Acts 28:17 - Romans 14:23
Next to Genesis and the Gospels, Romans is one of the most analyzed and debated books of the Bible. It would be almost impossible to limit ourselves to just one topic in each readings. We could spend a year at least just going through Romans.
However, as we go through the final days of this 90 day journey, I am persuaded that providing each letters description of the gospel would have the most benefit to us as readers. Also, we might provide a general outline of the book with some key verses.
We will use an outline for Romans from Dr. Dunnett in his New Testament Survey and I will add some key verses.
I. Introduction (1:1-17)
Theme: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith" (1:16-17)
II. The Need For Redemption: Sin (1:18 -3:20)
"We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are under sin. As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one" (3:9b-12)
III. The Provision of Redemption: Justification (3:21 - 5:21)
"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that cam by Christ Jesus" (3:22-24)
IV. The Effect of Redemption: Sanctification (6:1 - 8:39)
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. (8:1-2)
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (8:37)
V. The Scope of Redemption: Jew and Gentile (9:1 -11:36)
"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trust in Him will never be put to shame,' For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (10:9-13)
VI. The Fruit of Redemption: Service (12:1 - 15:13)
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." (12:1)
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." (12:10)
VII. Conclusion (15:14 - 16:27)
And as a suitable ending, Paul's closing comments.
"Now to Him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey Him - to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."
