God creates the world. --- God destroys the world with the flood,
but saves Noah and his family.--- God
chooses Abraham and his descendants to His people. ---Abraham's
grandson, Jacob, has 12 sons who lead the 12 tribes of Israel.---
The Israelites become slaves in Egypt.--- God helps the Israelites
escape and leads them to Canaan. ---The Israelites fight in wars and
take control of Canaan.---Judges lead the Israelites, but the
Israelites want to have kings instead of judges. ---- David is
Israel's greatest king. -- Israel divides into 2
parts: Israel and Judah.---
The people of Israel and Judah continue to sin and worship false
gods.--- God allows the
Assyrians and the Babylonians to take the Israelites out of Israel
and Judah.--- The
Israelites (Jews) live in Babylonia and then Persia.--- When Persia defeats the Babylonians, the Jews go back to
Judah.--- The Jews build God's Temple in Jerusalem again.---
Greece defeats Persia, and the Greeks control Judah (also now called
Israel).--- The Jews become independent for 100 years.-- The Romans
take control of Israel.---Jesus is born. At age 30, Jesus begins
his ministry. ---Jesus is crucified and then is resurrected. --- A
Roman named Saul is converted to Christianity and becomes Paul.---
Christianity spreads. ---►This book of the Bible covers this time Paul write letters to Christians in other
places.◄
In the year, 70 A.D., God's Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed
again.
The Book of Romans was written by Paul. Paul had not yet been to Rome, but he wanted to go there. He wrote this letter from the
city of Corinth in 57 A.D. At that time in Rome, it was
calm. But later, the emperor, Nero, began to persecute
Christians in Rome.
For early Christians, circumcision was a subject they debated.
There was disagreement about it. Most of the early Christians were
Jews, and they followed the Jewish law that required males to be circumcised. But
Gentiles who became Christians were not circumcised. The question
was whether Gentiles who became Christians should be circumcised or
not.
The book of Romans was a clear, systematic outline of
Christian doctrine.
Romans 9 - 12
The Jewish people are God's chosen people. God's anger
and punishment. Who can be saved. The Jews did not accept
Jesus Christ in the past. The Jewish people and
the Gentiles will both be saved. Use your gifts in daily
living.
Romans 9
The Jewish
people are God's chosen people.
I tell
the truth in Christ. I do not lie. My conscience is clear.
The Holy Spirit also knows that my conscience is clear. [1] I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also
bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, I am very sad in my
heart for my people. If it would help my people, I would be cursed by
God and separated from Christ. [2] That I
have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. [3] For
I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my
kinsmen according to the flesh: My people are the Israelites. God gave them
the law and made the covenant promise with them. [4] Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the
glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of
God, and the promises; Christ came to save them. Their ancestors
were the ancestors of Christ. Christ is over all. God blessed Him
forever. Amen. [5] Whose are the fathers,
and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God
blessed for ever. Amen. However, some are Jews by birth, but they are
not people of God. [6] Not as though the word of
God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of
Israel: [7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are
they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
That means that God made His
promise with Abraham and Abraham's descendants through Isaac. [8]
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the
children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the
seed.
God said to Abraham,
"I will come back at this time next year, and Sara will have a son." [9] For this is the word of promise, At this time will I
come, and Sara shall have a son. When Rebecca was
pregnant with twins, God said that the oldest twin would serve the
younger twin. God chose Jacob to be the leader. It wasn't because of
anything he had done, good or bad. It was God's choice. [10] And not only this; but
when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; [11]
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or
evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of
works, but of him that calleth;) [12] It was said unto her,
The elder shall serve the younger. The scripture says,
"I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau." [13] As it is written,
Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Does that mean that
God isn't good? Of course, not! [14] What shall we
say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. God told Moses that
He would choose who would have His mercy and who would have His
compassion. [15]
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and
I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. It is God who shows
mercy. It doesn't matter what a person wants or what they do. [16] So
then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God
that sheweth mercy.
In the
scripture, God tells Pharaoh that it was His will that Pharaoh had
power. It was to show God's power so that everyone on the earth would know
His name. [17] For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh,
Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my
power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the
earth. God will have mercy on the people He chooses.
God will make some people stubborn if He wants them to be stubborn. [18] Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have
mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
God's anger and
punishment.
You might ask me,
"If God makes men the way they are, why does He say they do wrong
things?" [19] Thou wilt say then
unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Man, who are you to ask questions against God? Does the piece of
pottery ask the potter why he was made that way?" [20] Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?
Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me
thus? Doesn't the potter have power over the clay?
He decides what to do with each lump of clay. He may choose to make one
lump into an honored piece of pottery. He may choose to make the other
lump into something that is not honored. [21] Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the
same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
God was patient with the pieces of
pottery He made (that means people). Even though some should have been destroyed, He wanted
to show His glory by showing them mercy. [22] What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his
power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted
to destruction: [23] And that he might make known the riches
of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto
glory, It doesn't matter if we are Jews or
Gentiles. [24] Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews
only, but also of the Gentiles?
This is what God said in the Book of Hosea: "I will call them My beloved people. In
the past, they were not My people or beloved. [25] As he saith also in Osee,
I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved,
which was not beloved.
They were once told, 'You are not God's people.' In the same place, they
will be called children of the living God." [26] And it shall come to pass, that in
the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall
they be called the children of the living God. Isaiah said this
about Israel, "There are many children of Israel. There are as many as
there are tiny pieces of sand. A small amount will be saved. [27] Esaias
also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of
Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: The Lord will do
what He says. It will happen fast." [28]
For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because
a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. Isaiah also said,
"If the Lord hadn't saved some of us, we would have been destroyed like
Sodom or Gommorah." [29] And as
Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we
had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. What should we say
about this? The Gentiles who did not try to follow the law have become
acceptable to God because they have faith. But Israel did follow the
law, but they are not acceptable. Why is that? Because they did
not have faith. They only had works. That is where they stumbled. [30]
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after
righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness
which is of faith. [31] But Israel, which followed after the
law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. [32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it
were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; The
Scripture says, "See, I will put a rock in Zion that will cause Zion to
stumble. But whoever believes in Him will not be ashamed." [33] As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and
rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans 10
Who can be saved?
Brothers, my heart really hopes
and prays to God for Israel. I pray that they will be saved. [1] Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is,
that they might be saved. I know that they want to follow God, but they
don't really know how to be acceptable to Him. They follow the law, but
they do not have the faith. [2] For I bear them record that they
have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For
they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish
their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the
righteousness of God. Christ ended the laws to become righteous for
everyone who believes. [4] For Christ is the end of the law for
righteousness to every one that believeth. Moses told the
people they would become acceptable to God if they followed the laws. [5] For Moses
describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which
doeth those things shall live by them. People who have the faith that makes them
acceptable to God never ask these questions: who will go up into heaven to
bring Christ down or who will go down deep to bring Christ up from the
dead? [6] But the
righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine
heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from
above:) [7] Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to
bring up Christ again from the dead.) So, what do they
say? The word of faith is near. It is in your mouth and in your
heart. That is the faith we preach about. [8] But what saith it?
The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the
word of faith, which we preach; If you believe in your heart and say with
your mouth that God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead, you will be
saved. [9] That if thou shalt confess
with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. In his heart, a man
believes and becomes acceptable. By saying this with his mouth, he is
saved. [10] For
with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation. The Scripture says
that anyone who believes in Christ will not lose. It doesn't
matter if they are Jews or Gentiles. The same Lord of everyone will
bless the people who believe in Him. Whoever calls on the Lord's name
will be saved. [11] For the scripture
saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12]
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same
Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [13] For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How can
people call on the Lord if they have not believed in Him? How can they
believe in Him if they haven't heard of Him? How can they hear about Him
without someone to preach to them about Him? [14]
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how
shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall
they hear without a preacher? How can they preach unless they are sent? The
Scripture says that people who preach are beautiful. They preach the
gospel of peace and give people hope and joy. [15] And how shall they preach,
except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of
them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good
things! But, not everyone has obeyed the gospel. The
prophet Isaiah asked, "Lord, who has believed what we said?" [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For
Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So, faith comes
after someone has heard the word of God. [17] So then
faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, "Haven't
they heard?" Yes, their words went to all parts of the earth. [18]
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all
the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, "Didn't
Israel know?" First, Moses told them that God said He would
make them jealous of other people who are not important. He would make
them angry. [19]
But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to
jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will
anger you. But Isaiah was very bold. He said that
God said people who weren't looking for Him found Him. He became real to
people who were not asking questions about Him. [20] But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was
found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that
asked not after me. He said to Israel, "All day long, I have
reached out My hands to a people who refused to obey." [21] But to Israel he saith, All day long
I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying
people.
Romans 11
The Jewish people and the Gentiles will both
be saved.
So, I ask, "Has God thrown away
His people? Of course, not! I am also an Israelite. My ancestors came
from the tribe of Benjamin, descendants of Abraham." [1] I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I
also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hasn't thrown away
chosen people. Do you remember what the prophet Elijah said in the
scripture? He prayed against Israel. He said, "Lord, they have
killed your prophets. They have destroyed your altars. I am the
only one left, and they are trying to kill me." [2] God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye
not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God
against Israel, saying, [3] Lord, they have killed thy
prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they
seek my life. But how did God answer him? He said, "I have
saved 7,000 men who did not start to worship the false god, Baal." [4] But what saith the answer of God unto him? I
have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee
to the image of Baal. Even now, there are some Jewish people who
have God's grace. [5] Even so then at this present time
also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
If it is
by grace, does that mean work is not needed? If work is needed, it is
not grace. It is just work. [6]
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more
grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work
is no more work.
What then? Some of Israel has God's grace,
but the rest are blind. [7] What then? Israel hath not obtained that
which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest
were blinded The scripture also says that God made them
dull. Their eyes don't see, and their ears don't hear. That is even now. [8] (According as it is written, God hath given
them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that
they should not hear;) unto this day.
David said, "Let
their tables turn into snares and traps to make them stumble. That is
what they deserve. Let their eyes go dark so they can't see. Let
their burden be heavy and make their backs bend." [9] And David saith, Let
their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a
recompence unto them: [10] Let their eyes be darkened, that
they may not see, and bow down their back alway. I now say, "Have
they stumbled so that they can never get up?" Of course not, but since
they fell, the Gentiles are now saved. The Gentiles are saved to make
the Jewish people jealous. [11] I say
then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather
through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke
them to jealousy. If the Gentile world became richer because
the Jews fell, then they will be helped more when the Jews return. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches
of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles;
how much more their fulness? I am speaking to you, Gentiles. I am proud to
be the apostle of the Gentiles. [13] For I speak to you Gentiles,
inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: I hope many Jews
will copy me and also be saved. [14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my
flesh, and might save some of them. If losing Israel
helped save the world, it will be happy when Israel comes back. It will
be like a dead person coming back to life. [15] For if the casting
away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving
of them be, but life from the dead?
In this part, Paul is comparing Gentiles who are saved to
the Jews who were not yet saved. He is comparing them to a
tree that gets grafted onto another tree.
If the firstfruit part of a tree
is holy, then the main part, roots, and branches of the tree are also holy. [16] For if the firstfruit
be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the
branches.
It is like a
tree that gets grafted. Part of a tree is put in another tree and then
grows. Both parts of the tree grow. The roots feed both parts. [17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and
thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them
partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
The new part of the tree shouldn't brag. It
is not growing by itself. The roots of the first part of the tree are supporting it and making it
grow. [18]
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the
root, but the root thee.
The new part will say that the branches were broken off so that it
could be grafted in. [19] Thou wilt say then, The branches
were broken off, that I might be graffed in. The branches were
broken off because they didn't believe. You live by faith. Don't
brag about this, but have respect. [20] Well;
because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be
not highminded, but fear:
If God did not spare the natural branches (Jews), be careful. He might
not spare you either (Gentiles). [21] For if God spared not the
natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. See how God is
good to them and how He punishes them. He will be good to you if
you continue to follow Him. If not, you will be cut off. [22]
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell,
severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness:
otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
If the people who don't believe will
start to believe, God will graft them in again. [23] And they also, if
they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able
to graff them in again.
If
a branch was cut out of a wild olive tree and grafted onto a good olive
tree, it makes a good olive tree. It would be natural to take
branches from the good live tree to make new trees. [24] For if thou wert cut out of the
olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature
into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural
branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? I don't want you to
be ignorant about this, my brothers. You shouldn't think you know
everything when you are still blind to other things. Israel was blind until the
Gentiles came into faith. [25] For I
would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye
should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened
to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Israel will be
saved. The scriptures say, "There will come someone out of Zion. He will turn away the ungodliness from Jacob's descendants. This is My
promise to them. I will take away their sins." [26]
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out
of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: [27]
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
The Jews are enemies only to
save the Gentiles. But they are always God's chosen people. God made
that promise to their ancestors. [28] As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes:
but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. God
doesn't take back His gifts or His calling. [29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. In times
past, you did not believe God. Now, you have gotten mercy through the
Jews' unbelief. The Jews don't believe, but they will get mercy through
your mercy.[30] For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now
obtained mercy through their unbelief: [31] Even so have these
also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain
mercy. God judged all for not believing so that
He can show mercy to all of them. [32] For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that
he might have mercy upon all. God has very much wisdom and knowledge. We
can't know why He does things the way He does them. [33] O the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his
judgments, and his ways past finding out! Who knows God's
mind? Who does God talk to about what He does? [34] For who hath
known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller? Who has given
something to God first so that God should repay it? [35]
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him
again? God made everything. To God be the glory
forever. [36] For of him, and through him, and to him, are all
things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Romans 12
Use your gifts in daily living.
I beg you, brothers, by God's
mercy that you give your bodies to God. Make them a living sacrifice and
acceptable to God. [1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, which is your reasonable service. Do not become like
the other people in the world. But, changing your mind will change your
behavior. Do what is good, perfect, and acceptable to the will of God. [2] And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God. I say this through the grace that God gave to
me. I say it to every man among you. Don't think of yourself more
highly than you should. Be serious and follow what God has given to
every person of faith. [3] For I say, through the grace given unto me,
to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than
he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to
every man the measure of faith. One body has many parts. Not all parts have
the same job. We are the same. We are the body of Christ. But we each
have different gifts. God gave different gifts. If you have the gift of
prophecy, you should give prophecies according to your amount of faith.
[4] For as we have many
members in one body, and all members have not the same office: [5]
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of
another. [6] Having then gifts differing according to the
grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according
to the proportion of faith;
People who have the gift of ministry should
minister and help other people. People who have the gift of
teaching should teach. People who have the gift of encouragement
should encourage other people. People who have the gift of leadership
should lead and show mercy and cheerfulness. [7] Or ministry, let us wait on
our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; [8] Or he
that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with
simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with
cheerfulness. You should love and be sincere. Hate everything that is
evil. Stay close to everything that is good. [9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor
that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Love one another
like brothers. Honor other people before you honor yourself. [10] Be
kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour
preferring one another; Don't be lazy in your job. Serve the Lord
with a strong spirit. [11] Not slothful in business; fervent
in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoice and be hopeful. Be patient
when you have trouble. Pray continuously. [12] Rejoicing in hope; patient
in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Give to needy people
who work for God. Treat strangers well. [13]
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless
the people who persecute you. Do not curse them. [14]
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Be happy with people
who are happy. Cry with people who are crying. [15]
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Treat
everyone good, and treat everyone the same. Don't just be friends with
rich people. Be friends with poor people, too. Don't think
you're better than other people. [16]
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but
condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
If
someone is bad to you, don't pay them back with something bad. Be honest
so that everyone who sees you will respect you. [17]
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight
of all men. Live in peace with everyone, as much as it is
possible. [18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you,
live peaceably with all men. Beloved people, do not take revenge on people
who hurt you. God said in the scriputure that He will punish people for
the bad things they do. [19] Dearly beloved, avenge not
yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. So then, if your
enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to
drink. When you do this, it is like putting coals of fire on his head. [20]
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink:
for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Do not let evil
defeat you. But defeat evil with doing good. [21]
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
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