Understanding “Undas”

The Book of Romans

• “Undas” or All Saints’/All Souls’ Day is a Filipino tradition of remembering the dead.
• It is marked by visiting cemeteries, lighting candles, praying, and offering food or flowers.
• Many believe it is a Christian practice, but its roots go deeper — long before Christianity.

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Pagan Roots of Undas

• The practice originated from ancient pagan rituals honoring the spirits of ancestors.
• Before Christianity reached the Philippines, Filipinos believed that the spirits of the dead returned during certain times of the year.
• These were times to offer food, light, and prayers to keep ancestral spirits happy or peaceful.
• When Catholicism spread, these practices were blended with church traditions such as All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.

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Burial Practices in Early Christianity

• In early times, it was illegal to bury Christians publicly, as they were persecuted by the Roman Empire.
• They secretly buried their dead in catacombs or underground tombs.
• Later, when Christianity became accepted, church burials began — people wanted to be buried close to holy places.
• As churches became crowded, public and private cemeteries were created for believers.

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How Halloween Started

• Halloween comes from the old phrase “All Hallows’ Eve” — the night before All Saints’ Day.
• In ancient Europe, the Celts celebrated Samhain, a festival marking the end of harvest and the start of winter.
• They believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was open that night.
• People wore costumes to scare away evil spirits — this evolved into modern Halloween customs.

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Biblical Truth About the Dead

• The Bible teaches that the dead are not conscious:
• “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing.” – Ecclesiastes 9:5
• There are no ghosts, wandering souls, or spirits of the dead that visit the living.
• The doctrine of the immortal soul is not biblical — life returns to God who gave it.
• “The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” – Ecclesiastes 12:7

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What the Bible Says About Hope

• Instead of fearing the dead, Christians hope for resurrection through Jesus Christ.
• Death is a sleep, and believers will awaken at Christ’s return.
• “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven... and the dead in Christ will rise first.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16
• Our focus should be on faith, obedience, and living hope, not rituals for the dead.

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Paul’s Letter to the Romans

How to begin detaching from excess:

• AIM: STUDY PAUL’S LETTER AND ITS IMPORTANCE TODAY
• KEY CONCEPT: BAPTISM IS ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION
• READING: ROMANS 1:1–17
• REFERENCE: BOOK OF ROMANS, COLOSSIANS 3:12–17

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The Book of Romans

• Written by Paul to the church in Rome
• Romans = 45th book of the Bible
• 6th book of the New Testament
• 1st in Paul’s letters to the churches
• Contains 16 chapters
• Focus: Righteousness through faith

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Setting the Scene

• Rome: capital of the empire, over 1 million people
• Wealth and poverty side by side
• Many buildings and temples
• Most residents were slaves
• Paul had not yet visited Rome
• Wanted to share the gospel with them

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Where, When & Why

• Written around 57 AD
• Paul was in Corinth (house of Gaius)
• Preparing for his trip to Jerusalem
• Wrote to introduce himself and his message
• Hoped to visit Rome later
• Purpose: strengthen believers & explain salvation

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Main Themes of Romans

• Righteousness through faith in Christ
• All have sinned, all need salvation
• Grace and justification by faith
• New life in the Spirit
• Baptism and obedience to God

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Activity: Know Your Book

Fill in the blanks:

Romans is the ___ book of the Bible

___ book of the New Testament

___ book of Paul’s letters to churches

Has ___ chapters

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• Romans contains many lessons for believers today
• Paul writes about faith, sin, grace, and new life in Christ
• Let’s look at key chapters and what they teach us

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Paul’s Messages to the Romans (and Us)

• Paul gives thanks for the believers in Rome
• Their faith is known all over the world
• He prays for them and longs to visit
• “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you...” (Romans 1:8-12)
• Key idea: Faith unites believers everywhere

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Chapter 1

• Everyone has sinned and needs a Saviour — Jew or Gentile
• No one is righteous by their own effort
• Righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ
• “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...” (Romans 3:23-24)
• Key idea: All are saved by grace, not works
• Read & Discuss: Romans 2:28-29
• → What does Paul say about true circumcision?

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Chapters 2–3

• Paul reminds us of Abraham’s faith
• Abraham trusted God’s promise even when impossible
• Righteousness is counted through faith, not law
• Jesus was delivered for our sins and raised for our justification (Romans 4:24-25)
• Key idea: Faith makes us right with God
• Read & Discuss: Romans 5:19
• → How does Jesus’ obedience bring us righteousness?

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Chapters 4–5

• Paul teaches about baptism and new life in Christ
• Baptism = dying to sin and rising to new life
• “We were buried with Him... so we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:3-4)
• “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” (Romans 8:28)
• Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39)
• Key idea: New life, new hope, and God’s unbreakable love

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Chapters 6–8

• Fill in the blanks (quick quiz):
• Righteousness comes through ______ in Jesus Christ.
• For all have ______ and fall short of the glory of God.
• Abraham was fully ______ that God had power to do what He promised.
• We were ______ with Christ through baptism.

Discuss:

What does baptism symbolize?

How does faith change the way we live?

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Activity: Faith & Grace

• Paul’s message: Faith + Grace = Salvation
• Baptism = beginning of a new life in Christ
• God’s love is constant and unchanging
• Live each day thankful for His mercy

Memory Verse:

Romans 8:38-39 — “Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

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Reflection

• Paul emphasizes that both Jews and Gentiles share the same hope of salvation.
• “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all.” (10:12–13)
• God has not rejected His people; the fact that some Jews believe shows His faithfulness.
• Using the olive tree symbol:
• Natural branches (Israel) were broken off for unbelief.
• Wild shoots (Gentiles) were grafted in.
• The natural branches can still be grafted back through faith.

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Chapters 9–11:

• Paul gives practical instructions for Christian living:
• 12:2 – Be transformed by renewing your mind.
• 12:9 – Love sincerely; hate what is evil, cling to what is good.
• 12:13 – Share with those in need; practice hospitality.
• 12:16 – Live in harmony; do not be proud.
• 13:7 – Give everyone what you owe them; respect authority.
• 14:13 – Do not judge; avoid causing others to stumble.
• 15:4 – Scripture gives endurance and encouragement.

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Chapters 12–15

• Paul greets many friends—showing his care and connection with others.
• Encourages believers to be wise about good and innocent of evil (16:19).
• Final blessings:
• “The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” (16:20)
• “To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ!” (16:27)

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Chapter 16

• Baptism symbolizes a new beginning — leaving behind our old sinful nature and starting a new life in Christ.
• Living “in Christ” means following God’s commandments and the perfect example of Jesus.
• Even when we sin, God’s grace and forgiveness remain available through Jesus.
• Eternal life is God’s promise to all who believe and follow His Son faithfully.
• God’s plan still includes Israel, showing His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

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Living a New Life in Christ

• Group Discussion:
• Share one way you can show a “new life in Christ” this week (e.g., kindness, forgiveness, prayer).
• Verse Connection:
• Read Colossians 3:12–17 together.
• Identify and list at least three qualities mentioned that reflect living in Christ (e.g., compassion, humility, patience).
• Reflection:
• Write a short prayer thanking God for giving you a new life through Jesus.

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Activity: “New Life in Action”

• Baptism is a powerful symbol that represents death, burial, and resurrection.
• When a believer is baptized, they are symbolically buried with Christ — showing the end of their old sinful life.
• Rising from the water represents being raised to a new life in Christ, just as Jesus was raised from the dead.
• Through baptism, we share in both the death and resurrection of Jesus.
• This new life calls us to live no longer for sin, but for God and righteousness.

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The Symbolism of Baptism