Throughout the Bible, God has shown that He likes order and structure. The arrangement of the New Testament books has a profound message hidden within. In my studies, I wondered why Romans directly followed Acts? Romans was written around 57 AD, only a few years before Paul’s death in 64 AD. It wasn’t the first book written and it wasn’t close to his initial salvation experience (33 AD). And yet, God placed it next in line for us to read after receiving the Holy Ghost in Acts. Why?
The New Testament and Acts
The New Testament is overflowing with subjects of faith, grace, blessing, and victory. Except for Luke, Mark, and Acts, the apostles wrote the New Testament, with 13 books written by Apostle Paul. These men were filled with the Holy Spirit to write to the church speaking of all things about the kingdom of God and our relationship with God. That’s why it is so important to read Scripture daily, as it contains all the provisions God has supplied to maintain our relationship with Him. In Acts, we receive God’s plan of salvation for sinners.
What Is Romans About?
Chapters 3-5: Justification
Directly following repentance and initial salvation by faith through Jesus Christ in the book of Acts, comes justification and sanctification by faith through Jesus Christ in Romans. Chapters 3- 5 are the justifying chapters. Justifying means proving something right and justifying is a report of righteousness. God explains how the unjust (us as sinners) are justified (declared to be righteous) by faith (Rom. 5:1). The Bible says God justifies the ungodly (Rom. 4:5) through Christ’s blood (Rom. 5:9), which washes away sins. So, in Christ, we have no sin to condemn us and we are righteous in the sight of God.
Romans 3:26 ESV
It was to show his [God’s] righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Learn more about what it means to be justified here
Chapter 6: Freedom from Sin
Now comes sanctification which is the process of becoming righteous before God. When we first receive Christ and our sins washed through baptism in Jesus name, we are in that moment identified with Christ and everything He accomplished. We are buried and raised with Christ (Rom. 6:4), planted together with Him (Rom. 6:5), and linked to every work of Christ! As a result, we are justified by God and now comes the first act of faith mentioned in Romans 6:11. Until now, God has not asked us to do anything; Paul has declared to us all what God has done over 5 chapters. Our first step of faith is to “Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 6:11)
Chapters 7-8; 9-16
Romans 7 talks about the key to complete deliverance from sin. Paul explains real deliverance from sin begins with deliverance from the law. He gives an example of his struggles before he learned this key in Romans 7. Then, Romans 8 is a picture of the end process of sanctification. It begins like this:
Romans 8:1 ESV
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 9-16 has many famous and amazing verses about being conquerors and victorious, complete in Christ Jesus.
Learn more about Romans 7 and deliverance from the law here
The Significance of Roman’s Position
Romans got the first place because it deals with sin, the law, and walking in victory. Everything that new Christians need to know for a sure foundation in God. There are a few more points, namely Romans 6:11. As I have noted, this is the first time any action is placed on us. The first thing God wants us to do after getting saved is to regard ourselves in the work Christ has done. Secondly, Romans was written about 25 years after Paul was saved. The content of Romans is not a new theory and hypothesis. Rather, it is a carefully studied, tried, and proven doctrine and part of the whole gospel preached to saints (Rom. 1:15).
Romans 1:16 ESV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Paul speaks with authority, without question or wavering in his understanding. He wasn’t ashamed of the gospel of grace (Acts 20:24) and neither should we be as followers of Christ. We are striving (by grace) to be more like Jesus Christ who was filled with grace and truth (John 1:14). Instead, Paul’s confidence comforts me and I believe that studying Romans has great rewards. Romans is strategically the first book new saints encounter and it has been said to be the greatest book in the whole Bible.
Romans 15:15-16 ESV
But on some points I [Paul] have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
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