Romans 1-9: Paul presents the Gospel

1. Promise.
The gospel is the promise of God to mankind. It was announced by the prophets,
and speaks of Jesus Christ the Lord, who is simultaneously the Son of man (Ben-
Joseph) and of God (Ben-David).
God, who promised the gospel, revealed His invisible qualities (eternal power,
divine nature, glory, truth, faithfulness…), through creation, presenting His dual
nature from the beginning. He is a God of truth, this character trait requires Him to
be righteous and just; consequently, He is angered and made wrathful by His
enemies, godless, wicked, self-seeking, faithless, lying, unrighteous, ungodly
sinners. He is also a kind, merciful and compassionate God; this side of Him
provides a way for mankind, who are powerless to satisfy His judgment on their
own, to access repentance, redemption and reconciliation.
This way is Jesus Christ the Lord (see Jn. 14:6), by whom human kind acquires: 1)
repentance, the spiritual circumcision that is reflected by the persistence in doing
good (in other words, perseverance and character), which in turn bring eternal life,
glory, honor and peace; 2) redemption, which is the justification through faith, by
grace, that provides rejoicing (in present sufferings and the future glory), adding
hope; and, 3) reconciliation, the transition from curse to blessing and the adoption
into the family of God.

2. Power.
The gospel is the power of God for salvation from death and the curse caused by
sin, which entered through Adam, who broke the command (see Gen. 3). Sin can be
found in: 1) people apart from the law (Gentiles), who by nature do the required, but
fall short; 2) people under the law (Jews), who by obedience and works do the
required (physical circumcision), but fall short and stumble over the law.
The law was introduced by Moses, who broke the tablets of stone (see Ex. 32:19), to
the people of Israel (the natural descendants of Abraham). The law intended to bring
life; however, it brought death after being weakened by the sinful nature. In itself,
the law isn’t evil, in fact, it is holy, righteous, good, spiritual, and it testifies of
God’s righteousness; its function is to provide accountability,
consciousness/knowledge of sin/transgression and wrath. The authority of the law is
effective during the lifetime of the person under it.

3. Revelation.
The gospel is the revelation of God’s righteousness, apart from the law, by faith in
Jesus Christ and His blood; the Son who was made in the likeness of sinful man to
be the sacrifice of atonement, meeting the righteous requirements of the law once
for all (in this way, faith fulfills and upholds the law). The death of Jesus Christ was
the sin offering for humanity’s condemnation, and His resurrection purchased their
justification and freedom.
 Before the establishment of the law, Abraham served God with his works,
nevertheless, it was his belief that credited him as righteous. Abraham’s faith
allowed him to receive the promise of God, which was fulfilled through the lineage
of his son Isaac, and grandson Jacob. As a result, Abraham became the father of
many nations, including the Jews (his natural descendants, otherwise known as the
people of Israel), and all believers (his spiritual progeny).

4. Declaration.
The gospel is the declaration that “God will judge men’s secrets”.

5. God’s gift.
The gospel is God’s gift to those (humanity and creation) who have been subjected
to frustration because of sin, who also groan as they expect, hope, and wait for their
liberation.
To accept God’s gift is: 1) to die to sin and its law, represented through baptism into
Jesus Christ. It consists of burying the old self (body of death, sinful nature), that
was a slave to sin, death, impurity, and wickedness; in service of the written code,
mastered by sinful passions (mindset and desires), producing fruit to death. Previous
to this symbolic burial the sinful nature causes an internal struggle, of the sin/evil
within vs. the desire to do what is good and delight in God’s law; impeding people
to persist in doing what is right and just.
2) To be alive to God and the law of the Spirit (of life and sonship), also shown
through the baptism into Jesus Christ, being raised to life (anew and eternal), as
slaves to God (Master and Lord); as obedient instruments of righteousness and
holiness, bearing fruit to God, in service of the Spirit as heirs of God and co-heirs
with Christ. This resurrection involves the participation of the God-head, in regard
to humanity; a) the Father, who foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies and glorifies;
b) the Son, who loves, intercedes for, and makes more than conquerors; and, c) the
Holy Spirit, who helps, and intercedes for, with groans, according to God’s will.