Don't Waste Your Citizenship: On Acts 22 and Paul's Example

On this episode of The Antithesis, Dr. Strachan considers the price of citizenship with Paul as an example. [22] Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” [23] And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, [24] the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. [25] But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” [26] When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” [27] So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” [28] The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” [29] So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him. What does Paul’s citizenship mean for us today? 1.     It means that citizenship matters. 2.     It means that secular citizenship is not to be downplayed. 3.     It means that governments, in the biblical mind, must act per their own terms. 4.     It means that Christians should take full advantage of their citizenship. 5.     It means that we are on the front foot, not the back foot, in the public square. Order “Christianity and Wokeness” here! Follow Dr. Strachan and The Antithesis on Twitter. If you like what you hear on The Antithesis, be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform! Check out the B.A.R. Network for more amazing, theologically-sound content. Intro music: RYTeous Music See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.