The first part of Luther's Preface to the Romans offers information concerning the Law, sin, grace, faith, righteousness, and flesh and spirit to assist in reading and understanding the Epistle. The second part explores the Epistle itself, offering insight concerning the gross sins of men, hypocrisy, and self-righteousness, men as sinners, good works, the fruits of faith, the daily struggle with sin, how one can be dead to the Law, afflictions, predestination or election, God-pleasing worship, individual duty towards the government and all men, and weaker brethren, Christian living, and salutations and a warning. The mastery expressed in gradually breaking down the Epistle leading to explain significant aspects in the walk of a believer facilitated John Wesley's heart feeling strangely warm, leading to his salvation and enacting the affliction. The contemporary Ame Zion Church is using Wesley's example in their doctrines and beliefs.
Explanation of Expounded Terms from Luther’s Preface
The first word explained in Luther's Preface to assist reading and understanding the Epistle is "law." Martin Luther's Preface clarifies the term from the common understanding of men, which denotes it as a doctrine of demands on how one should behave. Law goes beyond standards for compliance to factor the heart, signifying God's Law as making demands upon individuals' innermost attributes transcending mere works. The set standards play a significant role with the premise that all men are sinners meaning none practices the Law by works shrouded by public displays of obeying it and judging others at the expense of true adherence. Firstly, Martin Luther's Preface on deconstructing the meaning of the Law submits that it demands willing obedience, which comes from the innermost heart. The outward practice of the Law when the heart attests to a different practice makes one a sinner answerable to the negative inner feeling. For example, an individual marred by thoughts of stealing at heart translates to being a thief. Secondly, the Law is spiritual as it supersedes the body, which means one can meet the set standards only by practicing the innermost heart's afflictions only provided by the Holy Spirit. The submission provides significance to the Holy Spirit as the channel behind obeying God's demands acting as the facilitator of not merely practicing but fulfilling the Law. Lastly, fulfilling the Law only works through faith. The provision underlines what makes the Holy Spirit work through the heart of man. Fully adhering to God’s demands requires a willing and unconstrained heart.
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The second term is explained in Luther's Preface to assist in reading and to understand the Epistle regarding "sin." Sin not only arises from external body works but also those that occur from the innermost heart. Sinful work is wrongdoing by an individual from the body and the soul, with the heart playing a significant role as the source of sins. Martin Luther's Preface submits that although faith justifies and earns the Holy Spirit and willingness to do good, a simple ounce of disbelief translates to sin as it facilitates the body and heart to wish to sin. The submission warns against not trusting the word of God, with a notable example being Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, whose moment of weakness of disbelief led them to sin against God. The spirit plays a significant role in drawing one away from sin with the imprinting on one's heart to commit good or evil, leading the path towards ideal practices demanded by God or sinning, respectively.
The third term explained in Luther’s Preface to assist reading and understanding the Epistle is “grace.” The term denotes God’s favor and acts of goodwill towards people, which God provides without coercion rather through conviction. The grace of God is evident through the provision of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and His gifts. Humankind is not deserving of God's grace given their sinful nature bound by evil lusts. Despite our nature, in the sight of God humankind is deserving, which makes His grace non-divisible and piecemeal facilitated by Christ. The belief in Christ and the platform to let the Holy Spirit work on believers provides the space to witness and enjoy God's gracious favor. Grace enables God not to regard nor condemn our sins rather handle individuals under the pretext of their belief in Christ until sin acts as a taint. Therefore, Luther's submissions magnify God's individualistically arrived good will exercised towards mankind as thoughtful void of our sinful nature with Christ as the perfect act of grace.
The fourth term explained in Luther’s Preface to assist reading and understanding the Epistle regards “faith.” According to Luther, the term goes beyond human notion and dream which makes mankind await life improvement. Humans commonly state that “Faith is not sufficient and people must practice good for godliness and salvation” 1 . The adage informs the premise for genuine faith. Luther contrasts the human understanding of faith to define it as a divine work within individuals acting as the triggering aspect of transformation that issues mankind a new birth walking with God. The Holy Spirit plays a significant role in fostering faith by negating questions on whether or not one has to practice good works. The Holy Spirit enables such ideal acts before questioning them and enable continuity of doing them with faith as the premise. One who gropes in the dark seeking faith and good works, the individual lacks proper understanding of the two. According to Luther’s Preface, faith is “a living, daring confidence in the grace of God, of such assurance that it would risk a thousand deaths” 2 . The submission magnifies the significance of faith as an act that goes beyond typical belief. An individual professing faith does so willingly without any constraint bolstered by content with the personal relationship with God and other individuals. Work and faith are inseparable and God provides the strength to exercise such unwavering belief.
The fifth term explained in Luther’s Preface to assist reading and understanding the Epistle regards “righteousness.” Luther’s Preface describes righteousness as what is valid in God’s sight, bestowed by God and counts it for the sake of Christ who is the Mediator of believers. The rendition magnifies righteousness as what draws an individual close to God. Faith acts as the facilitator as it prevents an individual from committing sin leading to full adherence of God’s commandments. The latter acts as the yardstick for righteousness as one is declared so once the individual strictly follows the demands set by God. Righteousness is thereby a requirement set for believers by God. Mankind may face tribulations fronted by their nature to sin. There is need for believers to exercise faith for it goes hand-in-hand with righteousness. Doing good without faith translates to hypocrisy or sin. The submission advocates for one to seek God’s strength for them to act righteously and adhere to God’s standards.
The final term explained in Luther’s Preface to assist reading and understanding the Epistle regards “flesh and spirit.” Luther’s Preface negates understanding flesh as unchaste matters and spirit as inward matters of the heart. The scriptures explain flesh as body and soul accompanied by reasoning and sense magnified by the innate nature to lust over flesh. Flesh therefore goes beyond what mankind sees or “skin” to innate characteristics that are visible through acts. The flesh and spirit have a direct relationship given unbelief affects the latter with all sins weakening adherence to God’s standards and demands which alludes to the former. A different explanation for spirit is adherence to common deeds such as Christ's noble act in washing the disciples' feet. On the other hand, "'flesh' denotes a person who spends his life inwardly and outwardly in serving the interests of his flesh and temporal existence, while 'spirit' denotes a person who spends his life inwardly and outwardly in serving the spirit and the interests of the life to come." 3 . The explanation signifies flesh as temporal while spirit as extensive. The explanation is relatable given the flesh extinguishes upon death while the spirit goes beyond death due to the belief of the soul living on beyond demise.
Explanation of Explored Aspects in Luther’s Preface
Luther’s Preface proceeds to the Epistle with the first chapter explaining the gross sins of men. Luther's Preface suggest mankind is a sinner by nature with sin as acts that have no direct ties with the spirit and faith in Christ. The chapter suggests preachers of the Gospel must denounce sin as an act of the revelation of the Law concerning abhorring sinful nature, an act that St. Paul adhered. The chapter reveals that the wrath of God is unwavering due to ungodliness and unrighteousness given individuals know God exists but their nature that separates them from grace sets them to evil acts. They therefore fail to appreciate nor honor God and blind themselves leading to worse evils transcending from idolatry to other atonable sins and fail to correct others. The gross sins of men are thereby a blossoming of simple inequities into complex ones that arise from failing to accept one’s evil nature and denouncing it therein seeking God’s guidance to earn express faith in Him guided by faith and the Holy Spirit.
The second chapter of the Epistle explores hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Luther’s Preface expresses concern for those who are outwardly pious while they sin in secret giving a case example of the Jews who were enemies of God's Law at heart despite leading good and honest lives. They would pass judgement on others while esteeming themselves as pure thereby exuding hypocrisy due to their unrighteous deeds such as vileness, pride, and hatred. The Preface explains that St. Paul as a law expounder prescribes similar wrath of God for those with such traits characterizing them as hard-hearted and impenitent. The second chapter offers additional weight on the need to trust in God and faithfully obey His set demands. Trusting in God facilitates exercising true faith bolstered by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The latter bolsters righteousness thereby preventing self-righteousness which God deems as sinful and warrants His wrath.
The third chapter of the Epistle explores the notion of all men are sinners. The Preface submits that every person is equal to the other given all have a sinful nature in God's sight. Despite that, God is just when providing judgement according to deeds of the Law which provides believers with information concerning sin. The Preface submits St. Paul's teachings on being godly and saved suggesting Christ as the path towards salvation. The submission reaffirms the significance of Christ as the way to the Father as no one reaches Him except through Christ. Furthermore, faith establishes the Law which warrants good deeds as commanded by God. Therefore, in righting the natural wrongful nature of mankind, salvation which arises from God's grace is a crucial aspect.
The fourth and fifth chapters explore good works transcending to the outward signs of faith and the fruits of faith. The Preface explains the Apostle Abraham’s narrative to explain faith especially with works (true faith). Abraham obeyed God without questioning with his circumcision as the ideal example of outward sign of faith. Further, the preface ridicules the Jews as unworthy of being Abraham’s heirs due to their dishonor to God’s demands instead of expressing faith like Abraham. The submission emphasizes the need for deep ties with God rather than external acts of good while the inside expresses an opposite narrative. The chapter emphasizes real ideal actions from within transcending to the flesh for example trusting in God when wishing well for another and actually praying for the positive outcome. The example illustrates good works transcending to outward signs of faith. For the fifth chapter, the Preface expresses faith as the facilitator of a new spiritual birth. Goodness therein arises from faith in God expressed through unforced trust in Him.
The sixth and seventh chapters explores the daily struggle with sin and dead to the Law. The submission in chapter six compounds on the sinful nature of mankind placing them at a struggle between doing good or evil. Luther submits that the apostle expresses our capability to wave through the struggle as subjects of grace and not the Law. Furthermore, the chapter submits that Christians have a genuine freed from sin and God's demands. The submission is accordance to the first sin where man acquired the will to choose bearing in mind God abhors evil. For the seventh chapter, the Preface further emphasizes the disconnection between sin and God's demands. A believer has a struggle propagated by the flesh and the spirit. The struggle is commonly felt by believers and lasts for a lifetime.
The remaining chapters explain how we should associate with God, ourselves as believers, transcending to others. The eighth chapter explains afflictions as an aid against the flesh. There is need to call upon innate perceptions propagated by faith to keep away from sin (the flesh's affinity to evil). Chapter nine to eleven explores predestination or election suggesting God as the cornerstone towards good with importance to follow the order provide in the Epistle. Believers must adhere to God's teachings as championed for in His word. Chapter 12 concerns God-pleasing worship calling on Christians to fully submit themselves to God. The submission emphasizes the need for going beyond empty acts such as offering offertory yet the works do not express righteousness. The thirteenth chapter expresses the need for obedience to the civil government and other individuals. Obedience is a commended fruit of God with trust to authority translating to obeying God's chosen leaders accompanied by humility, which is the same for obeying others. The fourteenth chapter explores people's duty towards weaker brethren advocating for goodwill towards others, especially those in need. Achieving such practices requires true Christian love, as expressed in chapter fifteen. The final chapter warns against adhering to the doctrines of men. Christians must obey standards that have a root in the set standards by God.
The affliction of John Wesley
The explored themes within Martin Luther’s Preface warmed John Wesley upon hearing its reading leading to his conversion. The mastery expressed gradually breaking down the Epistle transcending to explain significant aspects in the walk of a believer informing doctrines of the Methodist church. By explaining terms used in the Epistle, Martin Luther expresses in-depth consideration for recipients of the preface. The explanation magnifies the mastery expressed in the step-by-step breakdown with the terms expressed used to explain further essential themes attached to a believer's life. The repetitive themes within the narrative regard humankind as sinners yet not condemned to an unfortunate end instead blessed with God's grace and capability to do individual good, transcending to others, and God warranting God's grace. The explored themes communicate the need for unwavering faith in God through belief and acts explaining the reading, warming John Wesley to the point of salvation. The teachings affected John Wesley, who transferred the afflictions into the foundations for the Methodist church doctrines. One championed notion regards Christian perfection suggesting grace as a means towards the sanctification of a believer with faith as the ingredient towards transforming the believer to Christ's likeness termed justification through faith. Wesley championed for the innate love of God, emphasizing holiness from within the heart transcending to outside acts of righteousness. 4 .
Application to the Current AME Zion Church
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, or the AME Zion Church's origins, which relates to Wesley's example, ties to the Methodist Church. The Church'sChurch's origins transcend back to the John Street Methodist Church of New York City propagated by discrimination against Blacks forcing people of color to form their churches. 5 . The churches still practiced the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal Church, though with independence. The ties towards the Methodist Church founded by Wesley explains some of the similar doctrines. The ChurchChurch grew significantly to its current status. An unwavering doctrine regards God's historical faith that tasks believers to seek purification and unite with God. 6 . The ChurchChurch further demands renewal of faith and comprehending the love of God, believing God will empower believers who accommodate faith and love with the Holy Spirit leading to reconciliation and fulfilling God's Kingdom. The doctrine that transcends historic times to contemporary times mirrors Wesley's emphasis on Christian perfection grounded on grace as the facilitator of sanctification with faith as a source of transformation to Christ's likeness.
Furthermore, today's Ame Zion Church emphasizes the innate expression of righteousness, which shows the application of Wesley's example. The Church'sChurch's mission statement is to increase our love for God and to help meet the needs of humankind by "Loving God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with our entire mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves." 7 . The mission informs the practices by the ChurchChurch with doctrines emphasizing innate association with righteousness. The intrinsic righteousness then goes beyond external practices, especially in associating with others. The internal emphasis is transcending to the external mirrors Wesley's standard of having not only outward holiness but inward holiness. The two emphasize inner righteousness over external good deeds. Lastly, the contemporary Ame Church’s motto is “God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit Our Comforter, Humankind Our Family." 8 . The motto equally summarizes the Church'sChurch's believes, which directly relate to Wesley. The motto emphasizes God's significant role the father transcending to Christ as the source of salvation, the Holy Spirit as the guide, and humanity as close relations. Such considerations show the application of Wesley's example, who emphasized the likeness of Christ as the source of transformation for a believer.
Conclusion
Martin Luther’s Preface offered multiple significant issues that directly affect believers (Christians) explaining God’s demands, incentives to adhering to the standards, and how to associate with God transcending to oneself and God. The explored themes facilitated a warm reaction from Wesley greatly impacting his salvation and doctrines that emphasize Christian perfection, sanctification, and innate accompanied by outward holiness. The current African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church are using Wesley example in their doctrines as exhibited in their heritage, mission statement, and motto that inform their beliefs. They emphasize aspects such as innate expression of righteousness and purification, that dictate behavior amongst each other transcending to others and God which directly relates to Wesley’s afflictions from Luther’s Preface.
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