All the Way Down Romans Road

Text: Romans 1:15-17

“Romans Road” is a way of teaching the plan of salvation by going through verses in the book of Romans. It is an invention of the denominational world and is used by many. This lesson will examine this “Romans Road.” What is it? How is it useful? And how do those who teach it not go far enough?

The “Stops” Presented on the “Romans Road” to Salvation

  • Stop #1 (Romans 3:10-12, 23) – everyone needs salvation
  • Stop #2 (Romans 6:23) – the wages of sin is death
  • Stop #3 (Romans 5:8) – Jesus died for our sins
  • Stop #4 (Romans 10:9-10, 13) – salvation through faith in Christ
  • Stop #5 (Romans 5:1; 8:1, 38-39) – we enjoy peace with God through Christ

What Is Presented as the “Romans Road” Plan of Salvation

  • First – admit you are a sinner
  • Second – understand that as a sinner you deserve death
  • Third – believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins
  • Fourth – accept Jesus by faith
  • Fifth – receive salvation from God

How We Can Use the Book of Romans to Teach the Plan of Salvation

  • The “Romans Road” method of explaining the scheme of redemption is not all wrong – there are some good things about it; but some passages are misinterpreted and other verses ignored; the main problem with it is that it is incomplete; if we are going to take someone down the “Romans Road,” we need to take them all the way
  • Stop #1 (Romans 3:10-12, 23) – sin is a universal problem (cf. 1 John 1:8, 10)
  • Stop #2 (Romans 6:23) – the wages of sin is death; not physical death, but spiritual (cf. Isaiah 59:2; Revelation 20:14-15)
  • Stop #3 (Romans 5:8) – Jesus died for us; an act of God’s love (cf. John 3:16); while we were “helpless” (Romans 5:6) and “enemies” (Romans 5:10) due to sin
  • Stop #4 (Romans 10:9-10, 13) – there are conditions for salvation; believe, confess, and “call” (cf. Acts 22:16)
  • Stop #5 (Romans 6:3-6, 11-14) – we get into Christ through baptism; repentance is a prerequisite for baptism (cf. Acts 2:38)
  • Stop #6 (Romans 5:1; 8:1, 38-39) – we are “justified by faith,” which means we can stand before God; there is “no condemnation” because we are “in Christ“; no outside influence can separate us
  • Stop #7 (Romans 12:1-2) – we must present our lives as a living sacrifice to God; no “once saved, always saved”; we must continue to live for Him (cf. Revelation 2:10)

Objections

  • The difference between the standard “Romans Road” plan and the complete plan – repentance and baptism (Romans 6:3-6, 11-14); a life of faithful obedience (Romans 12:1-2)
  • Potential objection #1 – this is denying “justification by faith“; not at all; but it denies justification by faith alone (James 2:24, 26); real faith necessarily includes obedience (Romans 1:5; 16:26)
  • Potential objection #2 – this is an attempt to “earn” salvation; not at all; we cannot “earn” salvation (Romans 6:23); but we must still obey (Luke 17:10)
  • Potential objection #3 – this makes baptism necessary for salvation; yes it does; we teach this because Jesus and the apostles taught it (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21)

Conclusion

  • Paul presented the message of the gospel in the book of Romans – explained why one needs to be saved, showed what God did to make salvation possible, and taught what one must do to be saved
  • If we want to be saved, we need to do all that God has said and follow His plan of salvation