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Overview of Romans. I. Intro. + Theme 1:1-15 II. Condemnation 1:18-3:20 III. Justification 3:21-4:25 IV. Sanctification 5:1-8:39 V. Illustration 9:1-11:36 VI. Application 12:1-15:13 VII. Epilogue 15:14-16:27. How much does ritual impact relationship?.
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Overview of Romans I. Intro. + Theme 1:1-15 II. Condemnation 1:18-3:20 III. Justification 3:21-4:25 IV. Sanctification 5:1-8:39 V. Illustration 9:1-11:36 VI. Application 12:1-15:13 VII. Epilogue 15:14-16:27
How much does ritual impact relationship? The focus of the passage is on Abraham’s circumcision. Does it affect a relationship with God? What about baptism and communion today?
Ritual and relationship – Rom. 4:1-2 “If Abraham was justified by works…” James 2:21-26 Both Abraham and Rahab were justified before men by works!
Ritual and relationship – Rom. 4:1-2 Justification before God is forensic. “Belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate”. Merriam-Webster
Ritual and relationship – Rom. 4:1-2 Justification before God is a legal act whereby we are declared righteous. Justification before men is interpersonal. This lesser justification has nothing to do with God in terms of acceptance before Him.
Ritual and relationship – Rom. 4:3 Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness! God accepted Abraham’s faith as a substitute for the righteousness he lacked. And, so He does ours!
Ritual and relationship – Rom. 4:3 When we believe we are given a “faith-righteousness” instead of a “works-righteousness”! Christ paid for our “works-failure”.
Ritual and relationship – Rom. 4:3 Abraham is the example to the rest of us.
Conclusion – Rom. 4:4-5 Righteousness comes by grace through faith!
Conclusion – Rom. 4:4-5 Righteousness cannot be in any way earned. Romans 3:22-24; Eph. 2:8-9 “Compensation not put to his account… …his faith is put to his account as righteousness”
Conclusion – Rom. 4:4-5 Works have no part in righteousness before God!
Conclusion – Rom. 4:6-8 David affirms the same truth.
Conclusion – Rom. 4:6-8 The emphasis is on the second part of the verse.
Conclusion – Rom. 4:6-8 God charges us with nothing at all.
Circumcision – Rom. 4:9-10 Circumcision had nothing to do with righteousness!
Circumcision – Rom. 4:11-12 Abraham becomes the spiritual Father of both the Jewish and Gentile believers.
Circumcision – Rom. 4:11-12 No covenant would have been made with Abraham had he been unjustified.
Circumcision – Rom. 4:13 “Heir of the world” Gen. 12:3 A promise of universal blessing.
Circumcision – Rom. 4:13 Abraham understood this as a prophecy about the gospel and justification by faith. Gal. 3:8-9
Circumcision – Rom. 4:13 “Heir of the world” The world to come will be filled with those who believe. Gal. 3:7
Circumcision – Rom. 4:14-15 Since “by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified”, the AbrahmicPromise cannot be received by it.
Circumcision – Rom. 4:15 In fact, the Law only brings wrath! The Law makes its violation obvious to people.
Circumcision – Rom. 4:16-17a Man’s inability leads to all believers (and only believers), whether Jews and Gentiles, being the objects of God’s blessing.
Circumcision – Rom. 4:17b God can bring something out of nothing and life from the dead.
Circumcision – Rom. 4:17b Even though Abraham’s spiritual descendants (like us!) didn’t exist yet, since God is God, it was as good as done. Abraham knew and believed that!
Circumcision – Rom. 4:18-21 Abraham had hope (a confident expectation) in what God could do.
Circumcision – Rom. 4:18-21 Both Abraham’s body and his wife’s womb were as good as dead, unable to bring life.
Circumcision – Rom. 4:18-21 Abraham ignored that deadness and focused on the object of his faith. Abraham took God at His word!
Circumcision – Rom. 4:22 Abraham took God at His word… …and he was justified for it.
Circumcision – Rom. 4:23-24 “To those who would believe in the One…” John 5:24; 1 John 5:11
Circumcision – Rom. 4:23-24 Ironically, the disciples didn’t even know Jesus would be raised from the dead (John 20:8-9; 2:22). But they DID believe in the One who would do so!
Circumcision – Rom. 4:23-24 Paul will soon speak again about God’s ability to give life to a dead body!
Circumcision – Rom. 4:25 God both delivered Jesus over to death (Acts 2:23) and raised Him from the dead for us!
Circumcision – Rom. 4:25 Sins have been dealt with and the payment has been accepted.
Circumcision – Rom. 4:25 Now, Christ’s risen life becomes the focus of Paul.