 back to the nitty gritties of doing things. There's so many little things that we need to think of, but thank you so much. Let's thank you for that reminder. Okay. Okay, so we'll look at the introduction to the book of Romans before we look at, we study each verse, phrase, or word in each chapter. We'll just look at the introduction to the Romans. Thank you all for sharing your insights, and giving your inputs about what you know about the book of Romans. Now, Romans is considered as the most important book, theologically, or doctrinally, because it deals with the doctrine of Christ. Now, we all know what is doctrine, right? Doctrine is basically a set of beliefs, a belief or a set of beliefs that is taught by someone. Basically, we can say doctrines are teachings. So we see that in this book, in the book of Romans, the gospel of Jesus is presented very, very beautifully, doctrinally, like no other epistle. No other epistle presents the gospel of Jesus Christ as well as it is explained here in the book of Romans. And scholars consider Paul's letter to the believers at Rome as his most important work, doctrinally, okay? So this is Paul's most important work, doctrinally. And Romans is one of the best expressions of Christian doctrines compared to other books. The other epistles of Paul addresses certain elements of Christian life or the life of the church. But here in this book, Paul addresses certain problems, and in those books, Paul addresses certain problems in the church, which the church is facing. So he's writing to them about the problems that they're facing in the church. But here in this episode of Romans, it's more doctrinal and it's more a teaching oriented. It's not just talking basically about certain elements of Christian life or the life of the church or talking about some issues or challenges or problems that the church is facing. It's more an epistle that has to do with doctrines and it's more teaching oriented. So we see that Paul begins this epistle from the existence of God. And then he goes on to talk about sin. He talks about salvation, the gift of righteousness, the grace of God in Christian living. And we see that this is the best epistle when it comes to Christian doctrine or to teaching. It's not just because I'm teaching Romans, I'm saying this, but this is the best epistle when it comes to Christian doctrine or teaching. So it's very important for us to study and understand this book because this is the only place in the New Testament where we have about three chapters that explains to us the relationship between the church and Israel, okay? The book of Hebrews has some of it, but in terms of, it talks about in terms of the covenant, but here, we see in the book of Romans, we see what God is doing with the church and you will find what God is doing with the church only here in the book of Romans. Again, it's very unique from that perspective and the entire Old Testament, when we see, read the Old Testament, we see God dealing with his people, the Israelites, the Hebrew people, okay? It also mentions in the Old Testament there are various prophecies referring or mentioning to the coming of Jesus Christ. And then we move on to the New Testament where it starts off with Jesus and his ministry here on earth and what he did. And then it moves on to acts where we see the early church and suddenly we wonder what happened to Israel, okay? That's because the Old Testament we're reading all about the Israelites, you know, how God dealt with them, how God brought them out of bondage, the laws he gave them, what he taught them, the kings, the judges, the prophets who came and how they occupied the promised land and all of those we read so much about the Israelites, the Hebrew people, but you know, all that comes to a full stop when we move to the New Testament where it begins with Jesus, his ministry, then the early church, and we're wondering what happened to God's dealing with the people of Israel. So we see here in the book of Romans, Paul very beautifully brings out to us the relationship between the church and Israel. So he brings back into the picture the Israelites, they're calling where they are, what God is doing with them, what God has planned for them, that he's not forgotten them, that he still has them in his plan and his purpose. So there are many key doctrines or teaching that is established here in the book of Romans. We see the existence of God in chapter one, the issue of sin and conscience. We see the issue of salvation, the issue of grace, the issue of righteousness and the issue of Christian living. So these are some of the key teachings of the church and all of these key teachings of the church is covered here in the book of Romans. So let's look at when Paul wrote this book and why he wrote it and what are some of the things that Paul was expecting to happen. So during Paul's second missionary journey, which is AD 49 to 52, now all of what we're talking about happening in with regard to the episode of Romans, it's all happens in the first century and these are kind of approximate dates. So during Paul's second missionary journey, he stayed at Corinth for 18 months. We read about this in Acts chapter 18 verse 11. And during this time when he was at Corinth, he comes in contact with this couple, Aquila and Priscilla who are a Jewish couple and they are from Rome. And they had to leave Rome because the Roman emperor Claudius, he issued an edict saying that all the Jews had to leave Rome. And we read about this in Acts chapter 18 verses one to three. So we see that Aquila and Priscilla being a Jewish couple, they had to leave Rome and they come to Corinth and when they are in Corinth, they meet Paul. And we see that Paul through Aquila and Priscilla heard a lot about the church at Rome, about the believers at Rome. They work with Paul in the tent making business and also they ministered with the churches and the believers at Corinth. And we also see that Paul was very instrumental in teaching them, building them up in the things of the faith and the revelation of God's word because we know that Paul was very scholarly. He had studied under the best teachers and one of them being a Malian. And so they also had firsthand experience of how Paul ministers, how he handles churches, how he builds up leaders. So they learned quite a lot and we see that the Jews were permitted to go back to Rome in 1854. And so Aquila and Priscilla goes back to Rome and when they go back, they would have shared about Paul's ministry to the believers at the church at Rome. But we see that Paul was so excited about the church at Rome even though he had not planted the church there but just to hear about everything that is happening and it was his great desire to go to the church at Rome to meet the believers there. And just like Rupa said, to impart to them, to pour into their lives, to spiritually feed them what he has learned, what he has received as revelations. So later during Paul's third missionary journey which is during 8053 to 58, we see that Paul spends a good three years in Ephesus and from there he goes on to Macedonia and to Greece and which it includes these like Athens and Corinth. And so we see that Paul when he was there in his third missionary journey back at Corinth, he wrote to the believers at Rome and he writes this letter around about 8057. So how do we know that Paul wrote this letter from Corinth in Romans chapter 16, verse 23, Paul mentions two people there. He mentions Gaius and Erastus. Now Gaius is somebody who Paul was staying along with. He was hosting Paul and also we know that Gaius had a church meeting at his home. So Romans chapter 16, verse 23, can one of you read that please? Romans 16, 23. Gaius, my host and the host of the world church greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city greets you. And Carthus, a brother. Okay, so here we see that Paul is staying at the home of Gaius and also he mentions you know Gaius, the same Gaius he mentions in first Corinthians chapter one was 14, okay. And we also see he mentions about Erastus who was a treasurer of the city of Corinth. He was a steward or he was heading the public works department as you know, we see in translated in the new test in the, in NIV version. So we see that he lived in Corinth. We read about him in Paul's letter to Timothy, second letter to Timothy, second Timothy chapter four was 20. And, you know, archeologists have found, have uncovered on unearthed a stone in which was an inscription of the name of Erastus. And it says Erastus for his eddleship paved at his own expense, which is usually, you know, when people make roads, you know, in honor of their name they have this cornerstone laid in saying that, you know, this person has done this, has laid this road. So he has, you know, paved a road and made a road and at his own expense. And so they found a stone which was unearthed by archeologists and in the city of Corinth which mentions the name Erastus. So we know that, you know, Paul would have written this, this episode of Romans from Corinth during his third missionary journey. We also see that towards the end of Paul's letter in Romans chapter 15 versus 22 to 23, Paul, you know, mentions that he's planning to go to Jerusalem because there is a famine that is happening there and he's collected offerings from the churches in the regions of Greece and Macedonia. And he plans to take this offering to give it to the saints who are living in Jerusalem because of the famine. He just feels the need to help them. And then he plans to go from there to Spain and on his way to Spain, you know, he plans to stop at Rome and he plans to meet the church which is his longing, his desire, longing desire which he had for many years which we read in Romans chapter 15 was 22 to 33. So can one of you read that please? Romans 15, 22 to 33. Anyone? Ma'am, this is Anna, it's me. Okay, please read, brother. Okay, thank you. For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming into you but now having no more place in these parts and having a great desire these many years to come unto you. Yes, to 33. I just feel 33, okay. When sober, 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. Tither word by you. If first I be somewhat filled with your company but now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto saints for it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It has pleased them really and their doctor and their doctors they are for if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual thing. Their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit I will come by you into Spain and I'm sure that when I come unto you I shall come in the fullness of blessing of the gospel of Christ. Now I beseech you brethren for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake and for the love of the Spirit that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me that I may deliver from them that do not believe in Judea and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God and may with you be refreshed. Now the Lord of peace be with you all. Amen. Thank you Srikuman. So here we see Paul's heart in verse 23. He says, you know, he says for many years you're having a great desire this many years to come to you and in verse 29 he says, you know, I like to come when I come to you I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. So we see Paul's heart here that he wants to go to believers at Rome and he wants to bring to them something spiritually. He wants to give into their lives spiritually. He feels he can give to them spiritually and this is his motivation in going there. You know, some of us are, some of you are itinerary ministers evangelists you go from place to place. So what basically motivates you to go to place to place from one city to another city to preach. I'm sure it's not sightseeing, it's not recreational but it's a motivation to give them something in the spirit. It's a desire that you have to impart to them the full blessings of the gospel of Christ and you want to strengthen them spiritually. And that is why people are motivated evangelist missionaries are motivated to go from place to place to preach about Christ. So Paul also shares what he's planning to do and his desire, his desire is that he wants to give into their lives spiritually. He wants to impart to them the full blessings of Jesus Christ. And he also is sharing with them his plan that, you know, there is a famine in Jerusalem and he wants to encourage the saints and the believers at Jerusalem. And so he's encouraging the churches that he started in the regions of Akia that is Corinth and Macedonia to contribute to the saints in Jerusalem. And he wants to take this offering to the believers there and then from there he wants to go to Spain and on his way, you know, he wants to go to Rome. He plans to visit Rome and visit the believers there, okay? So who started the church at Rome? Like you said that no one in particular we don't have a specific name of a person who started the church at Rome. But we know that on the day of Pentecost, you know, there were visitors from various nations, people who came from their Jews, who came from Rome, from different parts of Asia, from Europe, they all came to Jerusalem. And when they came to Jerusalem, they used to come for a period of 60 days where they used to begin with the celebration of the unleavened bread and also the Passover and three days later, they would be there for the feast of the first fruits, which was a beginning of the Pentecost, which would happen 50 days from then. So they used to stay for the feast of the first fruits and then stay on for another 50 days and celebrate the Pentecost and then go back to their own places. And then we know what happened on the day of Pentecost. You know, we read this in Acts chapter two versus eight to 10. So can one of you please read Acts chapter two versus eight to 10 please. Acts chapter two versus eight to 10. Acts chapter two versus eight to 10. And how is it that we hear each of us in his own native language? Parthians, Parthians and Mids and Elamites and the residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia. Difficult to read. Piggia and Papillia, Egypt and part of Libya, Beligia belonging to Syrian and visitors from Rome. Thank you. Visitors from Rome, thank you. Both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs, we hear them speaking in our own tongue, the wonderful works of God. So we see that, you know, people, Jews came from all over Asia and Europe and they were also Jews from Rome. And when they heard this hurricane like wind that came and they came to this upper room where the 120 believers were there and saw them speaking in different tongues. They realized that they're Galileans but speaking in their own native languages, which places that they had come from and they all heard them, you know, praising and worshiping God. And we know that Peter, you know, delivered his sermon and 3000 of them accepted Jesus and were baptized and came into faith. So, you know, so there were some of the Jews who were present at that time who'd have accepted Jesus Christ. And then, you know, they stayed on and, you know, they received teachings from the apostles. They received the teachings of the apostles and they were established in the teachings of the apostles and then they would have gone back to Rome and they would have, you know, started preaching and teaching to the people there. And that's how, you know, they made believers and established home churches in different parts of Rome. And we can say that the church at Rome was a very spiritual church. The reason is because, you know, these people who were there on the day of Pentecost, you know, they received the teachings of the apostles and they were also established in the teachings of the apostles. And we know that the believers at Rome were a mixed group, a mixed group of Jews, of Gentiles. And, you know, when Emperor Claudus issued that it edict in 1849 that all Jews had to leave Rome, you know, we know that the church would have been led by the Gentile believers. But when in 1854, when they returned back, you know, after five years, the Jews are asked to give permission to return back to Rome. When they came back, you know, they would have realized that the leaders who are leading the church at Rome were Jewish believers and sorry, Gentile believers. And so the Jews realized that they had to serve under the Gentile believers. So we see that there was a mix of Jews and Gentiles at the church at Rome. And so we see when Paul is writing this letter, he knows that he has to address to both of these groups. We know that there were several home churches at Rome. And we know that when Paul was writing in 1857, he talks about the church that meets in Aquila and Priscilla's house. We read this in Romans chapter 16, verses three and five to five. Can one of you read that please? Romans 16, three to five. Great Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Jesus Christ, who risked their own neck for my life to ruin, not only I give thanks, but also all the churches and of the Gentiles. Likewise, great the church that is in their house, great my beloved, Eparnatus, who is the first fruits of a key as to Christ. Thank you. So here we see that there were house churches at Rome. They did not have just one main church, but there were several house churches. We know this because Paul writes, when he's writing this episode of Romans, he's talking, he's greeting Aquila and Priscilla and also the believers who are meeting in their home. Okay. And so he knows that his letter will be, will, you know, when he sends it to Rome, will be read across all the house churches and it would be a letter that would build them up and encourage them, okay? So we look at a few highlights, key highlights of the book of Romans. So we look at the brief background. We look at a few key highlights or emphasis that we will see in the book of Romans. The book of Romans explains the gospel of Jesus Christ in a very detailed way, in a very clear way. It very clearly explains to us what the gospel is. It explains to us that we are sinners, that Christ died for us. He rose again and whoever believes in him will receive forgiveness of their sins. So we have in this episode, one of the clearest and the detailed explanations of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We also see one of the key highlights of the book of Romans is that it's a book where our full spiritual journey is mentioned in a very detailed way, is described in a very detailed way, starting with the existence of God in Romans chapter one, then talking about the sin of man in Romans one and two, the consequences of sin in Romans chapter three, what Christ did on the cross for our sins in Romans chapter three and four, how we are justified by faith and how we receive righteousness through grace by faith which is spoken of in Romans chapter five or explained in Romans chapter five, how we can overcome sin on the braces of the cross, what Jesus has done on the cross. We see this in Romans, we read this in Romans chapter six and seven, how we walk in the spirit, how we walk in righteousness in the spirit in Romans chapter eight and how we lived the Christian life in Romans chapter 12 verse 15. So here in the book of Romans, Paul describes our spiritual journey. So if anyone or reads the book of Romans, if someone reads the book of Romans, they can surely get saved, they will learn how to overcome sin, they will learn how they'll be justified through grace by faith, they will learn how to live the Christian life. So it's a good journey that Paul takes someone through, right from them knowing God, the existence of God to knowing their sinful nature and to knowing what Christ has done on the cross and how they can accept Him as a Lord and Savior and how they can live a life of righteousness in the spirit and how they can live their Christian life. So it's a good journey that Paul takes someone through. Another key highlight is in the book of Romans, you know, the righteousness of God is revealed. So we know that God is a God of justice. He cannot be blamed. He's blameless. He's a righteous God. And so we see that the major theme in the book of Romans is righteousness. The word righteousness is used 36 times throughout this book. We see that it's spoken about of God being righteous in Judgingson. We read this in Romans chapter one and two, God who is righteous as a righteous God. You know, he forgives sins on the basis of what Christ has done on the cross. We read this in Romans chapter three and five and God imputing His righteousness or God imparting His righteousness. That means God putting His righteousness into our account as believers. And we are being made in right standing with God. We read this in Romans chapter five. Then in Romans chapter six to eight, we read about how a believer can walk in righteousness by the work of the spirit. And in Romans chapter 12 to 15, we see how a believer can live a righteous life. And we don't find this treatment or we don't find this detailed explanation of righteousness in any other book in the Bible as we find in Romans. And another key highlight is that in the book of Romans, the Jews and the Gentiles are both chosen in Romans chapters nine to 11. We see Paul addresses the relationship between Jews and Gentiles or Israel and the church. He also talks about what God is doing, where is Israel and how does the church fit in what God is doing presently. And in Romans chapter nine to 11, Paul addresses that. And we also see that this treatment or this specific topic or this specific account about the Israelites, about the church, about the Jews and Gentiles and what God is doing and where they are now in history in the picture or in the plan and the purpose of God, it's not mentioned, the subject is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament as it is mentioned detail here in Romans. And hence, it's a very interesting part to study the book of Romans. Okay. We'll stop here. Any questions anyone has? Any questions, any doubts? Yes. Yes, Shri Kumar. I just want to know one thing that, as you said, this is more than an epistle, it is a doctrine. So I just want to know that when we read the Bible, how can we come to know that this is a doctrine and this is an epistle? How we come to know, like in the book of, I think from Timothy or in those books, they're also, Paul has given him some instruction. So do we consider that also as a doctrine or as a letter? Thank you. Good question. Thank you, Shri Kumar. See, every epistle that Paul writes, he will address certain doctrines that are specific to certain churches with regards to the challenges, with regards to the problems or the difficulties that they face. So Paul would mention or refer to the struggles, the challenges, the problems that they're facing in light of the doctrines or the teachings, because that will bring more clarity to what they are going through. So we're not saying that there are no doctrines that are mentioned in any of the other epistles. But what we're saying is in this letter to the Romans, he very clearly takes us through our spiritual journey where he's mentioning the teachings about sin, about justification, about salvation, about righteousness through grace, by faith in a very detailed way. So when we look at, when we study this book, we would look at, you know, there are not more challenges or problems that he is addressing it and bringing it out in the context of doctrines, but he's basically presenting the doctrines. He's basically presenting the teachings of Jesus Christ in a very systematic and a very clear way. So that one could understand their own spiritual journey and how they can walk through each of these stages in life. Does that help you answer your question? Thank you, Dr. Thank you, Dr. Thank you. Who is the first fruits of Akia to Christ, 16, five? Romans 16, five. Let me just take a look at that. Okay, Romans chapter 16. Likewise, greet the church in their home. Greet my beloved Apprentice, who is the first fruits of Akia to Christ. First fruits of Akia, Akia is a place. So maybe the first fruits is, you know, those who are believers, first time believers, okay? New believers who've accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and in that certain place and also go back and also, you know, after they have accepted Christ, they kind of share the gospel with the people in their own region, their own areas. Or if like we see that in the church at Rome, there were believers who came to Jerusalem. They were there on the day of Pentecost. They experienced salvation. They were, you know, they received teachings. They were established in the teachings of the apostles and they go back to Rome and they preach and teach and they establish the church. So maybe this was, Apprentice was one of the first fruits of Akia, that means person from the place called Akia to accept Christ and also maybe to share to believers and start off a house church at that place Akia. So Akia is where basically Corinth is, yes. Okay, Ma'am, thank you very much. Yes, Christopher. Hi, yes, Pastor. I just wanted to kind of understand how effectively we can, you know, use the notes that you've already provided to us and you know, kind of, you know, use it effectively during the class. So as I understand, today's class is more of an introduction. But when you go through a verse by verse interpretation and explanation of that particular verse, will you be actually referring to the notes and, you know, because right now I'm just looking at my desk. I have the Bible open. I have your notes open. I have, obviously I'm, you know, your, the presentation that you are doing currently. And I just tried to understand how, you know, how best to effectively, we can effectively, you know, as a students, I use your notes in the class. Okay, thank you for your question, Christopher. Yes, today, if you notice, I didn't stick. I mean, I had spoke basically from the notes, but it was not word-to-word at this mention there. I just didn't say every line that was there, but most of the content, the explanation is there, so you can read it. But I just kind of gave you understanding in my own words and kind of a little more detail. But you can just follow through with the notes that's okay. What I've said is mostly there. Just the little things that in the beginning when I talked about, you know, Romans is considered as a theological and doctrinal book and about, you know, the Israelites and how they're not mentioned in the New Testament and what is mentioned in the New Testament, the key doctrines, those are little extra notes so you can follow through. You may not be able to catch everything and jot down all the extra points during the class lecture, but the video of the class lecture will be posted on the Google stream page, so you could always go back to that video and you can listen to it again and then you can just make jot down the points. But when we come to word-to-word explanation or phrases or verses, we'll kind of stick to what is there in the notes because it'll be given in detail, but if there is anything extra and you sense it's not there, you can jot down the points. Okay, thank you. Okay, I hope that helps. I just didn't want to stick to the notes because sometimes students feel, I mean, we just, what's the point, you know, we just have the notes, we can read it, then, you know, what's the point in attending a lecture? So I thought, you know, I see Kumar is laughing here. Yeah, so just giving a, using the notes, but just helping you to looking at it in a more detailed way, which would help you. And you can always go back and listen to the lecture. Does that help? Yes, thank you. That's okay. Elisha, did the explanation help for your query? Okay, thank you everyone for joining class. I'll see you on Friday again for another hour. Have a wonderful day, God bless you all, bye-bye. Thank you, everyone. Thank you, thank you, guys.