Decisions and ideas have consequences. When a person, a tribe, or a culture rejects God, the consequences are devastating. Romans 1:18-23 clearly teaches that all human beings are religious: they all know God exists. Those who reject the God of the Bible always substitute something or someone else to worship. The result is that God then gives us over to our desires. The three stages of divine judgment described in this chapter show the cultural degradation that ensues from the rejection of God.

We continue our study in the book of Romans by looking at Genesis 15:6 and are reminded of what Grace really means. We learn the importance of what is meant by the word "Biblical", that all authority is the Word of God only. We learn that "belief" is illustrated in both Abraham and David in the Old Testament, and is the basis of their Justification. Justification is from the Grace of God.

Lesson also includes Genesis 15:6

This section of Acts shifts focus to Peter and his preparation to present salvation to the Gentiles. See how and where God leads Peter into Gentile territory armed with his apostolic credentials. In whose name does Peter use these credentials? Look at parallel passages where Jesus heals and why the Jews should have understood these miracles as signs revealing Jesus as Messiah. How does healing in the Old Testament become another link connecting the signs the Jews refused to see? How does Peter’s vision in chapter 10 reveal a new direction from Law to grace in an entirely new focus that reaches out to Gentiles who want to know God?

Scripture has seen many translations. The study of the origins of these translations is key to understanding their accuracy related to the inspired text. Here Paul presents Jesus to a Jewish audience, weaving Old Testament promises through his message which are fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Could a fuzzy translation compromise the fact that these verses are meant to be Messianic? Take a careful look at the clarity of promise in these Messianic passages. Develop the meaning of begotten, the shared natures of God and His Son, the timing of the Messiah’s reign on earth and the imagery in these passages which present Jesus as Messiah and clearly show His relationship to the Father.