Redemption in Romans
Redemption in Romans
1980 Quater 1
Nen TaT awe en© your very
Jesus gave His all to save us. Are we willing to give of ourselves to help introduce a child to Him? Vacation Bible School is a planned program in which each of us can help. Do you care enough? General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
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Dear Fellow Sabbath School Members:
Few things express so eloquently the cohesiveness of the world Seventh-
day Adventist family as the traditional 13th Sabbath Special Projects
Offering. More than a half million Sabbath School members in the Inter-
American Division in grateful expectancy look to the world family for
another display of Christian generosity through the 13th Sabbath Special
Projects Offering for the first quarter of 1980. Adventist believers
throughout Inter-America are confident that on this special date there
will be another outpouring of sacrificial love by Seventh-day Adventists
around the world.
The priority need for which the 13th Sabbath Special Projects Offering
will be dedicated, is the completion of the Medical Center at Montemore-
los University, in Mexico. This medical center, when completed, will
provide much needed, practical on-the-job medical missionary training
for medical students, nurses and ministerial students attending the uni-
versity. The center will coordinate public health activities in a series
of satellite clinics strategically located throughout the region of Nuevo
Leon. These facilities will put into practice the medical missionary
principles of the One who "went about doing good, and healing those that
were oppressed."
Throughout the Inter-American Division territory are scores of 13th Sab-
bith projects that stand as mute, yet eloquent, monuments to the gener-
osity of the world fraternity of Sabbath School members. These projects
of the past are continuing to fulfill the divine commission of proclaim-
ing the Advent message. As we look to March 29, 1980, we confidently
say, "Thank you" in advance for making this 13th Sabbath Special Projects
Offering the greatest and most important in our history. We crave your
prayers, gifts and moral support, as together we seek to enlarge the
Kingdom of God on earth, and hasten the return of our soon-coming Lord.
Sincerely yours in Christian service,
B. L. Archbold
President
1—A.L. 1-80 nen is Offing ore oweiliag t in a tmok adios finite Iita§ come “A GOOD FIGHT, “ Lessons POWER FOR A FINISHED From the Life of Paul by Ruby Ratzlaff. A must for this quarter’s WORK by J. L. Shuler. Would you Sabbath School lessons. Now as like to see the work of God finished so earth’s history nears its climax, many Jesus could come and take us home? of us will be called upon to stand be- Elder H. M. S. Richards says, “I be- fore a modern Agrippa. Within the lieve Elder Shuler has done a good pages of this book Paul’s exploits are job in compiling this book about the simply drawn. It is the author’s hope finishing of the work…. A careful and that from these pages will flow inspi- prayerful reading by our people ration to modern apostles to exalt the would help them to understand the risen Christ before an unbelieving work of preparation that must pre- world. Price—U.S. $2.95. cede the finishing of the work of the gospel in this age.” Price—U.S. $0.85.
These books are available at your local Adventist Book Center. Brought to you by Pacific Press Prices subject to change without notice. DAYBREAK SERIES Adult Sabbath School Lessons / No. 339 / January-March, 1980 (USPS 702-480)
Contnl-s 1. Christianity Reaches Rome 7. Victory Over Sin
2. Jew Versus Gentile 8. Oldness of the Letter
3. All Have Sinned 9. Freedom in Christ
4. Justified by Faith 10. Redemption for Jew and Gentile 5. Justification and the Law 11. Salvation for the Jews 6. Blessings of Justification 12. Living the Life of Faith-1
13. Living the Life of Faith-2
The Adult Sabbath School Lessons are prepared by the Sabbath School Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the lessons is directed by a worldwide Sabbath School Lesson Committee, the members of which serve as consulting editors.
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Adult Sabbath School Lessons (standard edition). Published quarterly by Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94042, U.S.A. One year subscription in U.S.A., $2.20; single copy, 55 cents. One year sub- scription to countries outside U.S.A., $3.00; single copy, 75 cents. All prices at U.S.A. exchange. Second-class postage paid at Mountain View, California 94042, U.S.A. When a change of address is desired, please send both old and new addresses.
Copyright 1979 by Pacific Press Publishing Association
5
whether it be our daily bread or the bread of life. In order to give the “Living Bread” we need to have a constant association with its author. The more we have, the more we can share. Our daily lesson study will keep our supply fresh and ready for use.
6 REDEMPTION IN ROMANS Introduction
This quarter is devoted to the study of the book of Romans. In book study the student concentrates on a particular book to discover what God is trying to teach in that book. There is a reason God guided the church in including in the canon each of the 66 books that are in the Bible, and this reason needs to be discovered. In true book study the student does not begin with a particular topic and then study what the book says about that topic. He carefully examines chapter after chapter to understand the basic theme that the inspired author has developed. This is called the inductive method of Bible study. It is one of the most fruitful methods of study because it examines all that is said in a particular book, and every part is examined in the context of the whole. In our study of the book of Romans we will have to pass over rapidly certain sections of the book, because one quarter is too brief a time to study all the book’s details. Despite this restriction, every effort has been made to present God’s basic message in the book. Students who have the time and the inclination can undertake a more thorough study. They will be richly rewarded. The fact that we named the lessons “Redemption in Romans” is not intended to restrict the inductive study of the book in any way. There is one rule of Bible study that is basic, especially in book study. This rule can be variously stated, but following is a simple form of it: In the study of the Bible one must seek to discover what the words of Scripture were designed to mean to those to whom they were first addressed; after that, what they mean for us today. This does not mean that what the Scriptures meant and what they mean in any given passage is necessarily different. But historical circumstances change. Seventh-day Adventists are fortunate to have the spirit of prophecy to apply the message of Scripture to our age. Commenting on the Sermon on the Mount, Ellen White encourages the use of this rule in this way: “Let us in imagination go back to that scene, and, as we sit with the disciples on the mountainside, enter into the thoughts and feelings that filled their hearts. Under- standing what the words of Jesus meant to those who heard them, we may discern in them a new vividness and beauty, and may also gather for ourselves their deeper lessons.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 1. Applied to the book of Romans, this rule means that we must discover first what the words of Paul meant to the Roman Christians. Paul had a particular reason for writing to the Roman congregation. There were certain issues he wished to clarify. These we must understand. But Paul did not write the letter merely for the benefit of the Roman Christians. Ellen White wrote: “He hoped that other churches also might be helped by the instruction sent to the Christians at Rome; but how dimly could he foresee the far-reaching influence of his words! Through all the ages the great truth of justification by faith has stood as a mighty beacon to guide repentant sinners into the way of life. It was this light that scattered the darkness which enveloped Luther’s mind and revealed to him the power of the blood of Christ to cleanse from sin. The same light has guided thousands of sin-burdened souls to the true Source of pardon and peace. For the epistle to the church at Rome, every Christian has reason to thank God.”—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 373, 374. 7 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ . . . : 1:7). How a congregation became To all that be in Rome, beloved of established in that city we do not God, called to be saints: Grace to you know, but in this lesson we shall pro and peace from God our Father, and that point. the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:1-7). As to why the letter was written, th will be the subject of lesson 2. Ideally, in our study of the book of When it was written will be Romans, after a study of the historical established in this lesson by tracin background, we should begin with the journeys of Paul and noting wh( Romans 1:1 and then go through the he was when the letter was dis- entire book verse by verse. Because patched. However, discovering thi only one quarter has been allotted to will give us only the approximate cla the study of the book, we have had to of writing. The exact year cannot be selective in certain parts of the known with certainty, because then book. However, the key chapters in insufficient chronological data in t which the basic message is contained New Testament to date the events will be thoroughly covered. the life of Paul precisely. Before a person studies any one of It is extremely important that a the books of the Bible, he should ask student of the book of Romans certain questions: understand the book’s historical
- Who is the author? background. If he does not, it will
- To whom was the book written? difficult for him to know what Pau
- Why was the book written? saying in the book. Paul was writing
-
When was the book written? a specific group of Christians at a For the book of Romans, there is specific time for a specific reason. sufficient information in the book We must in imagination go back itself and elsewhere in the New time, transport ourselves to Rome, Testament to answer these questions. become a member of the The author was Paul (Rom. 1:1), congregation there, and then, as a formerly called Saul, a Hebrew who first-century church member, listen grew up iri Tarsus, capital of the what Paul is saying. After that we mi Roman province of Cilicia. He was draw lessons for ourselves. educated in Jerusalem under the eminent Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), DAILY HIGHLIGHTS distinguishing himself as a zealous 1. City of Origin Pharisee (Phil. 3:4-6). Converted to (Rom. 16:1, 2) Christianity when still a young man, he 2. Date of Writing became one of Christianity’s most (Rom. 15:25, 26) ardent supporters, promoters, and 3. Announcement of Intended Visi defenders. Possessing a keen, logical (Rom. 15:23, 24) mind, he wrote with conviction and 4. Paul Reaches Rome clarity. In all he wrote 14 books of the (Ads 28:16) New Testament if Hebrews is 5. The Salutation included. (Most scholars deny a (Rom. 1:7) Pauline authorship for Hebrews, but 6. World Reputation Seventh-day Adventists have generally (Rom. 1:8) upheld it.) Romans is a letter addressed to the Christian congregation in Rome (Rom. “t’S~ ~
?Iwvy’: Christianity Reaches Rome LESSON 1 ❑ Sunday December 30 Part 1 In what city was Paul when he wrote the Epistle to the Ro- CITY OF mans? ORIGIN “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in what- soever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also” (Rom. 16:1, 2).Cenchreae was the eastern port of Corinth. Phoebe was a deaconess (Gr. diakonos) of the church of Cenchreae. She was probably the bearer of the letter to Rome. At any rate, she was traveling to Rome, and Paul wished to introduce her to the believers there. Paul's mention of Phoebe, a resident of greater Corinth, establishes Corinth as the city of origin of Paul's letter to the Romans. One of the purposes of establishing the city of origin of the New Testament epistles is to ascertain the date of writing. Since Paul traveled much, knowing where he was at a particular time gives us a clue as to the date. In our next lesson we shall establish the date of his visit to Corinth during which he wrote the Roman letter. The mention of what other Christians provides evidence that Corinth was the city of origin? Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 1:14; 2 Tim. 4:20. Gaius was one of the converts Paul had baptized in Corinth, and of Erastus it is said that he "abode at Corinth." "A paving block found near the large theater of Corinth con- tains an inscription stating that 'Erastus in return for the aed ile- ship laid (the pavement) at his own expense.' . . . The liberal Erastus of the inscription may be the convert of Paul mentioned in Rom 16:23. . . . Paul informed Timothy in his last letter, shortly before his death, that Erastus had stayed behind in Corinth (2 Ti 4:20). If the .. . texts refer to the same individual, and he is identical with the Erastus mentioned in the inscrip- tions, then Erastus, a commissioner of streets and buildings at Corinth, had become one of Paul's converts.. . . However, the possibility that Paul refers to more than one Erastus should not be ruled out."—S.D.A. Bible Dictionary, p. 321. The style of ancient letters was not like that of modern letters which give the address of the point of origin at the beginning. In the case of the letter to the Romans the place of writing is learned from incidental references.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 372-374.
10 Christianity Reaches Rome LESSON 1 ❑ Monday December 31 Part 2 During which visit to Corinth was the Epistle to the Romans DATE OF written? WRITING “Now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a cer- tain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem” (Rom. 15:25, 26).
Paul established the church at Corinth on his second mis-
sionary journey, A.D. 49-52. (See Acts 18:1-18.) On his third
journey, A.D. 53-58, he visited Corinth again (Acts 20:2, 3), and
at this time he received offerings for the saints in Jerusalem
(Acts 24:17; 1 Cor. 16:1-5). Since Paul did not arrive in Corinth
till near the end of his journey (arriving perhaps late in A.D. 57
and leaving early in A.D. 58), the Epistle to the Romans was
written probably in the early months of A.D. 58.
What other important churches had Paul visited on his third
missionary journey? Acts 18:23.
Visiting the Galatian churches, Paul discovered that during
his absence false teachers, often called Judaizers, had visited
these churches, convincing the members to submit to circum-
cision and to keep other precepts of the law of Moses. Discover-
ing what had happened, Paul became extremely upset (Gal.
3:1-4). Fearing that his opponents might reach Rome before he
arrived, Paul wrote a letter (Romans) to forestall the same
tragedy happening in Rome. It is believed that the Epistle to the
Galatians was written also from Corinth during Paul's three
months there on his third missionary journey, perhaps shortly
after his arrival. Perhaps the letter to the Romans was written
after the one to the Galatians. At any rate, it is the more reasoned
of the two, and its tone is calmer. On the purpose of writing
Romans, Ellen White says:
"In his epistle to the Romans, Paul set forth the great princi-
ples of the gospel. He stated his position on the questions which
were agitating the Jewish and the Gentile churches, and
showed that the hopes and promises which had once belonged
especially to the Jews were now offered to the Gentiles
also."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 373.
The statement "He [Paul] stated his position on the questions
which were agitating the Jewish and Gentile churches" is sig-
nificant. It is important in the study of any book of the Bible to
know the occasion for the book's being written and the aim the
author had in mind in writing the book. Hence it is important for
our understanding of the Epistle to the Romans to know what
were the questions agitating the Jewish and Gentile churches.
Next week's lesson will deal with these questions.
FURTHER STUDY S.D.A. Bible Dictionary, p. 922.
11
2-A.L. 1-80 Christianity Reaches Rome LESSON 1 ❑ Tuesday January 1 Part 3 What other reason did Paul have for writing to the Roman ANNOUNCEMENT believers? OF INTENDED VISIT “But now having no more place in these parts, and having a desire these many years to come unto you; whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company” (Rom. 15:23, 24). The great missionary to the Gentiles felt constantly impelled to take the gospel to hitherto unentered areas, leaving others to labor in areas where the gospel had been established. In the days when Christianity was young and the laborers were few it would have been a waste of valuable missionary power for Paul to work in already entered areas. He said, “So have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation,” so that “they that have not heard shall understand” (Rom. 15:20, 21). It was not Paul’s purpose to settle down at Rome. It was his aim to evangelize Spain. He hoped to get the support of the Christians in Rome for this venture. “After many unavoidable delays, Paul at last reached Co- rinth… “During his sojourn at Corinth, Paul found time to look for- ward to new and wider fields of service. His contemplated jour- ney to Rome especially occupied his thoughts. To see the Chris- tian faith firmly established at the great center of the known world was one of his dearest hopes and most cherished plans. A church had already been established in Rome, and the apostle desired to secure the co-operation of the believers there in the work to be accomplished in Italy and in other countries. To prepare the way for his labors among these brethren, many of whom were as yet strangers to him, he sent them a letter an- nouncing his purpose of visiting Rome and his hope of planting the standard of the cross in Spain.”—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 372, 373.
THINK IT THROUGH What impetus would be given to the spread of the gospel if all evangelistic workers covered their territories so thor- oughly that they too could say, “But now having no more place in these parts”?
"What the church needs in these days of peril is an army of
workers who, like Paul, have educated themselves for useful-
ness, who have a deep experience in the things of God, and who
are filled with earnestness and zeal. Sanctified, self-sacrificing
men are needed; men who will not shun trial and responsibility;
men who are brave and true."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 507.
FURTHER STUDY S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, pp. 467, 468. 12
Christianity Reaches Rome LESSON 1 ❑ Wednesday January 2 Part 4 “When we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the pris- PAUL REACHES oners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to ROME dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him” (Acts 28:16).
When Paul reached Jerusalem at the end of his third mission-
ary journey with his offering for the poor, collected in the con-
gregations of Europe and Asia Minor, unexpected events
awaited him. He was arrested and fettered. After being held
prisoner for two years at Caesarea, he appealed to Caesar.
Some three years after his arrest he arrived at Rome, still a
prisoner. This was a very different arrival from the one he had
planned when he announced in his letter to the Roman Chris-
tians that he intended to visit them.
In what evangelistic work did Paul engage? Acts 28:17, 23,
24, 30, 31.
"When the Christian churches first learned that Paul was to
visit Rome, they looked forward to a signal triumph of the
gospel in that city. Paul had borne the truth to many lands; he
had proclaimed it in great cities. Might not this champion of the
faith succeed in winning souls to Christ even in the metropolis
of the world? But their hopes were crushed by the tidings that
Paul had gone to Rome as a prisoner. . . .
"Not by Paul's sermons, but by his bonds, was the attention of
the court attracted to Christianity. It was as a captive that he
broke from so many souls the bonds that held them in the
slavery of sin. Nor was this all. He declared: 'Many of the breth-
ren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more
bold to speak the word without fear.' Philippians 1:14."—The
Acts of the Apostles, pp. 463, 464.
"During Paul's imprisonment the converts to Christianity had
become so numerous as to attract the attention and arouse the
enmity of the authorities. The anger of the emperor was espe-
cially excited by the conversion of members of his own
household."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 487.
THINK IT THROUGH To what extend have we seen seeming setbacks and mis- fortunes in our lives turn into victories for the gospel? (See Phil. 1:12.)
"While apparently cut off from active labor, Paul exerted a
widpr and more lasting influence than if he had been free to
travel among the churches as in former years. As a prisoner of
the Lord, he had a firmer hold upon the affections of his breth-
ren; and his words, written by one under bonds for the sake of
Christ, commanded greater attention and respect than they did
when he was personally with them."—The Acts of the Apostles,
p. 454.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 447-452. 13 Christianity Reaches Rome LESSON 1 ❑ Thursday January 3 Part 5 How are the recipients of the Epistle to the Romans de- THE SALUTATION scribed?
"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord
Jesus Christ" (Rom. 1:7).
Beloved of God. While it is true that God loves the world, in a
special sense God loves those who have chosen Him, those who
have responded to His love. This is true also in the human
sphere. We love in a special way those who love us, for with
them there is a mutual exchange of affection. Love demands
response. When the response is not forthcoming, love is limited
in its fullest expression.
Called to be saints. In some editions of the King James Ver-
sion "to be" is in italics, which means that the translators have
supplied the words. They can be left out. When they are omitted
we get the expression "called saints," that is, "designated
saints."
"Saints" is the translation of the Greek hagioi, which literally
means "holy ones." Holy means "dedicated." A saint is one who
has dedicated himself to God. He may still have a long way to go
in sanctification, but the fact that he has chosen Christ as his
Lord designates him a "saint" in the Bible meaning of the term.
Because of the current use of "saint" for one extraordinarily
charitable, patient, and self-denying, the biblical term is often
misunderstood. Because of this circumstance, certain modern
translations use for hagioi terms such as "dedicated people"
(NEB), "his [God's] own people" (TEV), and "Christ's men and
women" (Phillips).
Those who had accepted the Christian faith in Rome, Paul
calls hagioi, a term almost equivalent to "Christians," if by
"Christian" is meant one sincerely dedicated to Christ.
"If you would be a saint in heaven, you must first be a saint on
earth. The traits of character you cherish in life will not be
changed by death or by the resurrection."—The Adventist
Home, p. 16.
THINK IT THROUGH If the Bible repeatedly calls the members of the early Chris- tian congregations saints (compare 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Phil. 1:1, etc.), what would you conclude about the use of “saints” for members of the Christian community today?
"The eternal God has drawn the line of distinction between
the saint and the sinner, between converted and unconverted.
The two classes do not blend into each other imperceptibly, like
the colors of a rainbow, but are as distinct as midday and
midnight."—Messages to Young People, p. 390.
FURTHER STUDY My Life Today, p. 273. 14
Christianity Reaches Rome LESSON 1 ❑ Friday January 4 Part 6 What reputation had the believers in the church of Rome WORLD gained? REPUTATION “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Rom. 1:8).
It is not known how the congregation in Rome became estab-
lished. The tradition that the church was founded by Peter or
Paul is without historical foundation. Perhaps lay persons es-
tablished it, converts on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts
2), who visited or moved to Rome. Or perhaps at some later
period converts moving to Rome witnessed to their faith in that
world capital.
It is surprising that, in a few decades from Pentecost, a con-
gregation that apparently had received no apostolic visit should
be so widely known. "Notwithstanding the opposition, twenty
years after the crucifixion of Christ there was a live, earnest
church in Rome. This church was strong and zealous, and the
Lord worked for it."—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible
Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1067. The church must have had strong
leadership. Probably the gifts of the Spirit had miraculously
supplied leadership and other abilities. (See 1 Cor. 10:28.)
"Faith" here probably includes the broader sense of faithful-
ness, that is, faithfulness to the new way they had discovered.
How confident was Paul in the experience of the Roman
believer? Rom. 15:14.
The three items that Paul selects as worthy of note in the
Roman Christians' experience are:
1. "Full of goodness." Would people say this of our own
experience? As they associate with us, is it the abundance of
goodness in us that attracts their attention?
2. "Filled with all knowledge." The Bible repeatedly em-
phasizes the importance of enlightenment, information, and
knowledge. Christians are urged to study the Bible and to be-
come well informed as to its teachings. "The words, 'A new
heart also will I give you,' mean, 'A new mind will I give you.' A
change of heart is always attended by a clear conviction of
Christian duty, an understanding of truth."—My Life Today,
p. 24.
3. "Able . . . to admonish one another." No man can thrive
spiritually if he isolates himself from his fellowmen. They need
his encouragement and he should develop the ability to en-
courage others with his words.
THINK IT THROUGH Has the church in my city gained a reputation in the whole world? If so, for what? For its faith? Or its faithfulness?
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 706.
15
LESSON 2 January 6-12
kw Versus Gentile “The law was given by Moses, but settle the matter. (See Acts 15.) race and truth came by Jesus Christ” Despite a firm decision not to trouble lohn 1:17). the Gentiles with a plethora of Jewish requirements, Judaizing teachers The first converts to Christianity continued to plague the churches, vere all Jews. The apostles preached causing widespread disruption. These Irst in Jerusalem. If, before accepting false teachers were especially :hristianity, these converts had been successful in the Galatian churches. In norally upright people, their life-style his letter to the Galatians Paul :hanged little after accepting vigorously attacked the false doctrines :hristianity. The New Testament gives of these teachers. io indication that the Jews were asked Hoping to forestall a similar D drop immediately the practice of situation, arising in the church at :ircumcision, or to ignore the Jewish Rome, Paul wrote them as well. This is estivals. the letter we are studying this quarter. But when the Gentiles began to Unless we understand that in his letter ccept Christianity, immediately Paul is meeting the arguments of the mportant questions arose. Should the Judaizers, we will not understand it 3entiles submit to circumcision? to fully. When he speaks of “deeds of the vhat extent should they keep other law,” he is speaking primarily of the ewish laws? It wasn’t long before a insistence of the Judaizing teachers videspread controversy arose. Finally that the entire Jewish law be kept. To council was called at Jerusalem to be “under the law” is primarily to be subject to the entire Jewish law. Because of the importance of this background to an understanding of the letter to the Romans, we are spending an entire lesson on this subject. Understanding what Paul’s letter meant to those who first heard it will help us to draw valid lessons from it for today.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. Old Testament Salvation
(Lev. 18:5)
2. Old and New Testament Religion
Compared
(John 1:17)
3. Classifications of Jewish Law
(Lev. 27:34)
4. The Judaizers
(Ads 15:1)
5. Council Decision
(Acts 15:19, 20, 28)
6. The Galatian Heresy
(Gal. 1:6, 7)
Jew Versus Gentile LESSON 2 ❑ Sunday January 6
Part 1 By what means had the Jews been taught that life would
OLD TESTAMENT come to them?
SALVATION
"Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments:
which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord" (Lev.
18:5). (Compare Rom. 10:5.)
In order to comprehend the book of Romans correctly, it is
necessary to understand the point of controversy between Paul
and the Judaizers. The Judaizers were Jewish converts to Chris-
tianity who insisted that Gentile Christians should be circum-
cised and keep the law of Moses. It seemed to the Jews that Paul
was teaching another way of salvation when he set forth faith in
the Messiah as the ground of salvation. Although this aspect of
faith in a Messiah to come had been taught by the sacrificial
system, it appears that the true import had not been grasped, at
least not by the majority of the Jews. Otherwise, the basic
requirements had not changed. "The conditions of salvation
are ever the same. Life, eternal life, is for all who will obey God's
law."—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 7, p. 931.
"The terms of the 'old covenant' were, Obey and live: `If a man
do, he shall even live in them' (Ezekiel 20:11; Leviticus 18:5); but
`cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do
them.' Deuteronomy 27:26. The 'new covenant' was established
upon 'better promises'—the promise of forgiveness of sins and
of the grace of God to renew the heart and bring it into harmony
with the principles of God's law."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p.
372.
How may God's requirements be summed up? Micah 6:8.
"But if the Abrahamic covenant contained the promise of
redemption, why was another covenant formed at Sinai? In their
bondage the people had to a great extent lost the knowledge of
God and of the principles of the Abrahamic covenant. . . .
" . . . The people did not realize the sinfulness of their own
hearts, and that without Christ it was impossible for them to
keep God's law; and they readily entered into covenant with
God."—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 371, 372.
Although the old covenant was intended to be temporary, to
last only until the Abrahamic covenant was understood, by and
large the Israelites never made this transition. In Paul's day the
Jews were still largely under the stipulations and conditions of
the old covenant.
THINK IT THROUGH While professing to live under the new covenant, how can I avoid in practice living under the old? (See Heb. 8:10-13.)
FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 370-373.
18 Jew Versus Gentile LESSON 2 ❑ Monday January 7 Part 2 What is the difference between the religion of the Old Tes- OLD AND NEW tament and that of the New? TESTAMENT RELIGION “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by COMPARED Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).
"The requirement of God under the covenant of grace is just
as broad as the requirement He made in Paradise—harmony
with His law, which is holy, and just, and good. The gospel does
not weaken the claims of the law; it exalts the law and makes it
honorable. Under the New Testament, no less is required than
was required under the Old Testament. Let no one take up with
the delusion so pleasant to the natural heart, that God will
accept of sincerity, no matter what may be the faith, no matter
how imperfect may be the life. God requires of His child perfect
obedience."—Selected Messages, bk. 1-, pp. 373, 374.
What did Jesus state were the conditions for eternal life?
John 3:16.
Perhaps the greatest difference between the religion of the
Old Testament and that of the New is the fact that the New
Testament era was introduced by the coming of the Messiah—
Jesus of Nazareth. He was sent by God to be the Saviour. Men
could not ignore Him and expect to be saved. Only through the
atonement He provided could they have their sins forgiven. Only
by the imputation of His perfect life could they stand before God
without condemnation.
Old Testament saints looked forward to the blessings of the
Messianic age. In New Testament times men were confronted
with the question, Would they accept Jesus of Nazareth whom
God had sent as the Messiah, their Saviour? If they believed on
Him—that is, if they accepted Him for whom He truly was and
committed themselves to Him—they would be saved.
The basic moral requirements remained unchanged in the
New Testament, for these were founded in the character of God
and of Christ. Perfect obedience to the moral law was required
in both Old and New Testament times.
Ritual requirements changed—the sacrifices eventually were
discontinued. Type had met antitype—circumcision was dis-
continued and baptism was introduced.
Helping both Jew and Gentile to understand what was in-
volved in this transition from Judaism to Christianity was one of
Paul's principal aims in the book of Romans. It would take time
to make the transition.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 27-30.
19
Jew Versus Gentile LESSON 2 ❑ Tuesday January 8 Part 3 What various laws were the Jews expected to keep? CLASSIFICATIONS OF JEWISH LAW “These are the commandments, which the Lord com- manded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai” (Lev. 27:34). (See also Ex. 16:26; 18:20; 20:1-17; 21:1; Lev. 1:1-3; 11:2, 9, 13, 29; 12:2; 25:18.)
It is convenient for us to classify Old Testament laws into
various categories: (1) moral law, (2) ceremonial law, (3) civil
law, (4) statutes and judgments, (5) health laws.
This classification is in part artificial. In actuality some of
these categories are interrelated, and there is considerable
overlap. The ancients did not see them as separate and distinct.
The moral law is basically the Ten Commandment law (Ex.
20:1-17). This law sums up the moral requirements of man.
These ten precepts are amplified and applied in various statutes
and judgments throughout the first five books of the Bible.
These amplifications show what it meant to keep the law of God
in various situations. Not unrelated are the civil laws. These, too,
are based on the moral law. These define a citizen's relationship
to civil authorities and to his fellow citizens. They name the
penalties for various infractions.
The ceremonial law regulated the sanctuary ritual, describing
the various offerings and the individual citizen's respon-
sibilities. The feast days are specified and their observance
defined.
The health laws overlap the other laws. The various laws
relating to uncleanness define ceremonial uncleanness, and yet
go beyond this to include hygienic and health principles. Laws
regarding clean and unclean meats are based on physical con-
siderations.
While the Jew probably largely thought of all of these laws as
a package, having all come from God, he must have made
certain distinctions in his mind. The Ten Commandment law
had been spoken by God directly to the people. This would set it
apart as especially important. The other laws had been relayed
through Moses. The sanctuary ritual could be kept only when a
sanctuary was in operation.
The civil laws, at least in large part, could be no longer im-
posed after the Jews lost their independence and came under
the civil control of another nation. Many of the ceremonial
precepts could no longer be observed after the temple was
destroyed. Also, after the Messiah came, many of the types had
met their antitype and no longer had validity.
As used in the book of Romans, "law" has various meanings,
as will be pointed out. It is important that its wide scope be
understood.
FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 310-312.
20 Jew Versus Gentile LESSON 2 ❑ Wednesday January 9 Pad 4 What point of controversy arose shortly after the establish- THE JUDAIZERS ment of the Christian church?
"Certain men which came down from Judaea taught the
brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner
of Moses, ye cannot be saved" (Acts 15:1).
"While the apostles united with the ministers and lay mem-
bers at Antioch in an earnest effort to win many souls to Christ,
certain Jewish believers from Judea 'of the sect of the
Pharisees' succeeded in introducing a question that soon led to
wide-spread controversy in the church and brought consterna-
tion to the believing Gentiles. With great assurance these
Judaizing teachers asserted that in order to be saved, one must
be circumcised and must keep the entire ceremonial law. . . .
"The Jews had always prided themselves upon their divinely
appointed services, and many of those who had been converted
to the faith of Christ still felt that since God had once clearly
outlined the Hebrew manner of worship, it was improbable that
He would ever authorize a change in any of its specifications.
They insisted that the Jewish laws and ceremonies should be
incorporated into the rites of the Christian religion. They were
slow to discern that all the sacrificial offerings had but pre-
figured the death of the Son of God, in which type met antitype,
and after which the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic dispen-
sation were no longer bind ing."—The Acts of the Apostles, pp.
188, 189.
What course was suggested to settle this dispute? Acts
15:2.
Who were some of the participants who delivered speeches
at the conference? Acts 15:7, 12, 13.
THINK IT THROUGH What can the calling and conduct of the Jerusalem con- ference teach me with regard to the church member’s rela- tionship to church government?
"While looking to God for direct guidance, he [Paul] was ever
ready to recognize the authority vested in the body of believers
united in church fellowship. He felt the need of counsel, and
when matters of importance arose, he was glad to lay these
before the church and to unite with his brethren in seeking God
for wisdom to make right decisions. Even 'the spirits of the
prophets,' he declared, 'are subject to the prophets. For God is
not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of
the saints.' 1 Corinthians 14:32."—The Acts of the Apostles, p.
200.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 188-192.
21
Jew Versus Gentile LESSON 2 ❑ Thursday January 10 Part 5 What decision was reached at the Jerusalem council? COUNCIL DECISION “Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things” (Acts 15:19, 20, 28).
The decision was against the contentions of the Judaizers.
These troublemakers insisted that the Gentile converts "be
circumcised and . . . keep the entire ceremonial law" and that
"the Jewish laws and ceremonies should be incorporated into
the rites of the Christian religion."—The Acts of the Apostles, p.
189.
How did Peter characterize the Jewish laws? Acts 15:10.
Through their oral traditions the Jews had so bound about the
laws of God with regulations of their own that Peter's charac-
terization was indeed correct. The Jews in the apostles' day
thought that the way to keep these various laws was to do what
the rabbis had prescribed.
How were the Gentile converts to relate to the moral law?
There never was any controversy between Paul and the Judaiz-
ers as to whether the moral law should be observed by the
Gentile converts. This law, spoken by God, is as eternal as God
Himself and is a transcript of His character.
How united was the vote of the council? Acts 15:22.
It was heartening that a point that could have split wide open
the infant church could be thus amicably settled.
THINK IT THROUGH Why were the four Items named selected for special men- tion in the decree announcing the decision of the conference?
"The Gentiles, however, were to take no course which should
materially conflict with the views of their Jewish brethren, or
which would create prejudice in their minds against them. The
apostles and elders therefore agreed to instruct the Gentiles by
letter to abstain from meats offered to idols, from fornication,
from things strangled, and from blood. They were required to
keep the commandments and to lead holy lives. The Gentiles
were assured that the men who had urged circumcision upon
them were not authorized to do so by the apostles."—The Story
of Redemption, p. 308.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 194-197.
22 Jew Versus Gentile LESSON 2 ❑ Friday January 11 Part 6 What disruption had the Judaizers brought about in the THE GALATIAN Galatian churches? HERESY “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would per- vert the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:6, 7).
"Through the influence of false teachers who had arisen
among the believers in Jerusalem, division, heresy, and sen-
sualism were rapidly gaining ground among the believers in
Galatia. These false teachers were mingling Jewish traditions
with the truths of the gospel. Ignoring the decision of the gen-
eral council at Jerusalem, they urged upon the Gentile converts
the observance of the ceremonial law."—The Acts of the Apos-
tles, p. 383.
"Christ, the true foundation of the faith, was virtually re-
nounced for the obsolete ceremonies of Judaism."—The Acts
of the Apostles, p. 385.
The reason for bringing up the Galatian problem here is that it
was the Galatian situation that in a large degree prompted the
content of the letter to the Romans. In the Epistle to the Ro-
mans, Paul develops further the theme of the Epistle to the
Galatians. The Judaizers were contending that the law God had
given them through Moses was important and should be ob-
served by Gentile converts. Paul was trying to show its true
place and function. He didn't want the Judaizers to gain a
foothold in Rome as they had done in Galatia.
It is oversimplification simply to decide whether in Galatians
and Romans Paul is speaking of ceremonial or moral laws.
Historically, the argument, as Ellen White has confirmed it, was
whether or not Gentile converts should be required to be cir-
cumcised and keep the law of Moses. The Jerusalem council
had already ruled on this question, but the Judaizers refused to
follow its decision. In all the argumentation the necessity of
observing the moral law was never really challenged. Fun-
damentalist and evangelical Christians who find in Galatians
and in Romans arguments against the moral law misread Paul.
They need to familiarize themselves with the historical
backgrounds of these epistles and discover that the binding
claims of the moral law had never been called into question.
Keeping in mind the distinction between the historical mean-
ing and the lessons we today may draw from the book will
greatly help us in our understanding of this important epistle.
To discover what the epistle meant to those to whom it was
written and by whom it was first read and what it means to us
today is a basic principle to follow in the interpretation of Scrip-
ture.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 383-388.
23
LESSON 3 January 13-19
ave Shin "All have sinned, and come short of wrath of God. To escape the wrath, the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Paul is offering them the
righteousness of God, that is, the In this lesson Paul lays the righteousness God accepts or regards
for his presentation of as valid. This righteousness is not the te h basic theme of the book of earned; it comes as a gift. Men receive Romans, justification by faith. it when they accept Christ. Man's
Unless a person acknowledges that feeble efforts to do right can never be he is unrighteous, he will sense no accepted by God as a ground for need for justification (God's declaring justification. Dr accepting of a man as righteous). So "Let no one take the limited, narrow 'ong as a man justifies himself, he will position that any of the works of man not seek God's justification. Therefore can help in the least possible way to the first step in the justification event liquidate the debt of his transgression. , s that a person recognize himself as a This is a fatal deception. If you would helpless, hopeless sinner. understand it, you must cease
In building his argument Paul haggling over your pet ideas, and with presents first the terrible depravity of humble hearts survey the atonement. the Gentiles. These have sunk as low "This matter is so dimly as they have because they have comprehended that thousands upon pushed God from their memories. thousands claiming to be sons of God They had the revelation of God in are children of the wicked one, nature, but turned against it and because they will depend on their own corrupted themselves. (See Rom. works. God always demanded good 1:19-32.) works, the law demands it, but
"Paul now proceeds to explain that because man placed himself in sin the Jews are no less guilty than the where his good works were valueless, Gentiles and that they also need the Jesus' righteousness alone can avail. provisions of the same plan of Christ is able to save to the uttermost salvation. He shows that the Jews have because He ever liveth to make enjoyed greater light than the intercession for us."—Ellen G. White heathen, and yet they have done the Comments, S.D.A. Bible same things. Much of what has been Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1071. said about the Gentiles in ch. 1:18-32 also applies to the Jews, for they too DAILY HIGHLIGHTS have sinned against knowledge and 1. Basic Theme of Book conscience."—S.D.A. Bible (Rom. 1:16, 17) Commentary, vol. 6, p. 484. 2. All Come Short
Paul presents both Jews and (Rom. 3:23) Gentiles as guilty before God because 3. Sin Brings Degradation of their sins and thus subject to the (Rom. 1:21, 22)
4. A Stinging Indictment
(Rom. 2:1)
5. All Need Repentance
(Rom. 2:4)
6. God's Plan Succeeds
(Rom. 3:1, 2)
All Have Sinned LESSON 3 ❑ Sunday January 13 Part 1 What is the basic theme of the Epistle to the Romans? BASIC THEME OF BOOK “I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘He who through faith is righteous shall live’ “ (Rom. 1:16, 17, RSV).
Several key words occur in this passage:
1. Gospel. This word is the translation of a Greek word mean-
ing literally "good message," or "good news." Standing alone,
the word may refer to any good message; but, modified as it is in
this passage by the phrase "of Christ," it means ''the good news
about the Messiah" ("Christ" is the transliteration of the Greek
word meaning "Messiah"). The good news is that the Messiah
has come and men may be saved by believing in Him.
2. Righteousness. This word refers to the quality of right. A
specialized meaning of this word is developed in the book of
Romans, which we shall bring out as our study of the book
proceeds. It should also be pointed out that in Romans 1:17 the
word is qualified by the phrase "of God." It is righteousness that
comes from God or righteousness God has provided.
3. Faith. In Greek the words translated "believe" and "faith"
(KJV) in this passage are the verb and noun forms of the same
word: pisteuo (believe), pistis (belief or faith). The meaning of
"faith" as related to salvation will unfold as we progress in the
study of Romans.
"The righteousness of Christ is revealed from faith to faith;
that is, from your present faith to an increased understanding of
that faith which works by love and purifies the soul."—Ellen G.
White Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6,
p. 1067.
While there is salvation for those who have faith, what is
reserved for those who do not have faith? Rom. 1:18.
Either men become righteous through faith, or the wrath of
God comes against them for their unrighteousness.
THINK IT THROUGH Why are Christians sometimes ashamed of the gospel of Christ? What gave Paul boldness to profess his faith?
"The truth may be ashamed of us because our course of
action is not in harmony with its pure principles, but we need
never be ashamed of the truth. As you have opportunity, confess
your faith. When anyone asks you, give him a reason of the hope
that is in you, with meekness and fear."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p.
81.
FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, "God's Love for Man," pp. 9-15.
26 All Have Sinned LESSON 3 ❑ Monday January 14 Part 2 What was one of the important points that Paul sought to ALL COME establish early in his Epistle to the Romans? SHORT “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).
"All" means Jew, Gentile, old, young, rich, poor, bond, free,
professional, blue collar worker.
The Jews had no problem admitting that the Gentiles were
hopeless, abandoned sinners. But to acknowledge that they,
too, were sinners in need of salvation was more than most of
them were willing to do.
What is meant by the phrase "glory of God"? It has been
variously interpreted. Perhaps the simplest interpretation is to
give to the phrase the meaning it has in First Corinthians 11:7,
"He [man] is the image and glory of God." In Greek the word for
"glory" may be considered as loosely equivalent to the word for
"image." Sin has marred the image of God in man. Sinful man
falls far short of reflecting the image or glory of God.
"The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every
other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the
restoration in the human soul of the image of God."—
Education, p. 125.
What series of proof texts did Paul use to describe man's
sinful condition apart from Christ? Rom. 3:10-18.
This passage is a series of quotations from the Old Testament.
(See marginal references if your Bible has them.)
The first step in becoming a Christian is for a person to
acknowledge his utter sinfulness, hopelessness, and helpless-
ness. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring about such convic-
tion. If the sinner does not resist Him, the Spirit will lead him to
tear away his mask of self-defense, pretense, and self-
justification and to cast himself upon Christ, pleading His
mercy: "God be merciful to me, the sinner!" (Luke 18:13,
NASB).
THINK IT THROUGH What is it that leads the human heart to justify itself rather than to acknowledge its imperfections? “Many are deceived concerning the condition of their hearts. They do not realize that the natural heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. They wrap themselves about with their own righteousness, and are satisfied in reaching their own human standard of character; but how fatally they fail when they do not reach the divine standard, and of themselves they cannot meet the requirements of God.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 320.
FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, “The Sinner’s Need for Christ,” pp. 17-22.
27
3-A. L. 1-80 All Have Sinned LESSON 3 ❑ Tuesday January 15 Part 3 What happens to men who refuse to acknowledge God’s SIN BRINGS claims upon them? DEGRADATION “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imagi- nations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Rom. 1:21, 22).
"In its human wisdom the world cannot know God. Its wise
men gather an imperfect knowledge of God from His created
works, and then in their foolishness they exalt nature and the
laws of nature above nature's God. Those who have not a
knowledge of God through an acceptance of the revelation He
has made of Himself in Christ, will obtain only an imperfect
knowledge of Him in nature; and this knowledge, so far from
giving elevated conceptions of God, and bringing the whole
being into conformity to His will, will make men idolaters."—
Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 295.
How low did men and women fall in their degradation? Rom.
1:23-32.
The Jews had no difficulty agreeing with Paul that the condi-
tion of the Gentiles was most degraded. They felt a strong
superiority over them. A Jew, reading this part of Paul's letter,
was unprepared for the shock Paul was about to administer by
telling him that he was equally sinful. (See Rom. 2:1.) THINK IT THROUGH To what extent may the present permissive age be the
result of modern man's unwillingness to retain God in his
knowledge?
"A terrible picture of the condition of the world has been
presented before me. Immorality abounds everywhere. Licen-
tiousness is the special sin of this age. Never did vice lift its
deformed head with such boldness as now. The people seem to
be benumbed, and the lovers of virtue and true goodness are
nearly discouraged by its boldness, strength, and prevalence.
The iniquity which abounds is not merely confined to the unbe-
liever and the scoffer. Would that this were the case, but it is not.
Many men and women who profess the religion of Christ are
guilty. Even some who profess to be looking for His appearing
are no more prepared for that event than Satan himself. They
are not cleansing themselves from all pollution. They have so
long served their lust that it is natural for their thoughts to be
impure and their imaginations corrupt. It is as impossible to
cause their minds to dwell upon pure and holy things as it would
be to turn the course of Niagara and send its waters pouring up
the falls."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 346.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 146, 147. 28 All Have Sinned LESSON 3 ❑ Wednesday January 16 Part 4 What stinging indictment did Paul make against the Jews A STINGING who felt that they were vastly superior to the Gentiles, espe- INDICTMENT cially in moral behavior?
"Therefore thou art inexcusable, 0 man, whosoever thou
art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou con-
demnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things"
(Rom. 2:1).
"Do not think yourself better than other men, and set yourself
up as their judge. Since you cannot discern motive, you are
incapable of judging another. In criticizing him, you are passing
sentence upon yourself; for you show that you are a participant
with Satan, the accuser of the brethren."—The Desire of Ages,
p.,314.
What specific sins of which the Jews were guilty equally
with the Gentiles did Paul enumerate? Rom. 2:21-24.
The Jews were depending for salvation upon the fact that they
were Jews and that God had particularly favored them above
other nations. The Jews had been entrusted with a knowledge
of salvation, but this knowledge was not merely for their own
benefit; they were to pass on this knowledge to other nations.
Circumcision was the sign of being a Jew. But this sign was
worthless unless it represented conduct worthy of a worshiper
of God. "For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law:
but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made
uncircumcision" (Rom. 2:25).
Today baptism is a symbol of commitment to Christ, but if the
one baptized lives unworthy of Christ, his baptism is meaning-
less. "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the
doers of the law shall be justified" (Rom. 2:13).
What new definition of the term "Jew" did Paul give? Rom.
2:27-29.
This announcement stung the pride of the Jews, but Paul
uttered it in love. He was seeking to win his countrymen. They
needed to cease looking to their literal descent from Abraham
as giving them special advantages, such as a supposed auto-
matic acceptance with God. They were now told that their Gen-
tile neighbors who had accepted God's plan were true Jews
along with believing Jews, whereas the erring descendants of
Abraham had lost the right to that name.
THINK IT THROUGH To what extent is It possible that a knowledge of our own weaknesses helps us to detect more readily the faults of others and thus to be judgmental?
FURTHER STUDY The Ministry of Healing, pp. 492-494. 29 All Have Sinned LESSON 3 ❑ Thursday January 17 Part 5 What is the purpose of God’s goodness, forbearance, and ALL NEED longsuffering? REPENTANCE “Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbear- ance and iongsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4).
If all have sinned, then all need repentance. The Jews were
willing to acknowledge that the Gentiles stood in need of re-
pentance but refused to admit that they needed it also.
We should notice that God's goodness leads, not forces,
sinners to repentance. God uses no coercion. He is infinitely
patient and seeks to draw all men by His love.
But many despise God's goodness or interpret it to mean that
God condones sin and won't do what He has promised.
What comes to those who resist God's love and remain
impenitent? Rom. 2:5, 6, 8, 9.
Disobedience is given as the cause of their suffering the
indignation and wrath of God. It is clear, then, that those who,
through repentance, escape God's wrath will be obedient. Paul
describes them as working (verse 10).
Frequently throughout the book of Romans Paul emphasizes
the need of good works. Justification by faith without the deeds
of the law must never be construed to mean that good works
have no place in the Christian life.
What comes to those who allow the goodness of God to lead
them to repentance? Rom. 2:7, 10.
Verse 7 is significant in the light of the theme of the book of
Romans—righteousness by faith. Here salvation is described as
coming to those who seek for it "by patient continuance in well
doing." Therefore human effort plays ,a significant part in the
total experience of salvation.
The reason many people misapply the book of Romans,
claiming that it teaches that works have nothing to do with
salvation, is that they already have their ideas formulated and
they bend Scripture to fit their ideas. But the Bible must not be
used like a fiddle on which one plays any tune he chooses.
In our study of Romans we should resolve first to listen to
Paul, to find out what he meant to tell the Roman Christians.
Then we should pray for the help of the Holy Spirit to draw valid
lessons for us today, based on what Paul was actually saying,
not on what one could possibly bend the words to mean—to
discover what the author, Paul, moved by the Holy Spirit, meant
to say by the words he used.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 365, 366; Christ's Object Les-
sons, "Lost, and Is Found," pp. 200-206. 30
All Have Sinned LESSON 3 ❑ Friday January 18 Part 6 Since the Jew was found to be as guilty before God as the GOD’S PLAN Gentile, of what value, if any, had been God’s revelation to SUCCEEDS him? “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God” (Rom. 3:1, 2).
The oracles (Greek logia, "brief sayings") were the instruc-
tions given through Moses concerning the divine will.
Because the Jews repeatedly failed and, especially in Paul's
day, had committed the ultimate failure in the rejection of the
Messiah, God's efforts on their behalf had not been a total
failure. Paul raises the question, "What if some did not be-
lieve?" (verse 3). There were those in various periods who found
salvation through the "logia of God."
But as a nation the Israelites failed repeatedly to fulfill their
divine purpose. The nation suffered repeated reverses and cap-
tivities as a result, but during all this time there were individuals
who found a saving relationship with their God.
But nationally, except for brief periods, the history of the Jews
had been a disaster. Finally, as the parable says (Matt. 21:43),
the kingdom of God, the privilege of being God's peculiar
evangelistic agency was taken away.
How did Paul meet the charge that the failure of the Jews
cast a reflection on God's integrity? Rom. 3:3, 4.
Here, as elsewhere in the book of Romans, Paul squelches
any possible criticism of God or of God's dealings with the
human family. His vigorous response should be a warning to
modern, arrogant man who feels free to criticize God.
How did Paul meet the slanderous charge lodged against
him? Rom. 3:5-8.
The Jews were quick to pick whatever flaws they could in the
content of Paul's gospel. If righteousness is by faith and not by
works, they contended, then people's sinning did God a good
turn, for it gave Him an opportunity to reveal His goodness and
forgiveness. Then, they said, God should not hold the sinner
guilty. Paul did not even bother to answer the argument.
THINK IT THROUGH When tempted to question God’s leading in our lives, how can we reassure ourselves that God’s way is always the best way? “God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 224.
FURTHER STUDY Christ’s Object Lessons, “The Lord’s Vineyard,” pp. 291-294.
31
“Therefore we conclude that a man sins upon himself, thus clearing the is justified by faith without the deeds sinner who, by accepting the of the law” (Rom. 3:28). substitute, stands before the judge, not only cleared of his guilt, but In this lesson we come to the basic regarded as never having committed theme of the book of Romans, the sins for which he was hailed intc justification by faith. court. As we have mentioned earlier, But even more than that happens. because of limitations of time, we The substitute, who has a perfect cannot go through the entire epistle record, also offers the pardoned verse by verse. Thus in the first three sinner his own perfect law keeping so lessons we have selected verses here that the pardoned sinner stands and there from chapters 1 to 3. But in before the judge, not only as having this lesson we concentrate on a certain never sinned, but as having always passage, Romans 3:19-28. lived a good life. This does not mean that the verses While in Romans and Galatians Pau omitted are unimportant. In fact, the uses the figure of the law court, he student should read them as .he has does not always describe the salvation opportunity. Since in lessons one act by this figure. Nor do other Bible through three the thrust of Paul’s writers. Note, for example, the argument has been explained, the answers of Jesus to those who came to meaning of the omitted verses should Him inquiring as to how to be saved. be clear. The salvation event can be variously In Romans justification by faith is described. However, in Romans, the contrasted with justification by law law court figure is prominent and keeping. The Jews tried to make should be clearly understood. In turn themselves acceptable to God by their it ought not to be superimposed on law keeping but failed miserably. They discussions employing other figures. lacked the faith element both in Old Each writer should be permitted to Testament times, when they should describe the salvation process as the have trusted in the Saviour to come, Holy Spirit impressed him to do. and in New Testament times, when they should have trusted the Saviour DAILY HIGHLIGHTS who had come. 1. Law Cannot Save Paul presents acceptance of the (Rom. 3:19) Messiah as the ground of justification. 2. Faith and Righteousness But much more than an intellectual (Rom. 3:21) acceptance of the fact that Jesus of 3. Grace and Justification Nazareth was the Sent of God is (Rom. 3:24) required. Faith includes commitment 4. Elements of Justification and an acceptance of the way of life (Rom. 3:25) the Messiah prescribes. 5. Focus of Justification We should be aware of the fact that (Rom. 3:26, 27) when we speak of justification by faith, 6. Faith and Works we are using a figure based on the law (Rom. 3:28) court. The transgressor of the law comes before a judge and is condemned to death for his transgressions. But a substitute appears and takes the transgressor’s WtIiiii bvfaith Justified by Faith LESSON 4 ❑ Sunday January 20 Part 1 What is the law’s function? LAW CANNOT SAVE “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (Rom. 3:19).
Paul is here using the term "law" in its broad sense as the Jew
in his day understood it. By the term "Torah" (the Hebrew word
for "law") a Jew even today thinks particularly of God's instruc-
tion in the Pentateuch, but also more generally in the entire Old
Testament. The moral law, plus the amplification of this in the
statutes and judgments, as well as the ceremonial precepts,
were a part of this instruction. Because of this, we may think of
the law here as the system of Judaism.
To be under the law means to be under its jurisdiction, as
were the Jews under the Torah. The law reveals a person's
shortcomings and thus one's guilt before God. It cannot remove
that guilt, but hopefully the sense of guilt will lead the sinner to
seek a remedy.
As we apply the book of Romans in our day when Jewish law is
no longer a factor, we think of law particularly in terms of moral
law. This law can save us no more than could the system of
Judaism save the Jews. To save is not the moral law's function.
Its function is to reveal God's character and to show people
wherein they fall short of reflecting that character.
What is lawkeeping unable to accomplish and why? Rom.
3:20.
We must at this point remember the basic argument of the
Judaizers: "In order to be saved, one must be circumcised and
must keep the entire ceremonial law."—The Acts of the Apos-
tles, pp. 188, 189.
Whatever law it is—moral, ceremonial, civil, or all combined
—a keeping of any or all in and of itself will not make a man just
in God's sight.
"Though the law cannot remit the penalty for sin, but charges
the sinner with all his debt, Christ has promised abundant par-
don to all who repent, and believe in His mercy. The love of God
is extended in abundance to the repenting, believing soul. The
brand of sin upon the soul can be effaced only through the
blood of the atoning Sacrifice. No less an offering was required
than the sacrifice of Him who was equal with the Father. The
work of Christ—His life, humiliation, death, and intercession for
lost man—magnifies the law, and makes it honorable."—
Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 371.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 236-239.
34 Justified by Faith LESSON 4 ❑ Monday January 21
Part 2 When Jesus came, what new kind of righteousness was
FAITH AND manifested? RIGHTEOUSNESS
"Now the righteousness of God without the law is man-
ifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets" (Rom.
3:21).
This new righteousness is contrasted with the righteousness
of the law, which was the righteousness with which the Jew was
familiar.
The new righteousness is called "the righteousness of God";
that is, a righteousness that comes from God, a righteousness
that God provides, and one that He accepts as valid.
"Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands
righteousness, and this the sinner owes to the law; but he
incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he can attain to
righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the
merits of Christ, and the Lord places the obedience of His Son to
the sinner's account. Christ's righteousness. is accepted in
place of man's failure, and God receives, pardons, justifies, the
repentant, believing soul, treats him as though he were righ-
teous, and loves him as He loves His Son."—Selected Mes-
sages, bk. 1, p. 367.
How is the righteousness of God received? Rom. 3:22.
The faith of Jesus Christ is here doubtless faith in Jesus Christ
(objective genitive). As it operates in the Christian life faith is
much more than intellectual assent. Faith in Jesus Christ is
accepting Him as Saviour, substitute, and surety. It is choosing
His way of life. It is trusting Him.
Both of the words "faith" and "believe" appear in Romans
3:22. In English a distinction is sometimes made between be-
lieving and having faith. We have observed before that no such
distinction exists in Greek. The word for faith ispistis, the word
for believe is pisteud. Pistis and pisteu6 are the noun and verb
forms of the same word.
"Faith is the condition upon which God has seen fit to prom-
ise pardon to sinners; not that there is any virtue in faith
whereby salvation is merited, but because faith can lay hold of
the merits of Christ, the remedy provided for sin. Faith can
present Christ's perfect obedience instead of the sinner's
transgression and defedtion. When the sinner believes that
Christ is his personal Saviour, then, according to His unfailing
promises, God pardons his sin, and justifies him freely. The
repentant soul realizes that his justification comes because
Christ, as his substitute and surety, has died for him, is his
atonement and righteousness."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp.
366, 367.
FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, “Faith and Acceptance,” pp. 49-51. 35 Justified by Faith LESSON 4 ❑ Tuesday January 22 Part 3 How is God’s grace related to justification? GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24). What is justification? The Greek word dikaiod translated “justify” may mean “make righteous” or “declare righteous,” or “consider righteous.” The precise meaning in any instance must be determined by the context. It is built on the same root as is the word dikaios, which means “righteous.” There is also the word dikaiosune, “righteousness,” and the word dikaioma, “righteous requirement.” Unfortunately, the English language uses words built on different roots to translate the various words built on only one root in the Greek. As a result the close connection between “justification” and “righteousness” is not always seen. Before justification, a person is unrighteous, hence unacceptable to God. After justification he is regarded as righteous, hence ac- ceptable. Grace means favor. God’s grace is not only the favor He shows; it is also that which God does for a person whom He favors. When a sinner turns to God for salvation, it is an act of grace to consider or declare that person to be righteous. “Grace is unmerited favor. The angels, who know nothing of sin, do not understand what it is to have grace exercised toward them; but our sinfulness calls for the exercise of grace from a merciful God.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 331, 332. Justification is presented in Romans as a punctiliar act; that is, it happens at a point of time. One moment the sinner is outside, unrighteous, and unaccepted; the next moment, fol- lowing justification, he is inside, accepted, and righteous. Thus the person who is in Christ looks upon justification as a past act, one that took place when he surrendered himself fully to Christ. “Being justified” (Rom. 5:1) is, literally, “having been justified.” Of course, if the justified sinner should fall away and then return to Christ, justification would again occur. Also, if recon- version is considered a daily experience, there is a sense in which justification might be considered a repeating experience. Ellen White speaks of justification being “retained.” (See Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 366.)
THINK IT THROUGH What part does Jesus Christ play in God’s justifying act? “Grace is unmerited favor, and the believer is justified without any merit of his own, without any claim to offer to God. He is justified through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, who stands in the courts of heaven as the sinner’s substitute and surety.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 398.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 331-335. 36
Justified by Faith LESSON 4 ❑ Wednesday January 23 Part 4 What are various significant elements in the justification ELEMENTS OF act? JUSTIFICATION “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Rom. 3:25).
Propitiation. The Greek word thus translated, hilasterion,
occurs in the New Testament only here and in Hebrews 9:5,
where it is translated "mercyseat."
"As used here in Rom. 3:25, and in this context describing the
offer of justification and redemption through Christ, hilaster-
ion, 'propitiation,' seems to represent the fulfillment of all that
was typified by the hilasterion, 'mercy seat,' in the OT
sanctuary. By His sacrificial death, Jesus has been set forth as
the means of atonement, expiation (see DA 469), propitiation
(see SC 15), reconciliation. There is perhaps no one English
word that can adequately portray all that this implies."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 506.
God is represented as the one providing the propitiation. The
Father and the Son cooperate together in the work of redemp-
tion. Each plays His part. Some Christians seem to forget this.
So often, when discussing redemption, they mention only
Christ, as though the Father were not involved. This is not the
way the salvation act is presented in Romans or in the New
Testament generally. (See Rom. 1:1-3, 7, 8; 1 Cor. 1:3, 4; etc.)
When the two members of the Deity are mentioned together,
God the Father is usually mentioned first, as in the verses above.
Remission of sins. It is our sins that make us unacceptable to
God. We can do nothing of ourselves to cancel our sins. But,in
the plan of redemption God has provided a way for these sins to
be remitted through faith in Christ's blood.
The word for "remission" is the Greek paresis, literally "pass-
ing over" or "passing by." It is a different word than the one
translated "forgiveness" in the New Testament.
The "passing over" is in no sense an ignoring of sins. God can
pass over the sins of the past because by His death Christ has
paid the penalty for all men's sins. Anyone, therefore, who has
"faith in his blood" can have his sins remitted, for Christ has
already died for them (1 Cor. 15:3).
THINK IT THROUGH When God remits sins, how completely is the sinner free of them?
"Christ's character stands in place of your character, and you
are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned."—Steps
to Christ, p. 62.
FURTHER STUDY Christ’s Object Lessons, “Things New and Old,” pp. 128, 129.
37
Justified by Faith LESSON 4 ❑ Thursday January 24 Part 5 In justification by faith, what is the central focus? FOCUS OF JUSTIFICATION “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where Is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Rom. 3:26, 27).
The good news that Paul was anxious to share with all who
would listen was that there was available to man "his [that is,
God's] righteousness." Through long centuries the Jews had
focused on their own righteousness. "They being ignorant of
God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own
righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righ-
teousness of God" (Rom. 10:3).
After their return from Babylonian captivity, the Jews tried
scrupulously to keep the law. They realized that it had been their
transgression of the law that led to their captivity. (See 2 Chron.
36:14-17.) Because they did not wish to repeat their mistake,
their lawyers and rabbis outlined in minute detail how each
precept of the Old Testament was to be kept. For example, they
defined the length of a Sabbath day's journey as 2000 cubits.
They determined by weight or type what constituted a burden
that was not to be carried on the Sabbath day. Their tithing laws
were minutely detailed.
In Jesus' day these various laws existed orally. A short time
later they were written down. The Mishnah details this oral
tradition. After its production, Jewish rabbis commented on the
Mishnah. These comments were eventually combined with the
Mishnah in the Talmud.
To the Jew, to worship God correctly meant to keep these oral
traditions, which they took to be not human laws but a God-
endorsed detailing of how God's law was to be kept.
Thus the Jewish mind was focused almost completely on self,
on how a person could keep all the minute details of oral tradi-
tion in order to please God.
Jesus severely attacked this oral tradition. He said, "In vain
they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments
of men" (Matt. 15:9).
What a relief it must have been for the scrupulous Jew to
discover that he could look away from himself to God's righ-
teousness and that by accepting it he could be accepted by
God.
Because of the cross of Calvary God can declare sinners
righteous and still be considered just in the eyes of the universe.
Satan can point no accusing finger at God, for Heaven had
made the supreme sacrifice. Satan had accused God of asking
of the human race more than He was willing to give. The cross
refutes this claim.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 386, 387.
38 Justified by Faith LESSON 4 ❑ Friday January 25 Pad 6 What conclusion did Paul draw from his discussion of God’s FAITH AND righteousness? WORKS “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Rom. 3:28).
In the historical context Paul was speaking of law in its broad
sense of the system of Judaism. No matter how conscientiously
a Jew tried to live under this system, if he failed to accept Jesus
as the Messiah, he could not be justified.
This verse (Rom. 3:28) is Paul's conclusion from his claim that
the law of faith excludes boasting. If a man were justified by his
own actions, he could boast about it. But when he is justified
because Jesus is the object of his faith, then the credit clearly
belongs to God who justified and not to the man who is justified.
All the glory is to God. Ellen White asks, "What is justification?"
and then answers: "It is the work of God in laying the glory of
man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his
power to do for himself."—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 456.
"Works of law cannot atone for past sins. Justification cannot
be earned. It can only be received by faith in the atoning sac-
rifice of Christ. Therefore, in this sense, works of law have
nothing to do with justification. To be justified without works
means to be justified without there being anything in ourselves
to merit justification."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 509.
But many Christians have misunderstood and misapplied this
text. They say all one has to do is to believe. They depreciate
works and the keeping of even the moral law. Thus they com-
pletely misread Paul. Paul attaches great importance to the
keeping of the moral law, both in the book of Romans, and
elsewhere. His point is that the keeping of the law is not the
means of justification, but he has previously established that
the justified person is a doer of the law. (See Rom. 2:13.)
Ellen White wrote much on the relation of faith and works.
Notice one such passage:
"Works will never save us; it is the merit of Christ that will avail
in our behalf. Through faith in him, Christ will make all our
imperfect efforts acceptableto God. The faith we are required to
have is not a do-nothing faith; saving faith is that which works
by love, and purifies the soul. He who will lift up holy hands to
God without wrath and doubting, will walk intelligently in the
way of God's commandments.
"If we are to have pardon for our sins, we must first have a
realization of what sin is, that we may repent, and bring forth
fruits meet for repentance. We must have a solid foundation for
our faith; it must be founded on the word of God, and its results
will be seen in obedience to God's expressed will."—Ellen G.
White, Signs of the Times, June 16, 1890.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 373, 374.
39
“Do we then make void the law Gentile converts the observance of through faith? God forbid: yea, we the ceremonial law.”—The Acts of the establish the law” (Rom. 3:31). Apostles, p. 383. But Ellen White did not restrict the Lesson 5 is important for several application of the term to the reasons, one being to help us to meet ceremonial law, because, as we derive the charges of those who, because of lessons from the book, we can draw in our insistence that the moral law must the moral law. Thus she says, “I am be kept, say that we are legalists. asked concerning the law in Galatians. These opponents quote principally What law is the schoolmaster to bring the books of Romans and Galatians to us to Christ? I answer: Both the support their charge. ceremonial and the moral code of ten They quote texts such as Romans commandments.”—Selected 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the Messages, bk. 1, p. 233. law there shall no flesh be justified in In another statement where she his sight”; and Galatians 3:24, 25, speaks of what the Holy Spirit is saying “Wherefore the law was our today in the law statements of these schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, books she says, “ ‘The law was our that we might be justified by faith. But schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, after that faith is come, we are no that we might be justified by faith’ longer under a schoolmaster.” (Gal. 3:24). In this scripture, the Holy In our lessons thus far in the book of Spirit through the apostle is speaking Romans we have made it clear that especially of the moral “law” is used in a broader sense than law.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. simply comprehending moral law. 234. Only as we draw lessons from Romans We recommend Ellen White’s for our day do we think of the moral interpretation of “law” in Romans and law as especially applicable. Galatians as the best answer to our The argument as to which law is critics. For example in Romans 7:6 Paul referred to in Romans and Galatians is says that the Christian is “delivered old. Some have insisted that it is the from the law.” Here applies the rule of ceremonial law; others the moral. It is distinguishing between what the helpful on this point to examine Ellen Scriptures meant to the Christian White’s statements concerning the members in Paul’s day and what they meaning of the term “law” in these mean to us today. In Paul’s day it books. (Since the theme of the two meant the Jewish law system; for us books is identical, and the two books today it means the moral law. were written at essentially the same time and to meet the same arguments, DAILY HIGHLIGHTS we are assuming that what is said 1. The Law Established concerning the law in one book can be (Rom. 3:31) applied to the other.) 2. Grace or Debt Concerning the situation giving rise (Rom. 4:4, 5) to Paul’s arguments regarding law in 3. Promise and Law the book of Galatians, Ellen White (Rom. 4:13) said, “These false teachers were 4. Law and Old Covenant mingling Jewish tradition with the (Rom. 4:14) truths of the gospel. Ignoring the 5. Ethical Conduct Under Grace decision of the general council at (Rom. 3:8; 6:15) Jerusalem, they urged upon the 6. Law and Transgression (Rom. 4:15, 16) LESSON 5-January 27 to February
ukification and the Law Justification and the Law LESSON 5 ❑ Sunday January 27 Part 1 How did Paul answer a common charge of the Judaizers THE LAW against him? ESTABLISHED “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Rom. 3:31).
The Jews used the term "law" to refer to the entire body of
God's revelation through Moses. They called the first five books
of the Old Testament the law (the Torah). They held the per-
verted notion that the way to keep this law was to keep it as the
rabbis had prescribed. They accused Paul of preaching against
the law. (See Acts 21:28.)
While Paul opposed the oral traditions of the Jews, he never
spoke against the Scriptures themselveS. In this passage in the
book of Romans he makes the emphatic statement that faith
does not make void what God has revealed. In fact faith estab-
lishes the Torah as being true.
To what incident in the law did Paul point as proof of his
statement that faith establishes the law? Rom. 4:1-5.
The chapter divisions in the Bible were inserted arbitrarily
many centuries after the Bible was written. Actually chapter four
is an illustration of the assertion of chapter 3:31, showing that
faith as the ground of justification was already a theme of the
law. The chapter division here is misleading.
In the Torah is the narrative of Abraham. According to this
narrative Abraham was accounted righteous because he "be-
lieved God." Therefore the Torah itself teaches righteousness
by faith, Hence any implication that faith makes void (Greek
katargeo "renders useless," "invalidates") the law is com-
pletely false because faith affirms that which the Torah teaches.
To what other Old Testament scripture did Paul appeal as
supporting his thesis of faith? Rom. 4:6-8.
Paul cites Psalm 32:1, 2. He sets forth David's restoration to
divine favor after his affair with Bathsheba as an example of
justification by faith. It certainly wasn't any works that David
performed that won him acceptance. Forgiveness was an act of
God's grace. Here, then, was another example from the Torah of
the operation of faith. (Torah was often used of the Holy Scrip-
tures generally on the principle that the most important gave its
name to the whole; see John 10:34; 12:34.)
In view of Paul's use of "law" in this context, is Romans 3:31 a
good text to prove that the Ten Commandments are still binding
in the Christian era? Definitely. This is the application of the text
today, when Jewish law is no longer an issue. This is the way
Ellen White repeatedly uses this verse.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 307, 308. 42 Justification and the Law LESSON 5 ❑ Monday January 28 Part 2 Why is it that one trying to earn justification will fail of GRACE OR DEBT achieving it?
"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of
grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on
him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righ-
teousness" (Rom. 4:4, 5).
So long had the Jews believed that justification or acceptance
with God resulted from a meticulous keeping of the Torah, that
they found it difficult to grasp the glorious truth that justifica-
tion was granted as a free gift of grace to all who believed. It was
not a debt God owed them for law keeping.
One's relationship with God is affected by the way he under-
stands justification. If he believes he must earn acceptance, his
thinking is turned inward toward self-effort. If he grasps the
glorious truth that justification is a gift from God, his center of
focus becomes God.
In what way did the experience of Abraham demonstrate
that the Gentiles were eligible for eternal life? Rom. 4:9-12.
It was difficult for the Jews to accept the fact that the uncir-
cumcised Gentiles had equal status with them before God. Paul
appealed to the law they revered as teaching that justification is
in no way dependent upon whether a man is circumcised and
that it is freely available to all men regardless of race.
"The sinner must come in faith to Christ, take hold of His
merits, lay his sins upon the Sin Bearer, and receive His pardon.
It was for this cause that Christ came into the world. Thus the
righteousness of Christ is imputed to the repenting, believing
sinner. He becomes a member of the royal family."—Selected
Messages, bk. 1, p: 215.
When Abraham was justified (Gen. 15:6), he was not cir-
cumcised. Later he was circumcised. Thus Abraham became
uniquely the father of both the uncircumcised and the circum-
cised.
THINK IT THROUGH If I am given to race prejudice, the recognition of what fact should lead me to abandon it?
"And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell
on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times
before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation" (Acts
17:26).
"In that age of caste, when the rights of men were often
unrecognized, Paul set forth the great truth of human brother-
hood, declaring that God 'hath made of one blood all nations of
men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.' In the sight of God
all are on an equality."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 238.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 388. 43
4-A. L. 1-80 Justification and the Law LESSON 5 ❑ Tuesday January 29 Part 3 In what sense is “law” used in the following scripture? PROMISE AND LAW “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith” (Rom. 4:13).
"Promise" and "law" are here contrasted. Paul is seeking to
establish an Old Testament base for his teaching of righteous-
ness by faith. He finds an example in Abraham, whom all the
Jews accepted as their ancestor. Acceptance or justification
had come to Abraham quite apart from law. God made a prom-
ise to Abraham that he was to be "heir of the world." Abraham
believed this promise, that is, he accepted the role that it im-
plied. As a result God accepted him and worked through him to
save the world.
"There was given to Abraham the promise, especially dear to
the people of that age, of a numerous posterity and of national
greatness: 'I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless
thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.'
[Gen. 12:2.] And to this was added the assurance, precious
above every other to the inheritor of faith, that of his line the
Redeemer of the world should come: 'In thee shall all families of
the earth be blessed.' [Gen. 12:3.]"—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 125.
With reference to the promise to Abraham, at what time was
the law introduced? Gal. 3:7-9, 14-17.
Four hundred and thirty years from the time the promise was
given to Abraham brings us to the establishment of the Israelite
economy at Sinai. While it is true that the Ten Commandments
were spoken by God Himself from Sinai's heights, this incident
was not their origin. The moral law is as old as God Himself. God
said to Abraham, "Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my ...
laws" (Gen. 26:5).
Therefore "law" in this Galatian passage cannot refer to the
moral law per se. It refers to the whole system of laws given at
Sinai which were the basis of the old covenant. It was to this
covenant that the Jews looked for salvation. Thus "law" in this
Galatian passage is loosely synonymous with "old covenant."
The moral law is included in—in fact is the base of—the old
covenant, but to single it out is to imply that the moral law
originated at Sinai.
This definition of law as the Jewish system is important to
grasp, because certain groups of evangelical Christians brand
as a legalist anyone teaching that the moral law should be
observed. But these Christians misread Paul, who was simply
trying to say that with the coming of the Messiah men could not
be saved under Judaism.
FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 363, 364. 44 Justification and the Law LESSON 5 ❑ Wednesday. January 30 Part 4 What circumstance would make faith of none effect? LAW AND OLD COVENANT “If they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect” (Rom. 4:14).
If men could be saved by keeping the Jewish laws there would
be no need for "faith," the element which Paul was presenting
as the ground of salvation. But the case of Abraham proved that
heirship came through promise not through law. Therefore, if
the Jews wished to be saved, they would have to abandon trust
in their works for salvation and accept the Abrahamic promise,
now fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah.
How did Paul explain the seeming contradiction between
"law" to which the Jews looked for life and the promise ac-
cording to which a man becomes an heir through faith? Gal.
3:21-23.
The law, or old-covenant experience, was necessary in order
to teach the Jews their need of a Saviour, to show them that
without God's power they could never meet His requirements.
"If the Abrahamic covenant contained the promise of re-
demption, why was another covenant formed at Sinai? In their
bondage the people had to a great extent lost the knowledge of
God. . . .
" ... Living in the midst of idolatry and corruption, they had no
true conception of the holiness of God, of the exceeding sinful-
ness of their own hearts, their utter inability, in themselves, to
render obedience to God's law, and their Reed of a Saviour. All
this they must be taught."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 371.
The problem was, as mentioned earlier, that the Jews never
fully learned the lesson the old covenant was designed to teach.
But when the Messiah came—or, as Paul says, when "faith
came"—they could no longer avoid a decision.
MINK IT THROUGH In what way is it possible to live under an old-covenant type of experience today?
"The principle that man can save himself by his own works lay
at the foundation of every heathen religion. . . . Wherever it is
held, men have no barrier against sin."—The Desire of Ages, pp.
35, 36.
"If Satan can succeed in leading man to place value upon his
own works as works of merit and righteousness, he knows that
he can overcome him by his temptations, and make him his
victim and prey. . . . Strike the door-posts with the blood of
Calvary's Lamb, and you are safe."—Ellen G. White, Review and
Herald, Sept. 3, 1889.
FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 125-127.
45
Justification and the Law LESSON 5 ❑ Thursday January 31
Part 5 How is the keeping of the law of God related to justification?
ETHICAL
CONDUCT "And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as
UNDER GRACE some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come?
whose damnation is just" (Rom. 3:8).
"What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law,
but under grace? God forbid" (Rom. 6:15).
There are a number of texts in Romans that seem to speak
depreciatingly of law keeping. For example, Romans 3:20.
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be
justified in his sight." But we have already pointed out that the
expression "law" as used in Paul's day was a much broader
term, including various laws (see lesson 2, especially for Tues-
day). When "law" is spoken of historically, the term becomes
almost synonymous with "Judaism" or "old covenant."
But it comes out clearly in the book of Romans that the
justified person leaves off his sinning. Paul was slanderously
accused of teaching that it was proper for the Christian to sin,
that, in fact, by sinning the Christian would give God's grace an
opportunity for broader demonstration. Paul emphatically de-
nied this charge. Chapters 6 to 8 emphasize living a life of
victory over sin. Thus a life of obedience to the law of God is the
fruit of justification.
The law of God is also related to justification in another way,
as we have earlier pointed out.
In justification Christ's perfect law keeping is imputed to the
sinner. "Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law de-
mands righteousness, and this the sinner owes to the law; but
he is incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he can
attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to
God the merits of Christ, and the Lord places the obedience of
His Son to the sinner's account."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p.
367.
But the fact that the obedience of Christ is imputed to the
account of a person in justification does not free him from
future obedience to the law of God. In fact it obligates him all the
more. The atonement was made precisely because the law
could not be abrogated or altered.
"In order for man to be saved, and for the honor of the law to
be maintained, it was necessary for the Son of God to offer
Himself as a sacrifice for sin. He who knew no sin became sin for
us. He died for us on Calvary. His death shows the wonderful
love of God for man, and the immutability of His law."—
Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 240.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 762, 763.
46 Justification and the Law LESSON 5 Friday February 1 Part 6 What contrast did Paul draw to emphasize that salvation LAW AND could no longer be found in Judaism? TRANSGRESSION “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all” (Rom. 4:15, 16).
The Jews were so wedded to their Torah, "law," that Paul
found it difficult to wean them away from it. "The Jews had
always prided themselves upon their divinely appointed ser-
vices, and many of those who had been converted to the faith of
Christ still felt that since God had once clearly outlined the
Hebrew manner of worship, it was improbable that He would
ever authorize a change in any of its specifications."—The Acts
of the Apostles, p.. 189.
Surely it should have been evident to the Jews in Paul's day
that their law (Torah) was not saving them. In the first place, "the
law worketh wrath" (Rom. 4:15), and while professing to keep it,
they were treasuring up wrath to themselves against the day of
wrath (Rom. 2:5). But grace is related to faith, not to law. (See
Rom. 4:16.)
Furthermore, as a nation they had already experienced much
wrath for all their sins. Since God had revealed Himself in a
special way to theJews, committing to them His oracles, expect-
ing them to share this knowledge with the other nations, they
carried a special responsibility. When they failed not only in this
responsibility but also in their personal lives, the nation suffered
repeated reverses and captivities.
The history of the Jews was written "for our admonition, upon
whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Cor. 10:11). The Jews
suffered wrath because they failed to fulfill God's purpose for
them. Today the Christian church has been called to evangelize
the world. How effectively is it fulfilling its responsibility?
THINK IT THROUGH What lessons can I learn from the failure of God’s ancient people?
"The record of Israel's forgetfulness has been preserved for
our enlightenment.... Had the Adventists in the early days still
trusted to the guiding Hand that had been with them in their past
experience ... years ago the inhabitants of the earth would have
been warned, the closing work would have been completed,
and Christ would have come for the redemption of His
people."—Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 115, 116.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, p. 608.
47
LESSON 6 February 3-9
Blessings of Justification “Therefore being justified by faith, that he had enjoyed more of the we have peace with God through our blessing and love of God during that Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we meeting than in all his life before. have access by faith into this race Another stated that the trials, wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope perplexities, and conflicts which he of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1, 2). had endured in his mind had been of such a character that he had been From this point onward, at least for tempted to give up everything. He had some chapters, we will proceed on a felt that there was no hope for him, verse-by-verse basis. Since this week’s unless he could obtain more of the lesson covers chapter 5, it is suggested grace of Christ; but through the that the entire chapter be read as an influence of the meetingsshe had introduction to the week’s study. experienced a change of heart, and Paul has established the point that had a better knowledge of salvation justification or acceptance with God through faith in Christ. He saw that it comes only through faith in Jesus was his privilege to be justified by Christ. Now he pauses briefly in his faith; he had peace with God, and with line of argument to exult in this tears confessed what relief and glorious truth. Through Adam men blessing had come to his soul. At every received nothing but condemnation social meeting many testimonies were and death; through Jesus Christ they borne as to the peace, comfort, and receive justification and life. oy the people had found in receiving Wherever the truth of justification l ight. by faith is received today it brings the “We thank the Lord with all the same exultation. This was the heart that we have precious light to experience of those who received it present before the people, and we wholeheartedly when the subject of rejoice that we have a message for this justification by faith was given time which is present truth. The emphasis at the 1888 General tidings that Christ is our righteousness Conference session in Minneapolis, has brought relief to many, many Minnesota, and in subsequent years at souls, and God says to His people, ‘Go camp meeting and other gatherings. forward.’ “—Selected Messages, bk. Ellen White describes the results of 1, pp. 356, 357. the preaching of the message of Christ our righteousness at the Ottawa, DAILY HIGHLIGHTS Kansas, camp meeting in 1889: “One 1. Peace and Joy of our young ministering brethren said (Rom. 5:1) 2. Fortitude in Tribulation (Rom. 5:3) 3. God Seeking Man (Rom. 5:6-8) 4. Death Swallowed Up (Rom. 5:12) 5. Law Awakens Need (Rom. 5:13, 14) 6. Christ Versus Adam (Rom. 5:18, 19) Blessings of Justification LESSON 6 ❑ Sunday February 3
Part 1 As a result of our having been justified by faith, what is our
PEACE new relationship with God?
AND JOY
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1).
"Being justified" is literally "having been justified." The Greek
verb represents the action as completed. We have been de-
clared righteous, or regarded as righteous, not through any
deeds of law but through our having accepted Jesus Christ. The
perfect life that Jesus lived on this earth has been imputed to us.
God regards that we did the deeds of Jesus. His perfect law-
keeping is credited to us. At the same time, all of our sins have
been laid on Jesus. God has reckoned that Jesus did them. They
have been paid for by the death of the Son of God. What more
glorious news could there be for the sinner?
In Romans 5:1 a number of Greek manuscripts read, "let us
have peace," instead of "we have peace." Some translations
reflect the earlier reading. Either reading fits the context. If "let
us have peace" is accepted, it suggests an appeal to step into
the glorious experience that God designed for the justified
person. Because it sounds too good to be true, the newly jus-
tified person needs encouragement to believe it and act upon it.
Being at peace With God, what will be the justified sinner's
emotional response? Rom. 5:2.
Joy and rejoicing are frequent themes of Bible writers, both in
the Old Testament and in the New. No greater exultation can be
found than the joy that follows justification. With it the shallow
joys of illegitimate pleasure cannot be compared.
Here "the hope of the glory of God" probably has reference to
the future glory to be revealed at the end of the age. Then this
hope spoken of by Paul is the same as the "blessed hope, and
the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ" (Titus 2:13).
"There is great need that Christ should be preached as the
only hope and salvation. When the doctrine of justification by
faith was presented ... , it came to many as water comes to the
thirsty traveler. The thought that the righteousness of Christ is
imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free
gift from God, seemed a precious thought."—Selected Mes-
sages, bk. 1, p. 360.
THINK IT THROUGH Unless I have experienced the peace that comes through justification, how enthusiastically and convincingly can I share with others the good news?
FURTHER STUDY S.D.A. Encyclopedia article, "Justification."
50 Blessings of Justification LESSON 6 ❑ Monday February 4 Part 2 For the justified person, what besides hope is a ground for FORTITUDE IN rejoicing? TRIBULATION “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience” (Rom. 5:3).
The Greek word translated "glory" in verse 3 is the one trans-
lated "rejoice" in verse 2. If it is translated "rejoice" in verse 3
also as in the Revised Standard Version, the connection be-
tween verses 2 and 3 is more clearly seen. A justified person can
rejoice in tribulation because he has fixed his faith and trust in
Jesus Christ. He has confidence that God will work all things for
good. He will consider it an honor to suffer for Christ's sake.
(See 1 Peter 4:13.)
"Trial is part of the education given in the school of Christ, to
purify God's children from the dross of earthliness. It is because
God is leading His children that trying experiences come to
them. Trials and obstacles are His chosen methods of disci-
pline, and His appointed conditions of success. He who reads
the hearts of men knows their weaknesses better than they
themselves can know them. He sees that some have qualifica-
tions which, if rightly directed, could be used in the advance-
ment of His work."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 524.
"They [God's servants] are joyful in the tribulation which they
experience while pressed by the enemy. These willing servants
are gaining an experience and forming a character which will
do honor to the cause to God."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 510.
What progression will be seen in the person living in grace?
Rom. 5:3-5.
Patience. The Greek word thus translated (hupomone")
means steadfast endurance. This is the type of endurance that
tribulation develops in the one who maintains his faith, and who
does not lose sight of his hope of the glory of God. The opposite
type of experience is described by Ellen White as follows: "As
soon as God proves them, and tests their faith, they waver, they
stand feebly, swaying first one way, then the other. They have
not the genuine article that Paul possessed, that could glory in
tribulation because 'tribulation worketh patience.' "—
Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 514.
Experience. The Greek word thus translated (dokirne) means
literally "the quality of being approved," hence "character,"
that is "approved character." Tests patiently or steadfastly en-
dured develop an approved character.
Hope. Endurance and approval naturally give rise to hope.
THINK IT THROUGH How does Paul’s ladder compare with Peter’s ladder de- scribed in Second Peter 1:5-7?
FURTHER STUDY The Ministry of Healing, pp. 470-472. 51 Blessings of Justification LESSON 6 ❑ Tuesday February 5 Part 3 Who took the initial step in reconciling man to God? GOD SEEKING MAN “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly…. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:6-8).
When Adam and Eve shamefully and inexcusably trans-
gressed the divine requirement, God took the first steps toward
reconciliation. Ever since, God has taken the initiative in provid-
ing a way of salvation and in inviting men to accept it. "When the
fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son" (Gal. 4:4).
On the cross Christ bore the sins of the whole world, past,
present, and future. Any man can have all his sins remitted
simply by turning from his sins and accepting Him.
From what does justification guarantee that a man will be
saved? Rom. 5:9.
Wrath—ultimate separation from God and annihilation—is
the terrible fate that awaits the sinner. (See Rom. 1:18.) The third
angel's message describes in the most fearful terms the wrath
that will fall upon the worshipers of the beast. (See Rev. 14:9-
11.) As the blood on the doorposts of the Israelites in Egypt on
the eve of their departure protected the firstborn from the wrath
that befell Egypt's firstborn, so the blood of Jesus Christ
guarantees that one who has been justified and retains that
status will be protected when God's wrath finally destroys sin.
Whereas Christ's death effects reconciliation, what does
Christ's life accomplish? Rom. 5:10.
Some commentators have seen in this passage of Scripture a
reference to the life that Christ lived on this earth during which
He wrought a perfect character which He now offers to impute
to us. While this is certainly what Christ's perfect life ac-
complished, Paul seems to be emphasizing the fact that
whereas Christ died, He rose again and is alive forevermore.
(See Heb. 7:25.) Because He lives, we are saved. If He had
remained in the tomb, our hopes would have perished with Him.
Mentioning for the third time in the present chapter the
Christian's joy, what new grounds of rejoicing does Paul cite?
Rom. 5:11.
This is the only time in the New Testament of the King James
Version that the word "atonement" occurs. The word is used
here in its literal sense of reconciliation.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 383, 384.
52 Blessings of Justification LESSON 6 ❑ Wednesday February 6 Part 4 What tragic results followed Adam’s transgression and DEATH why? SWALLOWED UP “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12).
Death is an enemy. When God created the human family He
designed that its members should live forever. With few excep-
tions men do not want to die. They cling tenaciously to life.
Death seldom comes without accident or through painful, lin-
gering diseases. No wonder people dread to die.
One of the most glorious aspects of the gospel is the news
that death has been swallowed up in life. Jesus passed through
the portals of the tomb and burst its bonds. He says, "I am he
that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am.alive for evermore,
Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Rev. 1:18).
Because Jesus has the keys, the enemy can no longer hold his
victims in the grave.
Commentators have argued more over this passage of Scrip-
ture than over most others. Perhaps the reason is, as the S.D.A.
Bible Commentary, volume 6, page 529, says, that these com-
mentators "attempt to use the passage for purposes other than
Paul intended."
One point they argue over is, In what way was Adam's sin
passed on to his posterity? Did Adam's descendants share the
guilt of Adam's sin, or are they guilty before God because of
their own sin?
While these may be interesting questions to raise, it is doubt-
ful that Paul was here intending to clarify these deeply theologi-
cal issues. More likely he is reemphasizing what he has already
stated, "for all have sinned" (Rom. 3:23), Adam being the first
sinner. Men need to recognize that they are sinners. Only as
they recognize this will they see their need of a Saviour.
"Many are deceived concerning the condition of their hearts.
They do not realize that the natural heart is deceitful above all
things, and desperately wicked. They wrap themselves about
with their own righteousness, and are satisfied in reaching their
own human standard of character."—Selected Messages, bk. 1,
p. 320.
THINK IT THROUGH How much good will come from blaming my ancestor, Adam, for the sin state I am in?
"Concerning the creation of Adam it is said, 'In the likeness of
God made He him;' but man, after the Fall, 'begat a son in his
own likeness, after his image.' While Adam was created sinless,
in the likeness of God, Seth, like Cain, inherited the fallen nature
of his parents."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 80.
FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 60-62. 53 Blessings of Justification LESSON 6 ❑ Thursday February 7 Part 5 Why does Paul introduce the thought that “sin is not im- LAW AWAKENS puted when there is no law”? NEED “Until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come” (Rom. 5:13, 14).
The phrase "until the law" is paralleled with the statement
"from Adam to Moses." The law here spoken of is the system
introduced by Moses at Sinai, which instituted the Jewish
economy. In Galatians 3:17 it is stated that the "law" came 430
years after the promise to Abraham, which again brings us to
the time of the Exodus.
"Until the law" means until the detailing of God's require-
ments in the various laws given to Israel at Sinai. Some might
argue that until God thus fully revealed His will, He could not
hold men responsible for transgressing that will. Sinning "after
the similitude of Adam's transgression" means sinning against
a known, expressly stated requirement. It is true that prior to
Sinai the human race generally had only a limited revelation of
God. Of course Abraham and his descendants had a much
greater knowledge, but they comprised only a minute fraction
of the pre-Sinai world. Nevertheless the people in that world
died, as Paul here points out. Death passed upon all men.
Though they had not sinned against an expressly revealed
command, yet they had sinned. They had the revelations of God
in nature, to which they had not responded and thus were held
guilty. "The invisible things of him from the creation of the
world are clearly seen . . . ; so that they are without excuse"
(Rom. 1:20).
For what purpose did God reveal Himself more fully in the
"law"? Rom. 5:20, 21.
The instruction given at Sinai included the moral law, though
it had existed before. But this was the first time, according to
the Bible, that this law was written and widely proclaimed. This
law was amplified in various statutes, judgments, and laws.
When the Israelites began to compare themselves with the
divine requirements, they discovered that they fell far short. In
other words, "the offense" abounded. They suddenly realized
the extent of their transgressions. The purpose of such a revela-
tion was to help them to see their need of a Saviour and to drive
them to accept the grace so freely offered by God.
THINK IT THROUGH In what way is our waywardness today after “the similitude of Adam’s transgression”?
FURTHER STUDY S.D.A. Encyclopedia article, "Law." 54
Blessings of Justification LESSON 6 ❑ Friday February 8 Part 6 What contrast does Paul make between Adam and Christ? CHRIST VERSUS ADAM “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Rom. 5:18, 19).
"As related to the first Adam, men receive from him nothing
but guilt and the sentence of death. But Christ steps in and
passes over the ground where Adam fell, enduring every test in
man's behalf. He redeems Adam's disgraceful failure and fall by
coming forth from the trial untarnished. This places man on
vantage ground with God. It places him where, through accept-
ing Christ as his Saviour, he becomes a partaker of the divine
nature. Thus he becomes connected with God and Christ."—
Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p.
1074.
"The second Adam was a free moral agent, held responsible
for His conduct. Surrounded by intensely subtle and misleading
influences, He was made less favorably situated than was the
first Adam to lead a sinless life. Yet in the midst of sinners He
resisted every temptation to sin, and maintained His innocency.
He was ever sinless."—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible
Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1074.
How are Adam's and Christ's acts contrasted in Romans
5:15-17?
The word "gift" occurs five times in verses 15 through 17.
Paul is emphasizing that justification is not earned; it comes as
a gift. (Compare Rom. 4:15; 6:23.) Men receive it by believing on
Jesus, which means fixing the faith or trust on Jesus Christ,
accepting Him for who He is, and accepting His plan for their
lives. This was such a new thought to the Jews that Paul needed
to give it emphasis. They had been taught that God's favor must
be earned by diligent attention to all God's requirements. Paul
was not saying that accepting justification as a gift gives the
receiver a right to ignore God's moral requirements. In sub-
sequent chapters he tells them that meeting the moral stan-
dards is possible only for one who is justified.
THINK IT THROUGH Adam’s original sin had far-reaching consequences, bring- ing suffering upon many. Are there ways in which our sins, too, bring suffering to others? Give examples.
"It is impossible for any of us to live in such away that we shall
not cast an influence in the world."—The Adventist Home, p.33.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 363, 364. 55 LESSON 7 February 10-16
Viet ry ver Sin “Sin shall not have dominion over It should be remembered that when you: for ye are not under the law, but sanctification is discussed by under grace” (Rom. 6:14). Adventists, for example, as a work of a lifetime, they are using the word with Having paused in chapter 5 to exult its theological, not necessarily in the blessings of justification by biblical, meaning. In the Bible “to faith, Paul proceeds to answer a sanctify” means “to dedicate,” question naturally arising from an usually, in the context, to God. Thus, emphasis of faith: Where do works to be sanctified is often presented as a come in? “Shall we continue in sin, past completed act. For example, “all that grace may abound?” he inquires them which are sanctified” (Acts (Rom. 6:1). 20:32) is literally “all that have been Chapter 6 is his answer. The sanctified.” “To them that are motivations for rightdoing that he sanctified” (1 Cor. 1:2) is literally “to presents are unique, not often them which have been sanctified.” highlighted in modern-day appeals for The sanctified ones in this definition proper ethical behavior. are the ones dedicated to God. They In any discussion of justification by are called “saints” (sanctified ones, in faith and of Christ our righteousness, Greek from the same root as the question naturally arises, How is “sanctify”). sanctification related to these? But this biblical usage of “sanctify” Seventh-day Adventists are familiar in no way denies the important With the manner in which Ellen White doctrine of sanctification and the fact relates justification and sanctification: that sanctification is the work of a “The righteousness by which we are lifetime. The Bible strongly endorses justified is imputed; the righteousness this doctrine, but it generally uses by which we are sanctified is imparted. other terms to describe it. The first is our title to heaven, the Although the terms “sanctify” and second is our fitness for “sanctification” do not appear in heaven.”—Messages to Young Romans 6, the chapter could be People, p. 35. entitled “Sanctification.” The subject What does Paul have to say in the is victory over sin. Obedience is book of Romans about sanctification? emphasized. The word “sanctification” appears nowhere in the book of Romans. DAILY HIGHLIGHTS “Sanctified” occurs once, in chapter 1. Grace Is Not License 15:16, where Paul says that “the (Rom. 6:1, 2) offering up of the Gentiles” is 2. Sin Personified “sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” (Rom. 6:12) Does this mean that Paul has 3. Grace and Victory nothing to say about what is (Rom. 6:14) commonly understood by 4. Two Contending Masters sanctification? Not at all. Paul has (Rom. 6:16) much to say about it. He simple does 5. Entire Consecration not call it sanctification. (Rom. 6:19) 6. Wages Versus Gift (Rom. 6:23) Victory Over Sin LESSON 7 ❑ Sunday February 10 Part 1 Having observed that “where sin abounded, grace did much GRACE IS more abound” (Rom. 5:20), how did Paul forestall the possible NOT LICENSE conclusion that sin is a good thing because it provides an opportunity for grace to be operative?
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that
grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to
sin, live any longer therein?" (Rom. 6:1, 2).
"God forbid" (Greek me genoito) is a strong negation mean-
ing literally "may it not be," or "may it not become." The KJV
translation "God forbid" is an idiomatic translation, substitut-
ing for the Greek idiom an English idiom signifying strong
negation. The Greek phrase does not have the word "God."
Paul follows an interesting line of argument in chapter 6 as to
why a justified person should not sin. We should note it care-
fully. To begin with he says, we shouldn't sin because we have
died to sin. Then he explains what he means.
What aspect of water baptism signifies that the one bap-
tized leaves off sinning? Rom. 6:3-5.
Immersion in the waters of baptism represents burial. What is
buried? The "old man" of sin—that is, the body committing sin,
or the body dominated or ruled by sin. As a result this "body of
sin" is destroyed so that we no longer serve sin. In Romans 6 sin
is personified as a master who rules over his servants. Once the
"body of sin" that served Mr. Sin is destroyed, sin's mastery
over it ceases. The one who rises from the watery grave comes
up a new person who no longer serves Mr. Sin. He now walks in
newness of life.
What further lessons does baptism teach? Rom. 6:8-11.
The important point in these verses is that Christ, having died,
died once and for all. He is now alive forevermore. Death can no
more rule Him. So the Christian who is baptized has died to sin
once and for all and should never again come under its domin-
ion.
"At our baptism we pledged ourselves to break all connection
with Satan and his agencies, and to put heart and mind and soul
into the work of extending the kingdom of God.... The Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit are pledged to cooperate with
sanctified human instrumentalities."—Ellen G. White Com-
ments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1075.
THINK IT THROUGH Are the reasons Paul here sets forth for not sinning the reasons that motivate me not to yield when I am tempted to sin?
FURTHER STUDY S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, pp. 1074, 1075. 58
Victory Over Sin LESSON 7 ❑ Monday February 11
Part 2 By what figure is sin further described?
SIN
PERSONIFIED "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye
should obey it in the lusts thereof" (Rom. 6:12).
The word "reign" shows that "sin" is here represented as a
king. The Greek word here translated "reign" means, literally,
"to be a king," or "to function as a king." Mr. Sin is all too willing
to assume kingship of our mortal bodies and dictate their be-
havior.
When Paul says "let not sin . . . reign," he implies that the
justified person can choose to prevent Mr. Sin's setting himself
up as king in the life. This is where the action of the will comes
in.
"What you need to understand is the true force of the will.
This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of
decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of
the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to
exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself
give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You
can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do
according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be
brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections
will be centered upon him, your thoughts will be in harmony
with Him."—Steps to Christ, p. 47.
The Greek word translated "lusts" means "desires." So far as
the word itself is concerned, the desires may be either for good
things or for bad things. When Mr. Sin reigns he will make us
desire all kinds of evil things. These desires will be strong and
almost irresistible. We will want to do the things King Sin
suggests. The writer of the hymn "My Jesus I Love Thee" speaks
of the "pleasures of sin" which, in the Seventh-day Adventist
Church Hymnal, number 276, have been changed to "follies of
sin." It is true, they are follies. Nevertheless, King Sin offers
pleasures in which his subjects will strongly desire to indulge.
The "therefore" in this verse is important. It goes back to what
has been said before, specifically to what has been said in
verses 10 and 11. The baptized person is now living "unto God."
That is, God is the center of his new life. He is serving God, doing
what pleases God. Since this is the case, he cannot serve King
Sin at the same time. He is "alive unto God through Jesus
Christ." Notice how the Father and the Son are closely as-
sociated in the work of redemption. Often in gospel preaching
only Christ is exalted. The Father ought not thus to be ignored.
In the Pauline writings the Father and the Son are given equal
honor and attention.
THINK IT THROUGH How do I cease to be a citizen of King Sin’s dominion?
FURTHER STUDY Messages to Young People, pp. 105, 106.
59
Victory Over Sin LESSON 7 ❑ Tuesday February 12 Part 3 What determines whether sin will reign over us? GRACE AND VICTORY “Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:14).
This verse is one of the key statements in the book of Romans.
To understand it correctly we must know what Paul here means
by the expression "under the law." We have already pointed out
that in the context of the book of Romans "law" is used in its
wider application of the body of law delivered to the Jews at
Sinai. In many of its occurrences "law" is synonymous with
"Jewish economy" or "the old covenant." The moral law was a
part of this system, but the meaning of "law" in Romans must
not be restricted to "moral law"; otherwise we will have Paul
saying that the moral law originated at Sinai, which is not true.
Paul is saying in Romans 6:14 that the person living "under
the law," that is, under the Jewish economy as it functioned in
his day, will be ruled by sin. He will not have victory over sin.
Paul has already stated this clearly in chapter 2. (See Rom. 2:1,
21-24.) Now he repeats it in another context for further em-
phasis.
But a person living under grace will have victory over sin.
Accepting Jesus Christ as the Messiah, being justified by Him,
being baptized into His death, having the "old man" destroyed,
rising to walk in newness of life—these are the things that will
dethrone King Sin so that he will no longer reign.
But cannot the phrase "urtder the law" be interpreted to mean
, "under condemnation of the moral law"? This is an application
we may make of this verse today. But first we must understand
what the words of Paul meant to those who first heard them.
Then we may draw lessons for our own times. As Seventh-day
Adventists have applied this text, they have taught that "under
the law" means "under condemnation of the law." This has
been their answer to those who have claimed from this text that
the moral law has been abolished.
THINK IT THROUGH How did Jesus demonstrate that victory over sin is possi- ble?
"He [Jesus] did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did
He yield to temptation. So it may be with us. Christ's humanity
was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers
of the divine nature. So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin
has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith
in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that
we may attain to perfection of character."—The Desire of Ages,
p. 123.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 384.
60 Victory Over Sin LESSON 7 ❑ Wednesday February 13
Part 4 What new reason does Paul give for not sinning?
TWO
CONTENDING "Do you not know that if you yield yourselves to any one as
MASTERS obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey,
either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which
leads to righteousness?" (Rom. 6:16, RSV).
Paul comes back to the point again that the new life of faith
does not grant liberty to sin. In fact, the life of faith makes
possible victory over sin.
Having personified sin as a king ruling over his subjects, Paul
now returns to the figure of sin as a master demanding obedi-
ence of his servants. Paul points out that a person has a choice
of masters. He does not have to serve Mr. Sin. He can serve Mr.
Righteousness. It is foolish to serve Mr. Sin because that kind of
service results in death.
The vacuum created by leaving off sinning is filled with posi-
tive righteousness. Here the obedience is described as directed
toward doctrine. Doctrine means teaching. The Roman Chris-
tians had been taught the principles of the Christian faith, which
they now obeyed. Doctrine plays an important role in the salva-
tion process. It must never be depreciated.
"A profession of Christianity without corresponding faith and'
works will avail nothing. No man can serve two masters. The
children of the wicked one are their own master's servants; to
whom they yield themselves servants to obey, his servants they
are, and they cannot be the servants of God until they renounce
the devil and all his works. It cannot be harmless for servants of
the heavenly King to engage in the pleasures and amusements
which Satan's servants engage in, even though they often re-
peat that such amusements are harmless. God has revealed
sacred and holy truths to separate His people from the ungodly
and purify them unto Himself. Seventh-day Adventists should
live out their faith."—Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 404.
How does Paul further describe a change of masters? Rom.
6:18.
Until conversion or until being justified, all men are servants
of Mr. Sin. Then when they come under faith they are freed from
the cruel master they have served. But this does not leave them
free to do as they choose. They immediately choose a new
master and obey him.
THINK IT THROUGH In my struggles against temptation, how often am I moti- vated by the reasons for not yielding that Paul gives in the passages above? Would a strong determination not to be- come again a servant of the cruel Mr. Sin help me gain the victory?
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, p. 466. 61 Victory Over Sin LESSON 7 ❑ Thursday February 14 Part 5 To whom are the different parts and organs of the body to be ENTIRE dedicated? CONSECRATION “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness” (Rom. 6:19).
"After the manner of men." Paul wishes to mention some
specifics that normally he would not wish to mention. But be-
cause of the weakness of the flesh, the frailties of human nature,
he decides to spell them out.
Uncleanness is impurity. Sexual impurity is here implied. In
the service of Mr. Sin the sex organs have been used to commit
various forms of unlawful deeds, including perversion. Paul had
already called attention to these in chapter 1:24-32.
The Greek word translated "iniquity" literally means "law-
lessness." It is this word that is translated "transgression of the
law" in the King James Version of First John 3:4. The parts of the
body—the hands, the feet, the eyes, the ears, the mouth—had
been used to perform all kinds of lawless deeds in the service of
Mr. Sin.
Now, Paul says, as all of these organs and parts of the body
were dedicated to the service of Mr. Sin, so now they are to be
dedicated to the service of Mr. Righteousness.
THINK IT THROUGH If the eyes are used to feast upon pornographic portrayals and literature, to whose service are they dedicated? If the sex organs are gratified in any way otherwise than God designed, to whose service are they dedicated?
Long before the dawn of our permissive era and long before
the theater entered our living rooms via the TV, Ellen White said
concerning the theater: "Among the most dangerous resorts
for pleasure is the theater. Instead of being a school of morality
and virtue, as is so often claimed, it is the very hotbed of immor-
ality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened
and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, lewd ges-
tures, expressions, and attitudes, deprave the imagination and
debase the morals. Every youth who habitually attends such
exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is no influence
in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to destroy
religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil
pleasures and sober realities of life than theatrical amuse-
ments."—Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 652, 653.
If Ellen White thus characterized the theater of her time, what
evaluation would she place upon the movies and entertainment
programs in today's television? FURTHER STUDY The Adventist Home, pp. 327-333.
62 Victory Over Sin LESSON 7 ❑ Friday February 15
Part 6 How did Paul sum up his illustration of the two masters, one
WAGES or the other of which every member of the human race
VERSUS GIFT serves?
"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).
A master is expected to pay his servants wages. Mr. Sin (sin is
personified in Romans 6) pays wages to those who serve him.
His wages are death. Who would work for such wages? No one
in his right mind would be expected 10. But, deceived by Satan,
almost the entire human race is foolishly serving Mr. Sin.
How does Mr. Righteousness reward those who serve Him?
He doesn't even call His reward wages. He calls it a gift freely
bestowed upon those who choose Him as master.
Romans 6:23 is often quoted to show that the penalty for
sin—that is, the transgression of the law—is death. Certainly
sin's penalty is death. But in addition to seeing death as sin's
penalty, we should see sin as Paul describes it in Romans 6—as
a master dominating his servants, duping them by paying them
off with the ridiculous wages of death.
What contrast is made between the service of those who
serve Mr. Sin and that of those who serve Mr. Righteousness?
Rom. 6:20-22.
In his development of the figure of the two masters, Paul calls
attention to the fact that the service of one master means free-
dom from the service of the other. Thus this passage becomes a
powerful appeal to anyone who is serving Mr. Sin. This tyrant
offers nothing but death as pay for doing shameful things;
therefore, a reasonable person should desire emancipation
from such service. Those who serve Mr. Righteousness do
things that are upright and praiseworthy, not with the idea of
thus earning their salvation, but as a fruit of their new experi-
ence. The reward comes as a gift. This gift principle is illustrated
in Christ's parable of the workmen in the vineyard. (See Matt.
20:1-16.) No matter how long he worked, each workman re-
ceived the same amount. '
THINK IT THROUGH Is it possible to serve Mr. Sin and Mr. Righteousness at the same time? (See Matt. 6:24.) Does Mr. Sin object?
"Double-minded men and women are Satan's best allies.
Whatever favorable opinion they may have of themselves, they
are dissemblers. All who are loyal to God and the truth must
stand firmly for the right because it is right."—Ellen G. White
Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1086.
FURTHER STUDY Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, “The True Motive in Service” (Matt. 6:24), pp. 93-95; Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 365. 63 “Now we are delivered from the exclaimed, ‘I consent unto the law that law, that being dead wherein we were it is good.’ The law is holy, and the held; that we should serve in newness commandment holy, and just, and of spirit, and not in the oldness of the good.’ But he added, in the bitterness letter” (Rom. 7:6). of his soul-anguish and despair, ‘I am carnal, sold under sin.’ Romans 7:16, Perhaps over few chapters of the 12, 14. He longed for the purity, the Bible have there been more righteousness to which in himself he differences of opinion than over was powerless to attain, and cried out, Romans 7. Concerning the issues ‘0 wretched man that I am! who shall involved, the S.D.A. Bible deliver me from this body of death?’ Commentary says: “The meaning of Romans 7:24, margin.”—Steps to vs. 14-25 has been one of the most Christ, p. 19. discussed problems in the whole It is also important to observe that a epistle. The main questions have been person does not go from conversion as to whether the description of such and justification to immediate and intense moral struggle could be mature victory. There is a period of autobiographical, and, if so, whether growth. Victory comes as a person the passage refers to Paul’s experience senses his nothingness and that before or after his conversion. That without Christ he can do nothing. Paul is speaking of his own personal The following statement from Ellen struggle with sin seems apparent from White is significant: “So will it be with the simplest meaning of his words (cf. all who behold Christ. The nearer we vs. 7-11; SC 19; 3T475). It is surely also come to Jesus, and the more clearly we true that he is describing a conflict that discern the purity of His character, the is more or less experienced by every more clearly shall we see the soul confronted by and awakened to exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the the spiritual claims of God’s holy law. less shall we feel like exalting “More important is the question as ourselves. There will be a continual to which period in his experience Paul reaching out of the soul after God, a is depicting. Some commentators continual, earnest, heartbreaking hold that the description is of Paul’s confession of sin and humbling of the current experience as a converted heart before Him. At every advance Christian. . . . Other commentators step in our Christian experience our believe that the struggle must have repentance will deepen. We shall been before his conversion.”—S.D.A. know that our sufficiency is in Christ Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 554. alone and shall make the apostle’s We shall allow the student of these confession our own: ‘I know that in Sabbath School lessons to draw his me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no own conclusions. Doubtless not all in good thing.’ Romans 7: 18.”—TheActs any one class will see Romans 7 exactly of the Apostles, p. 561. alike. We do not regard this a serious matter. Let the Holy Spirit impress DAILY HIGHLIGHTS each student with the lesson He 1. Delivered From the Law wishes that student to draw. (Rom. 7:6) Notice how Ellen White applies a 2. Illustration From Marriage portion of Romans 7 contextually: “It (Rom. 7:1, 2) is not enough to perceive the 3. Law’s Function loving-kindness of God, to see the (Rom: 7:7) benevolence, the fatherly tenderness, 4. Law Exalted of His character. It is not enough to (Rom. 7:12) discern the wisdom and justice of His 5. Slavery to Sin law, to see that it is founded upon the (Rom. 7:16, 17) eternal principle of love. Paul the 6. Wretchedness of Enslavement apostle saw all this when he (Rom. 7:24) LESSON 8 February 17-23. Oldness of the Letter LESSON 8 ❑ Sunday February 17 Part 1 What difference does deliverance from the law make in the DELIVERED type of service we render to God? FROM THE LAW “Now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter” (Rom. 7:6).
To understand Romans 7 one must understand what Paul
means by the term "law." In verse 7 Paul quotes from the law:
"Thou shalt not covet." Since this in one of the precepts of the
Decalogue, some have concluded that Paul is here speaking of
the moral law. He says "the law is holy, and the commandment
holy, and just, and good" (verse 12). This statement, too, fits the
moral law.
But is the moral law something from which the Christian is
delivered, as verse 6 says? Hardly. It is necessary to give to
"law" here the broader meaning to which we have already
referred, namely that "law" here means the system of Judaism
introduced at Sinai 430 years after the promise to Abraham.
(See Gal. 3:17.)
The argument between Paul and the Jews centered on this
point: "How is it that what God gave to the Jews as an integral
part of being saved is no longer valid?"
The moral law was the basis of Jewish economy and of the old
covenant. Hence the moral law is involved in Romans 7. Espe-
cially, as we draw lessons for ourselves today from Romans 7,
we should think of the moral law.
As has been repeatedly pointed out in our study of the book of
Romans thus far, the permanence of the moral law was never an
issue between Paul and the Judaizers. The moral law is as
permanent as God Himself. When Paul was speaking of people
being delivered from the "law," he certainly did not mean the
moral law. He meant deliverance from Judaism as the way of
salvation.
After a person is delivered from the law, he no longer serves in
the oldness of the letter—trying to keep all the multitudinous
precepts of the ancient system as a ground of salvation—but in
newness of spirit, led by the Holy Spirit. This point is developed
in chapter 8.
"Paul desires his brethren to see that the great glory of a
sin-pardoning Saviour gave significance to the entire Jewish
economy. He desired them to see also that when Christ came to
the world, and died as man's sacrifice, type met antitype.
"After Christ died on the cross as a sin offering the ceremo-
nial law could have no force. Yet it was connected with the
moral law, and was glorious. The whole bore the stamp of
divinity, and expressed the holiness, justice, and righteousness
of God."—Ellen G. White Comments, S. D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 6, p. 1095.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 236-241. 66
Oldness of the Letter LESSON 8 ❑ Monday February 18
Part 2 What illustration does Paul use to prove that the law of
ILLUSTRATION which he was speaking has limited jurisdiction over man? FROM MARRIAGE
"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the
law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he
liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the
law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be
dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband" (Rom. 7:1, 2).
Paul's illustration in Romans 7:1-6 is somewhat involved, but
a careful analysis of the passage will help us to follow his
reasoning.
In yesterday's lesson we established the point that the law of
which Paul is here speaking is the system of worship estab-
I ished at Sinai. The Jews had difficulty grasping the fact that this
system, given to them of God, should come to an end with the
coming of the Messiah. The illustration Paul is here using was
designed to help them to see this point.
A woman is married to a man. The law binds her to him as long
as he lives. During his lifetime she cannot consort with other
men without being branded as an adulteress. But when he dies,
she is free from that law that bound her to her husband (verse 3).
How does Paul apply the illustration of the law of marriage
to the system of Judaism? Rom. 7:4, 5.
This is a difficult passage, but the general idea is clear. As the
death of her husband delivered the woman from the law of her
husband, so the death of the old life in the flesh, through Jesus
Christ, delivers the Jew from the law he had been expected to
keep until the Messiah fulfilled its types.
Now the Jews were free to remarry. They were invited to marry
the risen Messiah and thus bring forth fruit to God.
This illustration was one more device Paul used to convince
the Jew that he was now free to abandon the ancient system.
THINK IT THROUGH How can I refute the antinomian who uses Romans 7:1-7 to prove that the Ten Commandments were nailed to the cross?
"God's people, whom He calls His peculiar treasure, were
privileged with a two-fold system of law; the moral and the
ceremonial. The one, pointing back to creation to keep in re-
membrance the living God who made the world, whose claims
are binding upon all men in every dispensation, and which will
exist through all time and eternity. The other, given because of
man's transgression of the moral law. . . . Each is clear and
distinct from the other."—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A.
Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1094.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 212-215. 67 Oldness of the Letter LESSON 8 ❑ Tuesday February 19 Part 3 Having mentioned that the “law” was temporal, and that the LAW’S Christian has been delivered from it, how did Paul proceed to FUNCTION show that “law” performed an important function?
"What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I
had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust,
except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet" (Rom. 7:7).
We must keep in mind again the sense in which Paul is using
the term "law." As explained in the lesson for Sunday, the sense
is that "law" is the system of worship introduced at Sinai. The
moral law was the basis of this system. Hence Paul could quote
from it as well as from any other section of it. However, when the
system passed away at the death of Christ, the moral law con-
tinued in force. In fact, it became the basis also of the new
covenant.
In what way is sin dead without the commandment? Rom.
7:8-11.
God revealed Himself to the Jews, telling them in detail what
was right and what was wrong in moral, civil, ceremonial, and
health matters. He also explained the penalties for violating the
various laws. Violation of the revealed will of God is here de-
fined as sin.
Thus, Paul explains, he would not have known it was a sin to
covet without having been informed of that fact by the "law."
Since sin is the violation of the revealed will of God, where the
revealed will is unknown, there is no awareness of sin. Hence
there is no awareness of condemnation to death, and the per-
son ignorantly living contrary to that revealed will is described
as being alive; whereas sin, being unable to condemn, is de-
scribed as being dead. When that revealed will is made known
to a person, he comes to recognize that he is a sinner and is
under condemnation and death. In this sense he dies.
In his line of argument here and throughout this section, Paul
is trying to build a bridge to lead the Jew, who reveres the "law,"
to Christ. He is showing that the "law" was necessary, but that
its function was limited, and more was needed.
In this section Paul is relating his own experience of coming
under conviction. "The apostle Paul, in relating his experience,
presents an important truth concerning the work to be wrought
in conversion. He says, 'I was alive without the law once'—he
felt no condemnation; 'but when the commandment came,'
when the law of God was urged upon his conscience, 'sin
revived, and I died.' Then he saw himself a sinner, condemned
by the divine law. Mark, it was Paul, and not the law, that
died."—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 6, p. 1076.
FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 466-468. 68 Oldness of the Letter LESSON 8 ❑ Wednesday February 20 Part 4 In what way did Paul show his reverence for the law? LAW EXALTED “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Rom. 7:12).
Paul has declared the Christian to be "delivered from the law"
(verse 6). Because the Jews revered the law, he exalts it in every
way possible. He is saying this in Romans 7: The law is good in
every way, but man needs Jesus Christ.
This verse is frequently quoted by Seventh-day Adventists as
describing specifically the moral law, and correctly so, if it is
remembered that, when this is done, an application is made of
this passage to our own time and condition. Speaking to us
today, this passage exalts the moral law.
Whom does Paul blame for his condition of "death," and
whom does he exonerate? Rom. 7:13.
In this verse both "sin" and "law" are personified. Paul is
trying to present the "law" in the best sense possible. He
chooses to blame Mr. Sin, not Mr. Law, for his terrible sinful
condition—his working "all manner of concupiscence [lust]"
(verse 8). Using the good Mr. Law as a standard of conduct, Mr.
Sin showed Paul up to be a terrible sinner.
Why was sin so successful in showing up Paul as a terrible
sinner? Rom. 7:14, 15. •
Carnal means fleshly. Paul needed Jesus Christ. Only Jesus
Christ could take away the condemnation (Rom. 8:1). Only
Jesus Christ could free him from slavery to sin. Paul needed to
be born again.
Paul describes himself as "sold under sin." He is a slave to
sin. He has no freedom. He can't do what he wants to do. He tries
to do what the good law tells him to do, but sin won't let him.
What a terrible enslavement!
By this illustration Paul was trying to show the Jew his need of
the Messiah. He had already told him that victory is possible
only under grace (Rom. 6:14). This same thought is reem-
phasized in Romans 7. Living under the "law" means enslave-
ment to Mr. Sin, who is a merciless master.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the danger in hiding behind a verse such as Romans 7:15 as an excuse for sinning?
"There is no safety nor repose nor justification in transgres-
sion of the law. Man cannot hope to stand innocent before God,
and at peace with Him through the merits of Christ, while he
continues in sin."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 213.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 308-310. 69 Oldness of the Letter LESSON 8 ❑ Thursday February 21
Part 5 What is implied in Paul's continuing to sin, despite his best
SLAVERY efforts to do right?
TO SIN
"If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law
that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that
dwelleth in me" (Rom. 7:16, 17).
Using the law as a mirror, the Holy Spirit convicts a person
that he is displeasing God by not fulfilling the requirements of
the law. By his efforts to meet those requirements the sinner
shows that he agrees that the law is good.
To win the Jew, Paul was doing his utmost to present the
"law" in the best possible light. Paul's inability to do right was
not the law's fault but sin's fault.
What points that Paul had already made did he repeat for
emphasis? Rom. 7:18-20.
To impress upon a person his need of Christ, the Holy Spirit
often leads him through an "old-covenant" type of experience.
Ellen White describes Israel's experience as follows:
"The people did not realize the sinfulness of their own hearts,
and that without Christ it was impossible for them to keep God's
law; and they readily entered into covenant with God. Feeling
that they were able to establish their own righteousness, they
declared, 'All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obe-
dient.' Ex. 24:7.... Only a few weeks passed before they broke
their covenant with God, and bowed down to worship a graven
image. They could not hope for the favor of God through a
covenant which they had broken; and now, seeing their sinful-
ness and their need of pardon, they were brought to feel their
need of the Saviour revealed in the Abrahamic covenant."—
Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 371, 372.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the reason many people believe Romans 7 de- scribes a Christian’s normal experience?
Unfortunately, by failing to renew their dedication to Christ
daily, many Christians are, in effect, serving Mr. Sin. However,
they would be the last to admit this. They rationalize that in
reality they are undergoing the normal experience of sanctifica-
tion and that they simply still have a long way to go. Thus,
instead of taking known sins to Christ and asking Him for victory
over them, they hide behind Romans 7, which tells them, they
think, that it is impossible to do right. In reality, this chapter is
saying that it is impossible to do right when a person is enslaved
to Mr. Sin, but victory is possible in Jesus Christ.
FURTHER STUDY My Life Today, p. 323; The Ministry of Healing, pp. 451-454.
70 Oldness of the Letter LESSON 8 ❑ Friday February 22 Part 6 How did Paul feel about being a slave to Mr. Sin? WRETCHEDNESS OF ENSLAVEMENT “0 wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Rom. 7:24).
The question, What is the body of this death? is best
answered from the context of this passage as discussed below.
What two elements within him were in conflict? Rom. 7:23.
The law in his members (the members are the parts of the
body, the organs) is equated with the law of sin. In reality it is the
law by which sin, his master, rules him. "With the flesh" Paul
says, he served "the law of sin" (Rom. 7:25). But serving sin and
obeying its law means death. (See Born. 7:10, 11, 13.) Hence his
body, made up of its members and organs, as it was now func-
tioning in obedience to sin, could fittingly be described as "the
body of this death."
The law of the mind is God's law, God's revelation of His will.
Under conviction of the Holy Spirit, Paul consented to this law.
His mind resolved to keep it, but when he tried, he couldn't.
How only can men and women be emancipated from slavery
to Mr. Sin? Rom. 7:25.
"Some have wondered why, after reaching the glorious
climax in the expression 'I thank God through Jesus Christ our
Lord,' Paul should refer once more to the struggles of the soul
from what he apparently had been delivered. Some understand
the expression of thanksgiving as a parenthetical exclamation.
They believe that such an exclamation follows naturally the cry,
'Who shall deliver?' They hold that before proceeding with an
extended discussion of the glorious deliverance (ch. 8) Paul
summarizes what he has said in the preceding verses and con-
fesses once again to the conflict against the forces of sin.
"Others suggest that by myself' Paul means, 'left to myself,
leaving Christ out of the picture.' "—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 6, p. 558.
"Of ourselves we are no more capable of living a holy life than
was the impotent man capable of walking. There are many who
realize their helplessness, and who long for that spiritual life
which will bring them into harmony with God; they are vainly
striving to obtain it. In despair they cry, '0 wretched man that I
am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?' Rom. 7:24,
margin."—The Desire of Ages, p. 203.
FURTHER STUDY The Ministry of Healing, pp. 84, 85.
71
LESSON 9 February 24 to March 1
Freed() in Christ “There is therefore now no subject to the law of God, neither condemnation to them which are in indeed can be” (verse 7). Christ Jesus, who walk not after the Chapter 8 is another chapter that flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1). could be entitled “Sanctification,” although the word does not occur Romans 8 is Paul’s answer to there. As we mentioned in our Romans 7. In Romans 7 Paul speaks of introduction to lesson 7, Paul deals at frustration, failure, and length with what is commonly condemnation. In Romans 8 the comprehended under the term condemnation is gone and there is “sanctification,” without using the freedom and victory. It has come term. about through Jesus Christ. In chapter 8 the Christian is Paul was saying in Romans 7, If you represented as (1) walking after the refuse to accept Jesus Christ, the Spirit, that is, following the Spirit’s wretched experience of Romans 7 will directions (verse 4); (2) as minding the be yours. You will be slaves to sin, things of the Spirit (verse 5); (3) by unable to do what you choose to do. In implication, subject to the law of God Romans 8 he says, Christ Jesus offers (verse 7); (4) as mortifying, that is, you deliverance from sin, freedom to putting to death, the deeds of the do the good you choose, and enabling body (verse 13). power to meet the divine All this is possible “in Christ Jesus,” requirement. because of the enabling power This freedom was purchased at provided through the Holy Spirit. infinite cost. Christ the Son of God We regret that, because of space took humanity. He came “in the limitations, we cannot cover all of likeness of sinful flesh” (verse 3). As a Romans 8. Verses 18 through 39 are result, the righteous requirement of not covered in our lessons. This is in the law can be fulfilled in us (verse 4). no way intended to imply that they are In other words, Christ made victory unimportant. In fact they contain over sin as well as meeting the positive some of the most precious promises in requirements of the law possible. By the whole Bible. It is suggested that at contrast “the carnal mind . . . is not some time during the week these verses be read.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. Freedom From Condemnation
(Rom. 8:1)
2. Importance of Incarnation
(Rom. 8:3)
3. Enabling Power
(Rom. 8:4)
4. Two Classes of People
(Rom. 8:5, 6)
5. Test of Experience
(Rom. 8:9, 14)
6. Adoption Versus Bondage
(Rom. 8:15)
Freedom in Christ LESSON 9 ❑ Sunday February 24 Part 1 For what group of people is there no condemnation? FREEDOM FROM CONDEMNATION “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1).
"In Christ Jesus" is a common phrase in the Pauline writings.
For a person to be in Christ Jesus means that he has accepted
Christ as his Saviour. He trusts Him implicitly, and has decided
to make Christ's way of life his way. The result is a close per-
sonal union with Christ.
"In Christ Jesus" is contrasted with "in the flesh" (verse 8). It
is also contrasted with the experience detailed in chapter 7,
where Paul describes the person under conviction before his
surrender to Christ as carnal, that is, "in the flesh" and as "sold
under sin" (verse 14), meaning that he is a slave to sin. He is
under condemnation of death (verses 11,13,24). He serves the
"law of sin" (verses 23,25). He is in a terrible state of wretched-
ness (verse 24).
Then he surrenders to Jesus, and what a change is wrought!
The condemnation is gone! What a glorious redemption!
If you are using translations other than the King James Ver-
sion, you may find that the clause "who walk not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit" is missing. The reason for this is that certain
Greek manuscripts do not have this phrase. It is not lost, how-
ever, for it appears in all manuscripts in verse 4.
What frees a person from slavery to sin? Rom. 8:2.
"The law of the Spirit of life" here means Christ's plan for
saving man as contrasted with "the law of sin and death," which
was described in chapter 7 as the law by which Mr. Sin ruled
his subjects, the end of which was death. By contrast Christ's
law brings life and freedom.
"Every soul that refuses to give himself to God, is under the
control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of
freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery.... While he flatters
himself that he is following the dictates of his own judgment, he
obeys the will of the prince of darkness. Christ came to break
the shackles of sin-slavery from the sou l."—The Desire of Ages,
p. 466.
THINK IT THROUGH What ideas for witnessing the good news effectively can I pick up from this section of the book of Romans?
"All who receive the gospel message into the heart will long to
proclaim it. The heaven-born love of Christ must find expres-
sion. Those who have put on Christ will relate their experience."
—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 125.
FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 253-256. 74 Freedom in Christ LESSON 9 ❑ Monday February 25 Part 2 What was the law unable to accomplish? In what way did IMPORTANCE OF God supply the lack? INCARNATION “What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom. 8:3).
"Law" is again used here of the system of Judaism. The Jews
readily accepted the revelation God gave them at Sinai and
entered into a covenant relationship with God.
Good as God's revelation is, no one can live up to it without
the help Christ provides. Yet many professed Christians try. We
call them moralists.
God provided a remedy by "sending his own Son in the like-
ness of sinful flesh," and He "condemned sin in the flesh." The
incarnation of Christ was an important step in the plan of salva-
tion. It is proper to exalt the cross, but in the outworking of the
plan of salvation Christ's life "in the likeness of sinful flesh" was
extremely important too.
"One honored of all heaven came to this world to stand in
human nature at the head of humanity, testifying to the fallen
angels and to the inhabitants of the unfallen worlds that
through the divine help which had been provided, every one
may walk in the path of obedience to God's commands. . . .
"Our ransom has been paid by our Saviour. No one need be
enslaved by Satan. Christ stands before us as our all-powerful
helper."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 309.
"Satan represents God's law of love as a law of selfishness.
He declares that it is impossible for us to obey its precepts. The
fall of our first parents, with all the woe that has resulted, he
charges upon the Creator, leading men to look upon God as the
author of sin, and suffering, and death. Jesus was to unveil this
deception. As one of us He was to give an example of obedi-
ence. For this He took upon Himself our nature, and passed
through our experiences. 'In all things it behooved Him to be
made like unto His brethren.' Heb. 2:17. If we had to bear any-
thing which Jesus did not endure, then upon this point Satan
would represent the power of God as insufficient for us. There-
fore, Jesus was 'in all points tempted like as we are.' Heb. 4:15.
He endured every trial to which we are subject. And He exer-
cised in His own behalf no power that is not freely offered to us.
As man, He met temptation, and overcame in the strength given
Him from God.... His life testifies that it is possible for us also to
obey the law of God."—The Desire of Ages, p. 24.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 246, 247, 250, 251.
75
Freedom in Christ LESSON 9 ❑ Tuesday February 26 Part 3 As a result of God’s sending His Son, what is now possible? ENABLING POWER “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:4).
In Greek we have a word for righteousness here different from
most of the earlier occurrences of "righteousness," for exam-
ple, in Romans 3:21. Note again the close connection in Greek
between key words in Romans, all built on the same root.
1. Dikaioo—to declare or regard as righteous. This is the
word commonly translated "justify."
2. Dikaiosune—righteousness from the point of view of the
quality of righteousness.
3. DikaiOrna—righteous requirement. This is the word that
occurs in Romans 8:4.
As a result of what God has done in sending Christ, it is now
possible for us to meet the righteous requirement of the law,
that is, to do the right things that the law requires. "Under the
law" (Rom. 6:14) this was impossible; "in Christ" it is possible.
"Those who are adopted into the family of God are trans-
formed by His Spirit. Self-indulgence and supreme love for self
are changed to self-denial and supreme love for God. No man
inherits holiness as a birthright, nor can he, by any methods that
he can devise, become loyal to God. 'Without me,' Christ says,
'ye can do nothing' (John 15:5). Human righteousness is as
'filthy rags.' But with God all things are possible. In the strength
of the Redeemer, weak, erring man can become more than
conqueror over the evil that besets him."—Selected Messages,
bk. 1, p. 310.
"Walk" is an idiomatic expression signifying "to conduct
oneself." "After" here has the Old English meaning "according
10." "Flesh" here denotes unregenerate man, whether before or
after conviction. To walk after the flesh is to be controlled by
selfish desires.
To walk after the Spirit is to fulfill the righteous requirement of
the law. Only through the help of the Holy Spirit can a man meet
this requirement. Only in Christ Jesus is there freedom to do
what the law requires. Apart from Christ there is no such free-
dom. The one who is enslaved to sin finds it impossible to do the
good he chooses to do. (See Rom. 7:15, 18.)
What part does the Spirit play in a Christian's walk "after the
Spirit"?
"Having brought conviction of sin, and presented before the
mind the standard of righteousness, the Holy Spirit withdraws
the affections from the things of this earth and fills the soul with
a desire for holiness."—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 52, 53.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 671, 672.
76 Freedom in Christ LESSON 9 ❑ Wednesday February 27 Part 4 What two classes of people are there in the world, and how TWO CLASSES are they distinguished? OF PEOPLE “They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:5, 6).
"After," here again, is used in the Old English sense of "ac-
cording to" (Greek kata).
"Mind" here means to set the mind on. The one group sets its
mind on fulfilling natural desires. The other group sets its mind
on the things of the Spirit, to follow His dictates. Since the set of
the mind determines actions, the two groups follow different
courses.
What is the carnal mind unable to do? Rom. 8:7, 8.
To have one's mind set on fulfilling the desires of the natural
heart is, in reality, a state of enmity against God. One whose
mind is thus set is unconcerned about doing the will of God. He
may even be in rebellion against God, openly flouting His law.
But the point that Paul wishes especially to emphasize is that
apart from Christ it is impossible to keep the law of God. Again
and again Paul returns to this point. No matter how hard one
tries, he cannot. (See Rom. 7:15, 18, 19.)
Paul's special purpose in the line of argument here was to
persuade the Jews that they needed more than their "Torah"
(law). By their conduct they had shown that in spite of having
the divine revelation they were guilty of the same sins of which
the Gentiles were guilty (chapter 2). The lesson of all this was
that they needed the Messiah. Without Him they would be slaves
of sin, unable to escape sin's dominion.
This was Paul's answer to the Jews who couldn't understand
why it was that what God had given them in the Old Testament
was not enough for salvation. Paul admitted it was all good, but
they also needed to accept the Messiah who had now come.
"By His life and His death, Christ proved that ... sin could be
forgiven, and that the law is righteous, and can be perfectly
obeyed."—The Desire of Ages, p. 762.
THINK IT THROUGH How does one go about securing the divine power that Is needed to obey God’s law?
"Christ imbues men with the attributes of God.. . . Thus the
very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ.
God can 'be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in
Jesus.' Rom. 3:26."—The Desire of Ages, p. 762.
FURTHER STUDY Christ’s Object Lessons, “Like Unto Leaven,” pp. 95-98.
77
Freedom in Christ LESSON 9 ❑ Thursday February 28 Part 5 By what test can a person ascertain whether he belongs to TEST OF Christ? EXPERIENCE “Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell In you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Rom. 8:9). “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14).
The life "in the flesh" is contrasted with life "in the Spirit."
The life "in the Spirit" is a life controlled by the Spirit of God, the
Holy Spirit. He is here called the Spirit of Christ perhaps in the
sense that He is a representative of Christ and through Him
Christ dwells in the believer (verses 9, 10).
What will the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead do for
the Christian whom He indwells? Rom. 8:10, 11.
Paul here returns to a figure he used in Romans 6:1-11.
Figuratively, in baptism "the body of sin," that is, the body that
served sin, is destroyed. The "old man is crucified with him"
(Rom. 6:6). "He that is dead is freed from sin" (Rom. 6:7). But as
in baptism there is not only a burial but also a resurrection, so
the person baptized rises to walk in newness of life.
Being made alive by the Spirit obligates a person to do
what? Rom. 8:12, 13.
"Mortify" means to put to death. Notice who it is that puts to
death the deeds of the body—it is "ye," the Christian himself.
Thus the salvation process is not all a God event; man must
cooperate. God does not destroy human freedom. Even after
the old man of sin is destroyed, it is still possible to sin. To the
Colossians Paul wrote, "Mortify [put to death] therefore your
members which are upon the earth" (Col. 3:5).
Thus after conversion there will still be a struggle against sin.
But the difference is that the person whom the Spirit indwells
now has available divine power for victory. Furthermore, since
he has been so miraculously freed from the slave master Sin, he
is obligated never to serve him again.
THINK IT THROUGH How can one tell whether the Spirit of God Is dwelling in him?
"The heart renewed by the Holy Spirit will bring forth 'the
fruits of the Spirit.' "—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 372.
FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "To Meet the Bridegroom," pp.
419, 420.
78 Freedom in Christ LESSON 9 ❑ Friday February 29 Part 6 How does Paul describe the new relationship In Christ of the ADOPTION one freed from slavery to sin? VERSUS BONDAGE “Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15).
Negatively the new relationship is described as freedom from
fear. A slave is in bondage. lie lives in a state of constant fear
from his master. He stands to gain nothing from his long years
of service.
Not so the one who accepts Jesus Christ. First, he renders
voluntary service. Second, he serves without fear, for "perfect
love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18). Third, adopted as a son, he
becomes an heir to an inheritance of infinite worth.
"The spirit of bondage is engendered by seeking to live in
accordance with legal religion, through striving to fulfill the
claims of the law in our own strength. There is hope for us only
as we come under the Abrahamic covenant, which is the cove-
nant of grace by faith in Christ Jesus."—Ellen G. White Com-
ments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1077.
What gives us the assurance that God has indeed accepted
us as children? Rom. 8:16.
The inward witness of the Spirit confirms our acceptance.
While it is not safe to go by feeling merely, the one who to the
best of his understanding has followed the light of the Word will
hear an inward authenticating voice assuring him that he has
been accepted as a child of God.
Becoming a child of God involves us In what kind of a
relationship with Christ? Horn. 8:17.
"The plan of salvation does not offer believers a life free from
suffering and trial this side of the kingdom. On the contrary, it
calls upon them to follow Christ in the same path of self-denial
,and reproach. . . . It is through such trial and persecution that
the character of Christ is reproduced and revealed in His
people. . . By sharing in the sufferings of Christ we are edu-
cated and disciplined and made ready to share in the glories of
the hereafter."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, pp. 568, 569.
"The chain that has been let down from the throne of God is
long enough to reach to the lowest depths. Christ is able to lift
the most sinful out of the pit of degradation, and to place them
where they will be acknowledged as children of God, heirs with
Christ to an immortal inheritance."—Testimonies, vol. 7, p.229.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, p. 113; Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 126-129.
79
LESSON 10 March 2-8
Redemption for Jew and Gentile names, but with their call to do a certain work, the chapter presents no difficulties. Doubtless the general question of predestination will be raised in many “Therefore hath he mercy on whom minds this week. It will be helpful in he will have mercy, and whom he will any discussion of this subject to study he hardeneth” (Rom. 9:18). the following statement by Ellen White on election. Chapter 9 has been a cause of great “There is an election of individuals perplexity to many minds, especially and a people, the only election found verses such as 13: “As it is written, in the word of God, where man is Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I elected to be saved. Many have looked hated”; and 15: “For he saith to at the end, thinking they were surely Moses, I will have mercy on whom I elected to have heavenly bliss; but this will have mercy, and I will have is not the election the Bible reveals. compassion on whom I will have Man is elected to work out his own compassion.” salvation with fear and trembling. He It has been difficult for Bible is elected to put on the armor, to fight students to harmonize these verses the good fight of faith. He is elected to and others in this chapter with the use the means God has placed within concept that man is free to choose. his reach to war against every unholy Some find support here for the lust, while Satan is playing the game of doctrine that certain ones are elected life for his soul. He is elected to watch to be saved, others to be lost. But the unto prayer, to search the Scriptures, Scriptures do not sustain this doctrine. and to avoid entering into temptation. How is Romans 9 to be understood? He is elected to have faith continually. Again we appeal to the rule that we He is elected to be obedient to every must discover what Paul meant by the word that proceedeth out of the words he used. We must not mouth of God, that he may be, not a concentrate merely on the words. hearer only, but a doer of the word. Paul is following a line of argument This is Bible election.”—Testimonies in which he attempts to show God’s to Ministers, pp. 453, 454. right to reject the Jews as His chosen people and to elect the Gentiles. After DAILY HIGHLIGHTS all, God is the One who carries the 1. Paul’s Burden for the Jews ultimate responsibility of evangelizing (Rom. 9:3) the world. Therefore, why can He not 2. God’s Freedom to Choose choose as His agents whom He wills? (Rom. 9:12, 13) So long as God cuts no one off from 3. Example of God’s Freedom the opportunity of salvation, such an (Rom. 9:17, 18) action on God’s part should be 4. God Chooses Christians allowed. He would be operating fully (Rom. 9:22-24) in harmony with His character. 5. Scripture Support So long as it is remembered that (Rom. 9:25) Romans 9 is not dealing with the 6. Reason for Failure personal salvation of the persons it (Rom. 9:30-32) Redemption for Jew and Gentile LESSON 10 ❑ Sunday March 2
Part 1 How did Paul express his great burden for the salvation of PAUL'S BURDEN his fellow Israelites? FOR THE JEWS
"I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my
brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh" (Rom. 9:3).
Remember Paul's purpose in the book of Romans. Among
other things he was trying to explain why God had largely turned
from the Jews and was now extending salvation to the Gentiles.
Had God gone back on His promises? the Jews wondered.
What special advantages had God extended in the past to
the Israelites? Rom. 9:4, 5.
God needed a missionary people to evangelize a world that
had gone into idolatry. He chose the Israelites and revealed
Himself to them. He planned that they become a model nation
and thus attract other peoples to a worship of the true God.
"It was God's purpose that by the revelation of His character
through Israel men should be drawn unto Him. To all the world
the gospel invitation was to be given. Through the teaching of
the sacrificial service Christ was to be uplifted before the na-
tions, and all who would look unto Him should live. .. . As the
numbers of Israel increased they were to enlarge their borders,
until their kingdom should embrace the world."—Christ's Ob-
ject Lessons, p. 290.
How did Paul explain the apparent nonfulfillment of God's
promises? Rom. 9:6-12.
Paul is building a line of argument in which he will show that
the promise made to Israel has not completely failed. There
exists a remnant through whom God still aims to work.
To establish the validity of the remnant idea, Paul dips back
into Israelite history. He shows that God has always been selec-
tive: (1) God did not choose all the seed of Abraham to be His
covenant people, only the line of Isaac. (2) He did not choose all
of the descendants of Isaac, only those of Jacob.
Paul concludes, as chapter 9 develops, that the existence of
a remnant shows that the word of God has taken some effect.
It has not completely failed, as some might allege.
THINK IT THROUGH How can I bring myself to the place where I would be willing to be accursed for some of my kinsmen and friends?
"Moses realized how dreadful would be the fate of the sinner;
yet if the people of Israel were to be rejected by the Lord, he
desired his name to be blotted out with theirs."—Patriarchs and
Prophets, p. 326.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 374-377. 82 Redemption for Jew and Gentile LESSON 10 ❑ Monday March 3 Part 2 How can God’s contrasting attitudes toward Jacob and GOD’S FREEDOM Esau be explained? TO CHOOSE “It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (Rom. 9:12, 13).
It is impossible properly to understand Romans 9 until one
recognizes that Paul is not speaking of individual election to
salvation. He is here. speaking of particular roles God was cap- •
ing upon certain people to play. God wanted Jacob to be the
progenitor of the people who would be His special evangelizing
agency in the world. There is no implication in this passage that
Esau could not be saved. God wanted him to be saved as much
as He desires all men to be saved. (See 1 Tim. 2:4.) In fact, as
pointed out in yesterday's lesson, Esau and his descendants
could have united themselves with the chosen people.
What does Paul once more warn against? Rom. 9:14.
"God forbid" is an idiomatic translation of a Greek phrase
denoting strong negation.
In what area is it that the choice is entirely God's? Rom.
9:15.
Paul is not here speaking of individual salvation, because in
that area God extends mercy to all, for He "will have all men to
be saved" (1 Tim. 2:4). "The grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11). But God can choose
nations to play a role, and, while they can refuse to play that role,
they cannot prevent God's choice. No matter how hard Esau
may have willed it, He could not have become the progenitor of
the Messiah nor of the chosen people.
THINK IT THROUGH When I am tempted to think that I have little choice in my life’s outcome, how can I reassure myself that in the vital area of salvation I have a choice?
"There was no arbitrary choice on the part of God by which
Esau was shut out from the blessings of salvation. The gifts of
His grace through Christ are free to all. There is no election but
one's own by which any may perish. God has set forth in His
word the conditions upon which every soul will be elected to
eternal life—obedience to His commandments, through faith in
Christ. God has elected a character in harmony with His law,
and anyone who shall reach the standard of His requirement will
have an entrance into the kingdom of glory."—Patriarchs and
Prophets, p. 207.
FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 261, 262. 83 Redemption for Jew and Gentile LESSON 10 ❑ Tuesday March 4 Part 3 What does the experience of Pharaoh show with regard to EXAMPLE OF God’s freedom? GOD’S FREEDOM “The scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same pur- pose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth” (Rom. 9:17, 18).
In dealing with Egypt at the time of the Exodus in the manner
He did, God was working for the salvation of the human race.
God's revelation of Himself in the plagues of Egypt and in the
deliverance of His people was designed to reveal to the Egyp-
tians as well as to other nations that the God of Israel indeed was
the true God. It was designed to be an invitation for the peoples
of the nations to abandon their gods and to worship Him.
Obviously the Pharaoh who was on the throne at the time of
the Exodus had already made his choice against God, so that in
hardening his heart God was not cutting him off from the oppor-
tunity of salvation. The hardening was against the appeal to let
Israel go, not against God's appeal for Pharaoh to accept per-
sonal salvation.
What warning did Paul utter against criticism of the acts of
God? Rom. 9:19, 20.
"No finite mind can fully comprehend the character or the
works of the Infinite One. We cannot by searching find out God.
To minds the strongest and most highly cultured, as well as to
the weakest and most ignorant, that holy Being must remain
clothed in mystery. But though 'clouds and darkness are round
about Him: righteousness and judgment are the foundation of
His throne.' Psalm 97:2, R.V. We can so far comprehend His
dealing with us as to discern boundless mercy united to infinite
power. We can understand as much of His purposes as we are
capable of comprehending; beyond this we may still trust the
hand that is omnipotent, the heart that is full of love."—
Education, p. 169.
THINK IT THROUGH When tempted to question God’s leading in my life, how can I reassure myself that He has my best interests at heart?
"We have no reason to doubt God's word because we cannot
understand the mysteries of His providence. In the natural world
we are constantly surrounded with wonders beyond our com-
prehension. Should we then be surprised to find in the spiritual
world also mysteries that we cannot fathom? The difficulty lies
solely in the weakness and narrowness of the human mind."—
Education, p. 170.
FURTHER STUDY S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 1, pp. 1099, 1100. 84 Redemption for Jew and Gentile LESSON 10 ❑ Wednesday March 5 Part 4 When the Israelites as the chosen people failed in fulfilling GOD CHOOSES their evangelizing role, whom did the Lord call to fulfill it? CHRISTIANS “What if God, willing to chew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?” (Rom. 9:22-24).
"Willing" here means "wishing" (Greek thelO). Although the
Jews, for their many failures to fulfill the divine purpose, had
suffered repeated reverses, God had not allowed them to ex-
perience total wrath, even though they deserved it.
"Fitted to destruction" means "ready for destruction." In His
freedom to do as He chooses, God had shown mercy toward the
Jews. If they did not object to God's mercy to them, they should
not object to God's further act in transferring to the Christian
church, made up of believing Jews and Gentiles, the role pre-
viously assigned to the chosen people.
This loss of their role many Jews found difficult to accept. But
the line of argument thus far in chapter 9 has been to show
God's right to make choices of peoples and groups to fulfill
specific roles.
Some people believe that in chapter 9 Paul lends support to
the doctrine of predestination, namely, that some persons are
elected to be saved, others to be lost. But this is not what Paul is
dealing with here. Every person living today has the right to be
saved, and all those who have lived in the past have had the right
to be saved. This includes Esau and the Pharaoh of the Exodus
whom Paul mentions. Paul is dealing with role assignments, not
with individual salvation. When this point is grasped, the diffi-
culty with Romans 9 vanishes.
Thus it is today. Every person is invited to be saved, but when
it comes to assigning his lifework, God in His freedom makes
the choice. He has designated a special place where each is to
labor for God. A person has the power to refuse to fill that role. If
he refuses, he must suffer the consequences.
THINK IT THROUGH How may I discover the special role God wants me to ful- fill?
"He [Christ] gives 'to every man his work.' Each has his place
in the eternal plan of heaven. Each is to work in co-operation
with Christ for the salvation of souls. Not more surely is the
place prepared for us in the heavenly mansions than is the
special place designated on earth where we are to work for
God."—Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 326, 327.
FURTHER STUDY Christ’s Object Lessons, “The Lord’s Vineyard,” pp. 295, 296. 85 Redemption for Jew and Gentile LESSON 10 ❑ Thursday March 6 Part 5 What Scripture did Paul quote to support God’s choice of the SCRIPTURE Christians to fulfill the role formerly assigned Israel? SUPPORT “As he saith also In Osee [Hosea), I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved” (Rom. 9:25). Paul quotes Hosea 2:23 in verse 25 and Hosea 1:10 in verse 26. God instructed Hosea to take “a wife of whoredoms” (Hosea 1:2) as an illustration of God’s relationship with Israel who had gone a whoring after strange gods. The children born to this marriage were given names signifying God’s rejection and punishment of idolatrous Israel. The third child was named Lo-ammi (Hosea 1:8) meaning literally “Not my people.” Not to leave the people without hope, Hosea predicted the day would come when, after punishing His people, God would re- store their fortunes, take away their false gods, and make a covenant with them. (See Hosea 2:11-19.) At this point those who were Lo-ammi, “not my people,” would become Ammi, “my people.” In Paul’s day the Ammi were the “even us … not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles” (Rom. 9:24).
Compared to the large number of Israelites, how large did
Isaiah predict would be the number saved? Rom. 9:27.
The fact that his kinsmen generally rejected the appeal of the
gospel gave Paul "great heaviness and continual sorrow" in his
heart (Rom. 9:2). But at least there was a remnant. God's prom-
ises have not failed.
What kind of work would God di:, upon the earth? Rom. 9:28.
In Romans 9:28 Paul quoted from Isaiah 28:22 in the Septua-
gint, which says that in a summary way God will deal with
Israel's problem. The Hebrew of this passage, as translated in
the KJV, reads as follows: "For I have heard from the Lord God
of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole
earth."
As we apply this verse today, we think of the summary work
that God will perform soon in the final judgment.
THINK IT THROUGH When the Lord cuts His work short, does it mean that certain people will not have the opportunity for salvation? “The Lord God of heaven will not send upon the world His judgments for disobedience and transgression until He has sent His watchmen to give the warning. He will not close up the period of probation until the message shall be more distinctly proclaimed…. Yet the work will be cut short in righteousness.” —Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 19.
FURTHER STUDY S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 4, pp. 35, 36. 86 Redemption for Jew and Gentile LESSON 10 ❑ Friday March 7 Part 6 In the matter of attaining to righteousness, why was it that REASON FOR the Jews failed but the Gentiles succeeded? FAILURE “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith” (Rom. 9:30-32).
In words that cannot be misunderstood Paul explains to his
kinsmen why the'y are missing out on something God wishes
them to have; more than that, on something they were actually
pursuing but not achieving.
Interestingly, the Gentiles whom God had accepted had not
even been striving for such acceptance. They had been pursu-
ing their own interests and goals when the gospel message
came to them. Grasping its value, they accepted it. God de-
clared them righteous because they accepted Jesus Christ as
their substitute. It was a transaction of faith.
The problem with Israel was that they stumbled at the stum-
bling stone (verse 33). The vast majority refused to accept Jesus
of Nazareth as the Messiah whom God had sent. He did not meet
their expectations of the Messiah. What a loss they sustained!
Righteousness was offered them as a gift. They turned it down.
What Old Testament scripture did Paul quote as predicting
that acceptance of the Messiah would be a problem with some
people? Rom. 9:33.
Here was a text from the Old Testament (Isa. 28:16) which the
Jew revered, setting forth the importance of faith, the ingredient
missing in the experience of the majority of the Jews.
THINK IT THROUGH What stumbling stones in my life prevent the surrender of myself completely to the Messiah? Have I fully accepted righ- teousness by faith?
"He [the rich young ruler] wanted the heavenly treasure, but
he wanted also the temporal advantages his riches would bring
him. He was sorry that such conditions existed; he desired
eternal life, but he was not willing to make the sacrifice. The cost
of eternal life seemed too great, and he went away sorrowful;
'for he had great possessions.' . . .
. . . Thousands are passing through this ordeal, weighing
Christ against the world; and many choose the world."—The
Desire of Ages, pp. 520, 523.
FURTHER STUDY S.D.A. Encyclopedia article, “Faith and Works.”
87
“I say then, Hath God cast away his refusing to keep His covenant, they people? God forbid. For I also am an would cut themselves off from the life Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of of God, and His blessing could not the tribe of Benjamin” (Rom. 11:1). come upon them.”—Christ’s Object . Lessons, p. 291. This lesson covers Romans 10 and Despite Israel’s failure as a nation, 11, though with some omissions. It is God still loved the people and offered suggested, however, that the entire a modified fulfillment of the ancient chapters be read. The meaning of promise that had elected them as the sections not interpreted should chosen people. This is Paul’s theme in become clear in the light of what is Romans 11. being said about the rest of the If the Israelites had accepted God’s chapters. plan, human history would have been Again, the question needs to be vastly different. Even when Christ carefully pondered, What is Paul came, it was not yet too late for the teaching in these chapters? For Jews to accept their role. example, in chapter 11:26 he says, “All “If Jerusalem had known what it was Israel shall be saved.” Is Paul here her privilege to know, and had heeded predicting that the time is coming the light which Heaven had sent her, when all living Israelites will turn to she might have stood forth in the pride Christ? This is what some interpreters of prosperity, the queen of kingdoms, of prophecy expect to happen. If this is free in the strength of her God-given not what Paul is predicting, what is it? power. . . . From her walls the dove His argument must be carefully traced of peace would have gone forth to all in these chapters. nations. She would have been the The reason these interpreters world’s diadem of glory.”—The Desire expect all Israel to be converted is that of Ages, p. 577. they strongly emphasize the It is important that the principle of sovereignty of God. They believe that conditional prophecy be understood God cannot go back on His word. as a basis for an acceptable approach Once He has made a promise, He must to Romans 11. Since few bring it to pass. non-Adventist interpreters of It is on thispoint that Seventh-day prophecy accept the conditional Adventists differ with these principle, the Adventist position on interpreters. On the basis of Jeremiah Israel is almost unique. 18:9, 10; Exodus 19:5, 6; Deuteronomy 28:1-3, 15, Seventh-day DAILY HIGHLIGHTS Adventists believe that the promises 1. Zeal Without Knowledge made to Israel were conditional on (Rom. 10:2, 3) their obedience, and that, because of 2. The Election of Grace their failure to fulfill the divine . (Rom. 11:1, 2) purpose, the Israelites forfeited many 3. Fullness of the Jews of the promises. Ellen White says: “It (Rom. 11:11) should be remembered that the 4. Grafted Branches promises and threatenings of God are (Rom. 11:16, 17) alike conditional.”—Se/ected 5. A Mystery Revealed Messages, bk. 1, p. 67. (Rom. 11:25) She also said, “The Lord had 6. Evangelism for the Jews through Moses set before His people (Rom. 11:28, 29) the result of unfaithfulness. By Salvation for the Jews LESSON 11 ❑ Sunday March 9 Part 1 To what did Paul attribute Israel’s failure to find acceptance ZEAL WITHOUT with God? KNOWLEDGE “I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righ- teousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righ- teousness of God” (Rom. 10:2, 3).
Paul is here speaking of Israel as a nation, not the individual
Israelite, many of whom accepted the Messiah and became the
nucleus of the Christian church.
What burden did Paul express again in Romans 10:1?
"In this letter [to the Romans] Paul gave free expression to his
burden in behalf of the Jews. Ever since his conversion, he had
longed to help his Jewish brethren to gain a clear understand-
ing of the gospel message. 'My heart's desire and prayer to God
for Israel is,' he declared, 'that they might be saved.'
"It was no ordinary desire that the apostle felt. Constantly he
was petitioning God to work in behalf of the Israelites who had
failed to recognize Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah."
—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 374.
Of what is Christ the end? Rom. 10:4.
This verse has been variously explained. First we should seek
to understand what it means in its context. The Jews were
"going about to establish their own righteousness" (Rom. 10:3)
and seeking "the righteousness which is of the law" (Rom.
10:5).
They believed this righteousness could be obtained by dili-
gent law keeping. Paul even quotes Moses in support of such a
thesis, "That the man which doeth those things shall live by
them" (Rom. 10:5).
With the coming of the Messiah the true way of righteousness
was presented. Righteousness was offered to all who would fix
their faith in Christ. He was the one to whom the ancient cere-
monial system had pointed. When He came, He put an end to the
old system—the old covenant. In other words, Christ is the end
of the law or the system of Judaism. In Christ is reasserted the
truth that righteousness is of faith.
Some see in the word "end" (Greek telos) the meaning "ob-
jective." If this definition is adopted, Romans 10:4 means that
Christ is the goal or objective toward which the law points. The
system of Judaism was designed to lead to Christ.
How is righteousness achieved? Rom. 10:9, 10, 13.
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 155, 156. 90 Salvation for the Jews LESSON 11 ❑ Monday March 10 Part 2 To what question did Paul express an emphatic denial? THE ELECTION OF GRACE “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he fore- knew” (Rom. 11:1, 2).
In the first part of his answer to the question, "Hath God cast
away his people?" Paul points to a remnant, an election of
grace, as proof that God has not cast away His people. This
election of grace was the group from among the Jews that
accepted the Messiah. It should be remembered that the early
converts to Christianity were all Jews—for example, the group
that was converted on the Day of Pentecost. It took a special
vision and miracle to convince Peter that the Gentiles, too, had
equal access to the grace of Christ (Acts 15:7, 8; compare Acts
10) and that the gospel was to be carried to them as well.
But the existence of a remnant is only a part of Paul's answer
to the question as to whether God has cast away His people. In
the remainder of the chapter Paul develops a further idea.
What had happened to the vast majority of Israel? Rom.
11:7-10.
"Notwithstanding Israel's failure as a nation, there remained
among them a goodly remnant of such as should be saved. At
the time of the Saviour's advent there were faithful men and
women who had received with gladness the message of John
the Baptist, and had thus been led to study anew the prophecies
concerning the Messiah. When the early Christian church was
founded, it was composed of these faithful Jews who recog-
nized Jesus of Nazareth as the one for whose advent they had
been longing."—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 376, 377.
Paul quotes frequently from the Old Testament—writings the
Jews accepted as authoritative. Verse 8 combines ideas from
Isaiah 6:9 and 29:10. Verses 9 and 10 are a quotation from Psalm
69:22, 23.
The Isaiah passages that Paul cites represent God as giving to
Israel a spirit of slumber, preventing their seeing and hearing.
Does God blind people's eyes to prevent them from seeing light
that would lead them to salvation? Never! These passages must
be understood in the light of our explanation of Romans 9 in last
week's lesson. Paul is not talking of individual salvation but of
the role of the nation of Israel. When as a nation Israel refused to
fulfill Heaven's purpose for her, God had a right to turn from the
Israelites to another people who would fulfill His purpose.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 474, 475.
91
Salvation for the Jews LESSON 11 ❑ Tuesday March 11 Part 3 What good did God work out of the failure of the Israelites? FULLNESS OF THE JEWS “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy” (Rom. 11:11).
"Through the Jewish nation it was God's purpose to impart
rich blessings to all peoples. Through Israel the way was to be
prepared for the diffusion of His light to the whole world. The
nations of the world, through following corrupt practices, had
lost the knowledge of God. Yet in His mercy God did not blot
them out of existence. He purposed to give them opportunity for
becoming acquainted with Him through His church."—Christ's
Object Lessons, p. 286.
"The material advantages that Israel enjoyed were designed
to arrest the attention and catch the interest of the heathen....
Ambassadors from one foreign country after another would
come to discover, if they might, the great secret of Israel's
success as a nation, and its leaders would have the opportunity
of directing the minds of their visitors to the Source of all good
things.... For a graphic picture of how one nation would have
responded to the irresistible appeal radiating from an Israel
faithful to God, see Isa. 19:18-22; cf. Ps. 68:31."—S.D.A. Bible
Commentary, vol. 4, p. 29.
When the Israelites refused to fulfill the divine purpose, it
meant that the Gentiles were offered an opportunity to join
God's people. When God called the Christian church into exis-
tence, almost immediately the gospel invitation was extended
to the Gentiles. "Through their fall" means through God's rejec-
tion of the Israelites as His chosen people. Now salvation had
come to the Gentiles.
Immediately God turned the Gentiles' acceptance of the gos-
pel into further advantage. Through it He hoped to provoke the
Israelites to jealousy so that they too would seek for and find
salvation.
If the rejection of the chosen people as a nation had worked
to advantage, what would God's acceptance of the Israelites
accomplish? Rom. 11:12-15.
There are two expressions in this passage that are parallel: (1)
"their [the Israelites;] fulness" (verse 12); and (2) "the receiving
of them [the Israelites]" (verse 15). Paul envisioned the di-
minishing and the casting away to be only temporary to be
followed by fullness and reception. This is Paul's second an-
swer to the question raised at the beginning of this chapter,
"Hath God cast away his people?" What appears to be a casting
away, he says, is only a temporary situation.
FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "The Lord's Vineyard," pp. 286-289.
92 Salvation for the Jews LESSON 11 ❑ Wednesday March 12 Part 4 To what does Paul liken the remnant in Israel? GRAFTED BRANCHES “If the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree” (Rom. 11:16, 17).
"Firstfruit" here refers to a part of a lump of dough, which
anciently was dedicated to God. (See Num. 15:19-21.)
Paul introduces another figure of speech—an olive tree.
"Paul likens the remnant in Israel to a noble olive tree, some of
whose branches have been broken off."—The Acts of the Apos-
tles, p. 377. Thus the tree represents Israel not including the
unbelieving Israelites. This illustration is used to prove that
"God hath not cast away his people': (verse 2). The root and
trunk are still there.
Into this tree the believing Gentiles have been grafted. But
they are drawing their sap and vitality from the root and trunk
which represent believing Israel.
Against what attitude were the Gentiles warned? Rom.
11:18-22.
What had happened to the Israelites could happen to believ-
ing Gentiles. The Bible teaches no doctrine of once saved,
always saved. Only those who "continue in his goodness" will
be saved.
No believer should boast of his own goodness or feel any
superiority over his fellow human beings. His salvation was not
earned; it was a gift. Hence no credit belongs to him.
What was Paul's hope regarding the branches which had
been broken off? Rom. 11:23, 24.
Paul is pointing to the possibility that the broken-off branches
could be grafted into the trunk from which they had been bro-
ken. In the expression of this possibility was an implied hope,
which Paul later turns into a prediction.
THINK IT THROUGH In the interpretation of illustrations or parables, what prin- ciples must be borne in mind?
One must not become overly literal in the interpretation of an
illustration. For example, in nature a severed branch, if it has
been disconnected from its parent stock for some time, could
not be expected to thrive if grafted back into the stock again.
But in the application it was possible for Jews who had been
rejected by God to be accepted through faith in the Messiah.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 377-380. 93 Salvation for the Jews LESSON 11 ❑ Thursday March 13 Part 5 As Paul reaches the crux of his argument in Romans 11, A MYSTERY what mystery does He reveal? REVEALED “I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Rom. 11:25).
What Paul is here saying is in reply to the question raised at
the beginning of the chapter, "Rath God cast away his people?"
His answer, of course, is No, and his explanation is (1) that the
blindness (Greek pordsis, hardness) is only "in part," and (2)
that it is only temporary "until the fulness of the Gentiles be
come in."
When "the fulness of the Gentiles be come In," what is to
happen? Rom. 11:26, 27.
Two explanations have been given of these verses: (1) These
verses predict a large influx of Jews into the Christian faith. (2)
"All Israel" refers to spiritual Israel, the totality of those saved
from among Jews and Gentiles. (See S.D.A. Bible Commentary
on these verses.)
The context favors the first view, although the idea of a
spiritual Israel is certainly valid and will be fulfilled.
Paul has already anticipated a "fulness" for the Jews (verse
12) and a "receiving of them" (verse 15). Now in verses 26 and 27
he quotes Old Testament Scriptures. (See Isa. 59:20, 21; Jer.
31:33, 34) to show that something special was to happen when
the blindness would be removed.
"All Israel" must not be construed to mean every Israelite.
Nowhere do the Scriptures preach universalism, either for the
entire human race or for a particular segment. Paul was hoping
to save "some of them" (verse 14). The "all Israel" is here
contrasted with the remnant (verse 5). While a small remnant
had accepted the Messiah, the majority were blinded and hard-
ened. But when from this group large numbers would turn to the
Lord, then it could be said that "all Israel," not only the remnant
group Paul had mentioned, would be saved.
Commenting on Romans 11, Ellen White speaks of a time "in
the closing proclamation of the gospel" when "many of the
Jews" "will by faith receive Christ as their Redeemer."—The
Acts of the Apostles, p. 381.
"Among the Jews are some who, like Saul of Tarsus, are
mighty in the Scriptures, and these will proclaim with wonderful
power the immutability of the law of God. . . . As His servants
labor in faith for those who have long been neglected and
despised, His salvation will be revealed."—The Acts of the Apos-
tles, p. 381.
FURTHER STUDY S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6. p. 1079. 94
Salvation for the Jews LESSON 11 ❑ Friday March 14 Part 6 What was the attitude of the Jews toward the gospel? EVANGELISM FOR THE JEWS “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Rom. 11:28, 29).
The "they" were the ones who in Paul's day were opposing
the preaching of the gospel and were persecuting the church,
as before his conversion Paul himself had done. But God had
not given them up. The blindness would one day be removed,
and many would turn to the Lord. Thus God's election of the
Jews would yet stand.
Who are the "these" and the "they" mentioned in verse 31
and how is their experience contrasted with that of the believ-
ing Gentiles? Rom. 11:30, 31.
"In the closing proclamation of the gospel, when special work
is to be done for classes of people hitherto neglected, God
expects His messengers to take particular interest in the Jewish
people whom they find in all parts of the earth. As the Old
Testament Scriptures are blended with the New in an explana-
tion of Jehovah's eternal purpose, this will be to many of the
Jews as the dawn of a new creation, the resurrection of the soul.
As they see the Christ of the gospel dispensation portrayed in
the pages of the Old Testament Scriptures, and perceive how
clearly the New Testament explains the Old, their slumbering
faculties will be aroused, and they will recognize Christ as the
Saviour of the world. Many will by faith receive Christ as their
Redeemer. To them will be fulfilled the words, 'As many as
received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on His name.' John 1:12."—The
Acts of the Apostles, p. 381.
THINK IT THROUGH What can I do to bring the gospel to Jewish people In my vicinity?
"There is a mighty work to be done in our world. The Lord has
declared that the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and not the
Gentiles only, but the Jews. There are among the Jews many
who will be converted, and through whom we shall see the
salvation of God go forth as a lamp that burneth. There are Jews
everywhere, and to them the light of present truth is to be
brought. There are among them many who will come to the
light, and who will proclaim the immutability of the law of God
with wonderful power."—Evangelism, p. 578.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 77-79, 112-114; Evangelism, pp. 577-579.
95
LESSON 12 March 16-22
Living the Life of Faith-1 “Be not conformed to this world: Chapters 13 to 15 of Romans are ,ut be ye transformed by the renewing evidence that proper ethical behavior 4 your mind, that ye may prove what is clearly a requirement of the that good, and acceptable, and Christian. These chapters, containing lerfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2). a series of dos and don’ts, must have read to the Roman Christians much Early in our lessons (lesson 2) we like, for example, Leviticus 19, ‘ealt with the question of what, if any, sounded to the ancient Israelites. ; the difference between the religion The book of Romans contains no 4 the Old Testament and that of the hint that proper moral behavior comes We quoted the following: “The automatically to the one who is in onditions of salvation are ever the Christ Jesus. The Christian needs to ame. Life, eternal life, is for all who enlighten himself as to what the rill obey God’s law.”—Ellen G. White requirements are, to will to follow ;omments, S.D.A. Bible what is revealed to him as still :ornmentary, vol. 7, p. 931. required, and to avail himself of divine This statement makes it clear that power without which he cannot meet ;od expected the same ethical the standard. In fact, because of the )ehavior in both periods. Both before added revelation after Jesus came, the nd after Christ, such behavior was to New Testament requirements, if le motivated by the same anything, are more difficult. The New winciple–faith. As an aid to faith Testament believer had been given an )efore the Messiah came, God example of proper moral behavior in )rovided a ritual system of sacrifices Jesus Christ. He was to imitate the hat prefigures the coming Messiah. pattern. Here was no case of Christ’s hese sacrifices ceased after the having done it all for him. Aessiah came. All of this means that works are As we have explained, at this point much a part of the life of faith. Paul iany Christians misunderstand Paul never meant to depreciate works; in 1 the book of Romans. When he fact in chapter 13 to 15 he gives them peaks negatively of the law, he is strong emphasis. And this is no denial peaking of the obsolete ritual system of what he has said earlier about ilus the man-made interpretations righteousness by faith. nd accretions, the total making up he Judaism of Paul’s day. DAILY HIGHLIGHTS 1. Living Sacrifices (Rom. 12:1) 2. Mind Renewal (Rom. 12:2) 3. Moral Teachings (Rom. 12:9, 10) 4. Relationship to Government (Rom. 13:1) 5. Relationships to Others (Rom. 13:8) 6. Motivation for Right Living (Rom. 13:11) Living the Life of Faith-1 LESSON 12 ❑ Sunday March 16 Part 1 With the doctrinal part of his letter being concluded, what LIVING does Paul begin to do? SACRIFICES “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1).
With chapter 11 ends the doctrinal part of the book of Ro-
mans. Chapters 12 through 16 present practical instruction and
contain personal notes. Nevertheless, these concluding chap-
ters are also extremely important doctrinally, because they
show how the life of faith is to be lived.
Once a person is justified by faith apart from deeds of law, is
he still subject to the moral law? There are many dos and don'ts
in the life of faith. A relationship of love with Christ does not
guarantee that the believer will automatically bring forth good
fruit. Strong personal effort is still required.
The law of Christ, if one wishes to term New Testament in-
struction in that way, contains many dos and don'ts. This is
further proof of the fact that whatever Paul had said negatively
concerning law in this epistle, he had said with reference to the
obsolete Jewish system. The moral precepts are still all in force
and are explained and amplified in the New Testament. No
indication is given that it will be easy for the Christian to regu-
late his life by these moral precepts. He is promised divine
power and the assurance that victory is possible, but he is still in
the world of the enemy and will have to fight many a battle
against powerful temptations.
It is unfortunate that the antinomian has made so much of the
book of Romans. He declares Seventh-day Adventists to be
legalists because he has misinterpreted Romans, claiming that
the law from which the Christian has been delivered is the moral
law instead of the obsolete Jewish system. That is why a correct
understanding of the book of Romans is so important.
In Romans 12:1 Paul is alluding to Old Testament sacrifices.
As anciently animals were sacrificed to God, so now Christians
ought to yield their bodies to God, not to be killed, but as living
sacrifices dedicated to serve God.
"[Rom. 12:1 quoted.] In the time of ancient Israel every offer-
ing brought as a sacrifice to God was carefully examined. If any
defect was discovered in the animal presented, it was refused;
for God had commanded that the offering be 'without blemish.'
So Christians are bidden to present their bodies, 'a living sac-
rifice, holy, acceptable unto God.' In order to do this, all their
powers must be preserved in the best possible condition."—
The Great Controversy, p. 473.
FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 352, 353; Testimonies, vol. 5,
pp. 541, 542.
98 Living the Life of Faith-1 LESSON 12 ❑ Monday March 17 Part 2 What is the basis of all true transformation? MIND RENEWAL “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:2).
Redemption is an intelligent process in all of its stages. The
mind is the seat of action. There will be no change in behavior
unless there is first a change in thinking.
If the Christian wishes to pattern his life according to the will
of God, he must first ascertain what that will is. This is a mental
process. But it is more than an intellectual process. An action of
the will is involved. There must be a yielding to Jesus Christ.
"The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14).
"In the Bible the will of God is revealed. The truths of the Word
of God are the utterances of the Most High. He who makes these
truths a part of his life becomes in every sense a new creature.
He is not given new mental powers, but the darkness that
through ignorance and sin has clouded the understanding is
removed. The words, 'A new heart also will I give you,' mean, 'A
new mind will I give you.' A change of heart is always attended
by a clear conviction of Christian duty, an understanding of
truth. He who gives the Scriptures close, prayerful attention will
gain clear comprehension and sound judgment, as if in turning
to God he had reached a higher plane of intelligence."—My Life
Today, p. 24.
What is the secret of harmonious relationships between
fellow Christians? Rom. 12:3-8.
If each Christian would recognize his gifts and seek to per-
form his service within the orbit of these gifts, and would cease
competing with others, there would be much greater harmony
in the church of God.
"Many do not become what they might, because they do not
put forth the power that is in them. They do not, as they might,
lay hold on divine strength. Many are diverted from the line in
which they might reach the truest success. Seeking greater
honor or a more pleasing task, they attempt something for
which they are not fitted."—Education, p. 267.
THINK IT THROUGH How can I discover what office God wants me to fill?
"The specific place appointed us in life is determined by our
capabilities."—Education, p. 267.
FURTHER STUDY Christ’s Object Lessons, “A Great Gulf Fixed,” pp. 267-269.
99
Living the Life of Faith-1 LESSON 12 ❑ Tuesday March 18 Part 3 Read Romans 12:9-21. In these verses is a series of moral MORAL teachings that deal with a Christian’s relation to others. TEACHINGS “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another” (Rom. 12:9, 10).
As in First Corinthians 12 and 13, after dealing with the gifts of
the Spirit, Paul exalts love. Love (Greek agape) is the more
excellent way. "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Therefore love is the
character of God. To love is to act toward others as God acts, to
treat them as God treats them. The New Testament has two
words in the Greek translated "to love." When distinguished in
meaning, agapao is the love which is principle, whereas philed
is the emotional love that exists between close friends and
between members of a family. Christians are admonished to
agapac3, not to philed. For example, they are admonished to
love their enemies. (See Matt. 5:44.) This is possible because the
word is agapad. Christians are to treat their enemies as God
would treat them. It would be impossible to find toward them the
same strong emotional feeling that one feels, for example,
toward his spouse or his closest friend, and this is not required.
One might raise the question, Are the New Testament dos and
don'ts any easier to keep than the Old Testament moral and
ceremonial regulations? We may not wish to answer this ques-
tion with a direct Yes or No. But several points are worth noting.
1. The reason the Old Testament regulations had become
such a yoke of bondage was that with their traditions the Jews
had so embellished God's simple commands that it became
almost impossible to keep them. Shorn of these embellish-
ments, they are probably no more difficult than the New Testa-
ment precepts.
2. God's salvation and power were available in Old Testa-
ment times by faith just as in New Testament times, although the
Jews were not availing themselves of God's provisions and
hence fell down in moral behavior. (See Romans 2.)
3. While motivations for proper moral behavior might be ex-
pected to be the same in both eras, there is the added factor that
in New Testament times the Messiah had come. He had iden-
tified Himself with the human race. He had given a demonstra-
tion of what God is like. He had paid the infinite price for man's
redemption. These were now accomplished facts instead of
anticipated events. Men found it easier to understand God and
to enter into a personal relationship with Him through Jesus
Christ.
FURTHER STUDY Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, “The Spirituality of the Law” (Matthew 5:17), pp. 49-51.
100 Living the Life of Faith-1 LESSON 12 ❑ Wednesday March 19 Part 4 What is to be the Christian’s attitude toward civil govern- RELATIONSHIP ment? TO GOVERNMENT “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1).
Read Romans 13:1-7. These verses define how a Christian
living the life of faith is to relate himself to the government of the
country in which he resides. He is to accept the civil authority as
God-ordained and should pay his taxes.
For a time after Israel left Egypt their civil laws were dictated
by God and mediated through a prophet—Moses. Today God
has delegated civil authority to the various governments of the
nations. Through them He is attempting to maintain a level of
freedom and protection for individual citizens.
God holds these governments responsible for the way they
administer justice. "Rulers are God's servants, and they are to
serve their time as His apprentices. It is for their good that they
faithfully follow the plain 'Thus saith the Lord,' keeping the way
of the Lord to do justice and judgment. They are to exercise
their powers without partiality and without hypocrisy, refusing
to be bought or sold,,scorning all bribes, and standing in moral
independence and dignity before God. They are not to connive
at one act of dishonesty or injustice."—Ellen G. White Com-
ments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1081.
Christians are to give loyal support to government so long as
its claims do not conflict with the claims of God.
"We are to recognize human government as an ordinance of
divine appointment, and teach obedience to it as a sacred duty,
within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the
claims of God, we must obey God rather than men. God's word
must be recognized as above all human legislation. . . .
"We are not required to defy authorities. Our words, whether
spoken or written, should be carefully considered, lest we place
ourselves on record as uttering that which would make us
appear antagonistic to law and order. We are not to say or do
anything that would unnecessarily close up our way."—The
Acts of the Apostles, p. 69.
THINK IT THROUGH To what extent should the Christian involve himself in poli- tics?
"The Lord would have His people bury political questions. On
these themes silence is eloquence. Christ calls upon His follow-
ers to come into unity on the pure gospel principles which are
plainly revealed in the word of God."—Gospel Workers, p. 391.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 394, 395.
101
Living the Life of Faith-1 LESSON 12 ❑ Thursday March 20 Part 5 In his relationship with fellow human beings, what oblige- RELATIONSHIPS tion rests upon a Christian? TO OTHERS “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law” (Rom. 13:8).
We have already defined the type of love here required. (See
part 3.) It isagapad, the love which is a principle, which one can
make himself exercise. Since God is love, to love our fellow
human beings is to respect and treat them as God respects and
treats them. When we love others, we reflect God's character.
As did Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, Paul here amplifies
the precepts of the law, showing that love must be the motivat-
ing power in law keeping. Since the law is a transcript of the
character of God, and God is love, then to love is to fulfill the
law.
Paul is here not substituting some vague standard of love for
the precisely detailed precepts of the law, as some Christians
claim. Antinomians claim that the law is done away with and that
all the Christian needs to be concerned with is love. But, accord-
ing to Paul, the moral law is still binding. However, as he points
out, it can be truly kept only in the context of love. The love
factor had been largely missing in the Jews' legalistic attitude
toward the law.
Which sample commandments did Paul cite to Illustrate the
principle of love in law keeping? Rom. 13:9, 10.
Interestingly, the love factor was not a newly introduced prin-
ciple. By quoting Leviticus 19:18, "Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself," Paul showed that the principle was an
integral part of the Torah. Again Paul appealed to the Torah for
support for his gospel preaching.
Who besides Paul tied in the command "Love thy neighbour
as thyself" with commands from the second table? Matt.
19:18, 19.
"His [the young ruler's] conception of the law was external
and superficial. Judged by a human standard, he had preserved
an unblemished character. To a great degree his outward life
had been free from guilt; he verily thought that his obedience
had been without a flaw. Yet he had a secret fear that all was not
right between his soul and God."—Christ's Object Lessons, p.
391.
The young ruler's problem was that he loved self more than
his neighbor. "He professed to have kept the commandments,
but he was destitute of the principle which is the very spirit and
life of them all."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 392.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, p. 607.
102 Living the Life of Faith-1 LESSON 12 ❑ Friday March 21 Part 6 To what circumstance did Paul point as calling for urgent MOTIVATION action? FOR RIGHT LIVING “That, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we be- lieved” (Rom. 13:11).
This is one of the few references in the book of Romans to the
nearness of the second advent. (Compare Rom. 16:20.) He has
spoken of "the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous
judgment of God" (Rom. 2:5). He is yet to mention the fact that
"we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ" (Rom.
14:10).
We must not judge from the paucity of references to the
nearness of the second advent that Paul regarded the time of
the advent a matter of minor importance. In the Thessalonian
and the Corinthian letters, for example, he deals with the matter
at some length. But in writing to the Romans he had one major
objective in mind—to clarify the gospel, particularly as it related
to the Jew-Gentile situation.
Paul took for granted that the Roman Christians knew the
time. This suggests that the second advent was an important
feature in New Testament instruction of converts. Speaking of
the coming antichrist, Paul said to the Thessalonian believers,
"Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told [Greek,
"kept tellingl you these things?" (2 Thess. 2:5).
How near did Paul represent the coming of Christ as being?
Rom. 13:12.
"The long night of gloom is trying, but the morning is deferred
in mercy, because if the Master should come, so many would be
found unready. God's unwillingness to have His people perish
has been the reason of so long delay."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p.
194.
"The Lord . . . is soon coming, and we must be ready and
waiting for His appearing. 0, how glorious it will be to see Him,
and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited,
but our hope is not to grow dim. If we can but see the King in His
beauty we shall be forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud:
'Homeward bound!' We are nearing the time when Christ will
come in power and great glory to take His ransomed ones to
their eternal home."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 253.
In the light of the nearness of the end, how is the Christian to
live? Rom. 13:13, 14.
How appropriate in this sensual age is Paul's admonition to
make no "provision for the flesh"!
FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 66-69. 103 LESSON 13 March 23-29
Living the Life o fait -2 “Owe no man any thing, but to love While justification is extremely Ine another: for he that loveth important, it is well to present it in the nother hath fulfilled the law” (Rom. total picture of salvation as Paul does. 3:8). And when the total picture is seen, it will be found to be in harmony with In our concluding lesson it is well to what other writers have said about the urvey the quarter’s lessons and ask a salvation process, even with what ?w questions. We have observed that James says about works and ie basic theme of the book of Romans justification. (See James 2:24.) justification by faith. Time does not permit us to study What had sparked a discussion of Romans 16, in which Phoebe, a servant le subject of justification was the of the church at Cenchrea, a port city Jdaizers’ insistence that Gentile of Corinth, is introduced. She is onverts keep the Mosaic law. believed to have been the bearer of ecause of this insistence, Paul the letter to Rome. After this follows a eeded to define clearly what are the roster of friends to whom Paul sends rounds upon which God accepts a greetings (verses 5-16). There is a final erson. warning concerning “them which Three chapters of the book (3, 4, and cause divisions” (verse 17), doubtless ) deal particularly with justification by the Judaizers, whose arguments Paul with. The first two chapters are has thoroughly answered in his letter. itroductory. From chapter 6 on, In verse 22 Paul’s amanuensis (one such of the discussion centers on who writes from dictation) identifies ictory over sin and proper ethical himself. He is Tertius, of whom ehavior. In our introduction to nothing further is known. ?.sson 7 we explained that while in his With a fitting benediction, to which pistle (as translated in the KJV) Paul we call attention in our lesson for oes not use the word Friday, the epistle closes. It is hoped sanctification,” what theologically is that Sabbath School members this replied in this term receives extended quarter will have been spiritually ttention. If one were to ask which of enriched and will have found that faith he two, justification or sanctification, in Jesus and thatwalk in the Holy Spirit eceives the greater attention, it would which Paul recommends. )e difficult to judge. What one can say that Paul seeks to avoid any possible DAILY HIGHLIGHTS onclusion that his teaching of 1. The Weak Brother ustification by faith gives a person a (Rom. 14:1, 2) Ecense to sin. There were those who 2. Servants of One Master ccused Paul of such a teaching. (Rom. 14:3) The danger always lurks that some 3. All Summoned to Judgment )eople seize strongly upon one idea (Rom. 14:10) End emphasize it out of all proportion. 4. Giving No Offense :ertainly no one studying the Epistle (Rom. 14:15, 21) o the Romans in its entirety can come 5. Observance of Days way with the idea that justification by (Rom. 14:5) aith is the only aspect of salvation. 6. Fitting Benediction (Rom. 15:1) Living the Life of Faith-2 LESSON 13 ❑ Sunday March 23 Part 1 “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful THE WEAK disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: BROTHER another, who is weak, eateth herbs” (Rom. 14:1, 2).
In the context of Romans 14, the one weak in the faith is one
whose conscience is judged by his fellow church members as
overscrupulous. He is anxious to do what is right, and if there is
the least chance that a particular course of action may be
wrong, he avoids it.
Specifically, the subject under consideration is the eating of
meats that may have been sacrificed to idols. The Jerusalem
council (Acts 15) had dealt with this problem: "One was the
problem as to what attitude should be taken toward the use of
meats offered to idols. Many of the Gentile converts were living
among ignorant and superstitious people who made frequent
sacrifices and offerings to idols. The priests of this heathen
worship carried on an extensive merchandise with the offerings
brought to them, and the Jews feared that the Gentile converts
would bring Christianity into disrepute by purchasing that
which had been offered to idols, thereby sanctioning, in some
measure, idolatrous customs."—The Acts of the Apostles, p.
191. The council ruled that Gentile converts should refrain from
using such foods in their diet.
But there was always the question as to whether meats sold in
public markets had come from animals sacrificed to idols. (See
1 Cor. 10:25.) The "strong Christian" wouldn't bother to raise
the question; the overscrupulous Christian, if there were the
slightest doubt, chose to eat vegetables instead.
We should note that the subject under consideration is not
one of vegetarianism versus a flesh diet. This was not a New
Testament issue. Only in comparatively recent times has God
urged vegetarianism upon His people. This dietary peculiarity
must not be superimposed upon the New Testament church.
Nor is Paul implying in this passage that the distinction be-
tween clean and unclean meats has been abolished. This is not
the subject under consideration. The Bible must always be
interpreted in its context, and with reference to what the writer
is talking about. A few words must never be lifted out of the text
by themselves and a meaning placed upon them other than the
author intended them to have. For example, if the words "he
may eat all things" were taken to mean that now any animal,
clean or otherwise, could be eaten, they would be misapplied.
Comparison with other New Testament passages would rule
against such an application. To "receive" one weak in the faith
meant to accord him full membership and social status. He was
not to be argued with, but given the right to his opinion.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 61.
106 Living the Life of Faith-2 LESSON 13 ❑ Monday March 24 Part 2 How was the “strong” Christian to relate to the over- SERVANTS OF scrupulous Christian, and how was the latter to regard the ONE MASTER former?
"Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let
not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath
received him" (Rom. 14:3).
Paul does not speak depreciatingly of the one who is "weak in
the faith." Nor does he give him advice as to how to become
strong. So far as God is concerned, the overscrupulous Chris-
tian (judged overscrupulous apparently not by God but by his
fellow Christians) is accepted. "God hath received him."
What important principle must a Christian constantly bear in
mind? Rom. 14:4.
Here is stated clearly the New Testament principle of the
priesthood of all believers—"to his own master he standeth or
falleth." Each one must go directly to his Master to inquire as to
his duty. No one else must be conscience for him.
Ellen White counsels: "I was shown the danger of the people
of God in looking to Brother and Sister White and thinking that
they must come to them with their burdens and seek counsel of
them. This ought not so to be. They are invited by their compas-
sionate, loving Saviour to come unto Him, when weary and
heavy-laden, and He will relieve them.... Many come to us with
the inquiry: Shall I do this? Shall I engage in that enterprise? Or,
in regard to dress, Shall I wear this or that article? I answer
them: You profess to be disciples of Christ. Study your Bible.
Read carefully and prayerfully the life of our dear Saviour when
He dwelt among men upon the earth. Imitate His life, and you
will not be found straying from the narrow path. We utterly
refuse to be conscience for you. If we tell you just what to do,
you will look to us to guide you, instead of going directly to
Jesus for yourselves."—Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 118, 119.
THINK IT THROUGH What can assure safe guidance for me?
"We are not to place the responsibility of our duty upon
others, and wait for them to tell us what to do. We cannot
depend for counsel upon humanity. The Lord will teach us our
duty just as willingly as He will teach somebody else.... Those
who decide to do nothing in any line that will displease God, will
know, after presenting their case before Him, just what course
to pursue."—The Desire of Ages, p. 668.
FURTHER STUDY S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 719.
107
Living the Life of Faith-2 LESSON 13 ❑ Tuesday March 25 Part 3 What further reason does Paul set forth for not judging or ALL SUMMONED despising a brother? TO JUDGMENT “Why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10).
If Christ is the judge, then what right have I to play that role?
Furthermore, since I must give an account before the judgment
seat of Christ, I do not wish to have recorded against me that
instead of loving my brother I despised and condemned him.
Of what significance is the statement from the Old Testa-
ment that Paul introduces here? Rom. 14:11.
The citation from Isaiah 45:23 supports the thought that all
must appear for judgment. "Every knee" and "every tongue"
individualizes the summons. The implication is that each one
will have to answer for himself (verse 12). No one can answer for
another. This solemn fact should banish any thought of
superiority over, or any desire to "straighten out," an over-
scrupulous brother. There are too many beams in my own eyes
for me to be concerned about the speck in my brother's eye.
Coming back to the subject of meats sacrificed to idols,
what is it that makes the eating of such foods wrong? Rom.
14:14.
The words must be interpreted so as to bring out what the
author meant to say. The subject is still foods sacrificed to idols.
Paul is saying that there is nothing wrong per se in eating such
foods. Elsewhere he points out that this conclusion is based
on the fact that idols do not have a real existence (1 Cor. 8:4, 5).
Not all grasp this fact, Paul told the Corinthians, "for some
with conscience of the idol until this hour eat it as a thing of-
fered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled"
(verse 7).
It is always wrong to violate one's conscience, even an unen-
lightened conscience. This fact the "strong" brethren appar-
ently did not understand. They despised the scrupulosity of the
"weak" brethren and put stumbling blocks in their way.
If the words of Romans 14:14 were taken by themselves with-
out reference to what Paul meant them to say, they could lead to
completely unwarranted conclusions, such as that there is
nothing basically unclean. Think, for example, of the sexual
perversions pointed out in Romans 1:26-29. No one could pos-
sibly conclude that Paul could be meaning there is nothing
basically wrong with any of them, except as a person might have
doubts about them.
FURTHER STUDY The Ministry of Healing, p. 166. 108 Living the Life of Faith-2 LESSON 13 ❑ Wednesday March 26 Part 4 In view of the “weak” brother’s scrupulosity, how was the GIVING NO “strong” brother to modify his conduct? OFFENSE “If thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.” “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak” (Rom. 14:15, 21).
It is interesting to note that the modification Paul suggests is
on the part of the "strong" brother.
In verses 17-20 Paul is trying to put various aspects of Chris-
tianity into proper perspective. While diet is an important as-
pect, Christians ought not to quarrel over the choice on the part
of some to eat vegetables instead of flesh meats possibly sac-
rificed to idols. Instead, they ought to focus on righteousness,
peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
What limits does Paul place on individual independence?
Rom. 14:22, 23.
One can enjoy his independence "before God," having set-
tled it with Him as to what is allowed and what is forbidden. But
"before God" expresses the limit. Before our fellow Christians
we must act with reference to their scruples.
Have you heard someone say, "It is none of anyone's business
what I eat or what I wear or what kind of entertainment I engage
in"? It may be true that it's none of the scrupulous brother's
business. But it is Christ's business. He is concerned about the
scrupulous brother. If, through our independent conduct, the
weak brother "for whom Christ died" is led to violate his con-
science and as a result "perish," sin against Christ is registered
against us. "When ye sin so against the brethren, and wound
their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat
make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world
standeth, lest I make my brother to offend" (1 Cor. 8:12, 13).
THINK IT THROUGH What is the real danger in individual independence?
"There have ever been in the church those who are constantly
inclined toward individual independence. They seem unable to
realize that independence of spirit is liable to lead the human
agent to have too much confidence in himself and to trust in his
own judgment rather than to respect the counsel and highly
esteem the judgment of his brethren."—The Acts of the Apos-
tles, p. 163.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 477, 478.
109
Living the Life of Faith-2 LESSON 13 ❑ Thursday March 27 Pad 5 Over what other matter is the scrupulous brother con- OBSERVANCE cerned? OF DAYS “One man esteemeth one day above another: another es- teemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5).
About what days is Paul speaking? Was there a controversy in
the early church over the observance or nonobservance of
certain days? We get a hint of such a controversy in Galatians
4:9, 10, where Paul berates the Galatian Christians for observ-
ing "days, and months, and times, and years." As we noted in
lesson 2, the Judaizers had persuaded the Galatian Christians
to be circumcised and keep other precepts of the law of Moses.
Paul feared that these Judaizers might harm the Roman church
as well. But perhaps in Rome it was particularly the Jewish
Christian who had a hard time persuading himself that he need
no longer observe the Jewish festivals.
Some Christians, to be on the safe side, decided to observe
one or more of the obsolete Jewish festivals. Paul's counsel is,
Let them do it, if they are persuaded they should.
To bring the weekly Sabbath into Romans 14:5, as some
antisabbatarians do, is unwarranted. Those who introduce the
Sabbath here are arguing from words rather than meaning.
What principle is it that allows for differences in practice
among sincere Christians? Rom. 14:6.
In either case, the Christian is acting with reference to what he
thinks the Lord wants him to do. Verse 6 explains further what is
said in verse 5 about being "fully persuaded." Whether they
observe the day or not, they do so on the basis of what they are
persuaded is the Lord's will in the matter.
What does Paul mean when he says, "None of us liveth to
himself"? Rom. 14:7, 8.
This verse has so long been interpreted to mean that every
person exerts an influence on others that for many people its
contextual meaning has been lost. While it is true that every
person exerts an influence, and that the words of this passage
can be interpreted in that way, what Paul is saying in context is
that no man acts with reference to himself, but with reference to
the Lord. "No man" is here "no true Christian." Such a Christian
does not consult his own mind or his own pleasure as to what to
do, but always the will of the Lord. Whatever he does, he under-
takes because he believes such a course to be the will of the
Lord for him. Paul thus sets forth an important principle by
which a Christian should guide his conduct.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 50. 110 Living the Life of Faith-2 LESSON 13 ❑ Friday March 28 Part 6 How did Paul sum up his counsel concerning mature at- FITTING titudes toward weak Christians? BENEDICTION “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rom. 15:1).
Read also verses 2 and 3. More is here commended than an
attitude of leaving the weak brother alone to believe and act as
he is persuaded he should. Positive action supporting him,
helping him bear his infirmities, pleasing him is enjoined. No
better, example for such positive Christian action can be cited
than Christ, who, instead of pleasing Himself, gave Himself for
others selflessly.
As Paul brought his letter to a close, what varied benedic-
tions did he utter? Rom. 15:5, 6, 13, 33.
The God of patience means the God who helps His children
steadfastly to endure. The word for "patience," hupomone,
means "fortitude," "steadfast endurance." The word for
"consolation" may be translated "encouragement." The God of
encouragement is the God who encourages. The God of hope is
the God who has given hope to mankind. Likewise, the God of
peace is the God who gives peace and in whom one may have
peace.
What a fitting benediction to a letter whose dominant theme is
righteousness by faith—encouragement, hope, peace! How
sorely our present world needs these.
After numerous personal greetings, how did Paul bring his
letter to a close? Rom. 16:25-27.
Paul ends his letter in a glorious ascription of praise to God.
God is the one in whom the Roman Christians and all Christians
can safely put their trust to confirm their standing as redeemed
sons and daughters of God, justified by faith, and now led by the
Spirit of God.
Paul is thrilled to be the herald of such glorious news. He calls
this news his gospel. What he means is the gospel he proclaims.
But what he preaches has been confirmed by the preaching of
Jesus and by the messages of the prophets. It was kept secret,
not because God did not want men to know, but because men
refused light from heaven, preventing God from giving them
further light. Moreover, there were some aspects of the plan that
men would be unable to grasp until the Messiah would come in
human flesh. He gave a demonstration, not only of what God is
like, but also of what man may become by laying hold of divine
power. The new kind of life would be one of "obedience of
faith," that is, obedience, or godlikeness, springing from faith,
the true motivating power.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 604-606. 111 for 2nd darh€380 Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult Lessons for the second quarter of 1980 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first two lessons. Title of the series is “The Witness of Jesus.”
First Lesson
JESUS, THE FAITHFUL AND TRUE WITNESS.
Memory text, Rev. 1:17, 18.
1. The Faithful and True Witness (Rev. 1:5; 3:14)
2. Witness of Truth (John 18:37)
3. The Witness of God (1 John 5:9-12)
4. The Power of God
5. True Words of God (Rev. 19:9; 21:5; 22:6; 2 Tim. 3:16)
6. Blessed Is He That Reads, Hears, and Keeps (Rev. 1:3)
Second Lesson
THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS. Memory text, Rev. 12:17.
1. The Testimony of Jesus (Rev. 1:2, 9)
2. The Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:9)
3. The Spirit of Prophecy (Rev. 19:10)
4. The Gift of Prophecy (Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Cor. 12:28)
5. The Remnant Church (Rev. 12:17)
6. Write to the Seven Churches (Rev. 1:11)
Lessons in Braille The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month in Braille and 162/3 rpm records to blind and physically handicapped persons who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth, cannot hold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.
112 The Impossible Dream. See the 13-minute film “Montemorelos, the Miracle University” and judge for yourself.
Catch the excitement of this growing uni- versity in your own church. Contact your conference Sabbath School director for information.
This Thirteenth Sabbath give a liberal offer- ing and help make the dream come true. “Where can I get an EASY-TO-REAI lesson booklet like yours? I like that
Just have the church lay activities secretor order a subscription for the EASY-TO-REAi SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONS for you persona and it will come on a regular quarterly basis
Please send subscrip- tions for the Easy-to-Read Sab- bath School Lessons at $5.60 per year to U.S. addresses, Name $7.00 per year to addresses out- side U.S. Street
Order through your local church City lay activities secretary or your Adventist Book Center. This price effective until December State (Province) Zip 31, 1980. When Moses climbed MtSinai came down a free man. GOD. WROTE rithir
Nhen God gave Moses stone tablets, He gave n something else too: edom. \low, in his compelling, Nocative new book, )d ‘s Finger Wrote ‘edom, Dr. James idis shows how )d’s laws have us all free. Not Aricted us. ,ondis’ fresh ap- oach to the Ten pmnnandments a liberating, tsitive force Christian ontaneity is portant read- ) in these times of disillu- mment with legal structures. To order your r For mail orders send coupon and check or money order to: pies, fill out the ABC MAILING SERVICE, upon provided, P.O. Box 37485, Omaha, Nebraska 68137 (In Canada: ABC MAILING SERVICE, contact your Box 398, Oshawa, Ontario L11-17L5) cal Adventist Please send me, copies of “God’s Finger Wrote Freedom’: Jok Center. Enclosed is US$3.95 for each copy. (Add a minimum of 75< or 10% of your order to cover postage and handling. Also include state sales tax where applicable.) Name Address City State Zip INTER-AMERICAN Completion of Medical Center DIVISION Montemorelos University BAHAMAS 0 5’ • TURKS and 44 •• CAICOS ISLANDS • • so* PUERTO • RICO ….. „ • p-GUADELOUPE •• • CUBA . REP • • ISLANDS 0-MARTINIQUE HAITI 0-BARBADOS JAMAICA -•C;3 ST. VINCENT 41„, MEXICO GRENADAS • a-TOBAGO CARIBBEAN BELIZE 40 0TRINIDAD GUATEMALA 0._ HONDURAS SURINAM
NICARAGUA
PACIFIC OCEAN SALVADOR COSTA RICA
Church S.S. GUYANA FRENCH
Unions Population Church., Members Members GUIANA ,.. Division I 83 83
PANAMA , [3 Antillian I 8,850,000 342 50,014 84,455
Caribbean 3.200,979 323 83,250 88,256
, Central American 20,792,471 335 88,320 57,787
Colombia-Venezuela 36,534,192 308 70,858 80,297 If ;,Franco-Haitian 8,477,000 229 83,241 100,767 _ Mexican 65,955,546 358 109,774 151,997
'West Indies 2,156,775 446 99,803 103,899 ,11SDA Church In Cuba 8.300,000 108 9,139 12,000
DIVISION TOTALS 152,276,983 2,448 552,282 639,541
(Figures as of September 1978)