Why Romans is First

As we read through the Gospels, then into Acts we realize they are a continuation of God dealing with the Nation of Israel. However, something significant happened in Acts. As explained in the parable of the fig tree in Luke 13:6-9, God gives Israel one more year to produce spiritual fruit. (Acts 1-8) The Little Flock nourish the saints with the Lord’s teachings: the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, and the Lord Jesus Christ is their Messiah. However, three times the religious leaders reject the Holy Ghost’s work and signs done through the disciples, so God sets Israel aside for a time.

1) Healing of lame man: A sign and picture of Israel’s spiritual condition, yet it is ignored. (Acts 4:9, 13-18)
2) Miracle prison release: Saints were imprisoned & warned when they taught Christ but miraculously released; another sign ignored. (Acts 5:17-28)
3) Stoning: Stephen, with the face of an angel and by the Spirit preached but was rejected and stoned. (Acts 6:15, 7:51-60)

The rest of Acts reveals God setting Israel aside to go unto the Gentiles. From Acts 9-28, the primary focus switches from Israel and Peter with the eleven unto Paul and his new ministry to all nations. Again, three times God holds forth the Truth to Israel, yet the leaders reject Paul’s ministry (Acts13:44-52, Acts 18:4-6, and Acts 28:23-28) As the book of Acts ends, Paul relays what’s next in God’s agenda: Israel’s program was temporarily set aside to focus on His plan and purpose to all nations (Gentiles). “Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.” (Acts 28:28) The next thing on the docket is Romans through Philemon, the epistles written by Paul, God’s appointed Apostle, unto the Gentiles.

Romans is placed first in the set of courses of doctrine that is directly given to the Body of Christ as the foundational teaching all saints need: It’s organized into 4 parts:

1) Justification (Romans 1-5)

2) Sanctification (Romans 6-8)

3) How we fit in God’s plan/purpose (Romans 9-11), and

4) Worship and Service (Rom. 12-16).

Romans is key doctrine to educate and edify the saints to understand and be a part of what God is doing in this dispensation of Gentile Grace.