Author: Paul
The authenticity of the epistle is beyond any doubt. It has never been questioned as belonging in the Bible.
Paul writes the epistle while on his 3rd missionary journey.
He was in Corinth for a 3 month visit when he wrote it.
Paul had not yet visited the church, but knew them by reputation.

The City of Rome in 58 A.D.
The largest and most important city in the world at that time.
All roads ran to and from Rome
Was experiences the earlier and better days of Nero’s reign (A.D. 54-68)
Located mainly on the left bank of the Tiber river
About 15 miles from the Mediterranean Sea
Population of about 4 million people
Slightly over half of the population was free citizens
Physical toil was despised and deemed fit only for slaves
There were an estimated 420 temples in Rome
There was strong Jewish population and there were a number of synagogues
Although there were a few aristocratic influential Jews, most were common
The decline of Polytheism gave entrance to the monotheistic view of the Jews

Church had been in existence for several years. (Rom. 15:23)
They were grounded in the faith. (Rom. 15:14)
Composed of both Jew and Gentile converts.
Fruit even as in the rest of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13)
Speaks of Abraham as their forefather (Rom. 4:1)

It appears to have been started by a group of converts eager for a church.
The epistle never addresses any particular error that Paul deals with.
Rom. 1:8 “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”
Romans is a doctrinal treatise to expound the complexities of the faith
Rom. 1:16-17 “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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

Phebe is believed to be the bearer of the epistle to the church. (Rom. 16:1-2)

VICTORY CAN BE OURS
Rom. 6:1-13

INTRODUCTION:
The subject of sin is mentioned a total of 13 times in this chapter.
As a chapter it dedicates itself to helping us deal with the sinful nature.
NBT Experience with Christians: I find that many Christians have fallen so often and for such a long period of time that they really do not believe that they can live in victory over sin.

Why Bother?
It’s an impossible expectation, we can’t have sinless perfection, I’ve tried and its just a roller coaster ride up and down.
In verse 20 of the previous chapter we see that Paul teaches that although sin may abound that grace abounds even more.
Paul obviously anticipated someone responding to this teaching by suggesting “then lets go and sin.” Vs. 1
Paul explains that it is not necessary for us to sin because we are dead.
What is less responsive than a dead person.

Dead with Christ
Vs. 5 planted actually means grafted in
Grafting at McKay Nursery
To participate in His death.
To enjoy His resurrection.
Vs. 6 Our old man is crucified for the purpose of destroying the power of sin in our lives.
Term is found in Eph. 4:22 & Col. 3:9
Refers to what we use to be.
If we have accepted the gift of salvation we are a new creature, and as a new creature we are dead to sin.

The Act of Reckoning Vs. 11
Logizomai, (log-id'-zom-ahee) – an accounting term which means we take an inventory or count
Mr 15:28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
At Calvary God made adequate provision for every sinner. He dealt fully and forever with all aspect of sin.
At the moment of temptation we must take this into account.

The Choice becomes Ours
Verse 12 tells us that we are going to be challenged to sin by our own lust or passions.
In Christ we are provided the ability to say NO to those passions.
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Verses 13 &16 talk about the choice we make with our body parts each and every day.
Again we are not just commanded to stop an action we told to replace that action with a different one.
Illustration: Prepare to play hockey: load yourself down with gear, strap on your skates, get warmed up pick up your stick and begin to play. How many could at the same time be playing softball?
Make a plan to do right things, engage in the right activity, and you will find there is no time to be doing the sin.
Make have to make radical changes in your life. Change friends, stop watching TV, Tear the radio out of your car.
YOU CAN HAVE VICTORY!

Conclusion:
Our goal in analyzing the characteristics of the young church is far more than to gain a historical perspective.
It is for the purpose of laying our current ministry along side of this church to see how we add up.