Book of Romans.

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,266
29,544
113
#22
Why is watching videos made by theologians any different than reading commentaries.
True! Some are better able to absorb information one way or the other and not both orally and through text.

Expositing the revealed written Word of God is done both ways, to the benefit of all :)
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#23
The Law was only given to Israel. It is designed, in its entirety (ca 613 laws) to qualify Israel to have a holy God dwelling with them. It has four main pillars
Any time anyone distorts the word of the Lord by saying God is, at any time, only interested in one race, they are not accepting the Lord as the true God of all humans.

The reason God created the Hebrews was because the gentiles had forgotten Him. They were made caretakers of the word of the Lord for the sake of all humans.

They were given some rituals to follow to help them understand the true laws of the Lord, rituals we are not obliged to follow because we are guided by the Holy Spirit. They also are given this spirit when they accept Christ, but the true law is eternal and for all man.
 
Jun 11, 2020
1,370
424
83
73
#24
Any time anyone distorts the word of the Lord by saying God is, at any time, only interested in one race, they are not accepting the Lord as the true God of all humans.

The reason God created the Hebrews was because the gentiles had forgotten Him. They were made caretakers of the word of the Lord for the sake of all humans.

They were given some rituals to follow to help them understand the true laws of the Lord, rituals we are not obliged to follow because we are guided by the Holy Spirit. They also are given this spirit when they accept Christ, but the true law is eternal and for all man.
I think the best is to let the Holy Spirit talk for Jehovah.

Chosen above all nations? Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2, 26:19, 28:9
"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine"

"For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth."

"For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth."

"And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken."

"The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways."


Gentiles had forgotten God? Deuteronomy 32:15-18:

15 "But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee."
 
E

EleventhHour

Guest
#25

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#26
I think the best is to let the Holy Spirit talk for Jehovah.

Chosen above all nations? Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2, 26:19, 28:9
"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine"

"For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth."

"For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth."

"And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken."

"The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways."

Gentiles had forgotten God? Deuteronomy 32:15-18:

15 "But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee."
They were chosen to be the caretakers of the word, they were not chosen to be the only humans that God would accept.
 
Jun 11, 2020
1,370
424
83
73
#27
They were chosen to be the caretakers of the word, they were not chosen to be the only humans that God would accept.
"Accept ... ." I don't remember saying that. Are you sure you've got the right guy. I'm sure you wouldn't attribute something to somebody falsely. Here is what you objected to in posting # 23:

The Law was only given to Israel. It is designed, in its entirety (ca 613 laws) to qualify Israel to have a holy God dwelling with them. It has four main pillars
You said I distorted God's words, and that Israel was NOT chosen as a special people above all peoples. I quoted scripture without comment. Care to comment on these scriptures in light of your statements?
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#28
"Accept ... ." I don't remember saying that. Are you sure you've got the right guy. I'm sure you wouldn't attribute something to somebody falsely. Here is what you objected to in posting # 23:

You said I distorted God's words, and that Israel was NOT chosen as a special people above all peoples. I quoted scripture without comment. Care to comment on these scriptures in light of your statements?
I am sorry you got mixed up in what I see as a misinterpretation that so many people have about the law and Israel. It is stated by saying the law is given to Israel "only". You expressed it in post #18.

It seems very important that we learn from scripture. Israel had temples, the gentiles did not. But gentiles are to learn from scripture about the temples, for they are symbolic of important truths of the Lord. Gentiles are to learn, also, of the duties of the high priest of Israel, for Jesus is now our high priest and we learn about Jesus as we learn about the high priest of Israel, Christ took over those duties.

If we get stuck in this Israel only idea, we don't see the true God, for the true God is equally the God of all man.

I am so excited about the majesty, the glory, about all that our God is. It excites me that our God is never an Israel only God, but our creator.
 

echoChrist

Active member
Dec 22, 2020
266
52
28
#29
I am sorry you got mixed up in what I see as a misinterpretation that so many people have about the law and Israel. It is stated by saying the law is given to Israel "only". You expressed it in post #18.

It seems very important that we learn from scripture. Israel had temples, the gentiles did not. But gentiles are to learn from scripture about the temples, for they are symbolic of important truths of the Lord. Gentiles are to learn, also, of the duties of the high priest of Israel, for Jesus is now our high priest and we learn about Jesus as we learn about the high priest of Israel, Christ took over those duties.

If we get stuck in this Israel only idea, we don't see the true God, for the true God is equally the God of all man.

I am so excited about the majesty, the glory, about all that our God is. It excites me that our God is never an Israel only God, but our creator.
Wake up call there is no jew or gentile Blik gets this yes we are distinct by our cultures not by the same bread we are all partakers of.
 

Sipsey

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2018
1,481
695
113
#30
With more spare time during this challenging year, it has given many of us extra time to engage in more Bible reading.
I've been delving into the Book of Romans repeatedly.
Any other resources or ideas on how to grow spiritually from Romans are appreciated.

https://medium.com/transformed-faith/the-book-of-romans-3885a4a0a127
If you already have a good grasp of the “over arching” theme of Scripture and the timeline and sequential rendering, then indeed dive into and swim slowly through the book of Romans.

I find that too many Christians stay on the side roads and miss where the main routes, and main characters fit into the narrative. I’m including myself within this critique. I find that the more I study, the more I realize how little I truely know.

With that, here is a fairly thorough study of Romans in a verse by verse context.
https://www.preceptaustin.org/romans_11-2
 
Jun 11, 2020
1,370
424
83
73
#31
I am sorry you got mixed up in what I see as a misinterpretation that so many people have about the law and Israel. It is stated by saying the law is given to Israel "only". You expressed it in post #18.

It seems very important that we learn from scripture. Israel had temples, the gentiles did not. But gentiles are to learn from scripture about the temples, for they are symbolic of important truths of the Lord. Gentiles are to learn, also, of the duties of the high priest of Israel, for Jesus is now our high priest and we learn about Jesus as we learn about the high priest of Israel, Christ took over those duties.

If we get stuck in this Israel only idea, we don't see the true God, for the true God is equally the God of all man.

I am so excited about the majesty, the glory, about all that our God is. It excites me that our God is never an Israel only God, but our creator.
Amen. God made Adam. Adam failed, so God continued His plan through Noah. Noah's descendants failed, so God chose Abraham, an idol-worshiper, with which to continue His recovery of man and the earth. Israel, seed of Abraham, with every advantage, could not rise to the occasion. They had the Oracles of God, they had the Covenants, the had the very God dwelling with them, and they blew it. But One Israelite didn't - Jesus of Bethlehem. God continues through this Jesus, and is guaranteed success. But because Israel failed, it will just take a bit of time to raise up the New Man - 2 days for God, 2,000 years for men. And so God has His Masterpiece - a people taken out of Israel and out of the Nations. A New People with a New birth, with the very God dwelling, not WITH them, but IN them - Church, "the House of the Living God (1st Tim.3:15). And it is this New Man, the Church, that grand mystery ...

"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints" (Col.1:26), and "Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Eph.3:5) is predicted in Ephesians 2:7 and 3:21 "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus ... Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

But amid all this glory, we must not forget that God's glory is not complete unless He keeps His Word. And His Word, via a Covenant AND an Oath (Heb.6:16-17), is that Israel will get, keep and dwell in their Land for an "everlasting possession".
 

Mii

Well-known member
Mar 23, 2019
2,082
1,330
113
#32
LOT of graphics there @Magenta ...probably the most I've seen at one time ha.

I didn't read them all but you had some great picked verses and I don't think I've ever quite read them in that way before. Ty.
 

Mii

Well-known member
Mar 23, 2019
2,082
1,330
113
#33
I think that an example is the best answer here. The Law regulates the "Day of Atonement" in Leviticus Chapter 16:1-28. In verse 16 it reads ;

16 "And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness."

It is at once clear that this Law could not apply to an Eskimo in Greenland, or even an Egyptian on the other side of the Red Sea. The both have no approved Tabernacle. Neither do they have an High Priest of the family of Aaron of Levi. The "atonement" is "because of the uncleanness of the children of ISRAEL", not the Canaanite, or the sons of Gog. Even if some Eskimos and sons of Gog sneaked into the camp of Israelites, atonement is decreed by God to be ONLY for Israel. Added to this, the ordinances of the Law form the CONDITIONS of a COVENANT. And this Covenant of Law is also ONLY made with the sons of Israel.

If you and I went down to the local Hummer dealership and I made a contract to buy one, you could do what you like but the contract would not include you. You might be my friend, you might scream and shout, you may take it to the Supreme Court, but the panel of Judges would all say the same thing: "The Contract is NOT made with you". But you would be glad, when, a year later I defaulted on my payments and went to jail because that was the penalty of the Contract. You would not go to jail because the Contract does not include you.

So, that is why the wording is;

14 "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another"
(Romans 2:14-15)
  • The Gentiles do NOT have the Law (twice in verse 14)
  • The Gentiles do things contained in the Law
  • This is because the "work" of the Law is written on their hearts. What "work", may we ask? The answer is, "Work" that provokes the conscience, and which needs excusing.
Oh at the same time though...do you feel like the very allowance for Jewish proselytes (within the law itself as sojourners from what I can tell) impacts this statement at all? I'll admit this as a potential exception by the way, I'm not trying to come against what you have posted because it's actually pretty well laid out and I "mostly" agree but due to this curious factor that I don't have full resolution on.

As I grew up my understanding of the law grew as well...and some things were seriously impressed on me by my own personal relationship with what I understand to be the Lord. This is also a way I try to understand people that are seemingly under the law and abiding by the caution not to be.
 
Jun 11, 2020
1,370
424
83
73
#34
Oh at the same time though...do you feel like the very allowance for Jewish proselytes (within the law itself as sojourners from what I can tell) impacts this statement at all? I'll admit this as a potential exception by the way, I'm not trying to come against what you have posted because it's actually pretty well laid out and I "mostly" agree but due to this curious factor that I don't have full resolution on.

As I grew up my understanding of the law grew as well...and some things were seriously impressed on me by my own personal relationship with what I understand to be the Lord. This is also a way I try to understand people that are seemingly under the law and abiding by the caution not to be.
A very valid question.

Israel are given the Law in Deuteronomy (which means "Second Law") "for when they shall be IN the Land that God would give them" (e.g. Deut.11:29, 17:14, 18:9). The Lord set the borders of this Land. What happened inside these borders was Israel's matter. What happened outside these borders was of no concern to Israel except if their neighbors attacked them. Israel were to have no relations with these neighbors, neither by marriage, worship or by business contract. But if a stranger arrived within their borders, and decided to sojourn in the Good Land, he was required to keep the Law. Israel had no command to bring the Law to the Canaanites, nor to the Philistine, nor to the Assyrian. But any foreigner living with Israel was required to keep the Law. There was to be ONE Law for Israel and the stranger who dwelt with them (Ex.12:49; Lev.24:22; Num.15:16, 29; Deut.31:12).

If you are still not sure, consider the Law. It required all men of Israel to go down to Jerusalem and the "place where God chose to put His Name" - the Tabernacle and later the Temple, and feast on their tithes there. No nation could even keep the Law if they tried. They had no Temple, and the had no Covenant of Law.

The Law is EXCLUSIVELY for Israel and Israel within their borders.
 

Mii

Well-known member
Mar 23, 2019
2,082
1,330
113
#35
A very valid question.

Israel are given the Law in Deuteronomy (which means "Second Law") "for when they shall be IN the Land that God would give them" (e.g. Deut.11:29, 17:14, 18:9). The Lord set the borders of this Land. What happened inside these borders was Israel's matter. What happened outside these borders was of no concern to Israel except if their neighbors attacked them. Israel were to have no relations with these neighbors, neither by marriage, worship or by business contract. But if a stranger arrived within their borders, and decided to sojourn in the Good Land, he was required to keep the Law. Israel had no command to bring the Law to the Canaanites, nor to the Philistine, nor to the Assyrian. But any foreigner living with Israel was required to keep the Law. There was to be ONE Law for Israel and the stranger who dwelt with them (Ex.12:49; Lev.24:22; Num.15:16, 29; Deut.31:12).

If you are still not sure, consider the Law. It required all men of Israel to go down to Jerusalem and the "place where God chose to put His Name" - the Tabernacle and later the Temple, and feast on their tithes there. No nation could even keep the Law if they tried. They had no Temple, and the had no Covenant of Law.

The Law is EXCLUSIVELY for Israel and Israel within their borders.
Well thanks for the reply...It's given me some further questions to ponder. I'd like to get back to you at some point. Legal discussions are tricky because the enemy certainly operates within the law and since I'm trying to avoid that for myself I may have to pass further discussion. I certainly don't like doing that but the flesh seems to operate curiously having knowledge of the law and it strives against the spirit in a fashion I cannot yet articulate well enough in text with any agreement within myself. It could be that full agreement does not exist with the flesh present but that I'm hoping is entirely incorrect "pre-glorification".
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,776
113
#36
Adam failed, so God continued His plan through Noah.
Not exactly. God would continue His plan only through the Lord Jesus Christ ("the Seed of the Woman"), but Noah would be instrumental in the descent of Jesus of Nazareth from Adam, so that He would be the rightful heir to the throne of David. Here is the lineage or descent of Christ from the human perspective (giving only the key figures):

Adam--->Seth--->Noah--->Shem--->Eber--->Abraham--->Isaac--->Jacob--->Judah
--->David--->Solomon & Nathan--->Joseph & Mary--->Jesus of Nazareth

Christ would be a Hebrew of the Hebrews, of the tribe of Judah, and of the line of David. Since Bethlehem was the city of David, Christ would be born there according to the prophecy of Micah 5:2. Christ would also fulfil the Law of Moses perfectly, and through His death nullify the Old Covenant and establish the New Covenant with His blood.

Christ would also be "The Prophet" who was foretold by Moses. Moses warned the Israelites (and consequently the Jews) that those who would not hearken unto this Prophet would pay a very serious penalty. Thus Israel, Judea, Jerusalem, and the Temple were all destroyed by the Romans. Even so, God had a plan for the redemption and restoration of Israel after the Second Coming of Christ. This was based upon the Abrahamic Covenant, not the merits of the Jews.
 
Jun 11, 2020
1,370
424
83
73
#37
Well thanks for the reply...It's given me some further questions to ponder. I'd like to get back to you at some point. Legal discussions are tricky because the enemy certainly operates within the law and since I'm trying to avoid that for myself I may have to pass further discussion. I certainly don't like doing that but the flesh seems to operate curiously having knowledge of the law and it strives against the spirit in a fashion I cannot yet articulate well enough in text with any agreement within myself. It could be that full agreement does not exist with the flesh present but that I'm hoping is entirely incorrect "pre-glorification".
Take your time - and thanks for the measured answer.
 
Jun 11, 2020
1,370
424
83
73
#38
Not exactly. God would continue His plan only through the Lord Jesus Christ ("the Seed of the Woman"), but Noah would be instrumental in the descent of Jesus of Nazareth from Adam, so that He would be the rightful heir to the throne of David. Here is the lineage or descent of Christ from the human perspective (giving only the key figures):

Adam--->Seth--->Noah--->Shem--->Eber--->Abraham--->Isaac--->Jacob--->Judah
--->David--->Solomon & Nathan--->Joseph & Mary--->Jesus of Nazareth

Christ would be a Hebrew of the Hebrews, of the tribe of Judah, and of the line of David. Since Bethlehem was the city of David, Christ would be born there according to the prophecy of Micah 5:2. Christ would also fulfil the Law of Moses perfectly, and through His death nullify the Old Covenant and establish the New Covenant with His blood.

Christ would also be "The Prophet" who was foretold by Moses. Moses warned the Israelites (and consequently the Jews) that those who would not hearken unto this Prophet would pay a very serious penalty. Thus Israel, Judea, Jerusalem, and the Temple were all destroyed by the Romans. Even so, God had a plan for the redemption and restoration of Israel after the Second Coming of Christ. This was based upon the Abrahamic Covenant, not the merits of the Jews.
You probably have a good reason to write what you did, and in all but one point I agree. But what is the difference between ...

"God continued His plan through Noah" (Corban),

and

"Noah would be instrumental in the descent of Jesus of Nazareth from Adam" (Nehemiah6)?

First, it seems like semantics to me. Second, the lineage from Noah is vitally important because Noah's "generations were perfect". That is, the way he was generated, and what he generated, were perfect, showing that he was not involved in the lineage of angels (the context). Satan's attack is always directed at the seed of the woman by murder, war, famine, mating with angels, mating with man-KIND (homosexuality), bestiality and "forbidding marriage".

The point I question is that being the "rightful heir to the throne of David" achieves nothing for the Nations. Israel and the Nations are mortal enemies. And it helps nothing to point out that Christ is the "seed of the woman" because (i) that woman, Eve, was not an Israelite, and (ii) Luke traces His lineage to Adam - also not an Israelite. Of much more profit to the Nations is "seed of Abraham", for to Abraham's seed is the WORLD promised (Rom.4:13). Abraham, like Adam, was a Gentile - a Syrian.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#39
Oh at the same time though...do you feel like the very allowance for Jewish proselytes (within the law itself as sojourners from what I can tell) impacts this statement at all? I'll admit this as a potential exception by the way, I'm not trying to come against what you have posted because it's actually pretty well laid out and I "mostly" agree but due to this curious factor that I don't have full resolution on.

As I grew up my understanding of the law grew as well...and some things were seriously impressed on me by my own personal relationship with what I understand to be the Lord. This is also a way I try to understand people that are seemingly under the law and abiding by the caution not to be.
Most of scripture can be seen as part of God's law. It is a very varied and complex subject. There is the laws governing nature, the spiritual laws governing the world of the Lord, and even the physical commands Moses gave the people as schoolmasters to lead them to the spiritual laws. The physical commands that acted as schoolmasters have been replaced by the Holy Spirit that now takes their place. The other laws are eternal and truth.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,266
29,544
113
#40
You probably have a good reason to write what you did, and in all but one point I agree. But what is the difference between ...

"God continued His plan through Noah" (Corban),

and

"Noah would be instrumental in the descent of Jesus of Nazareth from Adam" (Nehemiah6)?

First, it seems like semantics to me. Second, the lineage from Noah is vitally important because Noah's "generations were perfect". That is, the way he was generated, and what he generated, were perfect, showing that he was not involved in the lineage of angels (the context). Satan's attack is always directed at the seed of the woman by murder, war, famine, mating with angels, mating with man-KIND (homosexuality), bestiality and "forbidding marriage".
The short answer is that Jesus was purposed from before the foundation of the world :D

An aside but relevant to what you said above:

If Noah's generations were perfect, and Nephilim were demonic, how did they survive the flood? :unsure::geek: