Book of Romans
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed though faith for faith, as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans, 1:17). The Apostle Paul wrote several letters, in the New Testament, to cities that he visited trying to help them grow and flourish. In this letter he doesn’t want to state what they have done wrong, instead he talks about the salvation that is offered through Christ. This letter is the most important of his writings. Most of the letters he wrote were to the churches that Paul established. In this letter he wrote to a church that he had never been to. Paul is arrested before he could make the trip, and coincidentally, sent to Rome to stand trial. In this letter Paul makes his point in his assurance of salvation. (Romans, 12:12)
Paul, who was originally named Saul, was born ten to fifteen years after Jesus as a Roman citizen. He was raised as a Jew, but the was a Roman citizen too. He more than likely had the upper hand in an argument with a Jew. He was educated by his father. Paul was converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus. This is when his named was changed from Saul to Paul. The Jews were not too excited about this conversion experience. He later went on several mission trips to help early churches grow and flourish. The Church’s beliefs are based on Paul’s theology. (Harris, 464) During Paul 's time, Rome had a population that exceeded one million people, most of which were slaves. Paul wanted to attend Rome’s empire and he wanted to bring the information of Christ “to all ends of the earth”. (Acts, 1:8) Around 49 CE Jews were told to leave Rome because of Christian disturbances. Later, under Emperor Nero, the Jews were allowed back into Rome. Gentile Christians began to look down upon Jews, because the believed that Jews were no longer God’s people. (Wikipedia, Epistle to the Romans) The letter to the Romans was written at Corinth. Paul was said to have written this letter during his visit to
Paul, who was originally named Saul, was born ten to fifteen years after Jesus as a Roman citizen. He was raised as a Jew, but the was a Roman citizen too. He more than likely had the upper hand in an argument with a Jew. He was educated by his father. Paul was converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus. This is when his named was changed from Saul to Paul. The Jews were not too excited about this conversion experience. He later went on several mission trips to help early churches grow and flourish. The Church’s beliefs are based on Paul’s theology. (Harris, 464) During Paul 's time, Rome had a population that exceeded one million people, most of which were slaves. Paul wanted to attend Rome’s empire and he wanted to bring the information of Christ “to all ends of the earth”. (Acts, 1:8) Around 49 CE Jews were told to leave Rome because of Christian disturbances. Later, under Emperor Nero, the Jews were allowed back into Rome. Gentile Christians began to look down upon Jews, because the believed that Jews were no longer God’s people. (Wikipedia, Epistle to the Romans) The letter to the Romans was written at Corinth. Paul was said to have written this letter during his visit to
References: An Overview of the Book of Romans. 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2008, from http://www.christianinconnect.com/romans.htm Ehrman, Bart D. A Brief Introduction to The New Testament (New York: Oxford University Press, 2004) Epistle to the Romans. (2008, March 11). In Wikipedia, The free encyclopedia. Retrieved February 27, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistle_to_the_Romans Harris, Stephen L. Understanding the Bible (Boston: McGraw Hill, 2007). The New Oxford Annotated Bible. (1991). New York: Oxford University Press.