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Week 5: Christ grants us eternal life

Week 5: Christ grants us eternal life

  • Brief introduction about St. Paul

    • Roman Citizen: Born a Roman citizen, enabling safe travel and legal protection.

    • Greek education: Born in Tarsus, major center of Greek learning, exposure to Greek philosophy.

    • Jewish heritage: Adhering to Jewish law and traditions and studied under Rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem

    • 1st Journey (44 AD, 2 years):

      • Asia Minor (Turkey), with Barnabus and St. Mark.

      • After this journey, a council is held among the apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem to determine that the gentile converts need not submit to the Law of Moses regarding circumcision.

    • 2nd Journey (51 AD, 3 years):

      • Mainly in Macedonia (Greece), with Silas and Luke.

      • 2 Epistles: 1 & 2 Thessalonians.

    • 3rd Journey (54 AD, 4 years):

      • Asia minor and Macedonia

      • 4 Epistles: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians.

    • 4th Journey (Rome):

      • 8 Epistles: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, Hebrews.

    • The Lord said to him: "I will send you far from here to the Gentiles" (Acts 22:21)

    • Unmarried: “For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that." 1 Corinth 7:7

    • His early preparation for ministry

    • Missionary trips

    • St. Paul wrote 14 epistles out of the 27 books in the New Testament.

    • Known as the Apostle of the Gentiles

    • Received 4 crowns: martyrdom, purity, apostleship, and righteousness.



  • Introduction:

    • Author: St. Paul

    • Written to: believers in Rome

    • Time of writing:

      • 58 AD in Corinth, before Paul’s visit to Rome in 62 AD

    • Purpose of the book

      • The need for all people, Jews or Gentiles, to be justified by Christ.

      • How a person can obtain justification and its blessings in life.

      • The rejection of faith by many Jews is temporary, but some will return to faith in Christ after the Gentiles accept the faith.

      • Basic teachings for practical Christian living.

      • Care for those weak in faith and encourage them

  • Outline

    • The apostolic blessing and encouragement of the believers (Chapter 1).

    • The need for all humanity to be justified by Christ, how they can receive it, and its blessings (Chapters 2–8).

    • God chose the Gentiles just as He did to the Jews, who rejected Him but they will repent at the end of days (Chapters 9–11).

    • Practical commandments for Christian behavior (Chapters 12–15).

    • Paul’s fatherly care and his greetings to his beloved friends (Chapter 16).

  • Reading:

    • Chapter 8

  • Resources:

  • Key verse:

    • “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.." Romans 8:28

  • Comments: Chapter 8

    • No condemnation for those who walk according to the Spirit (Romans 8: 1-17)

      • Those who united with Christ Jesus have been rescued and saved- on the condition that they live a spiritual life

        • Living according to the Spirit: submitting to God's commandments, pleasing God, focuses on spiritual matters such as prayer, spiritual readings, and fasting.

        • Living according to the flesh: concerned about what to eat, drink, wear, and pleasing the flesh.
      • Verse 14-17: Confirms that those who are led by the Holy Spirit are truly God's children. Since we are God's children, we also inherit eternal life and the Kingdom of Heaven.
        • Led by the Spirit = True children of God.
        • We are no longer slaves to fear but are adopted as God's children.
        • The Holy Spirit confirms our identity in Christ.
        • As heirs with Christ, we inherit eternal life

    • Renewal of Creation and the Hope of Coming Glory (Romans 8:18-25):

      • St. Paul discusses the suffering of present time and contrasts it with the glory that will be revealed in the future.
      • Creation, affected by sin, suffers from wars, diseases, famines, natural disasters and more, but one day will be freed from corruption.
      • St. Paul teaches that true hope is not about what is seen, but about waiting for what is promised (the fullness of God's sonship), which requires faith and patience.

    • The Intercession of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27):

      • The Holy Spirit intervenes to support, guide, teaches us to pray and request.

      • If you don’t know what to say in prayer, or if the devil attacks you with laziness or wandering thoughts, ask for God's help; He will support you and guide you, all through the work of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.

    • Christ the Sustainer and Intercessor (Romans 8:28-34)

      • God's plan for us is above our understanding. He turns all things, without exception, for the building up of our souls, working for our good both on earth and for His glory in heaven.

      • The phrase "work together" means that while some events in life may seem bad or confusing, they ultimately come together in harmony to serve our good and well-being.
      • After His resurrection, Christ ascended to heaven to demonstrate the possibility of humans entering the glory of the Kingdom. He is the firstborn of all believers.
      • We cannot doubt God's love, for He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ for our redemption. Therefore, it is only natural that He will grant us all the gifts and graces necessary for our salvation.
    • Noting can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39)
      • The devils attempts to separate us from God's love through trials and distractions.
      • Despite these challenges, tribulations, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or death, nothing can separate us from God's love.
      • Examine yourself at the end of each day to see what has prevented you from enjoying the love of Christ. Make more time and give up not only evil desires or the worries and disturbances of life, but also any distractions that deprive you of your spiritual life.

  2. Review/recap questions

     ** Servant may add more questions

  1. Homework

     ** Servant may add more questions

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