Overview of Romans

I. Intro. + Theme 1:1-17 II. Condemnation 1:18-3:20 III. Justification 3:21-5:11 IV. Sanctification 5:12-8:39 V. Illustration 9:1-11:36 VI. Application 12:1-15:13VII. Epilogue 15:14-16:27

Identity

DAN

Reality

Romans 6:1-14Principle: “When sin increases, grace increases far more.”

Distortion: “So why not sin to bring more grace?”

Response: “That makes no sense! We have a new nature and a new identity in Christ.”

A New I.D. – Romans 6Chapter 5 can leave us with the sense that, since

grace overwhelms sin, why not sin?

A New I.D. – Romans 6Paul now tells us how to react to sin and grow.

A New I.D. – Romans 6Theme: The experience of life and death.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:1Because of grace, does it really matter if we sin?

A New I.D. – Romans 6:1Paul’s answer is how he started the book:

The Just by faith shall live.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:1First part of Romans emphasized that a person is

declared just by faith.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:1Now Paul emphasizes that the just by faith shall

experience life!

A New I.D. – Romans 6:1We know how to possess life, now how do we

experience life?

A New I.D. – Romans 6:2Paul’s point is not, “We can’t do something like

that!”, but “How can we do something like that?”

A New I.D. – Romans 6:2As fans of the Princess Bride know well, it’s not

impossible, but it is inconceivable.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:2It would be like someone saying in WWII,

“How can a loyal American support the Nazis?”

A New I.D. – Romans 6:2It is inconceivable, though some did it.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:2The goal of any theology should be the Lordship of

Jesus Christ.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:2The question for any theology should be,

“How do we get there?”

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3Paul’s answer is that it starts with a new identity in

Christ.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3God literally gives us a new nature!

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3A changed life is not automatic or inevitable,

as some teach.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3The Corinthians and change.

1:2; 3:1-3; 5; 6:8-11 and so on…

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3Our new self is still imprisoned in a “dead” body.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3But, our new self is the basis of change.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3This baptism is water baptism.

• Nowhere is water mentioned in the context• Nowhere is water baptism connected to

regeneration (born again), to eternal life or to justification

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3This baptism is water baptism.

• Further, water baptism is never made a requirement in the Gospel of John

• Therefore, it is impossible for it to be necessary for eternal life

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3However, water baptism is an important practice

for believers.Acts 8:38-39 (Phillip) ; 10:47 (Peter)

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3Paul was glad he didn’t baptize too many!

1 Cor. 1:14-17• He didn’t want them making him too important• Baptism is not part of the gospel• However, he did baptize believers• In Spirit baptism, the HS is the one who does

the baptizing

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3The one crucial baptism in the NT is Spirit baptism,

which is the focus here.Comp. Rom. 6:3 with 1 Cor. 12:12-13 and

Gal. 3:26-28

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3-4We can only change when we recognize the reality

of who we are and how God now thinks of us.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3-4Change does not occur when we define ourselves

by our failures or who we have been.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3-4Focusing on our sin and failure will short-circuit

growth.James 1:23 – CONTEXT!

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3-4Repentance is an important factor in Christian

growth. But dwelling on your old life, your sins, and who

you were is counter-productive for growth.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3-4This is all a process (2 Cor. 3:18)

While laying hold of it is valuable, living with the correct mind set takes time and growth.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3-4And, the glory of God is a crucial part of this.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3-4Be careful to not use failure as an excuse.

A New I.D. – Romans 6:3-4The person does not exist whom God cannot

change.