The Gospel of Jesus Christ-the only Way for Joy, Hope, and Life ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

Paul, through the Power of the Holy Spirit in him, wrote this most extensive letter to the believers in Rome. In it, he details the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ with meticulous care. Reaching back to the history of the Jewish nation, Paul meticulously presents the faithfulness of God to accomplish all that He planned. Including the mystery written in plain view in the prophets of old. There would be salvation for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews. The way for Joy, Hope, and life is by faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ. Despite the lack of any apostle being accredited with the foundation of the church, it spoken of throughout the world. Let us look back at this verse at the beginning of the letter.

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. Romans 1: 7-8.

Two things stand out in this verse. One is that it is not written to the “church” rather to the beloved of God, called to be saints. In other words, believers. Because no apostle had formerly been there. It is thought that these believers were some who heard Peter on the day of Pentecost. Then, when they came to Rome began spreading the good news of the gospel there. Meeting in homes in small groups, they did not have a formal church meeting place. Also, if we believe the first believers at Pentecost were mostly Jews. And the first gentile Pentecost was in Acts 10. Thereby, then we can recognize the need for clarification to these believers- both Jew and Gentile.

The Core is the Gospel of Jesus Christ

In the introduction of the letter Paul declares what he is going to tell them. Then, he begins an extensive doctrinal explanation of the gospel. Although, he had heard great things about the believers in Rome. Nonetheless, it was essential they know all the truth of the gospel. That is the only way for joy, hope, and life. Furthermore, his duty as God’s chosen Apostle was to ascertain the full truth be unveiled. Thus, both Jew and Gentile knew. He could not leave for chance the possibility that the Judaizers could distort the Gospel. Nor that the unlearned Gentiles would lead them to stray. We all need refresher courses in Theology regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:14-16

Note verse 14. I am persuaded that you are full of goodness, knowledge, and able to instruct one another. Even so, I wrote you this extensive treatise on the gospel message. Why? To make certain you KNOW that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is THE WAY. It is the only way for Joy, Hope, and Life Eternal. Even if we have the basic knowledge of the gospel message, can we just stop growing in our knowledge.

Always Studying and Never complete

Most books we can read once, twice, or at the most three times. Yet, I have read and studied the Bible for over 60 years. Still, I learn something new every time I pick it up. There is always something new just for me, each day. What amazing grace is that.

Paul went on to say, God graciously chose him to be the minister particularly to the Gentiles. He was a Jew, trained heavily in all the doctrines of the Jewish faith. It was God’s grace that chose him to teach. The Roman Believers met in the small groups. Thus, there may have been some divisions amongst the Jewish believer’s faith and the gentile believers. Paul realized this as the case. After all, the Gentile believers did not really know about ceremonial law. And the Jewish believers were tightly tied to ceremony. It is no wonder Paul spent so much time explaining how they were to be united in love. How? Because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Way, the only way for Joy, Hope, and Life Eternal.

Accept one another, bond together, and love each other. Learn to have the heart of Jesus. Your salvation was by grace alone, so is theirs.

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Romans 15:5-7

Paul Declares His Mission

His mission was to Spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Way to Hope, Joy, and Life. The same to all who would believe.

I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. Romans 15:17-22

I do Glory, not in myself, but in Jesus Christ for the work He has performed through me. The Holy Spirit has performed mighty signs and wonders from Jerusalem and throughout the regions I have been sent. I was sent to areas where the gospel had not been sent. Therein to establish churches. Yet, I have longed to come to Rome to see you; but, God had sent me elsewhere. Yet, that is completed and now I do desire to come there. Perhaps on my way to Spain—a new frontier. But first I must go to Jerusalem to give them the donations I have collected for them.

But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. Romans 15:23-28

I Am Overjoyed with the Idea of Coming to See You

Paul had wanted for a long time to go to Rome. It was where he was from. Until now God had not said, “yes”. Paul loved these believers with a special heart, even though he had yet to meet them.

And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:29-33

He was certain, now, finally God would bless his journey to see them. Additionally, he asked for their prayers.

Despite the Foretold Danger, Paul marched forward with the Gospel of Jesus Christ

It was with great excitement that he was going to Jerusalem to bring the donations from the Gentile churches. How could that be wrong? Yet, God warned him that he would be bound in chains. Still, Paul felt himself being led to go to Jerusalem. This despite the warnings also from disciples who were told by the Spirit he would be bound and possibly die.

The summary noted of the discussion in Bible Hub were:

Summary

The disciples in Acts 21:4, informed “through the Spirit” of Paul’s impending tribulation, out of heartfelt concern urged him not to go to Jerusalem. The Spirit’s revelation predicted danger; the believers’ interpretation sought to prevent it. Paul, however, obediently pursued his Spirit-given commission, accepting suffering as the path appointed for the advance of the gospel and the glory of God.¹_{https://biblehub.com/q/Why_warn_Paul_against_Jerusalem_visit.htm accessed 2/1/2026}

Ah, but there are others who would say, Paul went against all the warnings of God. Additionally, contrary to all his teachings of the gospel of Christ, Paul went to Jerusalem. He went there to the Passover and to perform a fully Jewish ritual of cleansing in the temple. He performed the Nazarite vow—shaving and burning his hair as a peace offering to God. Did he do this to attempt to appease and win the unbelieving Jews? But God had called him to be the apostle to the Gentiles.

Further Thoughts on Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem

Even Paul, after being captured in Jerusalem retells God’s commission as God told him from the beginning.

And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. Acts 22: 17-21

Yet, Paul felt so deeply within his spirit, he should go. I heard an amazing sermon concerning all this from Dr. M.R. Dehaan in which he taught Paul went against God in this one thing. However, he did it with a heart for the gospel of Christ. Sometimes we too think we are doing something for the Gospel of Christ. But we must remember, ONLY the Gospel of Christ is the way of joy, hope, and life.

Reuben with 20/20Scriptural Vision wrote this:

(a) So was it wrong for Paul to go to Jerusalem? Yes it was and only because it wasn’t God’s will for Him to be there. To whom had the Lord sent Paul? The Jews or the Gentiles? Paul went directly against God’s will, when He said not to go. Was it sin? Not a sin of commission, for there was nothing sinful in his motivations or actions itself, but a sin of omission; which is failing to do something God has commanded (Rom 14:23; Jam 4:17). For the true believer, both are equally sinful. Additionally, the fact Paul never went against what James was telling him to do but rather agreed with it, nor reproving the false gospel as he would’ve previously (Ac 15), was also sinful because it disobeys Scripture and contradicts the gospel, some of which was penned by Pauls very own hand. Ironically, what Paul agreed to in Acts 21 is very similar to what he had reproved Peter over in Gal 2:11-14.

(b) Did God know what would happen in Jerusalem? Of course! Nothing catches Him by surprise. The very fact that God knew, is why He didn’t want Paul to go (Ac 21:4, 10-14). Paul disobeying God’s will in going to Jerusalem is NOT irrelevant. That would be equivocal to saying that doing God’s will is irrelevant. Yes God can turn a bad situation into good, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to disobey God’s will. He can use whatever and whoever for His own purposes, but does this then give license to disobey His will? Thats a ridiculous concept contrary to scripture. Saints do God’s will because they love Him: De 13:3-4; 1 Sam 15:22-23; Eph 2:10; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 3:24; 5:1-3; 2 Jn 1:5-6; Rev 22:14-15; etc. Paul loved God and he loved his own people, but a steadfast desire to do something that wasn’t in itself sin or wrong, changed the course of Pauls life.² https://www.2020scripturalvision.com/post/was-paul-right-or-wrong-in-going-to-jerusalem-or-is-it-even-relevant, accessed 2/1/2026

What of the Gospel of Christ, even if Paul failed on this one issue?

I am not saying here which you should believe. Rather, I am giving you something to study and to think about. Sometimes, we want to place the apostles as always perfect in their actions. In this, I do say that the scriptures written by Paul and by James are Holy Spirit inspired and written. They are not in question here. They are true, 100%. But as men, did they sometimes fail? Yes. Even the great apostle Paul could have failed.

Did God accomplish with Paul all that He planned? Absolutely, even if that meant he was jailed in Rome. He did make it to Rome. It is uncertain if he made it to Spain or not. Some church history says he did. However, the scripture never confirms or denies it. Perhaps, irrelevant. Did Paul suffer as a prisoner? Yes.

Yet, looking at the verse in Romans 15, perhaps Paul did have some reservations about going to Jerusalem. He did particularly ask the Roman Believers to pray for him on this journey.

As the Letter Ends

Paul sends commendations to the believers in Rome concerning Phebe who will deliver the letter. He greets many of the believers in Rome, commending them for their faithfulness in the Gospel of Christ. He sends special salutations of love to various households as outlined in Romans 16: 1-15 with a final salutation:

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Romans 16:16

Then Paul places this warning with God’s Power over it all

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:17-20

Others of the ministry were added as they sent their greetings as well.

Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Romans 16:21-24

Of note, Tertius wrote as Paul dictated. Often, Paul needed someone to write for him as his eyesight appeared to have been affected after his salvation. Most likely why when he wrote himself, the lettering was very large. All the others sent their salutations demonstrating such bonding of love because of their unity as brothers in Christ.

A Final Prayer

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Romans 16: 25-27

The mystery foretold of yet only now revealed: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Only Way for Joy, Hope, and Life. Only Jesus could save. Nothing and No One Else.

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Help One Another to The Glory of God with Selfless Joy

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Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

¹ J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

English Standard Version (ESV)

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