Devotion 2

Romans 1:2

Is Your Case In Order

Having been in the courtroom numerous times over the last few years, I could not help but notice the legal format of the first chapter of the book of Romans. Paul was clearly drawing upon his vast experience in the legal realm to open his case for Christ. The first six verses of chapter one comprise one of the best opening statements I have ever heard. After declaring his status as a Servant Selected and Separated to the gospel, he then provides his first piece of evidence to the court. 

"Your Honor, I would like to submit item number one as the first piece of evidence for future reference in this case."

"Please approach the bench." the Judge would say.

"Your Honor, as I aforementioned, I have been separated unto the gospel. This gospel of which I speak and shall declare in this case has been supported and referred to by these written statements which I present to you this day. On these parchments, I present the testimonies of Moses, Isaiah, Samuel, David, Daniel, Hosea, Jeremiah, malachi, Zechariah, and several others. Please note the highlighted paragraphs which all refer to the coming Messiah and/or a new covenant."

"Objection Your Honor." The devilish defense attorney would seathe. "These documents have not been authenticated and therefore cannot be taken as factual or literal."

"Overruled. These appear to be from the Authorized Version of the texts and therefore are perfectly preserved and shall be admitted." The Judge would reply.

Please excuse my artistic liberties. It does however, make me consider my own case for Christ. Paul clearly had his case in order when he was called upon to present it. 

This is not the last time that Paul will rely upon his knowledge of the scriptures to support his case in the book of Romans. This makes perfectly good sense when you consider Paul's background as a Pharisee. He was a devout student of the law and its interpretation. He understood the importance of scripture. I am sure that Paul's list of testimonials looked something like this:

Genesis 3:15

Genesis 12:3

Genesis 49:10 (The Promise)

Exodus 12:40-50 (The Passover Lamb)

Numbers 24:17 (The Scepter)

Deuteronomy 18:17-19 (The Coming Prophet)

Job 19:15-27 (The Resurrection)

Psalms 8:1-9 (Brought Low for the Suffering of Death)

Psalms 6:7-11 (Will Not See Decay)

Psalms 22:1-31 (The Crucifixion Foretold)

Psalms 45:1-9 (The King and His Bride)

Psalms 110:1-7 (The Coming Priest)

Proverbs 30:4 (The Son)

Isaiah 7:14 (To Be Born of a Virgin)

Isaiah 9:6-7 (The Man Who is God)

Isaiah 11:1-5 (The Righteous Judge)

Isaiah 42:1-9 (The Light of the Gentiles)

Isaiah 52:13-15 (The Suffering Servant)

Isaiah 53:1-12 (The Lamb of God Raised From the Dead)

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (The New Covenant)

Daniel 7:13-14 (His Kingdom is Forever)

Daniel 9:26 (He is to be Cut Off)

Amos 8:9-10 (Sun to go Down at Noon)

Micah 5:2 (The Christ to be Born in Bethlehem)

Zechariah 9:9 (The King to Enter Jerusalem Riding a Donkey)

Zechariah 11:10-13 (he is to be Sold for 30 Pieces of Silver)

Zechariah 12:9-10 (The Repentance of the Jews)

Zechariah 14:1-9 (The Second Coming)

Malachi 3:1-5 (The Messenger Prepares the Way).

It is important to see Paul's priority on the word of God as the basis of his faith. In fact when you study Paul's writings, you will find that he mentions the word scripture fifteen times. He mentions the word "law" one hundred and eight times throughout his letters. He mentions Moses by name twenty one times and Abraham twenty nine times. In the book of Romans alone, Paul quotes from the Old Testament some fifty times. In most Bibles, if you were to peruse through the center reference column in the Book of Romans, you would find the following Old Testament references from which Paul quoted as he wrote this wonderful book:

Chapter 1

• Hab 2:4

Chapter 2

• Isa 52:5

Chapter 3

• Ps 51:4
• Ps 14:1-3, 53:1-3
• Ps 5:9
• Ps 140:3
• Ps 10:7
• Prov 1:16, 3:15-17, Isa 59:7-8
• Ps 36:1

Chapter 4

• Gen 15:6
• Ps 32:1-2
• Gen 15:5

Chapter 7

• Ex 20:17; Deut 5:21

Chapter 8

• Ps 44:22

Chapter 9

• Gen 25:23
• Mal 1:2-3
• Ex 33:19
• Ex 9:16
• Hos 2:23
• Hos 1:10
• Isa 10:22-23
• Isa 1:9
• Isa 28:16

Chapter 10

• Deut 30:14
• Joel 2:32
• Isa 52:7
• Isa 53:1
• Ps 19:4
• Deut 32:21
• Isa 65:1
• Isa 65:2

Chapter 11

• I Kings 19:10,14
• I Kings 19:18
• Ps 69:22-23
• Isa 59:20,21

Chapter 12

• Deut 32:35
• Prov 25:21-22

Chapter 13

• Ex 20:13-17; Deut 5:17-21
• Lev 19:18

Chapter 14

• Isa 45:23

Chapter 15

• Ps 69:9
• II Sam 22:5; Ps 18:49
• Deut 32:43
• Ps 117:1
• Isa 11:10
• Isa 52:15

It is not my goal to overwhelm you with verses for the sake of puffing up my head or yours. There are plenty of references out there that you can purchase or view for free on line that will provide you with the same information that I have plagiarized here. Nor am I attempting to fill space within this writing. The point that we must be drawn back to is simply this: Paul knew the book. I would warrant to say that he knew it so well that he literally thought and drew from it naturally as is seen in his writings. The Word of God was so ingrained in Paul's mind that he freely spoke of it and it spoke through him. 

This brings a new perspective to II Timothy 2:15 that says "Study to show thyself approved..." With this being said, we live in a day and age where the vast majority of Christians that routinely attend churches throughout our nation would be hard pressed to randomly present a Biblical pathway to salvation. Much less find a passage that they could share with their co-worker in order to enlighten them as to the reason for baptism or any other biblical doctrine. Paul did not hang his case for Christ on hearsay, emotion, or his own personal experiences, emotions, or feelings. He based his case on the Word of God. Romans 1:2 "(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)." I am again reminded of another childrens song that I used to sing. "The B.I.B.L.E, that's the book for me, I stand alone on the word of God, the B.I.B.L.E."