LESSON I.—SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1893.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] 8. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.
9. For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you,
10. Always in my prayers making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto you.
11. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established:
12. That is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.
13. And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles.
14. I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome.
16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17. For therein is revealed a righteousness of God by faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.
Golden Text: "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." Rom. 1: 16. 1. By whom and to whom was this scripture written?
2. For what did Paul thank God? Verse 8.
3. Of whom did Paul make mention in his prayers, and what did he request? Verses 9, 10.
4. How often did he do this?
5. Whom does he call to witness to this?
6. How did Paul serve God?
7. Why did Paul long to see his brethren? Verse 11.
8. What was this gift designed to do for the church?
9. What mental benefit did Paul hope would be derived from his expected visit? Verse 12.
10. What motive prompted his desire to go to them? Verse 13.
11. To whom did Paul consider himself a debtor? Verse 14.
12. What did a sense of this indebtedness lead Paul to desire? Verse 15.
13. How did Paul regard the gospel? Verse 16.
14. Of whose power is the gospel a manifestation?
15. To whom is it the power of God unto salvation?
16. How does the gospel reveal God's power? See note.
17. To the accomplishment of what is it powerful?
18. What does the gospel reveal? Verse 17.
19. How does it reveal righteousness?
20. How shall only the just or righteous live? THE gospel is wrapped up in Jesus Christ. In the great plan of salvation, he stands as the chief and central figure. His death paid the penalty of man's transgression (Isa. 53: 5); "he became sin for us" (2 Cor. 5: 21). Thus believers "have redemption through his blood." Col. 1: 14. This redemption includes "the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1: 14), the cleansing from "all unrighteousness" (1 John 1: 9). The being is thus constituted a "new creature in Christ Jesus" (2 Cor. 5: 17), and becomes God's workmanship, "created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Eph. 2: 10.) The work of redemption, then, is nothing more or less than a work of creation—the recreating of fallen man, restoring him to his Edenic holiness and purity. And this work of recreating is accomplished by the same power and in the same way as was the original creation. God "spake," and the worlds came into existence. Ps. 33: 6-9. By this same word of power was the leper made clean (Matt. 8: 1-3), the tempest stilled (Matt. 8: 23-27), and the dead raised (John 11: 43). That it is this same word of power which is manifest in the forgiveness of sins is shown by the words of Christ in John 15: 3: "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." See also Matt. 9: 2-6. Thus do we find that redemption is but the re-assertion of God's power as Creator. The memorial of creation is the Sabbath of the Creator. Gen. 2: 2, 3; Ex. 20: 8-11. Those who observe that ordinance show that they recognize the source of their existence and the authority of their Creator. But redemption is also creation, and therefore has as its memorial the same Sabbath of the Creator. Hence, those who are redeemed or sanctified from sin and are created anew, having God's law written in their hearts (Heb. 8: 10), will keep the memorial of creative power, the Sabbath of Jehovah. It will thus become the great distinguishing sign or mark of all those who recognize the Lord as their Creator and Redeemer. Eze. 20: 12; Ex. 31: 17.