Romans 8:33-34 In this week’s lesson Paul continues to address the subject of the security of the believer. He uses a series of terms that have a legal usage, and create for us the picture of a courtroom in which we ourselves stand "in the dock." If we were to find ourselves on trial in the divine courtroom, who are the parties that we can imagine we would find bringing charges against us? Who would be the greatest and most telling witness against us? Why does one of God's children not need to fear such charges being brought? In a court of law, who is the one who pronounces the final punishment or condemnation? Who holds this position in the final judgment of mankind? Why does a Christian not need to fear such a condemnation? What are the four things that Christ Jesus has done that relate to the subject of the Christian's security in God's love? What are some of the things we know that Jesus is praying for us? Who does the most damage to the biblical doctrine of the security of the child of God? (58 min)

Keywords Judgment, Justification, Condemnation, Security

Romans 8:31-32 In these verses Paul begins a series of rhetorical questions designed to make us think about the consequences of the things he has just been telling us in the previous verses. The answers to these questions are implied in the questions themselves. What are the three categories which Paul addresses that we find might threaten our security in God's love? What are the things to which Paul refers that are the proof that God is for us? God is not "for" everyone. He is against some. What determines whether God is for or against someone? How does the story of the pharisee and the tax-collector in Luke 18 relate to this passage? Does Paul believe that Christians have no one who opposes or is against them? What frame of mind should we have about those who oppose us that would transform our outlook? Why does Paul believe that God will not withhold anything from those who have believed in Him? (56 min)

Keywords Predestined, Justification, Image of God, Son of God

Romans 8:29-30 In this lesson we continue considering the subject of what it means that we have been foreknown by God. What does the word "foreknown" mean? How do we know that this is speaking from a human rather than divine perspective? We then learn that those God has foreknown he has predestined. To what have those God foreknew been predestined? What is God's purpose for all His children? How does this purpose relate to God's original intent in creation? What three things has God done to ensure that His purpose for us is accomplished? Why is it that though earlier Paul has spoken of our glory as something that is yet to happen, that in this verse he speaks of it in the past tense? (57 min)

Keywords Foreknowledge, Predestined, Calling, Justification

Romans 5:1-5 Paul now moves us on from consideration of how a person is saved or justified through faith. There are many other things about our life after justification. Yet in moving on, of what must we not lose sight? What does Paul have in mind when he says we now have peace? What is the broader sense of this word? What does it mean that we now stand in grace? How is it that we have come to be in such a position? Can someone cease to stand in grace? What is Paul talking about when he speaks of the glory of God in which we hope? (52 min)

Keywords Peace, Justification, Grace, Glory

Romans 4:22-25 Having seen Abraham's faith, God credits that faith to Abraham as righteousness. What is the content of Abraham's faith and what is the locus of his faith? For whom did the Holy Spirit record these things about Abraham? What is the locus of our faith and the content of our faith? How is this the same and now is it different from Abraham? Who delivered up Christ, and why? What does Paul mean when he says that Christ was "raised because of our justification?" (56 min)

Keywords Abraham, Faith, Righteousness, Justification

Romans 3:27, 28 In this passage Paul makes a major shift in his presentation, leaving behind some of the themes that have dominated his arguments so far. Now he shifts to the primary subject of justification by faith, which will occupy his attention through chapter four. What is the fine line that Paul finds himself having to walk in this passage? What is syncretism, and how does it happen? How does the question about boasting in this passage arise? Would Paul's imaginary opponent really ask something like this? How is Paul using the word "law" in these verses? What is it that excludes boasting? If believing is something we do, then is it a work? How can works and faith be mutually exclusive? (52 min)

Keywords Justification, Faith

Romans 3:24, 25 Our passage in this lesson emphasizes the public display of Jesus as a "propitiation" What is propitiation? Why do some translators prefer the word "expiation?" How is the Greek word that is translated here used throughout the Greek version of the Old Testament? How is that significant to understanding this passage? What is the mercy seat? What actually happened those many years of High Priests offering sacrifices at the mercy seat? What does Paul mean by speaking of God "passing over" sins in the past? What is the problem with God declaring sinners to be righteous? How is the public display of Christ on the cross different from the mercy seat in the Old Testament? Why is this so important? (54 min)

Keywords Righteousness, Justification, Mercy Seat