Adult STS Lesson 229 – Christ’s Gospel: The Power of God (Romans 1:1-32)

Scripture Text: Romans 1:1-32

Paul the apostle wrote the epistle to the Roman believers from Corinth about AD 56–58. He revealed that “the gospel of God” is for all people – both Jews and Gentiles. As a Pharisee, he once lived in ignorance of God’s saving power in the gospel until his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. Before this encounter that led to his conversion, some religious sinners, “strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,” who attended the feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2:10), became converted by the power of the gospel.

When these converts returned to Rome – a city that was then full of luxury and profligacy – they practised what they believed and propagated their faith, which led to the founding of the church there. As the city’s population increased with people from different nations conquered by the Roman empire, sinful practices also multiplied. Yet, the church there grew to be the subject of discussion in most cities of the then-known world. In the same way, believers should carry their faith wherever they reside.

Though Paul had never been to Rome before writing this epistle, he seemed to have been briefed about the church by Aquila and Priscilla and other Jews expelled by the decree of Claudius (Acts 18:2; Romans 16:3). The claim of the Gentile converts to equal privileges in Christ with the Jewish converts was rejected by the latter, resulting in a conflict that Paul addressed in this epistle. The Jews always believed that the Gentiles must observe the rite of circumcision to make their salvation complete.

In the text, Paul focuses on the source of his apostleship, the reason for his commission, commendation of the church and his desire to visit them, the subject of the gospel and its power to produce righteousness in everyone who repents and receives it by faith, and the divine judgment of the sinful.

1. Paul’s Apostleship and the Revelation of the Gospel

Romans 1:1-13; Acts 9:15,16; 13:2,4; 26:16-18; Romans 11:13; Galatians 1:15,16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Titus 2:11,12

Paul begins this epistle by revealing his true identity as “a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.” Though he was born to fulfil divine purpose, he could not do this until he was drawn by the cord of God’s love and mercy into the fold and commissioned. The salvation experience brings a person’s life to the path of fulfilment.

Although Paul was not among the original twelve apostles, he explained that he was among those who were called, who “…received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name” (Romans 1:5). As a persecutor of the church, he did not merit the salvation of God, but was saved by grace through faith. As grace was a gift, so was his apostleship to preach the gospel.

No one can be an apostle or a servant of Christ who has not received the grace of God that brings salvation to all men, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12). The grace of God produces righteousness in a believer and makes him or her a useful vessel to Christ (1 Corinthians 15:8-10).

Paul’s explanation of his call, commission, and apostleship was to give this epistle authenticity and acceptance among the Roman believers. He also revealed that God is the Source of the gospel; that it had been promised and prophesied in Scripture by the prophets; and that the central subject of it is “his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,” who incarnated through the virgin birth and has been “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Christians need to faithfully reveal Christ as the Saviour, Lord, and Source of all blessings.

Paul’s purposes for writing this epistle were:

1. To express his great joy for their new-found faith, which was spoken of throughout the whole world (verse 8).
2. To communicate his earnest desire and prayer for them to be established in the faith through the impartation of spiritual gifts.
3. To correct the erroneous teaching of adherents of Judaism, which was capable of dividing and destroying the church.
4. To express the spiritual bond of mutual faith and fellowship in Christ, and his desire to have some fruit among them.
5. To reveal his passion, readiness, and commitment to gospel-preaching (Acts 20:20,21; 21:13).

Like Paul, true Christians should evangelise sinners, teach the church the whole counsel of God, edify the body of Christ, influence the society towards righteousness, warn believers against false teachers, and prepare the church for Christ’s second coming (Matthew 28:19,20; Ephesians 4:11-14; Colossians 1:28,29).

2. Paul’s Commitment to Preaching the Gospel

Romans 1:14-17; Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Proverbs 28:13; Acts 20:20,21

“I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also” (Romans 1:14,15). Paul’s passion and readiness to preach the gospel was founded on solid spiritual experiences and sound scriptural truths. His clear commission from Christ immediately after his conversion was to turn people from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18).

His relentless zeal and passion to rescue sinners was also based on his knowledge of their impending doom (Romans 10:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:11). Passion results from regular devotion and growing intimacy with God through prayer, profitable Bible study, and purposeful meditation. Consistent soul-winners usually have an excellent devotional life in pursuit of personal holiness. Readiness to preach the gospel manifests in a believer’s commitment to tell people daily about Christ’s sacrifice for their salvation (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4).

Paul’s commitment also stemmed from his understanding of God’s inherent power in the gospel as the only means of salvation. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). To be ashamed of the gospel is to be ashamed of Christ (Mark 8:38). The word “gospel” refers to the glad tidings of salvation through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Just as a stick of dynamite needs to be lit before its inherent power becomes evident, the gospel must be preached before the power of God in it can manifest to save souls. And believers are the only media God has ordained to get His message to a lost and dying world.

Everyone who hears the gospel, repents, and believes is transformed and made righteous by God. To obtain God’s righteousness, sinners must:

• Acknowledge their state of sinfulness, repent, and confess to God (Psalm 51:3; 1 John 1:8,9).
• Renounce all fellowship with the devil and destroy all related materials in their possession (Acts 19:19).
• Receive Christ as personal Lord and Saviour (John 1:12).
• Reckon themselves dead to sin but alive to God through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:11-13).

Righteousness can be maintained by abiding in Christ, watching and praying (John 15:4; Mark 13:32-35). The believer who hopes to live with God eternally must avoid relapsing into sin and continue in holiness till the end.

3. Awful Indignation Against Ungodliness

Romans 1:18-32; 2:12-16; Proverbs 29:1; Psalm 9:17; Luke 13:3,5; Acts 20:21

While God expects everyone to repent and receive the gospel by faith, He will not spare anyone who remains obstinate in unbelief. His judgment will fall on those who hold the truth in unrighteousness; act contrary to the knowledge of God’s person, power, and deity; worship idols; and degrade themselves to a horrifying level of vanity. God must be acknowledged as Creator who is worthy of honour, adoration, respect, and worship.

The Scripture affirms that even the Gentiles who had no written law were considered inexcusable before divine judgment for living in sin. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19,20).

God’s displeasure over sin is expressed by His giving up of the wicked to uncleanliness and vile affections (Romans 1:24, 26, 28). Sinners will degenerate and grow worse in perpetrating evil as a result of their deliberate resolve not to retain God in their knowledge (Romans 1:29-31).

With this abhorrent lifestyle, the ungodly exclude themselves from the promises of peace, protection, provision, success, long life, answered prayers, and other blessings in God’s word. Where there is no repentance, all sinners and those who support and encourage their evils will face the wrath of God and eternal punishment in hell.

However, Christ reveals that repentance is the only way of escape from divine judgment: “…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3,5). True believers need to retain God in their knowledge through regular intake of His word, obedience, and prayer so that they can continue to grow in the Lord, serve Him acceptably, and be ready for His promised return (Revelation 3:11; 22:7,12,20).

Questions for Review

1. From the text, what should be the purpose of the gospel preacher and writer?
2. How can a believer be as passionate as Paul to preach the gospel?
3. Explain the content of the gospel message.
4. Mention the necessary steps a sinner must take to obtain biblical righteousness.
5. How can a believer maintain a righteous walk with God?
6. How can believers retain God in their knowledge?
7. What is the danger of continuing in sin?

Also in this series: Youth STS Lesson 229 | Children’s Sunday School Lessons 21 & 22