Romans 10:14-21
Q.1. How did Paul suggest that the Gospel should be preached to the lost? What makes the Word of God an essential part of the Gospel? – (Rom.10:14-17)
There are several steps required, for lost people to be saved: (i) The lost must come to BELIEVE in Christ (Rom.10:14). (ii) In order to believe in Him, they must HEAR the message of the Gospel (Rom.10:14). (iii) In order to hear, there must be a PREACHER (Rom.10:14). Paul stated that the Creator should be believed and accepted, and that the Scriptures are adequate to bring conviction. Nevertheless, the Gospel is at its most powerful when it is accompanied by a witness (Rom.1:16-20; 3:4-18). (iv) However, for preachers to go, it is required that they are identified, SENT, and supported (Rom.10:15). (v) Paul also implied that preachers must GO to share God’s blessed message (Rom.10:15). He then further stated that for faith to grow, there must be meaningful exposure to the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Rom.10:17). The Holy Spirit uses the Written Word that He authored, to inspire faith in the Living Word, Jesus Christ. They are indissolubly linked together.
Q.2. Have the heathen had any revelation from God? Should the inclusion of the Gentiles come as a complete surprise to Israel? – (Rom.10:16-21)
Isaiah implied that God’s people would reject the Gospel – But as for Israel, He says, “All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” (Rom.10:21 c.f. Rom.10:16; Isa.53:1). As Paul mentioned previously, the truth about God has been accessible to all mankind throughout all of creation – But I say, surely, they have never heard, have they? Indeed, they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” (Rom.10:18 c.f. Ps.19:4). Many times, the prophets foretold of the inclusion of the Gentiles – 19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous by that which is not a nation, by a nation without understanding will I anger you.” 20 And Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who did not seek Me, I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” (Rom.10:19-20 c.f. Dt.32:21; Isa.65:1). All this is in God’s plan to maximize the number of those who turn in repentance and faith to the Saviour.