[One hundred and second in a series of posts on Bible Stories]
Encore Post:
St. Paul enjoyed a special privilege by birth. He was a Roman citizen. Born in the important city of Tarsus in Asia Minor (modern Turkey), Paul inherited the rights and protections that came with Roman citizenship. Those privileges would help him throughout his missionary journeys.
Like many Jews living in the Greek and Roman world, Paul was known by more than one name. Saul was his Jewish name. Paul was his Roman name. Other people in the New Testament did the same. Simon was also called Peter and Cephas. Thomas was also called Didymus, “the Twin.” As the Gospel spread into the Gentile world, Luke increasingly refers to the apostle by his Roman name, Paul.
The Book of Acts mentions several times that Paul claimed his rights as a Roman citizen. He would say, “civis Romanus sum” — “I am a Roman citizen.” The Book of Acts records several occasions when Paul claimed the rights of a Roman citizen. Roman citizens were entitled to a fair trial and were protected from certain punishments. After Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, Paul informed the magistrates that they had mistreated Roman citizens. Suddenly the officials became very concerned and personally apologized. Later, when a Roman tribune prepared to question Paul by flogging him, Paul simply asked whether it was lawful to scourge a Roman citizen who had not been condemned. The questioning stopped immediately. Eventually, Paul exercised his right to appeal his case to Caesar himself. That appeal brought him to Rome, where he continued to proclaim the Gospel.
Yet Paul spoke of an even greater citizenship. Writing to the Philippians, he reminded Christians:
“Our citizenship is in heaven.”
Paul knew that Rome was not his true home. Neither is this world ours. We live here, work here, and serve our neighbors here. Yet through faith in Christ, we belong to another kingdom. One day, our King will return, raise our bodies from the grave, and bring us home to live with Him forever.
Originally posted at What does this Mean? Blog: What Does This Mean?
The posts in the blog What does this Mean? are now available at What does this Mean? | Rev. Robert E. Smith | Substack
Rev. Robert E. Smith
Pastor Emeritus
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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