| 001 Questions about Romans 1:1 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 6 2015, 02:18 PM (66 Views) | |
| ASpencer | Mar 6 2015, 02:18 PM Post #1 |
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I recommend that we start right in the text itself. As much as I like the idea of outlines of the book, careful theme analysis, etc., (and heartily recommend all that good stuff to anyone studying any book of the Bible), I think that we would probably be best off going ahead and starting in the text as soon as possible. If we want to do otherwise, that is fine, too, but that is just my recommendation. So, here is what I suggest: Let's propose questions about verse 1 of chapter 1 of Romans. Feel free to list questions even if you are not sure that they are worth a forum post. Then, once we all make suggestions about questions to consider, we can devise some way to decide on one question each week to discuss together. How does that sound? If that is good, we can post questions here. Look forward to it! Edited by ASpencer, Mar 6 2015, 02:18 PM.
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| ASpencer | Mar 15 2015, 03:56 PM Post #2 |
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Well, I spent a little time this afternoon thinking about and listing some questions from verse 1. Some are more important than others. Some are more complex than others. Some are more technical than others. You get the idea. Basically, though, I decided I would go ahead and present them all, even though I realize that we won't be doing studies on all of these questions together or anything like that. I don't even think I would want to study all of these myself. I put them out there for your consideration, though, and if any of them seem to be worthy of some study, great. I also look forward to seeing questions from you all as well. Here are the questions: 1:1 Παῦλος δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, κλητὸς ἀπόστολος ἀφωρισμένος εἰς εὐαγγέλιον θεοῦ, Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart unto the gospel of God. Paul, called as a slave of Christ Jesus, set apart as an apostle unto the gospel of God. Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, a called apostle, set apart unto the gospel of God.
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| Jeff | Mar 16 2015, 07:26 PM Post #3 |
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Aaron - I like the list of questions you came up with. The only thing that I had that wasn't on your list was to better understand the phrase that Paul was "set apart unto the gospel." Does this denote a special role for Paul, or is this the same for all Christians? Of the questions you listed, I would most enjoy discussing the following: - Why Paul? - What is an apostle? - The nature and implication of Paul's setting apart However, I would be happy to discuss any of the topics mentioned. Let's see what everyone else thinks and then decide from there. |
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| dkspencer3 | Mar 20 2015, 07:48 AM Post #4 |
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Aaron, can I call you Prof.? We should call this the GBC seminary. I'd prefer if you just answer all the Greek questions for us since I feel unequipped to investigate them myself at this point. I like these questions best and in this order: 1. What is an apostle? 2. Why Paul? 3. What is the gospel? So my vote is to start with the first question - What is an apostle? |
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| dkspencer3 | Mar 21 2015, 11:14 AM Post #5 |
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I briefly went through every use of the word "apostle" in the NT. I didn't go through all the uses of the verb apostolo or the other noun translated "apostleship". That would also be helpful. Here are some characteristics of an apostle and other things I noted: 1. One of “the twelve” chosen by Jesus 2. Given authority over demons and diseases 3. They performed signs and wonders 4. Sent out in pairs to preach from city to city 5. A witness of Jesus' entire earthly ministry (Acts 1:21-26) 6. They were teachers and leaders of the church 7. They were witnesses of Jesus' resurrection 8. Laid their hands on the first deacons (Acts 6:6) 9. Imparted the Spirit by laying on of apostles hands (Acts 8:14) 10. Similar to OT prophets. Foundation of God's household. (Luke 11:49, Eph. 2:20) 11. “one who is sent” in John 13:16 12. Paul and Barnabas are called “apostles” (Acts 14:4,14, 1 Cor. 9:6) 13. Romans 16:7 – debatable verse – are Andronicus and Junia apostles? Doubtful 14. The apostles were persecuted heavily (1 Cor. 4:9-13) 15. Paul saw Jesus (1 Cor. 9:1) 16. Saved souls and/or churches planted are proof of apostleship (1 Cor. 9:2) 17. Apostles were highest rank in the church (1 Cor. 12:28) 18. 1 Cor 15:5-8 seems to indicate more than 12 apostles at time of resurrection 19. 2 Cor 8:23 seems to indicate that Titus, Timothy and Paul's other fellow workers were apostles as well. 20. 2 Cor. 11:13 – Why would they pretend to be apostles if there were only 12 + Paul and Barn? 21. Paul says sings, wonders, and miracles are signs of a true apostle (2 Cor. 12:12) 22. James, the Lord's brother, was an apostle (Gal. 1:19) 23. God revealed things to them directly (Gal. 1, Eph. 3:5) 24. Epaphroditus is called an apostle of the church of Philippi (Phil. 2:25) 25. Jesus is the apostle of our confession (Heb. 3:1) 26. Rev. 21:14 shows that the 12 apostles are distinct from the rest. In conclusion, it seems clear that the 12 are a distinct group in some ways, but that at least Paul, Barnabas, and James (Jesus' brother) had pretty much equal authority and giftedness. A lot is made of Paul and Barnabas as apostles to the Gentiles. James seems to be a main figure in Jerusalem. Paul's helpers are also called apostles, but this may be in a different sense. Perhaps they were apostles of the churches while the 15 men above received their apostleship directly from God Himself. "Ambassador" seems to capture the idea of apostleship. It's someone who is sent out on a mission from one party to another with a message. I'm curious to hear ya'lls thoughts on all this. We can still look at other questions if ya'll want. I'm not trying to choose for us. I've been wanting to look at this issue for a little while though. |
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| dkspencer3 | Mar 21 2015, 11:17 AM Post #6 |
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One major question I still have regards Paul's missionary companion whom he calls "apostles of the churches". In what sense are these men apostles? Titus, Timothy, Epaphroditus, etc. Were they apostles of Christ like Paul and the twelve? If not, does this lesser office remain today? Is it basically what we call missionaries? Should we expect them to perform signs and wonders? |
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| dkspencer3 | Mar 21 2015, 11:18 AM Post #7 |
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And I guess one other question is: Does it really matter what we call them? Missionaries, apostles, messengers, ambassadors, etc. Would it be good or bad to call them apostles or does it even matter? |
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| Clint | Mar 24 2015, 05:30 PM Post #8 |
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I have four questions: 1. What is a "servant" or "slave"? 2. What is an "apostle"? 3. What does it mean to be "set apart"? 4. What does the word "gospel" mean? The two I am most interested are #4 and #2. |
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