THE CALLED OF JESUS CHRIST

Romans 1:1-7 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name: among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

From Romans 15:22-24 we learn that the apostle, Paul, at the time this epistle was written, had not yet visited the saints at Rome. Although he had been much hindered from coming to you (Vs. 22), he still had a great desire ...many years (Vs. 23) to visit these Christians. He promised that whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey (Vs. 24). This epistle was written by Paul to the saints at Rome probably during his third missionary journey. Most likely it was written from Corinth and delivered to the Roman Christians by the hand of Phebe (See Rom. 16). The church at Rome was primarily made up of Gentile Christians but also had some Jewish converts. There was evidently a need in the church located in Rome for scriptural teaching on certain fundamental Christian truths in order to reinforce the doctrine of salvation, to warn them against Judaizing teachers, and to instruct them in their Christian conduct.

From the time Paul was called (by God) to be an apostle, while on the road to Damascus, and was baptized into the body of Christ, he referred to himself as a servant of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:1). He was chosen to bear God's word before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15). To Timothy, Paul said this gospel message was a responsibility he was committed to by trust (1 Tim. 1:11). Gladly accepting this duty, Paul considered himself to be separated unto the gospel of God. And what was the theme of this gospel message? It was that which God had spoken through His (Old Testament) prophets - declaring Jesus to be the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the Christ and Savior of the world. As prophesied, Jesus was, indeed, the seed of David according to the flesh. The power of God was undeniably demonstrated by the resurrection (of Jesus) from the dead. It was the resurrected Son of God that the apostles, including Paul himself, were called to preach as the fulfillment of God's promise to all nations throughout the world. The hope of salvation is found only Jesus, the Son of God (See Rom. 1:2-5).

In the lesson text, Paul continues the his introduction to the Christians at Rome by telling them they are also the called of Jesus Christ ...(the) beloved of God, (and were) called to be saints. Hearing and obeying God's call through His message that Paul delivered to them would bring grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ (Vs. 6-7). It is evident from these passages that those to whom this letter was written were among the called of God. We can also conclude that all saints are the called of God - all who, through obedience to His divine will, responded to God's call through the teaching of His word, and were baptized into the body of Christ. This was God's plan of salvation from the beginning of time. Notice how Paul explained this to Timothy: (God), who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2 Tim. 1:9).

Jesus commissioned his apostles to teach all nations (Matt. 28:16-20), which began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-36). A few people responded the apostle's call with this question: men and brethren, what shall we do (to be saved)? Of the vast multitudes of Jews that were called on this day, only 3,000 obeyed their inspired instructions. They answered the call to repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Matt. 2:38). Eternal salvation is the hope of God's calling - it is the inheritance of all obedient saints in Christ (Eph. 1:18). Not all called are saved! Salvation is not found in the initial calling, but comes from an obedient, and continual obedient response to that calling. Jesus is calling you today!