In my last post, I finished my look at the book of Second Corinthians. Most of you know that this blog is a journey through the New Testament in the order the Holy Spirit gave it to the church. His inspiration shows a definite plan.
We’ve already looked at the foundational books – James, First Thessalonians, Galatians and the Gospel of Mark. We then started the books that deal with our personal walk with God – Second Thessalonians and the Corinthian Letters.
Now we’ll move on to the book of Romans. It’s the Apostle Paul’s most ambitious work.
Nobody knows for sure how the church in Rome started. One thing is clear from the Scriptures, neither Paul nor any other of the apostles ever visited there.
It was probably started by Jews who were saved on day of Pentecost. Then, as persecution broke out, some of them went to Rome.
In all likelihood, the church was mostly made up of Gentile believers. This is closely connected with Paul’s calling to preach.
Look at what Paul said about his meeting with the other apostles in Jerusalem.
On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. Galatians 2:7-8
That’s why he wanted to write to this church. Paul desired to bring a message of growth and encouragement to this Christian Gentile community.
After writing his letters to the Corinthian church, Paul went there to collect the offering for Jerusalem. His goal was to travel to Jerusalem and present the gift from the Gentile churches. From there, he intended to travel to Rome and then go on to Spain.
Paul probably wrote this letter from Corinth where he was living in the home of a man named Gaius, who was a wealthy Christian.
This was the quiet before the storm in Paul’s life. We know that when he went to Jerusalem, things started to get out of his control. He was arrested and eventually sent as a prisoner to Rome.
This was not a quick letter to the Roman church. It was something that was maturing in Paul over time. It’s the most complete look at the process of living for Christ.
I’ve heard it said that if Galatians is our spiritual Declaration of Independence, then Romans is our spiritual Constitution. This is all about the life we’re meant to live for Christ.
In my next post, we’ll begin our journey through this important book.
Question: How often do you read through the book of Romans?
© 2020 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 