Commentary on "Paul and Rome"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 3: Monday, June 28, 2010 - Personal Touch

 

Overview

The lesson theme for today is centered around Rom. 15:20, 21 where Paul shares his desire to come to Rome. But, up to now, has been hindered from doing so. After spending some time in Rome, it is his expressed intention to continue on to Spain with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. First however, he must go to Jerusalem to deliver an offering of aid provided by the saints of Macedonian and Achaia.

 

Observations

Jumping to chapter 15 and looking at Paul’s desire and motive for wanting to come to Rome doesn’t really enhance our understanding of any of the great themes of Paul’s epistle. Our understanding would be better served if we were to make a sequential, verse by verse and chapter by chapter study of his message. Also, the presentation of the doctrine of ‘The Righteous Shall Live by Faith’ would have been complete even if Paul had never succeeded in reaching Rome.

On the positive side, there are some good observations made concerning Paul’s reasons for wanting to come to Rome. When we turn to the teachers notes we find this interesting statement under the heading; “Key Concept for Spiritual Growth”:

”Like Paul, who preached Christ and His righteousness by letter, in person, and in chains, the mission of our lives should be the health and progress of the worldwide church.”

 

Health?

This appears to be in reference to the Adventist health message.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.( I Tim. 4:1-5 ESV)

And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.” (Mark 7:18-20 ESV)

Adventist teaching includes a ‘health message’ as part of their version of the gospel which is a non-gospel, Gal. 1:6, 7. As the above passages clearly show, this is not biblical and unrelated to the righteousness provided by Jesus Christ.

 

Progress?

God moves mightily when we surrender any idea of our becoming perfect through our own power or works and instead accept the only source of perfection and righteousness, that of Jesus Christ which he imputes into our lives.

‘Progress of the worldwide church’ is a mythical concept not supported by Scripture. The promises of God will be fulfilled by our righteous Lord and Savior and no one else. The righteousness of Jesus Christ is fully intact even when we fail him. The return of our Savior has been determined by God the Father and is not accelerated or hindered by the actions of mankind.

 

Summary

1. Jumping to chapter 15 and learning of the desire and reasons for Paul wanting to come to Rome does not enhance our understanding without first having studied the preceding chapters. Furthermore, even if Paul had never arrived in Rome, our understanding of the teachings contained within this epistle would have been just as complete.
2. The phrase; "the health and progress of the worldwide church", contains two myths being taught as doctrine by the Adventist denomination. While God certainly desires our spiritual growth which the bible calls ‘sanctification’, the health message and the supposed progress of the worldwide church are not part of this. The faith of Abraham, or for that matter, the faith of Job was not founded upon their own perfection, good works or righteousness. They both failed yet their faith in God as the source of their faith remained intact.

 

GO TO DAY 4

 

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