24. GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION: PART 4 - Romans 10:14-21

 

In our last study of Romans (10:1-13), Paul re-emphasised his teaching on justification be faith as the way to salvation for both the Jew and the Gentile. Though clearly emphasising God’s mercy given through sovereign election in the previous chapter, Paul has equally stressed the need for sinners to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Only those who exercise faith in Christ will have the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, and then will not be put to shame in eternity.

If it is only those who exercise faith in Christ that shall be saved, how will those of God’s elect be saved that have not yet heard the gospel? It is to this very point that Paul now turns, explaining the means whereby a sinner comes to faith in Christ.

 

Please Read Romans 10:14-21

 

NOTE: INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY QUESTION HERE: How will a person in the remotest parts of the Sahara desert become a Christian? Explain hoe the passage answers the question?

 

Verses 14,15: If the gospel is for all men without distinction, then it follows that the gospel must be brought to the attention of each person. In these two verses Paul poses a series of questions that link together, moving from effect to cause in each case. If men are to call upon God in order to be saved, then these things listed need to happen.

If all men who call upon the Lord shall be saved, then it follows that they need to believe in Christ. In order to believe they need to hear the gospel. In order to hear the gospel, there needs to be someone to proclaim it to them (1 Cor 1:21). In order to proclaim the gospel successfully, the preacher must have been sent by God (2 Cor 5:20,21). Without these things, one cannot call upon the Lord in order to be saved. As the confession of faith states, the decree of God not only provides for the ultimate outcome in the salvation of the elect, but also the very means whereby that outcome is met.

Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7 in order to describe the joy and excitement with which a God sent preacher will be received by those who believe the good news of the gospel (Ps 93:1; Rev 19:6). It is not so much the feet of those who proclaim the good news that are warmly embraced, but the message and its heralds.

Verse 16: Though many will respond in faith to the gospel and good news that is proclaimed, there are many that will not. All men will not be saved, for not everyone who hears the gospel will believe it, and this was certainly true of Israel (9:27; 10:21; 1 Cor 10:5). Paul confirms this fact by quoting the experience of Isaiah in Isaiah 53:1. This quote lends support to the view that Paul has the Jews primarily in view in this passage, yet he also includes all people as seen by the context of verses 11 to 15.

Verse 17: This verse presents something of a summary to Paul’s latest argument regarding entrance into the true Israel of God by faith. The necessary faith can only come by hearing the message of the gospel. Therefore, if people are to believe, the message must be declared to them, even though the vast majority may reject the message.

QUESTION: How does this verse emphasis the need for missionaries? Explain.

 

Verse 18: If verse 17 is true, as it is, why hasn’t everyone believed the gospel, since it has been widely proclaimed? Paul is probably thinking primarily of the Jews in this verse, though the passage also applies it to all people.

That the message has indeed been widely declared, is confirmed by Paul in quoting Psalm 19:4, which refers to the universal declaration of creation. This he does simply to confirm that the message is now heard throughout the world as the voice of creation is also heard throughout the world. His thought is quite possibly toward the Jewish people, of whom the vast majority would have heard of Jesus by this time.

Verses 19-21: This question may mean ‘did Israel understand the gospel,’ or ‘did Israel not know of the calling of the Gentiles and their own rejection?’ It is difficult to know which interpretation to prefer. The two quotations that follow are to answer the question Paul has raised, and therefore the question itself may be understood by the answer that is given. Perhaps both are intended, but I think the last interpretation is to be preferred.

The first quote is from Deuteronomy 32:21, where God was provoked to jealousy by Israel worshipping ‘no-gods.’ God’s judgment upon them would be reject Israel and to provoke them to jealousy by those that are a ‘no-people.’ Therefore the thought of the verse is that the Jews were not the true Israel of God, but that others were, or would be because of God’s judgment upon the Jews for their rebellion against Him.

The second quote is from Isaiah 65:1,2 and this more clearly spells out the fact of the rejection of physical Israel, and the inclusion of the Gentiles. This clearly portrays God’s sovereign right to extend His salvation to all, taking in those who were previously outside of the true Israel of God, and the rejection of physical Israel on account of their rebellion, even though the way was yet still open to them.

 

INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY

Is there then no room for the Jews in the Israel of God? Explain.

 

Who are the ‘all Israel’ of Romans 11:26? Explain.

 

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17/10/2006

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