Bible 104 Class#4 1
Homework Review What is the difference between the Rational and Reformed sinner? The Rational Sinner rationalizes who God is in his mind and the Reformed Sinner believes that God exists. How will a Reformed sinner be judged? Romans 2:1-5 According to truth; his judgment is not based upon circumstantial or manufactured evidence. Romans 2:6-10 According to works Romans 2:11-15 The Basic Principle of Impartiality Romans 2:16 Judgment includes the secrets of men by Jesus Christ. Is it true that a Reformed sinner suppresses the truth? False Is the Reformed sinner excused for his actions? False Jewish hypocrites will escape God s judgment? False 2
The Doctrine of Condemnation The Doctrine of Condemnation can be broken down into four sections: The Rational Sinner (Romans 1:18-1:32) The Reformed Sinner (Romans 2:1-2:16) The Religious Sinner (Romans 2:17-3:8) The Whole World is Guilty (Romans 3:9-3:20) 3
The Rational Sinner (Romans 1:18-1:32) This person rationalizes who God is in his mind. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18) The basis for God s wrath against the Gentiles and the fact that they are without excuse is that they suppress the truth about God and have exchanged the glory of God for idols (1:18-23). 4
The Reformed Sinner (Romans 2:1-2:16) This sin apparently believes that God exists. According to Romans 2:3 he believes he is capable of judging the Rational Sinner He believes he will escape the judgment of God Keep in mind that he is neither rational or religious and thinks that he is as good as anyone else and believes the church is full of hypocrites 5
The Religious Sinner He is different from the from the Rational Sinner in that he does not put God out of his mind He is not like the Reformed Sinner that believes he will escape judgment He is just like the Jews in the Old Testament that believes works of the law will justify him This sinner fails to realize that grace is through faith in Jesus Christ 6
The Divisions of the Religious Sinner Romans 2:17-24 God judges this sinner for trusting in is religiosity or churchianity or denomination. In other words, he believes that salvation comes from his outward religious acts. Romans 2:25-29 He put to much trust in outward ceremonies. (Baptism, Communion, Awards, Programs, ) Romans 3:1-8 He is religious on Sunday, but lives the rest of the week like the poor natural man and to gratify his basic fallen nature, yet justifying himself 7
Romans 2:17-20 Restest in the law". This implies that this sinner, being a Jew, relys on the fact that they had been choosen by God in His giving them the Mosaic Law, and that mere knowledge of the law was sufficient to bring them into right relationship with God. They were so confident that they knew the identity of the one true God, knew His will, were instructed from His law, and that these things qualified them to be guides, lights in darkness, instructors, and teachers. 8
Romans 2:21-24 But the Jew does not obey the teachings of the Law and as a result the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles (2:21-24) The Jew who teaches, preaches, and tells others not to steal, commit adultery, and rob temples is himself guilty of the same sins (2:21-23) Preach against stealing, yet they steal (2:21) Tell others not to commit adultery, yet they commit adultery (2:22) Hate idols, yet they rob temples (2:22) Brag in the Law, but they dishonor God by transgressing the Law (2:23) The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of the Jews disobedience (2:24) 9
Romans 2:21-24 (summary) The problem is, they failed to look at themselves They are quick to point out others faults yet have difficulty looking at our own sins. Jesus talked about hypocritical behavior like this in Matthew 7:1-5. 10
Romans 2:25-29 (Summary) The Jew cannot arrogantly appeal to the outward rite of circumcision since (1) the uncircumcised man who obeys the Law will be regarded as circumcised and he in turn will judge the disobedience of the circumcised Jew as uncircumcision, and (2) the true Jew who gets praise from God, not people, is the one who is circumcised by the Spirit inwardly, in the heart, and not by the letter 11
Romans 2:25-27 Circumcision is as uncircumcision when a man continually breaks the Law (2:25). The uncircumcised man who keeps the Law will be regarded as circumcised and he will judge the disobedience of the circumcised man as uncircumcision (2:26-27). The uncircumcised man who keeps the Law will be regarded as circumcised (2:26) The uncircumcised man will judge the disobedience of the circumcised man as uncircumcision (2:27). 12
Romans 2:28-29 The true Jew who gets praise from God, not people, is one who is not simply circumcised outwardly in the flesh, but one who has been circumcised inwardly, by the Spirit, and not the letter (2:28-29). A true Jew is not one outwardly and circumcision is not something purely outward in the body (2:28). A true Jew is one inwardly where the circumcision is of the heart by the Spirit, not by the letter (2:29). A true Jew is one whose praise is not from people, but from God (2:29). 13
Romans 3:1-4 The truthfulness of God cannot be replaced by privilege 3:1-2 Being a Jew, having the law, and having circumcision did not save - but it put men at a great advantage to be saved. It is a wonderful thing to have truth - but truth obligates us to obey it. The truthfulness of God cannot be negated by unbelief 3:3-4 Our unbelief has no impact on God. Facts are facts whether we deny them or not. If every man on earth doubted the truth of God - He would be the One who speaks the truth. 14
Romans 3:5-8 The truthfulness of God cannot be obligated by patriotism 3:5-7 Not only is it not possible to deny the truthfulness of God, it is not possible to assist it God needs no help from us and is not obligated to treat us any differently because we are rooting for His truth God will still judge us impartially and fairly whether we are against Him or for Him The truthfulness of God cannot be overwhelmed by propaganda 3:8 We have not gotten to the last Sinner yet Paul places the whole world under the judgment of God Paul shows that we are all at fault and guilty. The only answer is to provide another source of hope - another source of justification - justification by faith 15
Homework Study the books of the Bible in order Practice Bible verses Read Romans 3:9-3:20 What makes the Religious sinner different from the Rational and Reformed sinner? What are the three divisions of the Religious sinner? 16
Required Bible Verses to Study and Know II Timothy 2:15 Psalm 119:11 II Timothy 3:16 James 1:22 Proverbs 3:5-6 Isaiah 40:8 Romans 12:1-2 Romans 10:9-10 NEW Romans 2:11 - For there is no respect of persons with God. 17
Bibliography Bible.org John D. Brooke, TH.D., The Five Major Doctrines of the Christian Faith (Newburgh, In, 1985) 18