Understanding Paul's Call to Holiness and Faith

 

Summary

In the opening of Paul's letter to the Romans, he identifies the recipients as those "loved by God and called to be saints." This designation underscores the call to holiness that is central to the Christian identity. Paul emphasizes that the gospel is about the blessings of grace and peace, which are brought to the people of God through apostolic teaching. Grace is at the heart of justification, a gift that makes us right with God, while peace signifies our reconciled relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. This peace is both objective, as God is no longer angry with us, and subjective, as we experience tranquility knowing we are reconciled with Him.

Paul expresses sincere appreciation for the Roman Christians, commending their faith, which is renowned throughout the world. Despite any criticisms he may have faced, Paul remains eager to visit Rome, not out of shame, but to share in the spiritual harvest among the Gentiles. He reminds the Romans of their identity as Gentiles and his role as the apostle to the Gentiles, emphasizing the universal nature of the gospel.

The gospel, Paul asserts, is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, both Jew and Greek. This power is exercised through the preaching of the gospel, which calls for a response of faith. Paul supports this with a quotation from Habakkuk, "The righteous shall live by faith," affirming that salvation has always been by faith for both Jews and Gentiles. This apostolic reading of the Old Testament is reliable and true, despite modern criticisms.

Paul's letter raises questions about the historical claims of the Roman Catholic Church regarding Peter's role in Rome. The absence of any mention of Peter in Paul's letter to the Romans, written around 57 AD, suggests that Peter was not in Rome at that time. This challenges the claim that Peter was the first bishop of Rome. Even if Peter were in Rome, there is no evidence that Jesus promised to preserve the bishops of Rome from error throughout history. The New Testament evidence does not support the historical claims made by the Roman Catholic Church, and caution is advised in making such assertions.

Key Takeaways:

- The call to holiness is central to the Christian identity, as Paul identifies the Roman Christians as those "loved by God and called to be saints." This call is not unique to the Romans but is a universal call for all believers to live a life set apart for God. [00:11]

- Grace and peace are foundational to the gospel message. Grace is the unmerited favor that justifies us before God, while peace signifies our reconciled relationship with Him. This peace is both an objective reality and a subjective experience, providing assurance and tranquility in our walk with God. [02:29]

- The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries. It calls for a response of faith, which has always been the means of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles. This truth is supported by the Old Testament and remains central to the Christian faith. [06:56]

- The apostolic reading of the Old Testament is reliable and true, despite modern criticisms. Paul's use of Habakkuk to support the doctrine of justification by faith demonstrates the continuity of God's plan of salvation throughout scripture. This reading challenges both ancient and modern misinterpretations. [10:23]

- Historical claims regarding Peter's role in Rome are not supported by New Testament evidence. The absence of any mention of Peter in Paul's letter to the Romans suggests that he was not in Rome at that time, challenging the claim that he was the first bishop of Rome. Caution is advised in making such assertions. [18:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Paul's Introduction to Romans
- [00:30] - Called to Be Saints
- [01:05] - Apostolic Blessing of Grace and Peace
- [01:59] - Justification by Grace
- [02:29] - Peace with God
- [03:17] - Paul's Appreciation for the Roman Church
- [04:09] - Commendation of Faith
- [05:01] - Paul's Desire to Visit Rome
- [06:39] - The Power of the Gospel
- [07:46] - Salvation for Jew and Greek
- [08:36] - Old Testament Support for Faith
- [10:23] - Apostolic Reading of Scripture
- [18:05] - Questioning Peter's Role in Rome
- [22:14] - Historical Claims and New Testament Evidence

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 1:7-17
2. Romans 3:23-24
3. Habakkuk 2:4

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Observation Questions:

1. How does Paul describe the recipients of his letter in Romans 1:7, and what significance does this have for their identity as Christians? [00:11]

2. In Romans 1:16-17, Paul speaks about the power of the gospel. What does he say about who the gospel is for and how it is received? [06:56]

3. According to Romans 3:23-24, what is the role of grace in justification, and how does it relate to the concept of being made right with God? [01:59]

4. How does Paul use the Old Testament, specifically Habakkuk 2:4, to support his argument about justification by faith? [08:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to be "called to be saints," and how does this calling impact the daily life of a believer? [00:30]

2. How does the concept of grace and peace in Romans 1:7-17 provide both an objective and subjective experience for believers? [02:29]

3. In what ways does Paul's eagerness to visit Rome reflect his understanding of the universal nature of the gospel? [05:01]

4. How does Paul's use of Habakkuk 2:4 challenge both ancient and modern interpretations of faith and works? [10:23]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life. How do you understand your identity as someone "loved by God and called to be a saint"? What practical steps can you take to live out this calling more fully? [00:11]

2. Grace and peace are central to the gospel message. How have you experienced these in your relationship with God, and how can you share this experience with others in your community? [02:29]

3. Paul commends the Roman Christians for their faith, which is known throughout the world. How can you cultivate a faith that is both strong and visible to those around you? [04:09]

4. The gospel is described as the power of God for salvation. How can you actively participate in sharing this powerful message with those who have not yet heard it? [06:56]

5. Consider the historical claims about Peter's role in Rome. How does understanding the historical context of the New Testament help you engage in conversations about church history and tradition? [18:05]

6. Paul emphasizes the importance of faith for both Jews and Gentiles. How can you foster an inclusive community that transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries within your church? [07:46]

7. Reflect on the apostolic reading of the Old Testament. How can you develop a deeper understanding of scripture that is both faithful to its context and relevant to your life today? [10:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Called to Holiness
The call to holiness is a profound aspect of Christian identity, as Paul identifies the Roman Christians as those "loved by God and called to be saints." This call is not exclusive to the Romans but is a universal invitation for all believers to live a life set apart for God. Holiness is not about achieving perfection but about being dedicated to God's purposes and reflecting His character in our daily lives. It is a journey of transformation, where believers are continually shaped and molded by the Holy Spirit to become more like Christ. This call to holiness is a reminder that our lives are not our own; we are called to live in a way that honors God and reflects His love to the world. [00:11]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: In what specific ways can you set yourself apart for God today, reflecting His holiness in your actions and decisions?


Day 2: Grace and Peace in the Gospel
Grace and peace are foundational to the gospel message. Grace is the unmerited favor that justifies us before God, a gift that we cannot earn but is freely given through Jesus Christ. This grace leads to peace, signifying our reconciled relationship with God. This peace is both an objective reality, as God is no longer angry with us, and a subjective experience, providing assurance and tranquility in our walk with God. As believers, we are invited to live in the fullness of this grace and peace, allowing it to transform our hearts and minds, and to extend it to others in our interactions. [02:29]

Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Reflection: How can you actively embrace and share the grace and peace of God in your relationships and daily encounters today?


Day 3: The Universal Power of the Gospel
The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries. It calls for a response of faith, which has always been the means of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles. This truth is supported by the Old Testament and remains central to the Christian faith. The gospel's power is not limited by human distinctions but is available to all who believe, inviting them into a transformative relationship with God. As believers, we are called to share this powerful message with others, confident in its ability to bring salvation and change lives. [06:56]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of the gospel? How can you share it with them in a way that transcends cultural or personal barriers?


Day 4: The Reliability of Apostolic Scripture
The apostolic reading of the Old Testament is reliable and true, despite modern criticisms. Paul's use of Habakkuk to support the doctrine of justification by faith demonstrates the continuity of God's plan of salvation throughout scripture. This reading challenges both ancient and modern misinterpretations, affirming that salvation has always been by faith. As believers, we are encouraged to trust in the reliability of scripture, allowing it to guide our understanding of God's purposes and promises. The consistency of God's message throughout the Bible is a testament to His unchanging nature and faithfulness. [10:23]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: How can you deepen your trust in the reliability of scripture, and what steps can you take to study it more diligently?


Day 5: Questioning Historical Claims
Historical claims regarding Peter's role in Rome are not supported by New Testament evidence. The absence of any mention of Peter in Paul's letter to the Romans suggests that he was not in Rome at that time, challenging the claim that he was the first bishop of Rome. This calls for caution in making assertions that are not grounded in scripture. As believers, we are encouraged to seek truth and discernment, relying on the Bible as our ultimate authority. This approach helps us navigate historical and theological claims with wisdom and integrity, ensuring that our faith is rooted in the truth of God's word. [18:05]

Acts 17:11 (ESV): "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a habit of examining scripture to discern truth, especially when faced with historical or theological claims?

Quotes


To refer to Christians as those called to be Saints is not unique to Paul here um but once again I wonder if he is subtly making the point that he is well aware that these Romans who are so concerned about Holiness are called to be holy and uh you know it's a little confusing in English because Saints uh and holy are the same idea but aren't always so obviously linguistically connected but in Greek it's very obvious they're called to be holy ones. [00:28:40]

The gospel is all about the blessings of Grace and peace brought to the people of God by Apostolic teaching and um Paul will elaborate each of these things in wonderful ways uh as his letter goes along um for example in chapter three of Romans at verse 23 we read for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift so uh Grace is at the very heart of how Paul understands justification. [01:42:52]

Therefore since we have been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and what a what a blessed promise that is that we have peace with God and I think there Paul means it both objectively and subjectively objectively we have peace with God he's no longer angry with us because of the offering of Christ on the cross in our place but subjectively we experience that peace uh we are at peace with God uh knowing that he is no longer angry with us. [02:31:19]

Paul is able to commend them uh for things he has heard about them and you notice what he particularly commends them for verse eight first I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because your faith is proclaimed in all the world again I wonder if Paul Smiles just a little when he writes that uh these people who uh maybe are concerned he's pushing Faith too hard uh he wants them to know that they are known for their faith. [03:33:48]

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians um again I'm I'm not sure enough about linguistic usage there I think when he says Greeks the Romans would include themselves amongst the Greeks uh because um the Romans saw themselves as a civilized people whereas The Barbarians by contrast are an uncivilized people but I wonder again this is just kind of speculation I wonder if Paul kind of secretly to himself thinks you Romans who think you amount to so much you really belong from a Greek point of view with the barbarians uh not with the civilized. [05:48:08]

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel it is the power of God for the Salvation to everyone who believes to the Jew first and also to the Greek um what is the gospel well first of all it's the power of God God exercises his power through the preaching of the Gospel he'll say that a number of times in this letter um there are those of course who have always thought the preaching of the Gospel is foolishness is powerless is is vain and Paul is utterly rejecting that. [06:52:08]

It's the way God works and it's when the gospel is Faithfully preached um that people are brought to believe and the proper response to the gospel is Faith and that's true for Jews and for Greeks it's not just for the Gentiles it's not that there are two ways of salvation one way for the Jew one way for the Greek it's that everyone and Paul would add it's not what he stresses here but he would add always it's always been true that the way to Salvation is by faith for the Jew and for the Gentile. [07:37:44]

The righteous shall live by faith and and you see what he's really saying implicitly this isn't some crazy Pauline notion this is not something I just came up with Paul says this is what the Old Testament says this is what the prophet says this is written in scripture in habach Chapter 2 at verse four now um what's intriguing is to me um to look at some of the modern commentators uh and what they've done with this quotation because it has become um I suppose one could say fashionable with some commentators to suggest the apostles are not reliable in their quotations from the Old Testament. [09:05:45]

I think that is profoundly untrue and I think when you really look at the context of the quotation that Paul and the other Apostles used from the Old Testament they are always using them exactly correctly and if there's a problem it's our problem in uh seeing what they've done and seeing the real context of of the Old Testament we can see that with a particular Clarity here um the suggestion is that when habach wrote those words what he really meant was that the righteous would live by their faithfulness. [10:23:26]

The irony is um the modern critics are reading habach almost exactly the way Paul's critics in the first century read habc um it's the way the new perspective on Paul wants to read habach uh Paul doesn't really say we're saved by faith alone the way Luther understood it what Paul really says is we're saved by faithfulness well faithfulness is important to Paul will see that as we go along but faithfulness is Faith plus obedience and so is Paul really saying we're Saved By Faith plus obedience is habach saying that we're Saved By Faith plus obedience if that is what's being said it kind of overturns uh the whole traditional way of reading the book of Romans. [11:36:93]

The righteous shall live by his faith now what's the immediate context there the right are living by faith in the promise yet to be fulfilled there's no faithfulness involved there there's no obedience involved there there's a promise that the righteous Rest In by faith it's exactly what Paul is using this verse to substantiate in uh in Romans so as we go along we'll be encouraged to see uh that the apostolic reading of the Old Testament is the right reading of the Old Testament whether um that meting is challenged by rabbis in the first century or it's challenged by liberal critics in the um uh 21st century uh the apostolic reading of the scripture is the true and reliable one. [15:23:00]

Where is Peter when Paul writes this letter uh Paul is writing most Scholars think at about 57 ad and um there is no mention of Peter in this letter even though Paul clearly knows some of the people in the Roman Church and mentions them by name in Romans 16 uh even though the church is clearly a sizable church he can talk about their Fame having gone out to all the world world where is Peter doesn't it seem likely that if Peter were in Rome in 57 Paul would have mentioned him Paul would have said um to all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be Saints especially to Peter but there's no mention of Peter in Romans. [18:05:75]

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Transcript
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