Readings from Acts and Romans
Our New Testament readings finish Acts, with the closing years of the work of the wonderful apostle to the Gentiles. The first three chapters of the book of Romans are also a part of our lesson. Romans is the first in order of the epistles of the apostle Paul, but not the first in point of time; placed first, probably, because of its doctrinal importance and the fact that it was addressed to the people in the largest city of the world. The first eight chapters are doctrinal, closing with a triumphant shout of victory. The other chapters are a rich and detailed exhibition of experiences appropriate to Christians, closing with a long list of greetings to friends and kinsmen. The epistle was probably written about 57 A.D., from Corinth.