Sabbath: The Apostle Paul in Rome
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Read for This Week’s Study: Rom. 15:20-27, Acts 28:17-31, Phil. 1:12, Rom. 1:7, Ephesians 1, Rom. 15:14.
Memory Text: “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:8, NKJV).
It is important for a student of the book of Romans to understand the book’s historical background. Context isalways crucial when seeking to understand the Word of God. We need to know and understand the issues that were being addressed. Paul was writing to a specific group of Christians at a specific time and for a specific reason; knowing that reason as much as possible will greatly benefit us in our study.
Thus, let’s go back in time. Let’s transport ourselves back to first-century Rome, become members of the congregation there, and then, as first-century church members, let us listen to Paul and the words that the Holy Spirit gave him to deliver to the believers in Rome.
And yet however localized the immediate issues that Paul was addressing, the principles behind them-in this case the question of How is a person saved?-are universal. Yes, Paul was speaking to a specific group of people; and yes, he had a specific issue in mind when he wrote the letter. But as we know, many centuries later in a totally different time and context, the words he wrote were as relevant to Martin Luther as they were to Paul when he first wrote them. And they are relevant to us as well today.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, October 7.
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To understand what scripture is saying to the reader (that is you and I on a personal level, as well as to a congregation) preconceived ideas ought to be removed and to allow the Holy Spirit to interpret the meaning. By understanding the local application, the Holy Spirit can reveal what scripture can mean to us today. May we continue to be Spirit lead in our study of this weeks lesson.
Your thought is a good one Stephen, but putting it into practice often has a rocky path. Here are some questions to consider:
1) How do we know when a preconceived idea is not from the Holy Spirit?
2) When two people both claim to be led by the Holy Spirit, how do we know which one is right?
3) Does the Holy Spirit speak with such a loud voice that we are totally convinced of its leading immediately?
For what it is worth here are my personal observations:
The Holy Spirit is like a gently wind and sometimes takes a long time to convince us. That is why it is sometimes called "growing spiritually"
There are three sources of information for us to process. The Bible, our own convictions, and our community of fellow believers. By balancing there three sources, the Holy Spirit can work with us. Any one source by itself is insufficient (Note: how many people have their own personal interpretation of the Bible) I have also seen people shut out their own community of believers when they are at odds with them. We need to understand that differences about our understanding are opportunities for us to grow spiritually together, and not an occasion for splitting company. It is by listening to one another that the Holy Spirit can work in and though us.
Some great thoughts Maurice. Here are my final thoughts on this part of the lesson:
John 16:13 - However when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak from Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come.
Galatians 6:7 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 - 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Continual study of God Word through fervent prayer will allow the Holy Spirit to steer you into the right path. It also will give a foundational basis on which to prove what we hear from other sources and what we hear from others should be proven by scripture. With humility and genuine compassion for others will the Holy Spirit lead you to those whose hearts are right for harvest.
Help me to understand this. Paul and Martin Luther, how are they of great benefits to the following. A)to the household of faithfull. B)the beleavers. C)the early church.
Antony, perhaps that is what this set of lessons is all about. Maybe you would like to see how much of your question has been answered in this weeks lesson.
This lesson is a connection from the just concluded one and it's title was picked from last week's Wednesday study, which talked about being a new creation and in essence we are introduced to the title "salvation by faith alone " and that's being created newly in Christ.