1. Life in the Spirit: Saint Paul Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings

2. (From 12a) • What is the central issue of the so-called “Council of Jerusalem”? What are three basic positions taken on the issue? Whose position seems to be accepted, and what is that position? • Who is Saint Paul? • What two titles does Paul give himself in Romans 1? What titles/designations does Paul apply to Jesus in Rm. 1? • How does Paul’s conversion experience shape his faith (see passage from Acts 9:1-9)? Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings

3. Prayer of the week: The Angelus V: The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.Hail Mary,… V: Behold, the handmaid of the Lord. R: Be it done unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary ... V: And the Word was made flesh. R: And dwelt among us. Hail Mary… V: Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings

4. According to chapter 1, has Paul been to Rome before? How then is this letter different from his other letters? Why does he want to visit? • Is God responsible for sinfulness, even of those who do not have the Law of Moses (according to Romans 1)? • In chapter 1 of Romans, what is Paul’s position on why sinfulness and evil exists? • Who is Paul blaming for sinfulness in Chapter 2? How does this transform the issue of sin? • Does circumcision make for "a real Jew" according to Paul? How does one really become on of God’s own people? Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings

5. Paul at His Writing Desk,Rembrandt Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings

6. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings St. Paul Preaching in Athens, Raphael

7. Romans 1 According to chapter 1, has Paul been to Rome before? How then is this letter different from his other letters? Why does he want to visit? • Paul has not yet visited; longs to meet them • This is unlike other letters which were to encourage and correct communities he himself founded as principle "apostle to the Gentiles" • He wants to "strengthen" and mutually encourage" the Romans in their faith Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings

8. Romans 1 Is God responsible for sinfulness, even of those who do not have the Law of Moses (according to Romans 1)? • No – all are responsible for themselves before God. • For all people: “…they are without excuse" (1:20): • “men who by wickedness suppress the truth” – the truth should be manifestly visible • The Creator and His will is clear in creation, His law is on our hearts • The wicked exchange true God for idols, for self • Who “they” are is not specified, but it seems to apply to many people. Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings

9. Romans 1 In chapter 1 of Romans, what is Paul’s position on why sinfulness and evil exists? What is God’s role in evil? • Sinfulness and evil exist because people have fallen away from God and His goodness • This means God has allowed it, but not caused it; • "God gave them up..." (1:24, 26, 28): allows people to fall into sin; "to permit evil" is not "to cause evil“; • God let them do what they thought they wanted; • their obstinate resistance to His will: He allows them to go ahead (C.S. Lewis on hell: God says okay, yourwill be done) • they descend into the depths to which their own perverted wills take them; listed in "catalog of vices" • God not accountable for this - those who do wicked are; God is good! Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings

10. Romans 2 Who is Paul blaming for sinfulness in Chapter 2? How does this transform the issue of sin as presented in chapter 1? • "therefore you have no excuse..." (2:1) - "whoever you are”: sinfulness applies to everyone • Rather then pointing the finger at others, Paul demands that we examine our own selves • Paul expresses the universality of sinfulness; none is exempt • some sin "without the law" (Gentiles) some "with the law" (Jews) - God's law - Torah - Moses • First and foremost, Paul will point at himself; considers himself first of sinners – “judge not and be not judged” • This transforms the sense of sinfulness occurs: The “catalog of vices” to judge others becomes an “examination of conscience” to change oneself! (and to realize, in gratitude, God’s mercy) Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings

11. Romans 2 Does circumcision make for "a real Jew" according to Paul? How does one really become on of God’s own people? • Yes, circumcision is the basic covenant that makes one a "real Jew" and one of God's own people, starting with Abraham; • But it is "inward circumcision": of the heart and not merely of the flesh; • biggest of sins: hypocrisy - rejecting the God one professes with one's lips; • one's actions undo the “outward” circumcision and separate one from God's people; • an inward circumcision of the heart draws one into God's people. • This idea is not new to Paul or Christians: see Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6 Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings

12. His Life in the Spirit: Saint Paul Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings