Here we are at Lesson Two on The First Chapter of Romans. My hope for those of you following this study is that after last week you have realized you were not called to be Paul. But you were called by God to do and be something specific. Once you figure out what that is you need to go after it with all the zeal and persistence Paul went after his calling of Apostleship. One of the most important decisions we will make is what job or career to pursue. We should always do our very best in whatever God has laid before us.
Let’s pick up this lesson in verse 5. Paul again talks of his authority. It is through Christ who Paul received his calling and authority. I had this discussion the other day about who calls Elders and Apostles to their position in the church. In reality God calls both but the way the calling is manifest is completely different. I am an Elder at my church and I was called by God but I just couldn’t walk into the church and say “God has called me to be an Elder, when is the next meeting”? The other Elders had to pray and God revealed my name to them and then they checked my qualifications (1 Timothy and Titus) and had to ask me if I felt God’s call. An Apostle receives the call straight from God; the Greek word for Apostle is from the verb “to send”. An Apostle is one sent from God as His representative. If you turn to Matthew chapter 10 you will see in verse one Jesus calls them disciples and “sends” them out. In the very next verse they are called Apostles.
There is a debate today over whether or not there are still Apostles. Some churches say no, some say yes. There is even a debate as to how many Apostles there were in the Bible. There was the original 12 and then minus Judas, plus add in Matthias, who replaced Judas (Acts 1:26). Paul is an Apostle, as is James, Jesus’ brother. Barnabas, Andronicus, and Junias are called Apostles and it is implied of Silas. Epaphroditus is called “messenger’ in Philippians 2:25 but the Greek word used is Apostle. Also in Luke 10:1 Christ sends out the 70 and the Greek word apostle is used again. 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11 talk of God appointing Apostles to the church. I believe the Apostles of today are those who God sends to start churches and ministries. One thing is for sure if someone calls themselves an Apostle it will be evident in their lifestyle and in their anointing of the Holy Spirit.
The rest of verse 5 talks of his (Paul) and all Apostles mission which is to take the Gospel to all the nations. Some versions say “Gentiles” others say “all nations”. Then we see the reason for this, His name’s sake. Everything we do is to glorify God. That is why if you ever see anybody drawing more attention to themselves then God, run the other way. It is never about man and always about God.
In verse 6 we see Paul say “and this includes you”. What he is saying is the church in Rome was the results of those out spreading the Gospel message. They answered the call and when the Bible speaks of “the called” it is just another way of saying “saint”. What exactly is the call? I think John 3:16 is the most basic version of this call. God so loved the world that He sent His Son so that whosoever believes, that is the call, to “whosoever”, not a select group, not Jews only, but to “whosoever”. There is also the General Revelation call that we will talk about later in this study.
Return to The First Chapter of Romans