheirhearts and turn, So that I should heal them.”’ 28“Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. 30Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,31preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

What does Acts 28:17-31 tell us about Paul’s time in Rome? More important, what lesson can we learn from them? A Possible Answer: It tells us that Paul’s time in Rome was busily spent with the believers... explaining, enlightening and encouraging them in the Lord. We learn that while there may be many turns and twist in the past we have to take, God will override everything for the accomplishment of His purpose. Trusting God. Stick to His plan and expect everything to work out for our good and the furtherance of God’s kingdom.

“Not by Paul’s sermons, but by his bonds, was the attention of the court attracted to Christianity. It was as a captive that he broke from so many souls the bonds that held them in the slavery of sin. Nor was this all. He declared: ‘Many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.’ Philippians 1:14.” - Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 464.

How many times have you experienced unexpected twists in your life that, in the end, turned out for good? A Possible Answer: Many times... probably more than one may be comfortable saying.

See Philippians 1:12(Christ Is Preached) 12But I want you to know, brethren, that the thingswhich happenedto me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,

How can, and should, you gain faith from those experiences to trust God for the things where no good seems to have arisen? A Possible Answer: Faith strengthens with exercise and expression. Be intentional about trust God and walking by faith. Just as with Paul, who wanted his readers to understand that... a) in the providence of God his trials were being used to advance the preaching of the gospel and b) what so often happens is that the wrath of men can bring glory to God (see on Ps. 76:10), so too we can confidently trust in God’s providences... that everything is under His control and He will bless in spite of the perceived outcome.

WednesdayOctober 4The “Saints” in Rome

Here is Paul’s salutation to the church in Rome: “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:7). What principles of truth, of theology, and of faith can we take away from these words?A Possible Answer: Understanding principles to be ‘main beliefs or values’, 1. Believers are loved by God. 2. Believersare called to be ‘saints’, separated from a commonto a sacred use. 3. It is God’s desire to grant grace and peace to all believers. 4. God is to be considered a father and both He and Jesus desire what is good for us.