William Tyndale, the pioneer English Bible translator, wrote these famous words in his prologue to Romans (in the 1534 edition of the English New Testament):
"Forasmuch as this epistle is the principal and most excellent part of the New Testament, and most pure [gospel]. . . and also a light and a way in unto the whole scripture, I think it meet that every Christian man not only know it by rote but also exercise himself therein evermore continually as with the daily bread of the soul. No man verily can read it too oft or study it too well: for the more it is studied the easier it is, the more it is searched the more precious things are found in it, so great treasure of spiritual things lieth hid therein."
The letter of the apostle Paul to the church in Rome is one of the most complete and most comprehensive manifestos of the Christian gospel. In it, Paul unwraps “the whole counsel of God” – man’s sin and utter lost condition, Christ’s death to save him, faith in Christ as the sole condition of his acceptance, the work of the Holy Spirit for his personal growth in holiness, the place and purpose of Israel in God’s plan, and the ethical implication of being a Christian.
Martin Luther, the great reformer of the church during the early 16th century, wrote in his preface to his commentary on the book of Romans in 1552:
“This Epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel, and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. it can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dal with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.”
I want to challenge you to join us this Sunday as we begin a in depth journey through the pages of the book of Romans. Through our study, we’ll discover the answer to the unbeliever’s ultimate question: “How can I become saved?” The answer in its simplest form is: “By grace through faith, not by works of law.” Which then brings us to another question: “How can I stay saved?” Again, the answer is: “By grace through faith, not by works of law.”
See you Sunday,
John
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