Foundations

Paul explains in Romans 5 - 8what it means to overcome sin and live righteously for Christ in a fallen world and that is only possible through His grace. In chapter 7 and 8, Paul introduces us to four spiritual laws: the Law of God, the Law of Sin and Death, the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ, which allows us to overcome sin and death, and the Law of the Mindset. Setting our mind on the Law of the Spirit will free us to live righteously as justified people by God's grace.

The Book of Romans is Paul's theological masterpiece. Paul lays out the crucial doctrine of Justification (that God declares the unrighteous to be completely righteous because of the work of Jesus Christ). It is upon this pillar that he builds his argument for the gospel's power to transform unrighteous sinners into the justified righteous, for the cross of Jesus Christ can make us righteous. The good news in Christ is we can become justified, "just as if we never sinned!"

The Apostle Paul is a good example of using every opportunity to share his faith story and influencing anyone he met for Christ. He even shared his faith with an angry mob in Jerusalem. Paul shared before the Jewish Council, then with governors Felix, then Festus, and before King Agrippa, who was almost persuaded to believe the Gospel. At every turn, even when shipwrecked on Malta, Paul told everyone the Gospel and how God changed his life.

Paul tried to relate the Gospel without being offensive in Athens, by quoting Greek poets and bringing a message about their "unknown god", yet few believed. Later we see Paul preaching the Gospel more simply and letting God convict the hearer. Paul went to Jerusalem even though he would no doubt be in danger and suffer. Truly, Paul did all things for the sake of the Gospel, and, like Jesus, made loving the lost his primary priority.

The Great Commission has four main parts (going, making disciples, baptizing, and teaching). We can see all of them in the Book of Acts as God clearly showed that the Gospel was for everyone: Philip preached in Samaria and then to the Ethiopian, and Peter shared the gospel with the Roman soldier Cornelius. Paul and Barnabas further show this as they proclaim the Gospel from Jerusalem and Judea and to the uttermost parts of the earth.

The conversion of Saul is an astounding display of the Holy Spirit's power. God took Saul, an adamant opponent to the Gospel, and transformed him into the Apostle Paul, the greatest missionary of the Gospel. As a result of his new faith, and his commitment to reach the world with the Gospel, Paul forfeited all of his worldly success and reputation as a Pharisee, "counting all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus."

In Acts, Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of the Church, has a dramatic encounter with the Risen Christ, becomes Paul the apostle and immediately begins proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. Paul becomes a missionary, a writer, and one of the most influential Christians! His ministry is marked by preaching, trouble wherever he goes, beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, miracles and thousands led to Jesus. Paul lays the foundation for the Church while fulfilling the Great Commission to the Gentiles.

In Acts chapter six we read about Stephen's arrest, his sermon summarizing the Old Testament to the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, and his martyr's death. Two important events occurred after the death of Stephen: The Pharisee Saul, who later became Paul the apostle, was impacted and God used the persecution to scatter the Christians to take the Gospel to the regions beyond Jerusalem. The book of Acts records a "perpetual Pentecost" as a result of the early church's obedience.

In Acts we see seven patterns of the Church unfolding. 1. Giving: Believers shared generously. 2. Civil Disobedience: God was the supreme authority. 3. Church Discipline: Those who lied to the Holy Spirit were removed dramatically, to keep the Church pure and holy. 4. Gifts: Spiritual gifts to serve the church. 5. Martyrdom: Stephen was the first to die for his faith. 6. Simony: Those who attempt to buy or influence leadership with money. 7. Healing: Miracles were common.

The first century Church and our local church today, should have ten visible characteristics: Evangelism-sharing the Gospel all the time as a lifestyle, Teaching- spiritual growth as a result of studying the Scriptures, Fellowship-time with one another, Worship-celebrating worship of the Lord, Prayer-time with God, Unity-all things in common, Diversity-all are unique but those differences make them stronger, Plurality-more than one pastor to share the work, Empathy- truly care for each other, Equality-they are the same.