Start with Romans?

[quietpraiyze]

Recently a local Baptist church taped flyers to our front doors telling us we needed to ask Christ into our lives. As a Born Again Christian who is not Baptist, I agree with this. What threw me for a loop was them saying, “You must read the bible beginning at ROMANS”. I'm not here to debate or tear down your traditions. It's just that I've never heard of this before and I'm trying to understand. Is this a “Baptist” thing? If so why tell people to start with Romans and not the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)?

 

[Doug Melven]

The one thing that sets Romans apart from the other books is that it is probably the most doctrinally complete book in the NT. Pretty much everything is covered.
But, I would not recommend starting with Romans.
John would be a good place to start.

 

[R. Hartono]

Recently a local Baptist church taped flyers to our front doors telling us we needed to ask Christ into our lives.

We should not spread Christiantiy by force to people, it can create an endless wars and destruction on earth ! Peter started to evangelize the Roman gentiles by invitation from Kornelius, not by force !

We all should pay attention to religious tolerance !

 

[mukk_in]

Recently a local Baptist church taped flyers to our front doors telling us we needed to ask Christ into our lives. As a Born Again Christian who is not Baptist, I agree with this. What threw me for a loop was them saying, “You must read the bible beginning at ROMANS”. I'm not here to debate or tear down your traditions. It's just that I've never heard of this before and I'm trying to understand. Is this a “Baptist” thing? If so why tell people to start with Romans and not the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)?

If you're more into doctrine and can handle Paul's brilliance, then that's probably the best place to start. Peace in Christ .

 

[faroukfarouk]

Recently a local Baptist church taped flyers to our front doors telling us we needed to ask Christ into our lives. As a Born Again Christian who is not Baptist, I agree with this. What threw me for a loop was them saying, “You must read the bible beginning at ROMANS”. I'm not here to debate or tear down your traditions. It's just that I've never heard of this before and I'm trying to understand. Is this a “Baptist” thing? If so why tell people to start with Romans and not the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)?

Remember that Romans is a strongly doctrinal book and doctrine is crucially important.

 

[faroukfarouk]

We should not spread Christiantiy by force to people, it can create an endless wars and destruction on earth ! Peter started to evangelize the Roman gentiles by invitation from Kornelius, not by force !

We all should pay attention to religious tolerance !

I don't understand how this post relates to the OP.

 

[TuxAme]

I read the Bible beginning from Genesis. That's probably where I'd recommend most people start.

 

[R. Hartono]

I don't understand how this post relates to the OP.

"Recently a local Baptist church taped flyers to our front doors telling us we needed to ask Christ into our lives"

 

[faroukfarouk]

"Recently a local Baptist church taped flyers to our front doors telling us we needed to ask Christ into our lives"

It's called evangelism; see Matthew 28.19-20.

 

[R. Hartono]

It's called evangelism; see Matthew 28.19-20.

You should not do that to people of other religion ! it would only create war.

 

[faroukfarouk]

You should not do that to people of other religion ! it would only create war.

It has the authority of the Lord Jesus, if you read what it says.

 

[R. Hartono]

It has the authority of the Lord Jesus, if you read what it says.

What if some people put arabic verses at your door saying you should accept the last prophet and repent, will you accept that kind of spreading religions ?

 

[faroukfarouk]

What if some people put arabic verses at your door saying you should accept the last prophet and repent, will you accept that kind of spreading religions ?

See post #11.

I have nothing further to say.

 

[R. Hartono]

See post #11.I have nothing further to say.

Man, we live in this world with other religions if you do not tolerate other religion and force christianity you will not win anybody for Christ instead you will make wars !!!

 

[quietpraiyze]

Thank you for your response Doug Melvin

I'm not feeling like most of you are really answering my question. So I'll try again.

Is it the normal practice of the Baptist church to tell "baby Christians" (people who are just newly Born Again) that they should read Romans FIRST? Is this something specific to the Baptist church. As a Baptist is this what you were told?

 

[twin1954]

It is because of what is called the Romans road. They point you to several verses in the first part of Romans that they us as single verses to guide you to a profession of faith. It is often used to coerce a person to repeat a prayer as though that will save you.

Start at John for it is the most doctrinal of the Gospels.

 

[Sam91]

I'm not sure. Although coincidentally, I started attending my Church in April and the head Pastor was preaching through the whole book of Romans.

I think that isn't the best advice. One of the Gospels first surely. I know Romans says why we need Christ and then from 12 onwards to put what we have learned into practice. But a Gospel shows more about who Christ is, God's Kingdom and explains what God expects in a simpler way. It is more illustrative and easier to understand than a lot of jargon. Jesus' words are much easier to comprehend. New Christians won't necessarily understand most of it.

EDIT:
Just had an idea... remember the books '..... for Dummies' we ought to have a Christian version for Romans. Illustrated too. A big one, going into all the themes explored, but simply! If that is done already and someone has seen it, recommend it to me. My older children might enjoy reading that with me.

 

[Doug Melven]

Thank you for your response Doug Melvin

I'm not feeling like most of you are really answering my question. So I'll try again.

Is it the normal practice of the Baptist church to tell "baby Christians" (people who are just newly Born Again) that they should read Romans FIRST? Is this something specific to the Baptist church. As a Baptist is this what you were told?

When I first got saved, I attended a Baptist church and I don't remember them saying Romans should be read first.
I am fairly certain they recommended John.
They did use the Romans Road for witnessing though.
Newly born Christians should not be trying to chew meat.
They should be given milk. 1 Peter 2:2
They should learn elementary principles. Hebrews 6:1-3

 

[Southernscotty]

No, Most would leave a welcoming letter at your door if they were sponsoring a cookout or revival or something that is community related. I always have people start with the book of John. It is spiritual milk for a new christian and yet has meat for the experienced. It is all around wonderful. As to that particular Baptist church I can't say for sure, But maybe they were having a special message or speaker coming in to present the gospel on a certain night and they wanted the community, "that would could come", to be prepared? IDK

 

[Steve Petersen]

Recently a local Baptist church taped flyers to our front doors telling us we needed to ask Christ into our lives. As a Born Again Christian who is not Baptist, I agree with this. What threw me for a loop was them saying, “You must read the bible beginning at ROMANS”. I'm not here to debate or tear down your traditions. It's just that I've never heard of this before and I'm trying to understand. Is this a “Baptist” thing? If so why tell people to start with Romans and not the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)?

So, are you a disciple of Paul? Why not start with the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ's words in the Gospels.