Paul - A Roman Citizen

Acts 22:17–30
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In olden times the words “I am a Roman citizen” protected any man when he uttered them, whether on the banks of the Euphrates or on those of the storied Rhine, whether on the plains of Persia or in the mountains of Spain. Why, in that ancient day to be a Roman was gre … More

Prejudice

Paul traveled to Arabia after his conversion. When he returned to Damascus, he faced opposition, escaped from his enemies, and made a brief visit to Jerusalem. Paul might have skipped this next part if his own personal safety was his main concern. Instead, he told how he had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple enclosure. He fell into a trance (v. 17), and the Lord said to him, “Hurry and leave Jerusalem! The people won’t listen to what you say about me” (v. 18). Like Steven before him, Paul had been witnessing to the Hellenistic Jews who grew to hate him (vv. 19-20). The crowd listened with interest until he mentioned the Gentiles (v. 21). To the Jews, Gentiles were as good as dogs. Paul’s words enraged them (v. 22). They started shouting, “Get rid of this man! He doesn’t deserve to live.” If not for the paved courtyard, Paul might have been stoned then and there. In God’s providence, there were no rocks available for throwing. Instead, the people expressed their rage by tearing their garments and throwing dust in the air (v. 23).

The Roman soldiers had not been able to follow along in the unfamiliar language. When the crowd changed from listening to enraged, they grabbed Paul and took him into the barracks (v. 24). As they prepared to examine him by flogging, Paul spoke up. There is a time for believer to claim their civil rights. We should be willing to suffer for the cause of Christ, but there is no virtue in suffering merely for suffering’s sake. Paul produced his Roman citizenship (vv. 25-27). To scourge an uncondemned Roman citizen was serious business. Roman citizenship was an elite status within the empire. It cost roughly $50,000 in today’s money to purchase a Roman citizenship (v. 28). Paul likely got his citizenship from his father or grandfather. The soldiers were sill curious why Paul, a Jew, as so hated by his fellow Jews (v. 29). They released him but ordered the Sanhedrin to hold a special session to straighten things out (v. 30).

Application

What rights do I have as a citizen of this country in which I was born and live? More important than this, what rights do I have as a citizen of heaven?

Acts 22:17-30 (English Standard Version)

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