Romans Chapter - 15.
Receive one another as
Christ received us to His Glory.
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I am a retired pastor of
the Church of God (Tennessee).
My name is Isaac Livingston. I am
from Neyyoor India. |
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Email:
Pastor True Gospel
Preface
In this chapter we see a few status of people in Christianity. One status is a disciple or
an
apostle of God. Another level is of very zealous people in the
structure of church, its administration, etc. They appear to be very
dedicated to God, but they are like the old
testament Pharisees. Another is of very sincere believers, who are guided by the
Holy Spirit in their life, and they are interested in Spiritual matters.
Next status is of new believers. They are vulnerable since they do not know the
truth. Another group will attend church services, just for social and
religious reasons and benefits.
Since the church has different levels of people, we must bear with
each other, and encourage others also to grow in the Spirit. Jesus Christ did not condemn them, but
advised them,
may be with a rebuke. But he cut off the hypocrite fake religious people.
And we must see and know about our fellow believers, but
we must learn from Jesus Christ and follow his ways. We must not follow
other people, even they appear okay.
Old testament began with Abraham and his descendants on one side, and all the
rest of the world on the other side. They are Jews and Gentiles. A few times
Gentiles were also called as Greeks. Jesus Came to his own people
the Jews, but they rejected him. It was proof that Jews hated Jesus and God, but
they loved their religious set up and its power. They were rebellious hypocrites
and are
against God. Then they killed Jesus on the cross. And Jesus in turn, nailed the
old commands and laws with its ordinances on the cross, and much more. "
Colossians
2:14
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was
contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"
God made the old covenant with its promises void. God removed the old set up
with the laws, the temple, sacrifices, the celebration of the feast days,
sabbath days, and all of the old. Bur the old testament in the bible remains,
not to apply to new testament believers, but for us to know the history, the
principles of God, and the ways of God. God made the Jews and the Gentiles as
one people, and so there will be no more two group of people for the purpose of
God. It is in
"Ephesians
2:13 But
now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of
Christ.
14 For
he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of
partition between us;
15
Having
abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in
ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;"
God made the new covenant for the new testament people, but it will apply to the
Holy Spirit guided people only. "Hebrews
8:13 In
that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which
decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." So, from now on there are no more Jews and Gentiles as we had it
until the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They both are made one as in
the new testament.
Instead of receiving the One made by Jesus Christ, our churches and the
administration, still teach the division
of Jews and Gentiles, and the division of Christians and non-Christians. At
present Christians take the place of Jews, and make
non-Christians take the place of Gentiles, where as Jesus want to keep all
peoples as one for the new covenant.
The scriptures are written for our learning, that we may glorify God as one
people, and Jesus Christ may reign over us even in this world. However, God's
division will be as good people and evil people, but not as Christians and
non-Christians. The church supposed to preach this message instead of preaching
that we Christians go to heaven because we are born with the
grace of God, and non-Christians will not have grace. This is a lie. As long as we have this
division, it is proof that Jesus Christ is not in us, because if Jesus Christ is
in us, he will make us as one, not as two. Jews were made of family following
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. At the present day, Christians are Christians because
we are born in Christian families. This is not the way supposed to be. God made
the old testament ways to be decayed and to vanish away, (Hebrews
8:13) but we are keeping all the old ways.
Romans Chapter 15, verse by verse Study.
"1&2.
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the
infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour
for his good to edification."
So, Spiritually matured people must guide
the weak belief people, so that the weak may be edified and grow in the Spirit. How to
bear the infirmities of the weak? Infirmities are their ignorance and errors
about Spiritual things. So, teach them with patience. But if they proved to be
rebellious, with malice and ill will, they are not believers, but fakes; then we
should leave them and reject them with peace. We should not please ourselves by
hanging on with them in the pretense of doing ministry for the Lord. We
must teach the truth for their benefit.
"3
For even
Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that
reproached thee fell on me."
Jesus Christ did not please himself, but he pleased God the Father. "John
4:34
Jesus
saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish
his work.
Matthew
20:
28
Even as the Son
of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a
ransom for many."
He appeared in the form of a servant, did the work of the Father in his life,
and obedient until and to death, even the death on the cruel cross.
"4
For
whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we
through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
Whatsoever the contents of the old testament are for our learning. Learn such as this:
When Israel obeyed and live righteously, God blessed them. When they did not
obey God, he destroyed them. This is a lesson to be learned for our benefit and
blessing. But preachers go to proverbs and Psalms to find all the blessings even
from other books, and preaching and applying them to their congregation. But God
has revoked the old covenant and all the blessings. God has made the new
covenant for the new testament people. But they deceive people by teaching what
God has rejected.
"5&6. 5
Now the God of
patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according
to Christ Jesus:
6
That ye may
with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ."
Here, what is likeminded according to Christ Jesus?
It is to become one with his doctrine, which is calibrated and backed up by his life.
If we make use of the calibration, we will escape deception and follow the true way. So,
if we all have
his doctrine, we will become like minded in Jesus Christ. Further, we
must all be one in knowing, worshipping, and glorifying God the Father, who is
the Father of Jesus Christ. Then we will
worship Jesus Christ as God the Son, and we will be one with him even in heaven.
"7
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of
God."
Caution is that Jesus Christ did not receive everybody, but he received only his
people, and he will take them to glory. So, receive one another in the
fellowship of the brethren, but not to have fellowship with the world. The world
is in enmity with God, and their fellowship will not take us to the glory of
God. Beware that Jesus Christ did not receive the whole world
to glory, but only his followers. So also, use discernment to join the
likeminded as one with you to worship God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
"8
Now I
say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God,
to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:"
The promise to the fathers refers to that God has made to Abraham and to the
Jews. But they have rejected him and killed Jesus. Then, at the death and the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, God made the old covenant and all the
promises void, since the old covenant became old and decayed; it is in "Hebrews
8:13
In
that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which
decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."
So, God has made a new covenant with the new testament people. But preachers
still preach the old covenant promises, and people believe them.
"9&10. 9
And that
the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I
will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10
And again he
saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people."
God has created the entire world and the people; not only the Jews and
Christians. From the old testament, God often said that Gentiles also belongs to
him, and the Gentiles trust him and so on. If we translates in today's
vocabulary; not only Christians, but non-Christians also are God's people; and
they also trust God. How do they trust God without knowing the name Jesus
Christ? That is why God created everybody with good conscience. And give the holy Spirit
to everybody, who ask help for righteous life.
"11&12. 11
And again, Praise the Lord, all
ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people
."
Pleace notice; the Gentiles of the old testament are the same as the
non-Christians of the new testament. "12
And
again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to
reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust."
He refers to prophet Isaiah, who has given many passages in detail about the
Lord Jesus Christ, "Isaiah
11:1 And
there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow
out of his roots:
10
And in
that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the
people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
11
And it shall
come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time
to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and
from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and
from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea."
It is about the gentiles; we may recognize them as non-Christians. We may
not understand it with our common sense and with our religiosity. If the Holy
Spirit deals with us, then we may know the ways of the Holy Spirit and the Holy
Ghost, how they deal with the Gentiles, and at the present time they are Non-Christians; and how are
they, or how will they seek God, even if they do not know him by the name Jesus
Christ! Isaiah explained it, but Jews did not believe Isaiah. By the way, do we know
the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, who is now in the Omnipotent God Spirit? If
even Christians do not know him, how do gentiles know him! Lord Jesus Christ
knows who are all in the Spirit, and they will know him, they will have hope in him,
and Jesus Christ reigns over them.
"13
Now the
God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in
hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."
These are blessings of good wish, but they are through the Holy Ghost, they are
Spiritual, and they are of heaven. "Hebrew
6:11
And we desire
that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope
unto the end:"
God desires the blessing to every one, yet they are only for Spirituals.
"14
And I
myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness,
filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another."
The apostle tells the matured believers to correct
one another. If we are not good, and know the truth, then how can we admonish another?
"15&16.
15
Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as
putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,"
As we study the epistle of Paul, we can also study about the apostle. He was
a scholar in scripture, and he remained as a zealous Jew, even after his
conversion and his call to his ministry. But God has made the Jews and Gentiles
as one in the new testament, the which Paul is slow in adopting it. So, God
allowed the Jews to be a thorn to his flesh. Paul cried to God, and God did not
remove it, but instead, God gave him grace. Now Paul got the Jews as thorn and
he got grace, which is the power of God, to do the ministry. "16
That I should
be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God,
that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by
the Holy Ghost."
Here he claims that he will minister the gospel to gentiles. It is to lead the gentiles to
sanctification, that they may be accepted as
Sons to inherit the kingdom of God.
A Foot Note: God is three persons in one
Omnipotent Spirit. We now know the person 'the Word', as 'Lord Jesus Christ.' God
created people in the beginning. Then God separated
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as his people. We call them Israel or
Jews. The rest of the people are called as Gentiles. Yet God was God for all
people. Then, God the Word became a Man, came and lived in this
world as a Man, to make the two groups Jews and Gentiles as one, as in the
beginning. "Hebrews
10:9
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that
he may establish the second.
Colossians 2:14
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was
contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"
So, Jesus died as a Man, resurrected as Lord Jesus Christ, who is God. As God,
he
removed the old testament, its covenant and promises, and establishes the new
covenant with all people, yet it applied only to the Spirit lead people. The
Spirit leads the people individually, one by one, by their Spiritual status, but not as Jews
or Gentiles, at present as Christians or non-Christians. In the old testament,
the Jews were from the family of Abraham. Now a days, Christians are mostly family descendants.
Churches are not established by God. The Spirit of God join people in God's
church, and we do not know who they are, God only knows them, and they will show
up in heaven. We are Christians and non-Christians in the world. But according to God, we
are one people in the world. But God choses his Spirit people for himself,
and they will not be of the world.
"17-19. 17
I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which
pertain to God.
18
For I will not
dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to
make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
19
Through mighty
signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem,
and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ
."
Yes, Jesus
Christ has done miraculous healings and showed signs through Paul. He did not
have to do any gimmicks, like the present-day preachers do. He fully preached the gospel,
by which he refers is that he backed up
with the signs and wonders. He refers it as he fully preached the gospel of
Christ.
"20&21.
20
Yea, so
have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should
build upon another man's foundation:"
Paul says here that his desire is to preach where Christ was not already
preached. So, he also says that by the grace given to him, he strive more than
others. "21
But as
it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have
not heard shall understand."
I think that the reference is in "Isaiah
65:1 I
am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not:
I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name."
Here it is about the gentiles, that they will seek God and found him even they
were not called according to old testament.
"22-24.
22
For
which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you."
He could not come sooner to Rome because he was to work with Gentiles; it was a
worthy cause.
"23 But
now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many
years to come unto you;
24
Whensoever I
take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my
journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat
filled with your company."
Probably he would have covered that area by this time, his desire was to come to
Rome. He said about meeting them in the beginning of the letter also. He wishes
to be their apostle. He like to meet them to have personal fellowship and
friendship.
"25&26.
25 But
now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26
For it hath
pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor
saints which are at Jerusalem."
In the old testament the tribe Levites were given no possession of land for them
to cultivate and to make a living. Instead they were given tithes from the other
eleven tribes, so that instead of the cultivating work, they should do the
priesthood job and have income for their living. This was the old testament set
up of the Jews. In the new testament, God became a Man, came to the world, lived
as a man and died; and in the process he removed the priesthood, the temple was
demolished in 70 AD, he removed the old covenant and the promises, and the old
testament is removed except for historical and information purpose only, but not
for Spiritual and religious purposes. On the top of it, God receives the
converted born again Spiritual people for himself, made the New Covenant with
them, giving inheritance to them as joint-heirs with Jesus Christ and giving
them eternal glory, as the same glory equal to Jesus Christ. Christians want to
know nothing about these things, to keep a priesthood equal to the old
priesthood, keep their income by receiving tithes and offerings, and church
establishment as equal to the old organized ceremonial ways. New
testament also says to take care of the needs of your pastors, teachers, and
poor believers, out of your love toward them as your brethren. We must give to
the poor saints liberally, willingly, and enthusiastically. Different people give in
different ways, and God will see it and reward them. Then, it will not be as the
establishment exploits poor believers, that is as the rich plunder the
poor. I wrote all these since the context is that believers help poor believers,
and apostle or elders minister the giving. Paul says it is to minister the
saints. This is also a way a common person may go to heaven, by
having a compassionate nature. If we help the poor, especially
the poor saints, we will go to heaven, according to Jesus Christ. He tells it in
a parable
in Matthew
25:31-46.
"Matthew
25:33
And he
shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then
shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:"
If we are the kind of people who have practical compassion or sympathy towards
poor saints, we will 'inherit the kingdom prepared for
us
from the foundation of the world;'
and it is Paradise. Here the people of
'Macedonia and
Achaia'
will receive paradise because of their generosity.
"27
It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles
have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to
minister unto them in carnal things."
It pleased them, because of their loving nature, and it is good of them. Then it is
a stretch from Paul. Poor
saints in Jerusalem did not preach the gospel to Macedonians and Achaeans; and so,
they were not debtors to the saints, but it is just their goodness.
"28&29.
29
When
therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come
by you into Spain."
After Paul has given the fruit, that is the gifts, to Macedonians and Achaeans,
he will visit Rome on the way to Spain.
"29
And I am
sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of
the gospel of Christ."
Then he hopes to have a blessed fellowship with them. Anyhow, what is the blessing
of the Gospel of Christ? Blessing of the gospel is not the material things to the poor
saints. But it is of the Spirit, such as boldness of spirit, enlarged knowledge,
mighty signs and wonders, the demonstration of the Spirit, establishing them,
and further enlightening and instructing their minds;
in edifying, quickening them; and nourish them up with the
words of faith and sound doctrine, unto eternal life. This could be fullness in
the Gospel.
"30-32.
30 Now I
beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the
Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
31
That I may be
delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I
have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32
That I may come
unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed."
Apostle Paul like to meet and to have a leisure time with the Roman believers.
So, he was asking to pray for him for four points. It is not like to pray for
Africa, pray for Indians, and such; but he was specific and asked for four
things to pray. To escape the hands of religious fanatic Jews, the poor saints
may accept the help for their need, for his safe journey, and for good
fellowship with them, but he did not cover the world in prayer. So, let our
prayer be also of substance.
"33
Now the
God of peace be with you all. Amen."
The chapter ends in a wish and blessing.
Note:
If any point needs explanation,
OR,
if you find an error according to scripture,
Please write to me
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will reply promptly.
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Looking for the true
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What is the true gospel and
what are false gospels?
Matthew 28:20, & Mark
16:15. Jesus Christ preached his
commandments to obey, as his
Gospel;
it is the true Gospel
to inherit Eternal life.
Genesis 3:1-4 & 2 Corinth 11:2-4. But
Preachers,
who are Serpents of Satan,
preach the life of man Jesus just to believe, but not to live as a chaste
virgin, as the gospel;
it is another gospel,
which cannot and will not give Eternal life.
What will the true Gospel
do?
The true gospel will
convert evil people to do good and thereby they will inherit the kingdom
in heaven.
John 3:19-21 say
that people are two kinds, evil and true. Evil doers will not come to the
Light, who is God; but people of truth come to God for their deeds to be
made manifest. We have good and evil people by our standard of our society
or culture. These evil people may be converted to be doers of truth by the
power of God, and they may inherit the kingdom of God in heaven.
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