stoneshms.jpg - 54764 Bytes
Our Priority,

Our Philosophy,

Our Position,

Our Programs,

Our Physical LocationOutside Links-

Baptist Bastion,

Books and Bibles Online,

HomeSchool Sailor,

Fundamentally Basic,

Religions & Cults,

More Christian ResourcesSupported Missions,

Other Missions,

World Church DirectoryRecent Additions to Our Site
Home PageSermons in Type,

Sermons on Tape,

Doctrinal WritingsOur Pastor,

Our PeopleAsk the Pastor,

Pastors Pen Online,

Memorization,

Daily Devotions
galley.gif - 2962 Bytes
......................
Ask the Pastor
......................
Pastor's Pen
......................
Memorization
......................


Quick Links
clear.gif - 808 Bytes
clear.gif - 808 BytesOur Priorities
clear.gif - 808 BytesOur Constitution
clear.gif - 808 BytesOur Pastor
clear.gif - 808 BytesOur Programs
clear.gif - 808 BytesOur Location
clear.gif - 808 BytesOur Missionaries

......................
Favorites
clear.gif - 808 Bytes
clear.gif - 808 BytesGoogle Search
clear.gif - 808 BytesAsk the Pastor
clear.gif - 808 BytesDoctrinal Writings
clear.gif - 808 BytesFresh Supplies

......................

Thank you for visiting. Please send spiritual comments to Pastor's Pen

......................

Please e-mail all other comments to WindJammer

......................

Ambassador Baptist Church
1926 Babcock Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15209
(412)477-3210
clear.gif - 808 Bytes
   You Are Here: Bridge / Galley / Pastor's Pen / Pathways Through Paul
clear.gif - 808 Bytes
Pathways Through Paul Daily Devotional
clear.gif - 808 Bytes pp.gif - 1611 Bytes clear.gif - 808 Bytes
Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional

May 11
Click on verses for Full Scripture
previous - - - - - - - - - - next


Today's Pathway:


 Romans 15:7-13
  1. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
  2. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
  3. And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
  4. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
  5. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
  6. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
  7. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

His Majesty's Service

 In today's passage Paul begins by teaching about the ministry of Christ. In verse 7 we have already seen that the church members are to receive one another. The context leading into that verse is that stronger and weaker brethren ought to have a close relationship with each other. He uses verse 7 to transition to the idea of Jews and Gentiles serving and ministering together. As we mentioned previously, the idea of Jews and Gentiles being united in the same body was unfathomable to many Jews. But Christ broke down the wall between Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:14) and reconciled both unto God into one body (Ephesians 2:16). Thus, if God could receive both Jews and Gentiles then they ought to be able to receive each other.

 In verse 8 Christ is shown as ministering to the Jews. The Greek word translated "minister" is the word for "servant". So Christ served the "circumcision", which would mean the Jews because circumcision was the sign of the covenant between God and Israel. He served them by revealing to them the truth of God. John 1:18 says,

"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."
He taught them the Word of God. He showed them that the Old Testament prophecies pointed to Himself. He confirmed and established the promises that had been given to the Patriarchs: He was the Messiah, the One Who would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

 Jesus may have started with the Jews, for "salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22), but He also ministered to the Gentiles and included them in the plan of redemption. Paul talked about this back in chapter 1 when he wrote,

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16).
Because of this the Gentiles can glorify God for His great mercy to them.

 Beginning with the middle of verse 9 Paul gives a four step progression of the relationship between Jews and Gentiles by using references from the Old Testament. First he goes back to II Samuel 22:50. There David praised God for victories that He had allowed David to win. Paul uses this verse to picture the born again Jews glorifying God among the unsaved Gentiles. This would have been taking place up until Acts 10 when Cornelius became a believer. In verse 10 we see the Gentiles now rejoicing with the Jews. This is a quotation from Deuteronomy 32:43. This takes place following the conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10. In verse 11 Paul refers back to Psalm 117:1 where Jews and Gentiles are praising God together. This would relate to what has continued to happen since Acts 10 as both Jews and Gentiles are serving in churches together. In Ephesians 2:22 Paul says that Jews and Gentiles "are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit". Finally, the fourth step, found in verse 12, is that the Messiah will reign during the Millennium over both Jews and Gentiles together. The reference is to Isaiah 11:10, which teaches that the King of the Jews will reign over the Gentiles as well, and they will trust in Him. Because of these things, in verse 13 Paul calls for both Jews and Gentiles to believe God. God has done what He said He would do, and He has provided salvation to all who believe. This should give His children both joy and peace, and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the assurance that God will continue to fulfill what He has promised.

 God has kept His promises. Are we trusting Him to continue to do so?

Pastor Mark J Montgomery

 previous - - - - - - - - - - next



Return to Top
Return to The Pastor's Pen
Return to The Galley

Pastor's Pen image by
-MayaQ- from Pixabay

Disclaimer: Use of images is not necessarily
an endorsements of all the authors materials.
His Majesty's Service
Home of Ambassador Baptist Church
1926 Babcock Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15209
(412)477-3210
clear.gif - 808 Bytes