The Book of Romans

Chapter 10

Israel's Misunderstanding of the Law

1. Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. ² For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. ³ For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 

The Apostle Paul's deepest hearts desire as he prayed was for Israel's salvation through Christ Jesus. He recognized the zeal that many had; however, their zeal was based on misunderstanding of what the Law was actually saying. Because most Jews insisted that righteousness came only through obedience to the Law, they refused to accept Christ as God's Son when He came, even though He was prophesied throughout the Torah and the writings of the prophets over four hundred times. This only points out their  rebellion against God, insisting that righteousness came only through their interpretation of the Law. If they truly had faith in the writings of Moses (the Law) and the prophets, they would have been expecting Christ's presence when He did come. Going all the way back to Genesis 3:15, it is written that a time would come when the seed of a woman, meaning their Messiah (one who comes to save), would come to trample on the serpent, meaning Satan. The Apostle Paul was reiterating that only through faith and trust in Christ Jesus, which brings on obedience to the Law, can righteousness then be obtained in God.

Did Jesus End or Fulfill the Law?

⁴ For Christ is the "end" of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

An error has been made by many major English versions of the Bible, as well as many commentators, which has caused much confusion as to the proper understanding of this verse. Here in the King James and New King James Versions, the Greek word "telos" leads one to understand "end," in the sense of "termination," which is wrong. The New Living Translation gives a closer understanding, but still lacks correct exegesis, which says "For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God." The Complete Jewish Bible is the most accurate, which says "For the goal at which the Torah aims is the Messiah, who offers righteousness to everyone who trusts." Jesus Himself gives us the correct rendering when He told His disciples that He did not come to abolish the Law or the prophets. He said, “I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). 

The Goal of the Law

 The goal of the Law was always the Messiah, as we see all the way back in Genesis 3:15. Therefore, it was the believing in God's promises, with the hope in the forthcoming Messiah that gave the Law (Torah) righteousness—which is God’s righteousness—first those under the Old Covenant, and then under the New Covenant through Christ Jesus. Jesus became our Messiah and gives the Law righteousness, which is God’s righteousness, to all who believe.

⁵ For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” ⁶ But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) ⁷ or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 

Moses wrote that the Law requires obedience, and as a result, one then "lives by them" to become righteous. To "live by obedience" then required faith that God will do what He says He will do. In other words, faith doesn't ask such questions as to "who will go up to heaven to bring Christ down to earth and who will go down to the place of the dead to bring Christ back to life again. Obedience then becomes faith and trust in God that He will do what He says He will do!

The Importance of Open Public Confession

⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

This message of faith, trust and obedience must be spoken out on how to obtain righteousness with God - for that is the Gospel - the Good News of the message of faith. This message of faith must remain on your lips and strong in your heart as you openly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as God's way to righteousness. For if you openly confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, believing in your heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. Salvation then comes out of the heart, believing all that God has told us through the Law (Torah) and lived out in the preaching of the Gospel. Being a Christ follower (Christian) then is believing with your heart and openly confessing with your mouth you are saved that brings faith, trust and obedience, resulting in becoming righteous before God.

Without exception, those who fail to acknowledge their faith publicly are aborted in their spiritual growth, and in the end, Jesus will not acknowledge them before His Father in heaven (Luke 12:8) 

In order to continue toward righteousness and deliverance, it is necessary that one goes on trusting and keeps on acknowledging publicly one's faith.

11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

The Scriptures tell us that whoever believes, meaning have faith and trust in Christ Jesus as the Messiah Who came to save, following in obedience will never be put to shame before God. It doesn't matter whether a person is a Jew or a Greek, the criteria is one of belief in Who Christ is and what He has done for us. Combining these past few scripture verses together, all a person has to do is call on the name of the Lord to be saved, believing in one's heart and openly and publicly confessing with one's mouth to others that God has raised Jesus from the dead.

Two different kinds of traditions have come out of this scripture passage, which may have confused people as to its proper meaning.(1)

• Public altar calls: While the concept of public altar calls came out of this section of scripture passage, there is no scripture verse throughout the New Testament that supports standing up in front of a crowd of people to publicly pray, asking Christ to come into your heart. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with this tradition, it offers opportunity for people to make a public profession for Christ; however, it cannot be construed as a requirement to be saved. What these verses are simply saying is that when you come to believe in your heart what the Bible tells about Jesus, then you openly confess that belief with your mouth as you live out your faith in obedience to your faith. All three work together continuously as you live out your life here on earth. Sadly, there are too many "so called" Christians who have once prayed a public prayer of salvation but never live out their faith in trust and continuous speaking to others about their faith, thinking their salvation relies upon the public prayer once prayed.  
• Water baptism as a means of salvation:  Another tradition is one of water baptism as a means of salvation, which many churches today still adhere to. While there are scripture verses that link water baptism to belief in Christ, we must look at the context to properly understanding what it actually is saying.

We know by the above scriptures, and many others, that heart belief, trust and public confession is necessary for salvation, The 1st century believers used public water baptism of full immersion into Jesus as a public confession and entrance to attending an "agape" service, which was the beginning of church services. Only believers in Jesus could attend, so then to distinquish who was actually a believer, one had to public acknowledge one's belief in Christ by public water baptism into Jesus to show one's allegiance to Him.

• While water baptism is not a means of salvation, Jesus does ask that His followers be baptized into Him in water as an act of obedience. Whereas the water does not have any spiritual value, it is the heart of the one going down into the water that makes the difference. You see, in water baptism, something spiritual often happens to a believer in the act of going down into the water, acknowledging Jesus Christ as their Lord. The heart is open as the Holy Spirit is then able to do a work of purification and sanctification in that open-hearted believer. 

Water baptism was also common in pagan religions, Judeaism. as well as Christianity to public announce allegience to whatever god they believed and followed, as well as a means of purification.

Pagan Religions: The practice of baptism in pagan religions was based on a belief in the purifying properties of water, not the one going into the water. In ancient Babylon, water was used as a spiritual cleansing agent, In Egypt, baptism of newborn children were performed to purify them of blemishes acquired in the womb. Water, especially the Nile's cold water, was believed to have regenerative powers, and used to baptize the dead. Egyptian cults also developed the idea of regeneration through water. In some cults a baptism of blood was practiced where one was covered with the blood of a bull. A well-known inscription attests that he who has received baptism of blood has received a new birth in eternity. 

In the ancient Greek world water baptism was used for many purposes: Purification, initiation, the transformation of one's life, the removal of sins, symbolic representation, the attainment of greater physical vitality, a new beginning, spiritual regeneration. It is believed that all ancient religions recognized some form of spiritual cleansing, renewal or initiation that was accomplished through a washing or immersion in water. God simply used the mode that people knew and understood to be used when becoming a believer. The difference between Christianity and the other religions (other than Judaism) is the open heart of the believer is the criteria for water baptism into Christ. Then the work of power comes from the Holy Spirit of God; whereas other religions placed the power in the water itself.

Judaism: The ceremonial use of water was common in the Jewish world. God simply used something that was familiar to everyone to use for His purpose. The Law of Moses required ablutions (washings) on the part of priests following certain sacrifices and on certain individuals who were unclean because of an infectious disease. The natural method of cleansing the body by washing and bathing in water was always customary in Israel. The washing of their clothes was an important means of sanctification imposed on the Israelites even before the law was given a Mt. Sinai. The use of water for cleansing was used symbolically as well in such passages as Eze 36:25 where God says, "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities . . ." This then became a type and shadow of what was to come under the New Covenant baptism. 

Toward the beginning of the Christian era, the Jews adopted the custom of baptizing proselytes (pagans who came to believe in the God of the Jews) seven days after their circumcision. He was circumcised and later baptized before witnesses. In the baptism, he was immersed naked in a pool of flowing water; when he rose from the pool, he was a true son of Israel. After their baptism, new converts were allowed access to the sacrifices in the Temple.

The Baptism of John: The people of the 1st century were familiar with the act or practice of water baptism. John the Baptist's teaching included the necessity of water baptism as a public affirmation of repentance of sin of an open heart to receive remission of sin. John the Baptist's teachings were not based on or even authorized by the Jewish law or pagan religious customs and traditions of that day. John was called to preach by God a baptism for the remissionm of sins. Jesus confirmed John's baptism by being baptized by Him, and God confirmed it by sending down a dove to represent the authorizing by the Holy Spirit. This was the first time in human history in which a person had the opportunity to be baptized for the remission of his sins, regardless if it was pagan or the Jewish religious customs. Then following Jesus' death (Acts 19:1-7)  A necessary refinement in the administration of baptism had to be made following the death of Jesus. Instead of submitting to the baptism of John, which was a baptism of repentance, we are now baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, showing our loyalty and to whom we submit our heart.

Israel Rejects the Gospel

¹⁴ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

"They" here is referring to Israel - the Jewish believers living in Israel. The question is being asked on how can Israel call upon Jesus to save them unless they come to believe and trust in Him. But then, how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him. Someone needs to tell them. Someone needs to be sent to them. The Old Covenant rings forth "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news."

¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” ¹⁷ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ¹⁸ But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” ¹⁹ But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: “I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.”

But, when Israel heard, many did not welcome the Good News of Christ. The Prophet Isaiah said "Lord who has believed our message?" For faith (and trust) comes from hearing and hearing the Good News about Christ. Yes, the Good News of Christ has been spread throughout Israel, and Israel has heard. In fact, the news of Christ has gone throughout the earth.

The Apostle Paul believed that Spain, located on the other side of Rome was the last of the known world, and he was purposing to head to Spain after briefly visiting Rome. We know through Scripture that his plans were altared as he was later taken to Rome as a prisoner.  

²⁰ But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”

And later Isaiah spoke out boldly for God in Isaiah  52 and 53 saying "I will be found by those people who did not seek Me. And to Israel, God said "All day long I have stretched out My hands to you - you disobedient and rebellious people."