Video Notes: 

• Romans contains over 60 quotations of the Old Testament as well as several other allusions or references to the Old Testament. Repeated the phrase, “As it is written” is used. This is because the Gospel wasn’t new. It was the same Good News that had always been taught by the Scriptures.
• However, the Old Testament was veiled. Certain aspects of the Gospel, that God chooses us and faith receives God’s promises were more clearly spoken of. Other aspects where taught in prophecy, typology, and other ways which are clear in hindsight, but less so in the moment. 
  • In the sense that the Gospel was veiled or shrouded, it was a mystery. It was also a mystery as God did not reveal exactly when He would send the Messiah or who it would be.
• That truth is still a mystery to those who do not believe (1 Corinthians 2:14). For the flesh cannot discern the things of the spirit, the things of God. It is by the Holy Spirit working through the proclamation of the Gospel that people hear, receive faith, and understand the mystery.
• With the coming of Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, the mystery began to be revealed. Throughout Jesus life and ministry, the mystery of our salvation continued to be made more and more clear. Finally, by the power of the Holy Spirit, poured out on Pentecost, the full revelation of the mystery was known. Of course, Jesus is God made flesh dwelling among us, a revelation of the mystery in the flesh.
• This truth, testified about yet shrouded in the Old Testament, has now been revealed for a clear purpose, that it would be proclaimed throughout the world to all peoples so that people would hear responsively, so that they would hear and believe.
• This is all according to the will, plan, and command of the eternal God, who was speaking through the Old Testament, has chosen you for salvation before creation, and wills that all people should be saved.