The Gospel in Rome
The sermon calls the people of Rome to repentance, warning them of the consequences of unbelief and offering eternal life through the Son of God.
Clement of Rome delivers a powerful message urging the people of Rome to heed the proclamation of the Son of God who has come to offer eternal life to those who follow the Father's counsel. He emphasizes the need to change from a worldly lifestyle to an eternal one, warning of the consequences of unbelief and the eternal punishment awaiting those who do not repent in this present life. Clement expresses his disappointment that many did not take action to verify the truth of the Son of God's message, which promises either eternal joy or eternal punishment based on one's choices.
Text
And then in the same year, in the autumn season, a certain one, standing in a public place, cried and said, Men of Rome, hearken. The Son of God has come in Judæa, proclaiming eternal life to all who will, if they shall live according to the counsel of the Father, who has sent Him. Wherefore change your manner of life from the worse to the better, from things temporal to things eternal; for know ye that there is one God, who is in heaven, whose world ye unrighteously dwell in before His righteous eyes.
But if ye be changed, and live according to His counsel, then, being born into the other world, and becoming eternal, ye shall enjoy His unspeakable good things.
But if ye be unbelieving, your souls, after the dissolution of the body, shall be thrown into the place of fire, where, being punished eternally, they shall repent of their unprofitable deeds. For every one, the term of repentance is the present life. I therefore, when I heard these things, was grieved, because no one among so great multitudes, hearing such an announcement, said: I shall go into Judæa, that I may know if this man who tells us these things speaks the truth, that the Son of God has come into Judæa, for the sake of a good and eternal hope, revealing the will of the Father who sent Him.
For it is no small matter which they say that He preaches: for He asserts that the souls of some, being themselves immortal, shall enjoy eternal good things; and that those of others, being thrown into unquenchable fire, shall be punished for ever.
Sermon Outline
- The Gospel in Rome
- The Announcement of the Gospel
- The Call to Repentance
- The Consequences of Unbelief
Key Quotes
“For every one, the term of repentance is the present life.” — Clement of Rome
“But if ye be unbelieving, your souls, after the dissolution of the body, shall be thrown into the place of fire, where, being punished eternally, they shall repent of their unprofitable deeds.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- Repentance is a call to change one's manner of life from the worse to the better.
- The present life is the term of repentance, and after that, there is no opportunity for repentance.
- Eternal life is offered through the Son of God, who has come to proclaim the will of the Father.