Welcomed In

“From Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God. This gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, concerning his Son who was a descendant of David with reference to the flesh, who was appointed the Son-of-God-in-power according to the Holy Spirit by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we have received grace and our apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles on behalf of his name. You also are among them, called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all those loved by God in Rome, called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!” Romans 1:1-7 NET

Paul opens his letter with a powerful declaration, identifying himself as a devoted slave of Christ Jesus. He humbly sets aside any credit for his status as a Pharisee, despite the extensive training he received under Gamaliel, which positioned him as a master rabbi in the Sanhedrin and bestowed upon him considerable influence. He considers all of this as nothing compared to the privilege of knowing and sharing Jesus with others.

What makes Paul's message revolutionary is its focus on the Gentile population. God spoke directly to him about the urgent mission of restoring the disenfranchised nations—those outside the Jewish community—back to Himself. Paul’s message is taken directly from Deuteronomy 32. He boldly proclaims that Jesus Christ is not merely the Messiah for the Jews but is, in fact, the Savior for all humanity. This transformative message, powerfully presented in his opening lines, makes the book of Romans unique and profoundly significant, particularly for non-Jews.

The apostles were the early church disciples with the extraordinary privilege of meeting Jesus face-to-face and walking alongside Him. While Paul was not one of the original twelve, he underwent a remarkable transformation following a powerful encounter with Jesus on his journey to Damascus. (Acts 9) Initially intent on discrediting Jesus, this pivotal moment not only changed the course of his life but also introduced him to the very figure he had sought to eliminate from the Jewish community. The significance of this experience was profound; Paul was personally taught by Jesus Himself, as revealed in Galatians 1:11-17, during a three-year stay in Arabia and Damascus before beginning his ministry.

Paul's self-identification as an apostle is truly astonishing. His encounter with Jesus was unlike any other, setting him apart from the original twelve apostles; it took place through a profound personal revelation. In this extraordinary experience, Jesus not only taught Paul for three years in Arabia but also unveiled the depths of scripture, which Paul viewed as a legitimate qualification for his apostleship. He fervently believed that he had been chosen by Jesus to proclaim the gospel to those beyond the borders of Israel. This divine calling was unprecedented and unique, unlike anything that had occurred before, and Paul stood at the epicenter of this transformative mission, inspiring countless others with his unwavering commitment and passion for Jesus.

Paul's remarkable self-sufficiency exemplified his resourcefulness and determination. He was uniquely chosen to proclaim the gospel of God, a sacred mission entrusted to him by Jesus Himself. With his exceptional skills as a tentmaker, he diligently earned his own living, ensuring he did not place a burden on those he encountered. Yet, his true calling and life's work lay in passionately preaching the gospel and planting churches. This vital mission was further empowered by the loyal support of individuals God brought into his life.

If Paul had been a boxer, the knockout combination of his message would consist of his powerful declaration of his calling and a profound definition of who Jesus is, clearly articulated in the early verses. Paul boldly asserts that the gospel was promised long ago, revealing Jesus as the fulfillment foretold by the prophets in the holy scriptures. He presents Jesus from two compelling angles: on one hand, as a descendant of David, a tangible human figure; and on the other, as the Son of God, exalted in power through the Holy Spirit by His resurrection from the dead. This remarkable dual nature of Jesus is a cornerstone of Paul’s message, illuminating his identity and the true essence of who Jesus is.

Paul does not seek personal recognition in his message; instead, he aims to inspire a shared sense of apostleship among his audience, rooted in his experience with Jesus. By referring to it as “our” apostleship, he passionately invites his listeners to encounter Jesus in the same transformative way he did and to receive their unique calling directly from Jesus. At the heart of Paul's message is the powerful theme of grace, the very force through which we are saved and empowered to fulfill our divine purpose. He firmly believes that God, in His vast greatness, is poised to expand His church and reach others in the same direct and impactful way that Jesus reached out to him.

Paul opens with the declaration, “to those loved by God in Rome, called to be saints,” a powerful affirmation that reveals God’s heart is now wide open to the Gentiles. After generations of exclusion that began with the Tower of Babel, during which many were distanced from the true God of creation, God is now actively drawing all people back to Himself through Jesus, restoring their connection with their creator. This profound truth is at the core of Paul’s message, which is why he dedicates significant attention to acknowledging that these Gentiles in Rome are indeed called to be saints— a remarkable opportunity that was previously beyond their reach. Paul enthusiastically praises his audience as God’s chosen ones, mirroring the call he himself received from Jesus, thus reinforcing the breathtaking inclusivity of God's grace.

Stephen Barnett