A Study In Romans - Holiness; Chapter 2
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
August 1, 2007

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ZADOK PUBLICATIONS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

August 1, 2007

A Study In Romans - Holiness
Chapter 2

Introduction:

Paul, in the first chapter, mentioned his longing to come to the saints at Rome for the purpose of imparting "some spiritual gift, so that you might be established." He continued by saying, "That I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." (Imagine being ministered to by Paul. Imagine the wealth of maturity in Christ and the volume of encouragement he could minister. Imagine getting into prayer agreement with Paul and standing in league with him as his faith reached out over their domain and yes, to a world beyond theirs.)

Thank God there are those whose universe is larger than a church locale.

Thank God there is dominion and power that can be transmitted to others through ministry. Thank God that the goal of all "body" ministries is to impart spiritual gifts that will ESTABLISH the saint. Thank God that as one ministers to others, his/her own person is ministered to and encouraged. Ministry is always a two way street.

Exposition of Romans 2

He is a Jew who is one inwardly, Romans 2:29

God's Main Purpose:

(Authors Note)
Paul, in this verse, is citing a principle that needs to be emphasized in all fellowships, churches and gatherings. Paul recognized the fallacies of teaching the Law and the Prophets in a way that did not produce a holy people. It was entirely possible to assent to all that the Jews taught and practiced without becoming a Holiness One.

The same is true today. With all the wonderful teaching and the great expansion of opportunity to hear the "full gospel," coupled with mass media infusion and world wide exposure to the Word, if it does not produce a Holy People, the hearers hear in vain.

The "righteous requirement" *** of the Law is to bring about a Holy People.

Paul's gospel (which he declared to be the criteria of judgment in the last days) sought to produce such a Holy People. In other words, Paul considered himself having preached in vain if this did not happen.

One must ask in modern times, "With the flood of people attending gigantic conferences and mega churches, where are the Holiness Ones?" The intent of Paul then appears to be different than the intent of the modern church. Jesus found the exact dilemma within the Temple during His ministry. This was why He never sought to reform, revive or strive to correct their direction more than peripherally. He knew their hearts. He was not dealing with a Holy People. He was dealing with a people who declared themselves Holy by their adherence to the Law and Prophets. They were theologically correct and happy to live short of God's intent-to have fellowship with a holy people.

It was evident to Paul that regardless of the number of converts, both Jew and Gentile, the issue was not whether the Old Testament Law and Prophets entered into the forefront, what mattered was the end result. He realized his teaching was in vain if it did not produce a Holy People.

One must ask the question, "Amid all the faith camps, the word churches, the catechisms, the doctrinal statements, where are the Holy People?" This is a relevant question and must be queried from pulpit and pew-"Without Holiness, no man shall see the Lord."

"Be ye Holy as I am Holy," is not a suggestion. For Jesus to carry out His Mikveh (baptism) of fire, which was promised through the teaching of John in the wilderness, He must first immerse the believer in the Spirit of Holiness. Then, He can immerse that believer into the "White hot pure holiness fire of God." This is to bring the believer to be like His Father. "Our God is a consuming fire." He or she is to possess an intensity of holiness that consumes all that is not.

With so many now claiming the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, it is time to see manifestations of the Baptism of Fire (Intense White Hot Pure Holiness). (The fire and the Spirit came at one time in the upper room.)

God's aim has always been to bring about a "Holy People," filled with His Spirit and Fire. He intended to fellowship with them and to use them as world examples to bring others into their fold. Anything less would show disdain for the plan of our Lord.

Do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering? Romans 2:4

Unholy People:
At the end of Chapter One, Paul characterized an ignominious crowd of evil doers who were portrayed to be the opposite of holiness. A long list of abominations, which were an affront to God's Holiness, were enumerated. He called them a people of an "Impenitent heart." God declared them also, "A people of a hard-heart."

Can there be such a thing as the "church of the hard-hearted?" If the answer is "Yes," then it must be comprised of those who approve God's list of contemptible acts, whether by silence or acceptance. Their fellowship is in ignominy and pain.

Anything that detracts or attempts to derail the plan of God for a Holy People stands under judgment, no matter the intent of the gathering or the determinative nature of the dissent.

Paul declared two categories of judgment:

Those that follow the line of the impenitent heart are rewarded with indignation and wrath.
Those who embrace the plan of God for a Holy People are rewarded with:
Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality. Romans 2:7

Glory, honor and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 2:10

The Glorious Church is only comprised of those who are a Holy People. The corporate power of a Holy People is without limit. Their prayers exceed to the heavenlies; their fellowship exceeds to spiritual cohesion.

Paul's Three Hypothetical Postulates:

God's aim is to have a "Holy People." Paul explored three hypothetical situations in light of which one produced a Holy Person.

Postulate One: The Jew who boasts in the Law, but does not meet the "righteous requirement" of the Law: to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, in other words, to become a Holy One.
For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the Law, But if you are breaker of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Romans 2:25

The Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of You Romans 2:24
The characterizing aspects of this first postulate were made plain by Paul.
Called a Jew.

Rest in the Law.

Make your boast in God (claiming approval of God)

Know His will (boasting to know His will and not becoming a Holy One is sin)

Approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the Law (Outward approval vs. inward approval).

Confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind , a light to those who are in darkness.

An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes: having the form of Knowledge and truth in the law.
You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God Through breaking the Law? Romans 2:23
The Law and the Prophets, according to Paul, were school-masters, whose main purpose was to assist in bringing about a holy people. If the Law and Prophets were taught and subscribed to for a different purpose, then they were used incorrectly.

Postulate Two: The Jew who keeps the Law and follows the "righteous requirement" leading to Holiness.
For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified. Romans 2:13

But he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of The heart, in the Spirit (of Holiness), and not in the letter: whose praise is not from men but from God. Romans 2:29
Postulate Three: The Gentile who keeps the "righteous requirements," but does not embrace the Law.

Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the "righteous requirements" of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? Romans 2:26

For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things contained in the law, these, although not having the law are a law unto themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them. Romans 2:14-15

According to Paul's Gospel Version:
Paul draws the curtain on the issue in verse sixteen. His version of a Holy People will be the designate for judgment in the last days.

In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to MY gospel. Romans 2:16

The first verse of this chapter juxtaposes the gospel of a Holy People against a people who make spiritual judgment based on other criteria. (It is the Holy People who will judge in the end-their judgment will be based on their fellowship. Hallelujah.)

*** Key Verse for Understanding the righteous requirement:

Romans 8:1-6 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. NKJV

Until Next month,

Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD.

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