Paul’s Last Words

by Jeff Curtis

Someone has said that a person can never have too many friends – and some people would agree. Solomon wrote in Proverbs, “A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17); “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). The popular preacher Marshall Keeble used to say, “I may not have a million dollars, but I have a million friends.” Then he would grin and add, “And each of those million friends would give me a dollar if I needed it.”

Paul had enemies who opposed him and his ministry (Romans 3:8; 15:31; 2Cor.11:26; Phil. 3:18). However, he also had friends (Acts 19:31; 24:23; 27:3) and he was thankful for each of them. Altogether, Romans 16 mentions thirty-five people by name; most of them were friends of Paul. We are familiar with a few of these names, but many are known only because they are listed here in this text. Whether unknown or well known, all of them were important to Paul.

Some scholars have said that Paul’s last words in Romans were his best words. He closed his letter with these thoughts:

1. A word of warning; Watch out for false teachers and give them no opportunity to spread their error (16:17-20a).
2. A word of encouragement; Heartily greet those of like faith, show them that care for them (16:20b-24).
3. A word of praise; Never forget that the purpose of life is to glorify God – in lifestyle as well as in words (16:25-27).

As we close out the book of Romans, I hope we realize that Paul, through the Spirit, was also writing to us. No, Paul didn’t know us personally, but neither did he know most of the Christians in Rome. We don’t live in the first century, but we do live in a day and age characterized by the same evils details in chapters 1 and 2. The Jew and Gentile controversy of Paul’s day isn’t with us today, but we are still surrounded by division and schisms of every kind. Above all, the age-old error of salvation on the basis of living a good life is still being taught. Paul’s letter may be more than nineteen hundred years old, but it is as fresh and as important today as when he first wrote it.

Paul’s final word in Romans is “Amen.” “Amen” doesn’t mean “I hope this is so” or “I wish this were so.” It expresses deep conviction: “This is so.” Can you close our study with a sincere “Amen”? Do you believe the message of this letter with all your heart? Has our study led you to “the obedience of faith”? Have you confessed your faith in Jesus (6:3-6)? Are you now walking in newness of life (6:4), according to the Spirit instead of the flesh (8:4)? If not, let us be encouraged to do whatever is needed to do next in order to appropriate God’s wonderous love and grace. Let me assure you that “the first moment in heaven will be worth more than whatever it costs to get there.”

Prayer

by Wayne S. Walker

Do you pray? If you do, how often? David said in Psalm 55:17, “Evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray.” Paul said, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Why should we do this? What will prayer do?

Is there a need, something that is lacking in your life? “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matt. 7:7). Is there a sickness within you or a loved one? “The prayer of faith shall save the sick” (James 5:15). Is there a sin that has beset you? “Pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22). Is there a blessing you have received? “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2). Is there a joy in your heart? “Rejoice in hope; …continuing instant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12). Is there time left over from life’s busy ways? “Enter into thy closet, and …pray to the Father which is in secret” (Matt. 6:6).

“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint,” said Christ in Luke 18:1. Paul told Timothy, “I will therefore, that men pray everywhere” (1 Tim. 2:8). “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). “Oh, what peace we often forfeit; Oh, what needless pain we bear; All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer” (Joseph Scriven).

The Proper Source of Authority

by Heath Rogers

“Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?’” (Matt. 21:23).

The chief priests and elders who confronted Jesus were asking legitimate questions. Jesus needed authority for the things He did in the temple, and this authority had to come from the proper source.

In last week’s article, we considered some improper sources of authority that people use regarding their religious beliefs and practices: themselves, traditions, creeds of men, what the preacher says, the results accomplished, and the Old Testament. In this article, we will consider the proper source for authority in religious matters.

Notice our Lord’s response to the questions asked by the chief priests and enders. “But Jesus answered and said to them, ‘I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John - where was it from? From heaven or from men?’” (Matt. 21:24-25a).

According to Jesus, authority in religious matters can only come from one of two possible sources: from heaven (God) or from men. The reasoning of the chief priests and elders shows they properly understood that authority in religious matters must come from God and not from men.

God has all authority. He has the right to take action, give commands, and enforce obedience. This authority or power belongs to God by right of creation (Rom. 9:20-21).

God has given all authority to Jesus. “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth’” (Matt. 28:18). If Jesus has all authority, that means we are to listen to Him, not to ourselves, creeds, or traditions. God spoke to His people in the Old Testament through the prophets, but He speaks to us today through His Son (Heb. 1:1-2).

Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles into all truth. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:12-14). Read these verses again and notice the chain of authority. Jesus has been given all authority. The Holy Spirit would take the words of Jesus and declare them to the apostles. Therefore, the words of the apostles were the authoritative message of Jesus.

The apostles and other men inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote the New Testament. The New Testament is our source for authority in religion today. When we appeal to the New Testament Scriptures as authority for the things we believe, teach, and practice, we are not appealing to men but to heaven.

In our next article, we will consider how we can properly interpret or understand the New Testament to be authorizing something.