The Letter to the Romans Introduction East Brunswick, NJ. USA 1
The Letter Written By St. Paul Written to the Believers in Rome Dated around year 55 57 One of the longest letters of St. Paul Addresses very important issues related to the faith and dogma of the church. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 2
The Writer of the Letter St. Paul East Brunswick, NJ. USA 3
The Writer All the Fathers agree that the author is St Paul the Apostle. He Wrote this letter after his trip to Asia Minor and Greece and before his trip to Jerusalem. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 4
Who is St. Paul Israelites from the tribe of Benjamin Born in Tarsus (Asia Minor). It was a trade center. Highly civilized and cultural. Wealthy family. Roman Citizen Perfect Greek, Perfect Hebrew Pharisee, taught at the Hand of Gamaliel East Brunswick, NJ. USA 5
His name Tradition says that he had two names: Jewish (Saul) and Greek (Paul) Saul: to inquire; by implication to request; by extension to demand: - ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand Paul: Little He used his Greek name as he was preaching to the gentiles East Brunswick, NJ. USA 6
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How he saw himself before Christ? Php 3:5 I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews. As regards the Law, I was a Pharisee; Php 3:6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness in the Law, blameless. Act 22:3 I am truly a man, a Jew born in Tarsus in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the exactness of the Law of the fathers, being a zealous one of God, as you all are today. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 8
His early religious life Because of his zeal, he accepted the persecution of the Christians, being enemies of God. Witnessed the stoning of Stephen (though did not participate) (Acts 7:58, Acts 8:1) Became active in persecuting Christians (Acts 9:2, Acts 26:9) 1Ti 1:13 the one who before was a blasphemer and a persecutor and insolent. But I obtained mercy, because being ignorant, I did it in unbelief. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 9
Christ s Call him Mentioned in Acts 9:9, Acts 22:3, Acts 26:12 Was it hallucination? No just Saul saw it but also the people who were with him also saw the light. The vision changed his life. He accepted unbelievable suffering (2Cor 11:18-33) Multiple visions later on. Very difficult to believe that hallucination changes a person s life that drastic and that person changes all of Europe. It is hard for you to kick against the goads. (Acts 9:5) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 10
His Mission Though he is an expert in the Law, the Lord chose him to preach to the gentiles He used to go to preach to the Jews first and then preach to all. Rom 11:13 For I speak to you, the nations; since I am the apostle of the nations, I glorify my ministry; Gal 2:7 But on the contrary, seeing that I have been entrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, as Peter to the circumcision; Gal 2:8 for He working in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision also worked in me to the nations. Gal 2:9 and knowing the grace given to me, James, and Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, gave right hands of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we go to the nations, but they to the circumcision. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 11
Missionary Trips First trip he went with Barnabas (Acts 13-14) Second Trip (Acts 15:36 41) Third Trip Acts (Acts 18:23 21:26) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 12
Did St. Paul define Christianity Some claim that Jesus was a good Jewish Rabbi and that St. Paul elevated him to deity. Christ stated His deity multiple times in the Bible. St. Paul was an instrument in God s hand to explain what others could not. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 13
He was called to preach Act 9:15 But the Lord said to him, Go! For this one is a chosen vessel to Me, to bear My name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel. 2Ti 1:11 to which I am appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher of the nations Act 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers has chosen you to know His will and to see the Just One, and to hear a voice out of His mouth. Act 22:15 For you shall be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 14
One of his main roles One of the main accomplishments of St. Paul was to clarify that by the Cross, all the old traditions are no longer needed. He was so much against Judiaization of Christianity that the Jews wanted to kill him. The apostles were still going to the temple to pray. they were still following the Jewish tradition. St. Paul stood against enforcing Jewish traditions to the believers. This is from a person who considered himself Perfect according to the Law (Php 3:6) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 15
Chronology of his Life Believing in Christ First Trip to Jerusalem Second Trip to Jerusalem First Trip Third trip to Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Council 36 AD 38 AD 44 AD 45 AD Year 49-50 AD Second Trip Fourth Trip to Jerusalem 50 AD 54 AD East Brunswick, NJ. USA 16
Life of St. Paul Third trip Fifth trip to Jerusalem First Jail First Jail in Rome Trip to Europe Second Jail in Rome Martyrdom in Rome 54 AD 58 58-60 60-63 63-67 67 68 East Brunswick, NJ. USA 17
To whom it was written East Brunswick, NJ. USA 18
City of Rome The City of Rome was founded by the twin Romulus and Remus the founders of the Roman empire in the year 753 B.C. The city is build over 7 mountains It became the capital city of Roman Kingdom, ruled by a succession of 7 kings Roman Republic (from 510 BC) governed by the Senate Roman Empire (from 31 BC) ruled by an Emperor. About 2 million people in the first century East Brunswick, NJ. USA 19
The Church of Rome Christianity spread to Rome through those Jews who believed (Acts 2:1-10) Initially there were those Jews who became Christians. Gentiles (none Jews) who became Christians. The Jews were exiled from Rome Year 49 AD and then came back to it. A lot of people who traded and traveled A lot of slaves East Brunswick, NJ. USA 20
The Church of Rome This letter was written more that 20-25 years after the first Roman Jewish believed. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 21
Was St. Peter in Rome then? St. Paul does not mention St. Peter in this letter St. Paul did not preach where other served before Rom 15:20 Yea, so I have been eager to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation; St. Peter was in Jerusalem in 50AD for the first council. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 22
St. Peter and Rome St. Paul distinguish between his faith and the faith of the Romans. (Rom 1:12) To give them spiritual gifts (Rom 1:11) Why was the Church divided? Why it needed basic Christian teaching. This claim only appeared in the 4 th to 5 th Century when Constantinople's became the seat of the Empire East Brunswick, NJ. USA 23
Arguments against the Letter East Brunswick, NJ. USA 24
Chapter 16 Chapter 15 concludes the letter, so Chapter 16 must be an addition Rom 15:33 Now may the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Chapter 15 concludes the theological discussion and not the full letter. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 25
Chapter 16 St. Paul did not visit Rome yet he sends greeting to specific people: He knew them from his visits to other places, especially all the Jews were exiled from Rome in year 49. Priscilla and Aquila believed to have 2 houses, one in Rome and in Ephesus. St. Paul considered all believers to be his children even if he did not meet them personally East Brunswick, NJ. USA 26
Main Issues in this letter East Brunswick, NJ. USA 27
Two Groups The Jews: Feel special and privileged that they are the true heirs of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You have to be a Jew before being a Christian the Jews are God s Chosen people It is through the acts of the law (sacrifices, circumcision,..) that we are justified. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 28
Two Churches The Gentiles: We are better because we did not break the law. No need for Jewishness. They are the knowledgable ones and philosophers East Brunswick, NJ. USA 29
His approach identified what is right and what is wrong in each set of teaching provided the correct teaching and dogma East Brunswick, NJ. USA 30
Main Points of the letter All need God (Jews and Gentiles) Faith and free Salvation Salvation is given to all and not just a group of people East Brunswick, NJ. USA 31
Important expressions Charisma (free gift) Justification Holiness East Brunswick, NJ. USA 32
Sections of the letter All Need Salvation Introduction and greeting The Jews and their need for salvation The Gentiles and their need for salvation Jews and God s righteousness Abraham as a father Depending on the law God s Chosen people East Brunswick, NJ. USA 33
Sections of the letter The Gentile and God s righteousness Practical aspect of Christian living Holy Life The believer and society the believer and others Conclusions and greetings East Brunswick, NJ. USA 34