In this opening passage of Romans, Paul gives the credentials for three things- himself, the gospel, and the Christ- before he really begins the meat of his letter. In verses 1,6, & 7, Paul speaks of his authority and life purpose. He is a servant (1) of Jesus Christ. He no longer acts according to his own will, plan, and desires, but he works our the will of the Father. He speaks of his authority be calling himself an apostle (1) or a sent one. He had seen Jesus post- Resurrection and was given a mission to be "separated unto the gospel." His whole life was about spreading the good news. In 6& 7, he broadens the scope to include the readers of his letter. He says that they are also called of God. The same authority that was placed on Paul also resides over my life. I have been separated unto the gospel and have been called to be a servant of Christ.
Next, he gives credit to the gospel of God to which he had been sanctified. He says that even the Old Testament bears witness of Christ and confirms the gospel message. None of the writers of the New Testament invented any part of Christ. The gospel was prepared before man ever came to the planet...before there ever was a planet! This stamp of validity on the gospel also adds credibility to Paul's ministry.
He then moves on to the credentials of the focus of the gospel- Jesus. He first says that Jesus is God's Son. This gave Jesus power in heaven and on earth "according to the spirit of holiness." Christ had the power to do all to the glory of God and nothing to the detriment of this holiness. An example lies in the temptation in the wilderness. Satan tempted Him to use His power against this holiness, so Jesus had to refuse. There is nothing in Him to defy holiness. This perfect power was made concrete by his Resurrection. The Resurrection of Jesus was the final stamp of approval fro His Father in His First Appearing. This same power is the working force behind the grace and calling we've received, thus adding validity to the gospel and to the authority of the saints. This power works in us the same way it worked in our Savior- unto holiness. We are obedient to the faith through His power so that all nations may know His name.
Last Paul's credit to Christ is that He was made of the seed of David according to the flesh. The first connection gives him a relation to Divine power by being God's Son. This second connection gives him a relationship to human frailty. We have a High Priest Who has been touched with our infirmities. He relates specifically to the Jewish frail system by specifically being from the lineage of David, which adds to his credibility as being Messiah. Paul opens the relation to all men when he added "according to the flesh." We follow a Savior that was not only 100% God, but he was also 100% man. He bore our sin, shame, and sentence on Himself and felt every bit of that human frailty. Because of that, I can come to Him more freely. He is not only a Jesus who has Divine power, but He is my Jesus who feels my hurt. I may partake in the power and the humanity of my Savior. This Savior calls His servants, sanctifies His gospel message, and displays His own credentials for Lordship in my life.
Next, he gives credit to the gospel of God to which he had been sanctified. He says that even the Old Testament bears witness of Christ and confirms the gospel message. None of the writers of the New Testament invented any part of Christ. The gospel was prepared before man ever came to the planet...before there ever was a planet! This stamp of validity on the gospel also adds credibility to Paul's ministry.
He then moves on to the credentials of the focus of the gospel- Jesus. He first says that Jesus is God's Son. This gave Jesus power in heaven and on earth "according to the spirit of holiness." Christ had the power to do all to the glory of God and nothing to the detriment of this holiness. An example lies in the temptation in the wilderness. Satan tempted Him to use His power against this holiness, so Jesus had to refuse. There is nothing in Him to defy holiness. This perfect power was made concrete by his Resurrection. The Resurrection of Jesus was the final stamp of approval fro His Father in His First Appearing. This same power is the working force behind the grace and calling we've received, thus adding validity to the gospel and to the authority of the saints. This power works in us the same way it worked in our Savior- unto holiness. We are obedient to the faith through His power so that all nations may know His name.
Last Paul's credit to Christ is that He was made of the seed of David according to the flesh. The first connection gives him a relation to Divine power by being God's Son. This second connection gives him a relationship to human frailty. We have a High Priest Who has been touched with our infirmities. He relates specifically to the Jewish frail system by specifically being from the lineage of David, which adds to his credibility as being Messiah. Paul opens the relation to all men when he added "according to the flesh." We follow a Savior that was not only 100% God, but he was also 100% man. He bore our sin, shame, and sentence on Himself and felt every bit of that human frailty. Because of that, I can come to Him more freely. He is not only a Jesus who has Divine power, but He is my Jesus who feels my hurt. I may partake in the power and the humanity of my Savior. This Savior calls His servants, sanctifies His gospel message, and displays His own credentials for Lordship in my life.
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