Romans 1: 1-7 The Intro

[Rom 1:1 KJV] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Did this verse just say that Paul is an apostle?  How could that be, there are already 12 apostles set up.  Even after Judas was done as an Apostle he was replaced soon after to make 12 again.  12 Apostles makes sense with the way Israel is set up with 12 tribes. How does Paul fit in as number 13?  Some people say he wasn't an apostle because Israel already had the 12.  If we are going to believe the scripture it says Paul is an apostle.  We will see where this leads and why Paul was called to be an apostle.

[Rom 1:2 KJV] (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
[Rom 1:3 KJV] Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
[Rom 1:4 KJV] And declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
[Rom 1:5 KJV] By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
[Rom 1:6 KJV] Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
[Rom 1:7 KJV] To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.


That about wraps up the introduction.

Romans: When was it written?

The year that Paul wrote Romans has many different points of view.  I have seen dates from AD 52 to AD 57 and there are probably more.

One thing that seems to be consistent is that was written in the Acts 20 to Acts 21 time frame while he was in Corinth.

To me it really doesn't matter when it was written and I don't think it should be something we should get hung up on.  We will leave that argument up to professors.

The important thing to me about Romans is that it is chalked full of doctrine for us today.  Chapters 1-3 are all about sin and how we got there.  It also teaches us about the grace of God and how He planned the whole thing before the world began. Romans 16:25

Ok, tomorrow we start on Chapter 1.  Enough of this into stuff.  See you tomorrow.

Romans: Who is it written to and who wrote it?

I don't believe that there is any controversy in who wrote the book of Romans.  It was inspired by God and written by Paul.  Romans 1:1

I guess there is some controversy in that some believers don't believe the Bible is inspired by God.
2 Timothy 3:16 settles it for me.


Who was it written to?  According To Romans 1:7 it is was written to the saints at Rome.

Romans 16:22 Tells us that Tertius wrote the letter for Paul.

Next we will look into when Paul wrote the letter of Romans.

Book of Romans Verse by Verse

Let's go though the letter to the believers at Rome.  I want to go though this from a regular Bible believers way of studying.  By regular I mean "not someone with seminary training".  I can't say most of the 10 dollar words they are taught much less spell them.

I use the KJV and is what I will be using.  I do believe the KJV is God's perfectly preserved Word and we must trust what it says to whom it says it.  We will be studying by rightly dividing the Word of truth as per 2 Timothy 2:15.

In this study we will investigate many different ways that people interpret the scripture and why.  I will give the pros and cons of these interpretations as I see them, but I would encourage you to comment and give the things that you see. This study will not turn into an angry argument between us. I am not here to persuade you to believe like I do but to study the scripture and come to your conclusions.  Acts 17:11 tell you to study the scripture daily and verify what you are being taught.

For tomorrows study let's figure out who the letter was written to and who wrote it.

Early one summer morning two young brothers were invited by their father aboard a small row boat.
The father eased the boat into the calm glass surface of the water and began to gently row as the boys sat side by side smiling on the forward plank. The only sound was the dipping and dripping of the oars as they slipped in and out of the lake and the occasional giggling of the brothers, excited to be sharing this unplanned journey.

Soon they had glided to the center of the lake where the father lifted the oars and let the boat coast to a silent stop.

Suddenly, the father grabbed either side of the boat and rocked it violently from side to side. The startled boys grabbed onto one another and screamed, begging their father to stop. Just as suddenly, he stopped.

“Were you boys scared?” he asked his children.

“Yes, yes, father” was the immediate reply in unison.

“Were you boys afraid?”

“Yes.”

“No. You were not afraid,” said the father. “And now I want you to listen carefully.”

The boys, somewhat calm again, listened.

“Being scared is a natural reaction to the unexpected. If you walked down a street and someone jumped out from behind a tree and yelled “Boo” you would be scared. You would re-act. When I suddenly began rocking the boat, neither of you expected it and you became scared.”

“But you were not afraid. Fear lives in the past or the future. If you were truly afraid, neither of you would have gotten into the boat to begin with. And if you were afraid now, you would be still bracing yourselves for fear that it might happen again. So always know that it’s ok to be “scared” but being “afraid lives in worry and regret, anticipation and remorse, yesterday and tomorrow. Be fearless today , now and always.”



2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Who’s Your Teacher?

Who’s Your Teacher?

At times when I have tried to show someone why and how we need to rightly divide the word of truth the question is asked “Who is teaching you this?”  They are looking for an answer that names someone famous.  For example the Mormons have Joseph Smith, the Catholics have the Pope,  the Muslims have Mohammad,  the Christian Scientists have Mary Baker Eddie, Family Radio has Herald Camping, Rick Warren with his Mega Churches, and the list goes on. Most if not all of these people claim to have had divine revelation from God.  Some with new information and some with information clarified to be understood better. 

Let me tell you a little bit about the guy who has been teaching me what some call heresy and others call just plain craziness. 

He is a little guy that would wear glasses if he could afford them.  He doesn’t have a lot of money because he requires no tithe to keep his small assembles running.  He has a regular job on top of preaching and teaching.  He travels a lot to speak to these small groups he has taught. I haven’t actually got to see him in person yet, but someday soon I will get to meet him and the other founders that started this movement. 

This leader of the movement has had attempts on his life due to what he is preaching.  The religious groups don’t like what he is saying.  He has had messages form the Lord Jesus Christ several times.  Unlike some of the previously mentioned movement leaders who have hundreds if not thousands of books, my leader has only written about 80 to 90 pages depending on which volume of his writings you get.

It has been reported that he brought a dead guy back to life and has healed many.  He spoke in tongues several times when needed.  He has been on several missionary trips to give the gospel to the heathen and barbarians in the remote parts of the world. 

My teacher is Paul of Tarsus, the Apostle to the gentiles.  He wrote Romans thru Philemon in your Bible.  The Lord Jesus Christ came to him on the road to Damascus and gave him information that was hid in God before the foundation of the world not spoken of by the prophets of old.  Paul is our foundation that we are to build on.  Part of this mystery that was revealed to Paul was the purpose of the cross.  Since we are sinners and have no way of paying the debt, Christ paid it for us by dying on the cross taking our sins on Himself.  He (Christ) had faith that God would raise him from the dead.  By God raising Christ from the dead it showed that God was satisfied with the payment for our sins and we are now reconciled.  Believe this was done for you and you will meet the Lord in the air to go to heavenly places.

Grace and Peace

Jack Milholm

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