A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER?
Romans - Preface

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Structure of Romans

1. Chapters 1 – 11 – What God has done in Christ
2. Chapters 12 – 16 – What Christ is doing in the church

Romans 13

• Be subject to the authorities
• Pay tribute and honor
• Love your neighbor
• Wait for the Day of Salvation

Paul’s Worldview

Paul - Ancients Social Order is natural It does not change It is divinely instituted Can be good or bad

Moderns – Us Social Order is reasonable It is changeable It answers to the governed Should be good

POLITICAL CHANGE

• Rome in the mid-50’s
  • A young and ambitious leader
  • Oct. 13, 54
  • Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus
  • Nero

Why So Hopeful?

1. Caligula claimed he was a god and put his statue in the Jerusalem Temple
2. Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome (Acts 18)
3. Only 16, Nero was tutored and advised by sensible men

Jew and Gentile in Rome

• Jewish Christians returning from exile
• Possible tensions
• Jew and Gentile heritage linked (Rom 9-11)
• Christ is the story that matters most (Romans 8)

Chris Benjamin

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Evening Sermon, 2 November 2008

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