28. READ: ROMANS 16:1-27
[Romans 16:1] [Paul, writing to the church in the city of
Rome (personal greetings at the end of the letter):] "I
commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in
Cenchrea. [2] I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy
of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for
she has been a great help to many people, including me.
[3] "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in
Christ Jesus. [4] They risked their lives for me. Not only I but
all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
[5] "Greet also the church that meets at their
house.
"Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first
convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
[6] "Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
[7] "Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have
been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles,
and they were in Christ before I was.
[8] "Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord.
[9] "Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my
dear friend Stachys.
[10] "Greet Apelles, tested and approved in
Christ.
"Greet those who belong to the household of
Aristobulus.
[11] "Greet Herodion, my relative.
"Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in
the Lord.
[12] "Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work
hard in the Lord.
"Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has
worked very hard in the Lord.
[13] "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother,
who has been a mother to me, too.
[14] "Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas,
Hermas and the brothers with them.
[15] "Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister,
and Olympas and all the saints with them.
[16] "Greet one another with a holy kiss.
"All the churches of Christ send greetings.
[17] "I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who
cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to
the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. [18] For such
people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By
smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
[19] Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy
over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and
innocent about what is evil.
[20] "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your
feet.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
[21] "Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings to
you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.
[22] "I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you
in the Lord.
[23] "Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church
here enjoy, sends you his greetings.
"Erastus, who is the city's director of public
works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.
[25] "Now to Him Who is able to establish you by my
Gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, [26] but now
revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the
command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and
obey Him--[27] to the Only Wise God be glory forever through
Jesus Christ! Amen."
a. Did any of the churches of Christ have a formal "Church Name"?
b. Who must we keep away from?
c. What does God want all nations to do?
