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Witnessing Using the Roman Road

Compiled by Joan Berry Ed. E., MA Christian Studies

Sometimes our enthusiasm overcomes our common sense when we are trying to introduce someone to salvation through Jesus Christ. After years of working in the home mission outreach of my church, I learned that the best response came through using the Roman Road. I believe that the first words out of the witness’ mouth should not be: “You are going to hell if you don’t do this or that.” To me, this sounds accusatory and off-putting. Jesus engaged his listeners in how to attain heaven and eternal life so they could avoid going to hell — a more positive approach. The Roman Road to Salvation is a simple yet powerful method of explaining the good news of salvation using verses from the Book of Romans.

 The key verses in order of use: Romans 3.23, 6.23, 5.8, 10.9, 10.13, and 5.1.

Reading Roman Road to Salvation

The Human Problem – Sin:

· Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. ”This verse emphasizes that all people have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard.

The Consequence of Sin:

Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This highlights the consequences of sin (death) and introduces the solution (eternal life through Jesus Christ).

The Solution – Christ’s Sacrifice:

Romans 5:8: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Despite our sins, God demonstrated His love through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died in our place.

The Response – Faith:

Romans 10:9: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ—by confessing Him as Lord and believing in His resurrection.

The Assurance of Salvation:

Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” This verse assures us that anyone who calls on the name of Jesus Christ for salvation will be saved.

The Result of Salvation – Peace with God:

· Romans 5:1: “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are justified and have peace with God, signifying a restored relationship with Him.

 Suggested Ways to Share the Roman Road

Sharing the Roman Road to Salvation effectively involves both clarity and empathy. Here are some tips:

Understand Your Audience:

Consider who you’re sharing with. Are they familiar with Christianity or the Bible? Adjust your approach accordingly.

Start with Common Ground:

Begin by discussing shared beliefs or experiences. For example, mention our universal need for forgiveness or the desire for purpose in life.

Use Relatable Language:

Avoid jargon or complex theological terms. Explain concepts in simple, relatable terms Instead of saying “justification,” say, “being made right with God.”

Tell Your Story: Share how these verses impacted your life. Personal stories resonate with others.

Be Respectful and Non-Judgmental:Approach conversations with love and respect. Avoid a confrontational tone. Remember that salvation is a gift, not something earned.

Invite Questions and Conversation: Ask if they have any thoughts or questions. Be open to discussing doubts or concerns.

Use Visual Aids:

Create a simple visual (e.g., a bookmark or infographic) with the verses. Share it digitally or in person.

Pray for Guidance:

Before sharing, pray for wisdom and sensitivity. Trust that God will work through your words.

Remember, the goal is not just to convey information, but to lead others toward a personal relationship with Jesus.

Blessings!

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The Ancient Past, War of 1967, and the Present War with the Israeli/Palestinian-Hamas.

This article/excerpt is about the past, War of 1967, and the present war with the Israeli/Palestinian-Hamas. They (Isaac and Ishmael) had a common ancestor, Abraham, and shared many cultural traditions and worshiped the same God using different names, Jehovah and Allah. “the angel of the Lord said to Hagar (Genesis 16 verse 12) “and he, Ishmael, will be a wild man, his hand will be against every man and every man’s hand against him, and he shall dwell in the presence of his brethren.” We see the final fulfillment of this prophecy in many of the Islamic Arab people of today.

Following is an excerpt from David Rosenthal’s article in the March-April 2024 issue of Zion’s Fire. (Available online and print. Great source for biblical research). Great Read for all.

 “But what of the claims that the Palestinians are only asking for the restoration of their ancient homeland and possession of a highly sacred religious site? It is of great interest to know that before the 1967 Arab Israeli-War, there was no Interest to note that before 1967 Arab Israeli war there was no serious push or demand, serious push, or demand for a Palestinian homeland. Some might object by saying that the 6-Day War gave control of a major portion of the “Palestinian land” to the Israelis -and that prior to the war the Palestinians were in possession of their land, and had no need to raise a furor.

“However, the Israelis did not take this land from the late Palestinian chairman Yasser Arafat. They captured the territory from the Jordanians in a war that they did not want and were forced to fight for national survival. From before the war the people who now identify themselves as Palestinians lived in Jordanian territory, not “Palestinian land.” Consequently, they did not develop a nationalistic pro-Palestinian fervor until after the war and the land was in the hands of the Israelis.

“The first time the name Palestine was used for this land area was in AD 135 after Rome defeated the Jews and destroyed Jerusalem, they wanted to erase even the memory of Israel. They renamed it ‘Syria Palestinian’ which means Land of the Philistines.’ The ancient Philistines occupied a small strip of land on the southwest coast of Israel on the Mediterranean Sea. They were a constant thorn in the side of the Jews, but they never controlled more than a tiny portion of the land eventually they were conquered by King David.

 “The so-called Palestinians of today are not descendants of the ancient Palestinians. Neither are they of Canaanite descent. The land of Canaan never existed as Palestine or as an autonomous or as an entity. This land –between the river and the Sea—has been ruled over by the Israelis, Romans, Muslims Caliphs, Christian Crusaders, Ottoman Turks, and the British. There has never been a nation of Palestine with a Palestine government in any period of history. In fact there is no Palestinian language, no distinct Palestine culture, no distinguishing characteristics. Palestinians are Arabs and no different from Jordanians, Iraqis, Saudis, or any other Arab people.”

[This is an excerpt from The Qatar Connection: Hamas, College Campus Protests, and the Muslim Brotherhood by David Rosenthal’s article in the March-April 2024 issue of Zion’s Fire. (Available online and print. Great source for biblical research). Great Read for all.

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The significance of ‘Light’ in the Bible

The significance of ‘Light’ in the Bible

Copyright 2024 by Joan Berry

The word ‘light’ appears approximately177 times in the Old Testament and 95 times in the New Testament. These figures only represent the use of ‘light’ inferring God and Jesus and the figures depend on the version of the Bible. The Apologetics Study Bible: Christian Standard Bible was the reference in this short essay.

The first use of ‘light’ appears in Genesis 1.3 at the Creation when God said “Let there be light.” 1* Other references show God and Jesus proclaiming they are ‘light’– not like ‘light’ but, are ‘light.’ The concept of ‘light’ is profound and significant in that it symbolizes the presence of God and Jesus 2* Additionally, it also represents guidance, purity, holiness, and divine nature that illuminates the path of the believers.

Furthermore, ‘light’ is much like the Holy Spirit due to its association with guidance, clarity, understanding, and righteousness. Life and salvation are connected to ‘light’ overcoming the darkness of evil and sin. Jesus is called ‘the light of the world.’ He brought eternal life saving people from spiritual darkness. 3*

‘Light’ is also acknowledged as wisdom and revelation enlightening minds and hearts to comprehend divine mysteries and truths. Enlightenment and ‘light’ are not the same but are related. They share a common theme of illumination whether it be literal or metaphoric. Enlightenment can be seen as the eternal counterpart to the eternal reality of ‘light’ Enlightenment generally infers to a state of understanding or awareness after being achieved through insight as intellectual insight. 4-5*

Following are examples of ‘light’ inferring God and Jesus:

John 8:12 – “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”

John 1:5 – “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

1 John 1: – “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Charismatics of Light

That holy light of God and Jesus gives to believers i Illumination, guidance, protection, wisdom, truth, divinity, hope, renewal, positivism, and transformation.

Sources

 1*Microsoft Copilot, (as of December 7, 2024). [figures and definitions].

 2* The Apologetics Study Bible: Christian Standard Bible. (2017). Nashville TN.

 3*https://scripturesavvy.com/lighthouse/

 4*https://shunspirit.com/article/biblical-meaning-of-light-in-dreams

 5* https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-does-the-bible-mean-by-god- is-light.html

Other Sources

Psalms 18.28 and 119.130; Isiah 9.2 and 42.6-7; John 12.26; Luke 8.16; 2 Corinthians 4.6; Rev 22.5.

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Liars, Hypocrites, and Condones

Copyright 2025 by Joan Berry

  At one time or another, we have been guilty of lying, hypocrisy, or condoning an unsavory action. Any one of these can have a serious impact on a personal level or a society. Generally, the effects diminish trust, cohesion, and moral standards. This essay seeks to be clear about honesty, integrity, and commitment. These principles are vital to everyone who desires to live a better and more fruitful life, whereas those who condone deceit, and hypocrisy are to be avoided.

Liars:

Liars often project their guilt onto someone else or become deniers who never admit their sins even though evidence reveals the truth. Gaslighting is another way of lying as you will see in the following example. The Bible has several passages concerning liars and the following are two of the key verses:“Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are his delight.” (Proverbs 12.22) and Revelation 21.8) “But the fearful, and unbelievers, and abominable, and murders, and whore mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burnth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Honesty is a virtue throughout the Scriptures.

Following is an example of how lying about a theft caused a rift in a family that yet remains :

A young woman moved back into her family home where her mother and two other family members resided. When the young woman became solvent again, she moved out taking items that were not hers. The victim of the theft went to the mother and explained how she saw her daughter going through things stored in the closet of the room her daughter had occupied but only thought she was rearranging things to make room for her clothes. A cherished collection of vintage items was stored in the closet and was now missing. The return of the items was requested. But, instead, the mother did not discipline the daughter and tried to gaslight the victim into believing that she had “mislaid” the missing things. A hat box used to store the items was later found hidden in the basement among the daughter’s storage — only two of the items remained.

Some parents assert that it is permissible to lie to protect their children or themselves from an embarrassing situation. This attitude teaches their children that they can misbehave and then lie to try to get out of trouble. This sets them up for a bad habit as they go into adulthood.

Hypocrites:

“Woe to you scribes and hypocrites and Pharisees, you are like whitewashed tombs which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of bones and the dead and every kind of impurity. In the same way on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23.27). Hypocrisy often causes broken expectations because they adhere to the” promises-made-promises-broken” school of thought. A typical hypocrite may assure a person that he will approve some project, and then vote against it. You might call that being two-faced.

Condoning sin:

The Bible tells us that it is the responsibility of the believers to not support sinful behavior (Ephesians 5.11). “Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them”

 This straight-up tells us that we have a duty to stand for righteousness. Exposing and challenging the condones are no easy tasks but, following through our challenges will build accountability and encourage changes. Condoning sin leads to loss of credibility and lack of integrity. You may get involved in questionable behavior, your relationships with others begin to deteriorate, or you left God out of your life. This is one of those Go-to-Jesus moments.

Closing:

Before closing this essay, I asked Microsoft AI how to address liars, hypocrites, and condones. The answer came back in the form of a list of seven steps as follows:

Start with self-reflection.

Promote transparency ( be open and honest about yourself.

Lead by example.

Encourage accountability.

Practice empathy

Speak up against inconsistencies (be respectful).

Foster a culture of integrity.

Sources:

Excerpts from Microsoft AI-Co-pilot. (March 2025).

New King James Version Study Bible. (2nd ed. 2007). Thomas Nelson. Nashville, TN.

The Apologetics Study Bible. (2017). Cabal T. (ed). Harman Publishers. Nashville TN

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An Example of Calling Out Sin: Weaponizing Religion

Religion should not be used as a weapon. Case in point: A so-called Christian that used his religion to weaponize his view against a person who called out a sin committed against her. The victim was neither contacted to tell her side of the story, nor was any effort made to follow up on the claim. The person who committed the wrong-doing denied the event ever happened and made a big fuss about it. That same person may be in a permanent state of denial while telling everyone the victim was lying even though the evidence proved otherwise: Enter the so-called Christian relative: After listening to the wrong-doer, and never contacting the victim, the so-called Christian relative declared that someone opened a door and in walked the Devil. I will not mention the name of who supposedly opened the door. So now, the wrong-doer has one more person to add to her campaign. It may be noted that this person is not a Christian and resists and any effort to become one. People were hurt in this mess, especially the good Christian woman accused of opening the door to let the Devil in. It suggests the Devil is the victim who was sinned against. A sad event to be sure, but it is an example of what can happen when sinners cross paths with Christians or people who are Christians in name only. The only resolution to this problem is to give it to God and ask him to resolve it according to His will.