The Book Of Romans By The Apostle Paul

The final paper reviews the Book of Romans. The Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Romans. The book was written in approximately 57 A.D. Paul wrote the book from the city of Corinth. The key characters in the book are the Apostle Paul and Phoebe. Paul wrote the book of Romans as a letter to believers in Rome. Phoebe actually delivered the letter. Paul wrote the letter to give Christian guidelines to the believers in Rome. Those guidelines include instructions for faith, living a Christian life, and how to serve God effectively (NIV, 1997). The Apostle Paul’s calling was to teach and grow the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul is credited with writing 13 of the books in the New Testament. The Book of Romans is one of those books. The
Book of Romans is critical to Christian doctrine. Paul answers questions related to salvation, the sovereignty of God, judgement, spiritual growth, and the righteousness of God (Smith, 2016). The letter to the Romans begins with Paul explaining that salvation cannot be attained by good deeds. Paul explains that salvation is attained only through faith in God’s righteousness (NIV, 1997). Paul explains to the Romans that mankind has a sinful nature. Paul goes on to explain that the penalty for sin is death. Paul’s letter tells the Roman that God has given us the gift of eternal life through his son Jesus Christ (1997). This part of the letter is one of the key foundations of Christian doctrine. Paul writes that God has control over our salvation. Pastors will often ask the congregation if they have been Saved. The process of being Saved means that an individual has verbally confessed Jesus as Lord, and believes in their heart that God raised him from the dead (NIV, 1997). Paul wrote this in his letter to the Romans. The process is fundamental to Christian doctrine. Paul goes on to explain to the Roman believers that they should place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ (1997). Paul’s letter to the Romans also gives instructions how to live a Christian life. Paul tells the believers to think of their bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God (NIV, 1997). Paul goes on to explain that believers should not conform to the ways of the world. Paul believes that most of the problems human beings face are the result of conforming to ways of the world instead, of obeying the rules for Christian living. Paul writes that we should love our enemies. Paul explains that vengeance is for the Lord to handle. Paul goes on to write that we should not commit adultery, we should not murder, and we should not covet. Paul writes that women should be faithful to their husbands throughout his life. Of the husband dies then the woman is not bound to that husband. Paul writes that a widow can remarry (1997). The Book of Romans is critical to Christian doctrine because it gives clear instructions in three main topics.
Those three topics are human beings lack of righteousness because of our sinful nature, the receipt of righteousness through the confession faith in God, and the practice of righteousness in our everyday lives (Insight for Living Ministries, 2016). I believe that the book of Romans is important because it gives guidelines on faith, salvation, treatment of others, and practical information on how to live a Christian life. These guidelines have been taught in the Christian church for hundreds of years. The lessons have also been passed down from generation to generation. Reading the Book of Romans actually had a profound impact on me. I was intrigued with how the Book combined faith and salvation with practical information on living a Christian life. Of course, most of the stories I had heard before. I have heard my Pastors preached from the Book of Romans over and over again. Taking the time to read and study it gave me a new outlook on this New Testament book. I was particularly enamored with Paul’s writing on the topic of faith. I believe faith is the belief in things unseen. My faith has been tested over the past five
years. Five years ago my life was in a very different place. My baby sister passed away. My wife and I were contemplating getting separated. I was not in school. The fact that I had not finished school was a major source of embarrassment and disappointment for me. I felt that I had become stagnant on my job. I had been in the same position for 10 years. I had seen peers get promoted over me. This was a very low point in my life. I ended up getting divorced. As we have talked about in class, divorce is very hard on family and friends. I was stuck in the same position at work. I was not in school. I found myself alone for the very first time in my life. I truly didn’t know where to turn. It is in times like these that one’s faith is tested.
I put my faith in God. I didn’t know where my journey would lead. I applied and was accepted to Bethel University. I have since been promoted at work. I am engaged to be married in July. I will graduate from Bethel University in May. In the Book of Romans Paul discusses faith in God. Paul instructs us to put our faith in Jesus and not in man. I am living testimony to the power of faith. I have not always been a perfect man, yet God listened to my prayers. I get down on my knees every day to thank him for what He has done in my life. I would not have believed that I would have this life five years ago. Faith is truly the belief in things unseen. I would never have seen this life five years
ago. The practical lessons in Paul’s letter to the Romans are invaluable as well. The simple theme of treating others in a Christian way is simple yet profound. It is very tough to treat your enemies in a Christian way, yet Paul instructs the Romans to do just that. As I read over these lessons I reflected on how I treat people. I concluded that I have a lot of work to do with regard to Paul’s lessons for Christian living. I do not believe that I am mean towards people; however I can certainly work on living more Christ like.