Page 41 - Advanced New Testament Survey Student Textbook

Study Section 4: Letter to the Romans: A Call to Righteousness

4.1 Connect
We are now living in a generation where communication is more simplified. This is exciting
news! If you are a senior, you probably have received many letters, coming to you in different
forms, sizes, and media platforms than many people in the previous generation. In the
previous generation, it could take about six months to communicate with a person overseas.
Three months for the letter to reach the US if you were writing from Africa, and three months
for their response to reach you. Today, at the press of a button, we Email, text, WhatsApp,
Facebook, zoom, Skype, Face time, etc., in order to communicate with a distant person.

Back in Bible days, long distance communication came in the form of a letter. We now will look at a
series of letters written to the churches in specific areas. In these letters, the author is either answering
questions, solving a reported problem, giving guidance on confusing matters of life, correcting wrong
theology, teaching right theology on critical doctrinal matters and providing applications, and
evangelizing to the lost. Let’s begin…

4.2 Objectives

1. The student shall be able to identify the author of the epistle to the Romans.

2. The student shall be able to locate when and where the book was written.

3. The student shall be able to name the recipients of the book.

4. The student shall be able to describe the occasion under which the book was written.

5. The student shall be able to describe the themes and purposes of the book to the Romans

6. The student shall be able to explain the structure and outline of the epistle to the Romans

7. The student shall be able to explain some important features in the book of Romans.

8. The student shall be able to name the key passages in Romans

9. The student shall be able to recite the key words in Romans.

4.3 The Epistle to the Romans
The letter to the Romans is endowed with heavy teaching on the gospel and salvation. This is
the only church the author writes to in anticipation of his very first visit. He did not start the
church in Rome, as a matter of fact, the planter of the church in Rome is unknown. In his
letter to the Roman church, Paul lays out his argument for unifying Jews and non-Jews in
Christ—and in the process, instructs his readers on how to restore their relationship with
God. As Paul explains, we only find unity with God and with one another through God’s Son,
Jesus. Christ represents the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises, going all the way back to Abraham.

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