Paul is known as one who could be all things to all people for the sake of the Gospel. In today's text, his being a Roman citizen is an advantage for his own sake. He avoids a beating. Humankind has always struggled over the issue of balancing religious tolerance, immigration, and citizenship. A citizen clearly has more rights, as is the case with Paul. What a fascinating text to explore ambiguity of citizenship, immigration, and religious freedom. Here is the encounter of Paul...
"As they spread-eagled him with thongs, getting him ready for the whip, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is this legal: torturing a Roman citizen without a fair trial?"When the centurion heard that, he went directly to the captain. "Do you realize what you've done? This man is a Roman citizen!" The captain came back and took charge. "Is what I hear right? You're a Roman citizen?" Paul said, "I certainly am." The captain was impressed. "I paid a huge sum for my citizenship. How much did it cost you?""Nothing," said Paul. "It cost me nothing. I was free from the day of my birth." That put a stop to the interrogation. And it put the fear of God into the captain. He had put a Roman citizen in chains and come within a whisker of putting him under torture! The next day, determined to get to the root of the trouble and know for sure what was behind the Jewish accusation, the captain released Paul and ordered a meeting of the high priests and the High Council to see what they could make of it. Paul was led in and took his place before them."
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