1. GOOD NEWS THROUGH A MAN GOD SENT (Romans 1:1-17)

Romans 1:1 "Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God"

Having personally experienced the transforming power of the gospel, he could then share it with others and teach it in its dynamic fullness. The leaving behind of his old name Saul, and using the new name Paul, points to his participation in a new covenant, even a new life, and a new calling in which he delights to be THE SERVANT who is Christ's bondservant. A relationship towards Jesus Christ that every re-born person should joyously fulfil. As an apostle, Paul was sent, that is, selected, authorised, made an ambassador, by the King Himself. He claimed to be marked off from his old life - SEPARATED, and from other men, and Pharisaic religion as described in Galatians 1:11-24. He emphasises here the "unto" of that separation. "Separated to the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1 ).

It is not man-produced, nor something learned from man.

Galatians 1:12 "For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ."

It is the good news of God's grace in Christ, who gave Himself for our sins (Galatians 1:4 ). Those who preach a contrary doctrine should be totally rejected (Galatians 1:8-9 ).There can be no compromise allowed. Upon our lives the true gospel is to be written and seen of men as the distinct and the only gospel of God.

Romans 1:2 "which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,"

Our message is not what God may do to save us, but what He has done in Christ. God has kept His word, our salvation is according to the Scriptures.

Paul, in discussing the Person of Christ stresses His humanity "Who was born" (Romans 1:3 ). His Messiahship "of the seed of David" (Romans 1:3 ). The fact of His resurrection stresses His divinity - He is Lord.

Romans 1:4 "declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."

The Holy Spirit declared Jesus to be God's Son by raising Him from the dead. The Holy Spirit is called "the Spirit of holiness" because His holiness separates Him distinctly from all others as the divine Holy Spirit.

Romans 1:5 "Through Him we have received grace and apostleship ..."

(See Ephesians 4:7-16 ). Our glorified Lord still exercises His prerogative to confer gift ministries to His church - the individual cannot merit such gifting, the Lord acts in grace. How we should value His grace and faithfulness to the church.

Romans 1:5 "... for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,"

The aim of all ministry must be for the glory of the name of the Lord. To hear the good news is to be called, called to the obedience of faith.

Romans 1:6 "among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;"

That is, summoned to God for salvation and service of Jesus Christ the Lord.

---

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Is it possible to be separated from something formerly binding you, without first being separated to the reality that frees you (Romans 1:1 )?

2. What makes you clearly an epistle of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:2 )?

3. In what way are you embracing the Old Testament Scriptures by receiving the gospel (Romans 1:2; Acts 13:32-33 )?