OC Bereans

Gentlemen,

During last night’s study, we learned from the Scottish commentator, William Barclay, about the significance of this passage of Scripture:

“There is no passage of the New Testament which has had such an influence on theology as this passage … “

He went on to summarize these ten verses:

“By the sin of Adam all men became sinners and were alienated from God; by the righteousness of Jesus Christ all men become righteous and are restored to a right relationship with God.” (see 1 Corinthians 15:21)

We learned that justification does not make a person righteous.  It means that before God’s holy court, a lost sinner is now declared righteous, but his heart has not been changed.  God also has a plan in salvation whereby He not only declares a sinner righteous, but He is also going to make a sinner righteous.  God provides a way for a sinner to grow in grace and become sanctified (set apart) for God.  From this passage, through chapter 8, Paul details this ongoing, daily process of sanctification.  Finally, upon our physical death, or His return, we then enter the state of glorification … may He hasten His return!

We also discussed in detail at least four ways in which we are sinners:

1. We are sinners by nature.
2. We are in a state of sin.  God has declared the entire human family under sin.
3. We are sinners by imputation (Romans 5:13).
4. We commit acts of sin.

There are nine, separate words for sin in the New Testament.  Paul employs three of them in this chapter:

• hamarti’a = to miss the mark (vv. 8, 12, 13, 14, 16, 21)
• para’ptoma (transgression) = a falling alongside, or a deviation from the right path (vv. 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
• parakoe’ (disobedience) = to hear alongside, or a failing to hear, to hear amiss; or inattentive or careless hearing; therefore, failing to listen when God is speaking (v. 19; cf., Jeremiah 11:10)

We concluded last night’s study by answering the question:  “What was God’s original intention for the Law?”

The Law was never intended to provide salvation, but to convince people of their need for it; to eliminate any ability of man to rationalize away his sin nature.  We itemized six reasons:

1. To point out and magnify sin
2. To make men more aware of sin
3. To give men a greater knowledge of sin
4. To stir more conviction over sin
5. To increase the fact and awareness of sin more and more
6. To make men more responsible for their sin

Finally, I added to the “Media Drop Box” the handout on “Why Do Christians Have Trials?”

Roc is hosting a Memorial Day barbecue at his new home so we can pray over the house … we start at 5 pm!  Directions will be emailed to you.

See you there and then!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Instead of adding more study questions for next week’s conclusion of Romans 5:12-21, I thought you might enjoy reading J.B. Phillips’ paraphrase of James 1:2-8, one of the cross references to Romans 5:3-5, where we learn that “tribulations” produce “perseverance,” which in turn creates “proven character,” which ultimately leads to “hope.”

J.B. Phillips was a Bible translator, writer and clergyman who grew up in England during the early part of the 2oth Century (1906-1982).  He felt that the language in the Authorized Version (KJV) was archaic and unintelligible to young children.

Check out his rendering of James 1:2-8 —

“When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!  Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance.  But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence.”

“And if, in the process, any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem, he has only to ask God — who gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty — and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him.  But he must ask in sincere faith without secret doubts as to whether he really wants God’s help or not.  The man who trusts God, but with inward reservations, is like a wave of the sea, carried forward by the wind one moment and driven back the next.  That sort of man cannot hope to receive anything from God, and the life of a man of divided loyalty will reveal instability at every turn.”

Next Monday’s study will begin with dessert at 7 pm … see you then!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Since we only got through verse 2, of Romans chapter 5, last week, questions 2 through 8 from last week’s post still apply (scroll down the page).  Plus, four additional questions are listed here to aid your preparation for this Monday’s study:

1. How is Adam a “type” of Jesus?  (v. 14)
2. There appear to be six “mathematical formulas” showing comparisons in vv. 15-21 … can you identify these?
3. The N.T. uses 9 different words for “sin” … Paul employs 3 of these in this chapter … can you identify them?
4. What was God’s original intention for the Law?  (vv. 20-21)

An updated handout on chapter 5, including these questions, has been uploaded to the “Media Drop Box.”

Jon is bringing the dessert, which will be served at 7 pm … the study begins shortly after that!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Remember, whenever you see the word, “therefore” in Paul’s letters, stop and ask: “What’s it there … for?!”

Here are eight questions to aid your preparation for Monday night’s study of Romans chapter 5:

1. Paul identifies several consequences of our justification by faith in this chapter.  How many can you identify?
2. What produces hope?
3. Describe our “pre-salvation” condition in v. 6.
4. Think of an example to illustrate v. 7.
5. How would you differentiate between “reconciled” and “saved” in v. 10?
6. Who is this “one man” in v. 12?
7. Define “imputed.”  (v. 13)
8. Re-write v. 16 in your own words.

Download the handout for this study at the “Media Drop Box” located at the right-side toolbar, under “Bible Study Tools.”

Dessert is served at 7 pm … the study starts shortly after that.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Here are additional questions to help us unpack our study of Romans chapter 4.  These focus specifically on vv. 14-25.

1. How does the Law “bring about wrath”? (v. 15)
2. What O.T. promise/verse is fulfilled in vv. 16-17?
3. The NASB translates an unusual phrase by Paul in v. 18: “In hope against hope …” What does this mean?
4. Paul seems to describe in vv. 19-21 a sequence of events within Abraham’s faith.  What are the components?
5. In which verse do we enter the discussion?
6. Why does Paul connect the resurrection of Jesus to His death? (vv. 24-25).

An updated handout on chapter 4, including these questions, has been uploaded to the “Media Drop Box.”

Carl is scheduled to bring another one (or two?) of his wife’s “award-winning desserts” … you will want to arrive by 7 pm … BEFORE it’s all gone!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Before we answer that question, here is the quote that Bill shared last Monday from his “Bible Study Fellowship” notes on the significance of “propitiation” (3:25):

“Although propitiation means turning the wrath of God aside, in the Bible this is never presented as human beings appeasing God’s wrath.  Rather, God Himself satisfies His wrath through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.  In pagan rituals, sacrifices were made by people trying to placate God.  This was their error.  In Christianity, it is never we who take the initiative, or make the sacrifice.  It is God who makes the way by which His wrath may be averted.  Indeed He Himself is that way in Jesus.”

In fact, we saw that Jesus is everything for our salvation:

• The “lid of expiation” or mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:17).
• The high priest who enters the “Holy of Holies” to offer the atoning sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:11).
• The “sacrificial lamb” slain in our place (Revelation 5:12).
• The actual blood of this sacrifice (Hebrews 9:14).

As we begin our study of Romans chapter 4, here are questions to help you prepare:

1. Why does Paul introduce Abraham to the discussion in v. 1?
2. What O.T. scripture is quoted in v. 3?
3. How was Abraham saved?
4. Describe the transaction of v. 5 in your own words.
5. Why does Paul introduce David to the discussion in v. 6?
6. What scripture is quoted in vv. 7 & 8?
7. Read the historical/biblical context for vv. 9-12 in Genesis 11:26 – 17:27.
8. Where is the “promise” of v. 13 found?

Download the handout for this study at the “Media Drop Box” located at the right-side toolbar, under “Bible Study Tools.”

Brent’s daughters are baking a special “OC Bereans” cake! … which will be served at 7 pm.

We also have a special guest and video presentation that will be shown shortly after 7, with the study starting after that.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

To help us focus in on Romans 3:21-31, here are several prep questions … three from the last post … the rest are new.

1. Before you begin, review the outline for Romans we discussed in our introduction to the book.
2. Remember that Paul began his discourse with the good news of Romans 1:16-17.  Why is this “good news”?
3. Unpack in more detail the meaning of the word “believe” in v. 22.
4. What does it mean to “fall short of the glory of God”? (v. 23)
5. Define “redemption.” (v. 24)
6. Define “propitiation.” What O.T. event was a metaphor for this? (v. 25)
7. Cite suitable cross-references from Paul’s letters for v. 27.
8. How is the Law “established” by faith? (v. 31)

Bob J. is bringing the dessert, which will be served at 7 pm … the study starts shortly after that!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Our Monday night study continues to grow numerically … let’s all match that in our personal spiritual growth!  The following questions for Romans 3:1-31 should help prepare us for our time together.

In addition, you may want to listen to this chapter.  Two options are available in the “Bible Study Tools” section of the right-side toolbar.  You can either listen via your computer to six different English versions, or you can download an mp3 of each chapter, burn it to a CD, then listen in your car.

1. Why are these natural questions for Paul’s audience to ask? (v. 1)
2. What does it mean to be “entrusted with the oracles of God”? (v. 2)
3. Describe a time in your life when you felt like your unbelief nullified God’s faithfulness. (v. 3)
4. What O.T. passage is Paul quoting in v. 4?
5. What does Paul mean by his hypothetical statement in v. 5?
6. What O.T. passage is quoted in vv. 10-12?
7. What O.T. passages are quoted in v. 13?
8. What O.T. passage is quoted in v. 14?
9. What O.T. passage is quoted in vv. 15-17?
10. What O.T. passage is quoted in v. 18?
11. Define “redemption.” (v. 24)
12. Define “propitiation.” What O.T. event was a metaphor for this? (v. 25)
13. Cite suitable cross-references from Paul’s letters for v. 27.

Download the handout for this study at the “Media Drop Box” located at the right-side toolbar, under “Bible Study Tools.”

Dessert is served at 7 pm, with the study starting minutes after that!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Use these questions to help prepare for Monday night’s study:

1. Who, specifically, is Paul now focused on in this section?
2. In what specific elements did the Jews place their pride? (vv. 18-20)
3. In vv. 21-23, how/why were these people guilty of stealing, adultery, etc.?
4. From where in the O.T. is Paul quoting? (v. 21)
5. What is “circumcision” and why is it significant?
6. What is “circumcision of the heart”?  What is the O.T. basis for this? (v. 29)

Download the handout for this study at the “Media Drop Box” located at the right-side toolbar, under “Bible Study Tools.”

Dessert is served at 7 pm, with the study starting minutes after that!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Here are prep questions for next Monday’s study of Romans 2:1-16.

1. Paul employs a distinct writing style in this chapter, which he repeats throughout his letter.  Can you identify it?
2. What does Paul mean by the last phrase in v. 1?
3. What effect should God’s grace have on humanity?
4. From where does Paul derive the quote in v. 6?
5. Does v. 7 indicate a “salvation by works”?
6. Can you identify suitable cross-references for v. 11?
7. What is the “take-away” principle of v. 12?
8. On what O.T. passage is the truth of v. 15 based?

Download the handout for this study at the “Media Drop Box” located at the right-side toolbar, under “Bible Study Tools.”

Dessert is served at 7 pm, with the study starting minutes after that!

~ tr