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Walking in the Spirit- The Christian Life: A Research Essay
As we look at the writings of Paul to the Roman church, we find an apostle that had a
deep desire for the Roman church to understand what it meant to walk in the Spirit. Weaved
through the fibers of the letter to the Roman church are huge nuggets that not only applied to
the church in Paul’s time but also to the church in our time as well as ourselves. Throughout
this essay we will endeavor to understand what it means to walk in the Spirit through
sanctification by understanding its full definition, the basis of its reception, the means by
which one obtains sanctification, the time factors, the benefits of receiving sanctification, and
the assurance of receiving such a great blessing. Through understanding these crucial parts of
Paul’s writings, we will further understand what it means to live a Christian life by walking
in the Spirit.
Definition
how is the term sanctification defined by scholars? What is your own definition based on your
research? According to Romans 8, the Spirit is integral to our sanctification. What does Paul teach
about the relationship between the indwelling Spirit and Christian obedience (or sanctification)?
Consider Paul’s teaching regarding the two regimes, the offering of our bodies to God, and the
transformation of the believer (Rom 6, 7, and 12). In consideration of Paul’s teaching in Romans
about the living the Christian life,
Basis
what is sanctification based or grounded on, that is, what is necessary to have happened or to be
true in order for sanctification to be possible?
Means
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How does one obtain sanctification? What is the means by which one is sanctified?
Time factors
Is sanctification an instantaneous act or a gradual process?
Results/fruits
Once one is sanctified/begins the process of sanctification, what benefits or results follow?
Assurance
How can one be assured of sanctification? How can one have assurance that he or she is
sanctified/being sanctified?
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The Christian Life: According to Romans 8, the Spirit is integral to our sanctification. What
does Paul teach about the relationship between the indwelling Spirit and Christian obedience
(or sanctification)? Consider Paul’s teaching regarding the two regimes, the offering of our
bodies to God, and the transformation of the believer (Rom 6, 7, and 12). In consideration of
Paul’s teaching in Romans about the living the Christian life, include the following sections
using appropriate subheadings according to Turabian:
oDefinition – how is the term sanctification defined by scholars? What is your own
definition based on your research?
oBasis – what is sanctification based or grounded on, that is, what is necessary to
have happened or to be true in order for sanctification to be possible?
oMeans – How does one obtain sanctification? What is the means by which one is
sanctified?
oTime factors – Is sanctification an instantaneous act or a gradual process?
oResults/fruits – Once one is sanctified/begins the process of sanctification, what
benefits or results follow?
oAssurance – How can one be assured of sanctification? How can one have
assurance that he or she is sanctified/being sanctified?
Only the words in bold (above) should appear as the subheadings. Be sure to thoroughly analyze
what the apostle Paul teaches in his letter to the Romans about the subheadings and questions
listed above. This paper must be based on theological and exegetical research.
Bibliography
AWANA International. Journey: Romans. Streamwood: AWANA International, 2003.
Blackwell, Ben C, John K Goodrich, and Jason Matson, . Reading Romans in Context; Paul and
Second Temple Judaism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015.
Dodd, C. H. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans. New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers,
1932.
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Gutierrez, Ben, and Elmer Towns, . The Essence of the New Testament: A Survey. Nashville: B
& H Academic, 2012.
Hastings, James. The Speaker's Bible; Romans. Edited by Edward Hastings. Vol. 1. 2 vols.
Edinburgh: Turnbull & Spears, 1937.
—. The Speaker's Bible; Romans. Edited by Edward Hastings. Vol. 2. 2 vols. Edinburgh:
Turnbull & Spears, 1937.
Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson
Incorporated, 2011.
"Introduction to the Epistle to the Romans." Blue Letter Bible. 2018.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/intros/romans.cfm (accessed May 24, 2018).
Moo, Douglas J. The NIV Application Commentary: Romans. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
2000.
Swedenborg, Emanuel. The Divine Providence. New York: Swedenborg Foundation, 1949.
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