Romans:

In this book, a letter from Paul to the early church in Rome, are many of the essential points of the New Testament. Paul tells the Good News about Jesus Christ being the Son of God, with the Holy nature of God Himself, saying that everyone (not Jews alone, but Gentiles [non-Jews] also) with faith and trust in Christ was doing right and was ready for heaven. Paul said that nobody was good enough to keep His laws, yet we are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (i.e., declared innocent because of Jesus taking away our sins): Paul stated that Christ's blood and our faith will save us:

• "For we maintain that a man is justified (i.e., saved) by faith (implied that this is faith in Jesus Christ) apart from observing the law (i.e., following the Ten Commandments)." (Romans 3:28)
• "He (i.e., Jesus) was delivered over to death (i.e., died) for our sins and was raised to life (i.e., rose) for our justification (i.e., to declare us free from blame or guilt; to pardon us)." (Romans 4:24-25)

Paul contrasted Adam as the first man, bringing death to the world through sin, with Jesus Christ as one Man bringing forgiveness to many through God's mercy, with Christ freely taking away many sins and His righteousness making men right with God. (Romans 5:12-19)

Paul had many other main points that he preached, some including:

1. "...just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:21)
2. "We (i.e., Christians) were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:4)
3. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23, from King James' Version)
4. "You...are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you." (Romans 8:9)
5. "But if Christ is in you, your body is dead (or will die) because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness." (Romans 8:10)
6. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28, from King James' Version)
7. "...If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
8. "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us (i.e., Christians) from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
9. "Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God..." (Romans 11:22)
10. "I am talking to you Gentiles (non-Jews)...I am the apostle to the Gentiles..." (Romans 11:13)
11. "...How unsearchable His judgments...Who has known the Mind of the Lord?..." (Romans 11:33-34)
12. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen..." (Romans 11:36)
13. "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us...(i.e., different abilities given to us by God)." Paul instructs each person to do well in what he does best, saying further: "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord (i.e., don't be lazy in your work)." And, further: "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." Paul said to be "careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody..." and "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:6-21)
14. "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities (i.e., do what the government says), for there is no authority except that which God has established..." (Romans 13:1)
15. "The commandments...are summed up in this one rule: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " (Romans 13:9)
16. "...why do you judge your brother?...For we will all stand before God's judgment seat." (Romans 14:10)
17. "...the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking...but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble...better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall." (Romans 14:17-21)
18. "...Christ has become a servant of the Jews...so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy...." (Romans 15:8-9)

Paul also pointed out his belief in predestination, such as:

• "For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son...And those He predestined, He also called...justified...glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)
• Regarding God's blessing Jacob but not Esau, " ...before the twins were born...in order that God's purpose in election (i.e., predestining them) might stand...Jacob I loved..." (Romans 9:10-13)

Paul told of the future events around his time (or even possibly yet to come now) of the "last days:"

• "...Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved..." (Romans 11:25-26)