1.) Jesus is God (vs. 1, 9).
Paul refers to the gospel as being “the gospel of God” (vs. 1) and “the gospel of His Son” (meaning Jesus, vs. 9). This would inevitably mean that Paul recognizes Jesus as God.
2.) The gospel (good news of salvation) was promised in the Old Testament (vs. 2).
Christians, you can’t separate the Old Testament from the New Testament. You also can’t just be “New Testament Christians.” All of Scripture (including the Old Testament) is about Christ. Beginning in Genesis 3:15, God makes all sorts of promises in the Old Testament concerning Christ. As you read through the OT, you begin seeing the build-up/unfolding of the coming of the promised Savior. The New and Old Testaments are inseparable, because it is all of one story — it’s all about Christ.
3.) It is the Christian’s job to be a minister of the gospel (vs. 1, 14).
I think that it is important to note that Paul distinguishes between his different roles as “a servant of Christ” and as an “apostle” (vs. 1). He later says in verse 9 that he is “under obligation” to the work of ministry (see Romans 1:8-13). It is true that only some are called the be pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. (cf. Ephesians 4:11), but ALL Christians are commanded to be in ministry (cf. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 4:12-16). There is no position of pew sitter anywhere in Scripture. All other jobs a Christian has in this life are secondary to their primary job of being a minister of the gospel.
4.) It should be the Christian’s pleasure to share the gospel (vs. 15).
Paul states that he is “eager” to preach the gospel to those in Rome. Not only is sharing the gospel our job as Christians, it should also be a pleasure for us. We should be EXCITED to share the gospel with those around us. A Christian who doesn’t like talking about Christ doesn’t truly understand the gospel (and is most likely not a Christian at all).
5.) The gospel is God’s power to save people (vs. 16).
We are often afraid of sharing the gospel, because we are afraid of rejection or, even worse, persecution. While these are both possible responses we might face from sharing the gospel, we should not let the fear of man stop us from sharing the power of God. When we truly understand the power of God, we will be able to say with the apostle Paul, “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” ”If God if for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
6.) Christians are to live by faith in the gospel of Christ (vs. 17).
It is in the gospel that the righteousness of God is revealed, beginning and ending in faith. It is important to note that faith/belief and obedience go hand-in-hand. One cannot be truly faithful to God if, at the same time, they are willfully disobedient to Him. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (cf. Hebrews 11:6) and salvation is only for those who are obedient to Christ (cf. Hebrews 5:9).
