The Just Shall Live by Faith
“Paul’s Hall of Fame”
Romans 16:1-27
The hallmark of an effective church is its ability to maintain unity in the midst of diversity and adversity.
- The marks of diversity in the church at Rome included their:
- Different Status–they were from all levels of society.
- Different Race–they were from all cultural backgrounds.
- the marks of unity in the church at Rome included:
- “In Christ,” used four times.
- “In the Lord,” used five times.
- “Fellow worker,” “Fellow sufferer,” and “Beloved,” used several times.
- Beloved means: “Loved with Agape love.”
- What drew them together as a church family was what they believed about Jesus, and that is called doctrine.
- What a Christian believes about the doctrines of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Bible, is called theology.
- Jude referred to it as “the faith,” that body of truth that was once and for all delivered to the saints.
- In the book of Romans alone, Paul explained:
- God’s plan for man’s redemption–i.e., salvation by grace alone, through man’s faith alone, and in Christ alone, plus nothing!
- God’s purpose for the Church–how it is to operate, the gifts of the Holy Spirit that have been given to every believer to carry out those functions.
- God’s call upon every believer–to see that the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed in every area of the world.
- In Romans 16, the Apostle Paul showed us how to build up the Body of Christ by being united in our faith in Christ.
- Receive those who are greatly used of God–as illustrated in the life and ministry of Phebe–vs 1-2.
- Great those who show hospitality–as illustrated in the ministry of Priscilla and Aquilla–vs 3-4.
- Salute those who are new converts–as illustrated by Epenetus–vs 5.
- Greet those whose labor greatly assists those in leadership–as illustrated by Mary, Urbane, Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis–vs 6, 9, 12.
- Salute those who are willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel–as illustrated by Andonicus and Junia and Apelles–vs 7, 10.
- Recognize those who are beloved in the Lord–as illustrated by Amplias, Stachys, Persis, Rufus and his mother–vs 8, 9, 12, 13.
- Welcome those who are not in the same social status as others–as illustrated by the household of Aristobulus, and the household of Narcissus–vs 10,11.
- Receive those who are faithful in their attendance–as illustrated in the unknown servants–vs 14-16.
- Greet those who are relatives of those who are serving the Lord–as illustrated by Herodion–vs 11.
- Greet on another with a holy kiss–which is a kiss on both cheeks.
- Note those who cause divisions and avoid them–vs 17.
- The word doctrine (didaskalia) is translated as the “act of teaching”–1 Timothy 4:6-8.
- Genesis to Malachi–Christ was concealed yet there is the promise of a Messiah to come Who will provide salvation for lost man.
- Matthew to Revelation–Christ is revealed as the Savior sent from God to save us from our sins.
- Should anyone enter the church with any other doctrine, they should be “accursed”–to be banished from the fellowship and cast into the hands of Satan for destruction.
- Value what is good–(that which has been helpful to you in building your faith)
Paul said:
- Because you have been obedient to what you have been taught up to now.
- Because you have continued to be wise unto that which is good–yet sensitive to that which is evil.
- God is going to give you victory over Satan very soon.
“IF THE TRUTH BE FORSAKEN FOR ANY REASON, THE UNITY AND
PURITY OF THE CHURCH FELLOWSHIP WILL NOT LAST!”
According to 2 Timothy 4:1-5,
the most desperate need
in the church today is
sound doctrine!
