Letters and Messages
The books from Romans to Revelation are letters and messages. Some of them are from people who began following Jesus while he was on earth. Some are from people who began following Jesus after he returned to heaven.
The letters and messages are to people and churches in lands controlled by the Roman government. It was common for letter writers to speak out loud what they wanted to say. Then a secretary would write the words down. The writer would add a final message in their own handwriting. A believer who was travelling would take the letter to the people it was for. It was common for these letters to be read out loud. They would be shared with many churches.
The letters and messages are about life in the years right after Jesus was on earth. Some of them also talk about events that will happen in the future. This includes when Jesus will return to earth. They talk about the time when Jesus will rule fully as King on earth.
All of the letters and messages teach about how to follow Jesus faithfully.
Romans
What is the book of Romans?
The book of Romans is a letter from Paul. Paul spoke out loud what he wanted to say in his letters. Tertius was the secretary who wrote this letter down.
It's thought that Paul wrote this letter from Corinth at the end of his third journey. It's thought that he wrote it around the year AD 57.
Who was Romans written to?
To the believers in the city of Rome. Some were Jews but most were Gentiles.
Followers of Jesus recognise that Romans shares the truth about Jesus. It's for all people everywhere.
Why was Romans written?
To tell the believers in Rome who Paul was and to ask for their help. Paul hoped the church in Rome would support him on his journey to Spain. Paul planned to share the message about Jesus in Spain.
To help the believers in Rome with problems they were having with one another. Jewish and Gentile believers disagreed over laws about food and holy days.
Main ideas
The good news about Jesus.
God's desire for a relationship of deep love and peace with all people.
God's power to save Jews and Gentiles and to make them right with himself.
Believing in Jesus leads to obeying God and showing love to others.
Outline
Greetings (1:1–15).
What the good news is (1:16–17).
Why all people need to be saved (1:18–3:20).
People are made right with God by having faith in Jesus (3:21–5:21).
Living under the control of the Holy Spirit (6–8).
God's relationship with Israel (9–11).
Living the way God wants people to live (12:1–15:13).
Paul's work and his plans to travel (15:14–33).
Paul greets certain believers and says goodbye (16).