Study No. 27 Dual Citizenship Acts chapter 22
Paul has just been ‘carried’ by the Roman soldiers out of the temple area and into the barracks. There he asks for a chance to speak to the mob.
His request surprised the Roman commander for two reasons: first because Paul spoke to him in the Greek language (the shouting mob would have been speaking in their own Hebrew language). And secondly, he assumed Paul to be a particular Egyptian who had recently led some kind of an uprising. This assumption would likely be based on the fact that Paul was bald at the time.
Paul is given permission to speak.
Verses 1-21 – Paul’s Testimony
We are about to examine Paul’s personal testimony which he shares with the crowd. Although we may never stand in front of similar group, we most definitely will find ourselves in a situation where we must (or can) provide our personal testimony. Peter tells us all to be ready to do so.
From our ‘Extra study’ from last week:
What kinds of things should be included in your testimony?
What kinds of things should be left out?
Paul’s Testimony
His ‘pedigree’ or family background – v3
His early life, before conversion to Christianity. 4-5
His conversion experience 6-16
His Christian life experience up to the present date. 17-22
I. Paul’s family background. V3
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city(Jerusalem). Under Gamaliel(One of most respected teachers of Judaism) I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today
Paul could have added (note: He said the following to Christians, not unbelieving Jews)
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
4 ¶ though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
In his background he includes his education. Many would have given just about anything to have been taught by Gamaliel. This statement would command a level of respect, causing them to listen a bit longer.
II. His early (pre-conversion to Christ) life.
Notice as Paul describes his early life he does not refer to it as having been enjoyable, or that it was a life he wanted to cling to and found difficult to give up. If there were any of those things, he mentions none of them. Too many times so-called Christian celebrities have, in sharing their testimonies, dwelt on their early lives, the details of the carnality etc., to the point where that era in their lives is almost glorified.
His ‘life’ is summed up as ‘persecutor of the church’. Again, any Jewish elders hearing this would agree that he was on ‘the right track’ at that time.
When Paul would refer to this time of his life, to those in a Christian setting, he used much stronger language. For example: 1Co 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
And also,
1Ti 1:12 ¶ And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
In sharing your testimony I believe it is important to make clear that you were lost and in error, but be careful not to ‘relive’ and/or imply that you relish the past life. The writer of Hebrews said of Moses, “ … choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin” Heb 11:25
There is no denying that living such a life can be described as ‘pleasures of sin’ but the details are not to be repeated. Rather they must be understood as ‘waste’. Paul spoke of the ‘best’ things of the old life in this way: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:7,8
Paul also said, “… Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them for it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.” Eph 5:11,12
III. His conversion experience. 6-16
This part of Paul’s testimony is intensely personal. Each of us who have come to Christ has a unique story to share. Few of us have an experience quite as dramatic as that of Paul. I think no else in the Bible had a conversion experience like that of Paul.
Some observations …
- For what reason, I don’t know, but Paul refers to Ananias in terms the Jews could understand, but does not mention that he is Christian (v12).
- Ananias mentions something that sounds like predestination … only there is much more to it.
o God has chosen you: (14, 15)
§ To know His will.
§ To see the ‘Just One’
§ To hear the voice of His mouth.
§ To testify to all men of what you have seen and heard.
- The ‘moment’ of Paul’s new birth.
Ananias mentions the order in reverse (I do not see anything significant in this) order to what we commonly read in scripture, going from baptism … to calling on the name of the Lord for salvation.
IV. His life following conversion 17-21
- God tells Paul to leave Jerusalem … quickly. (17, 18)
o This refers to a return trip he had made to Jerusalem, some three years after his conversion.
o Paul seems to argue with God a little, regarding staying in Jerusalem, as if he owes it to the Christians for having been so ruthless earlier. God says that He is sending him ‘far away … to the Gentiles’. This was to be his life’s work. Paul had announced this to the Romans “For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry” Ro 11:13
But here Paul is, trying to reach ‘his people’ … and it is not working. They had been listening to Paul right up to the word ‘Gentile’.
- The sudden ‘explosion’ of violence takes the Roman commander by surprise. All he knows up to this point is that Paul is not ‘that Egyptian’. He knows he can speak Greek … and Hebrew and is obviously a Jew. As a Roman, the commander does not know Hebrew and has not understood a word of what Paul said to the crowd. This new outburst motivates him to interrogate Paul. (24)
Formal Inquest 25-30
Mark 13:11 When you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
In answer to “Why are these people so angry with you?” the commander:
a. First, decides to ‘beat it out of him’.
Paul uses the fact that he is a Roman citizen to stop an unlawful procedure.
This is an example of ‘dual citizenship’. He was both a citizen of Israel and a citizen of Rome. Actually he has a third citizenship … he is a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus told Pilate that his disciples belonged to that heavenly kingdom.
How do we maintain a proper balance of loyalty between our citizenships? Paul seems to be using his Roman citizenship to save his own skin, but perhaps we should look at it this way; Paul was not afraid to suffer for the name of Jesus … but if he didn’t have to …
He said to the Corinthians, Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 1Co 7:21
As Paul was making his way to Jerusalem his attitude toward the trials that were waiting for him was similar to that of Jesus as he predicted His coming crucifixion.
Paul’s feelings seem to have changed somewhat, and now, still willing to suffer for Jesus’ sake, he will not walk into persecution if he can avoid it. He uses his Roman citizenship to his advantage. He had done the same thing years earlier when he first went to Philippi and had ended up in prison.
The scriptures tell us that our citizenship is in heaven. Maybe that seems a little to remote and hard for us to get ‘our head around’, but we need to think about this … our local earthly citizenship is temporary. When we die … it’s cancelled. Although we have never been to heaven, as believers, our citizenship has already been granted. It is real and it is permanent. But, like Paul, there are times when we can use our local citizenship to our advantage. There are other times when we need to count our local citizenship as forfeited.
Peter says we are “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul”. 1Peter 2:11. The writer of Hebrews said, “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.” Heb 11:13
It might be a little easier to grasp if we think of it like this: In matters of laws and ordinances of our country, we obey and submit to the authorities. In matters of policies and politics, we stay separate from those of ‘our’ country … in loyalty to our heavenly country.
To illustrate a little further … when I was a visitor to the USA for about 5 years (seminary days) I was required to obey all laws, traffic and otherwise. But when Americans all around me were receiving draft notices, calling them into service during the days of the Vietnam conflict, I was exempt. If Americans wished to voice their opinions about whether or not the USA should even be involved in the war, they did so. My opinion would have been that of an outsider. The politics and policies of the USA were not mine.
We need to have much the same attitude as we live here on earth. Jesus said, "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.(John 15:19)” and "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world”. (John 17:16)
Jesus is lumping all earthly citizenships into one. Citizens of the world.
One more reference: Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." (John 18:36)
b. Second, the Commander calls for an immediate formal meeting with the Jews.
His request surprised the Roman commander for two reasons: first because Paul spoke to him in the Greek language (the shouting mob would have been speaking in their own Hebrew language). And secondly, he assumed Paul to be a particular Egyptian who had recently led some kind of an uprising. This assumption would likely be based on the fact that Paul was bald at the time.
Paul is given permission to speak.
Verses 1-21 – Paul’s Testimony
We are about to examine Paul’s personal testimony which he shares with the crowd. Although we may never stand in front of similar group, we most definitely will find ourselves in a situation where we must (or can) provide our personal testimony. Peter tells us all to be ready to do so.
From our ‘Extra study’ from last week:
What kinds of things should be included in your testimony?
What kinds of things should be left out?
Paul’s Testimony
His ‘pedigree’ or family background – v3
His early life, before conversion to Christianity. 4-5
His conversion experience 6-16
His Christian life experience up to the present date. 17-22
I. Paul’s family background. V3
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city(Jerusalem). Under Gamaliel(One of most respected teachers of Judaism) I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today
Paul could have added (note: He said the following to Christians, not unbelieving Jews)
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
4 ¶ though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
In his background he includes his education. Many would have given just about anything to have been taught by Gamaliel. This statement would command a level of respect, causing them to listen a bit longer.
II. His early (pre-conversion to Christ) life.
Notice as Paul describes his early life he does not refer to it as having been enjoyable, or that it was a life he wanted to cling to and found difficult to give up. If there were any of those things, he mentions none of them. Too many times so-called Christian celebrities have, in sharing their testimonies, dwelt on their early lives, the details of the carnality etc., to the point where that era in their lives is almost glorified.
His ‘life’ is summed up as ‘persecutor of the church’. Again, any Jewish elders hearing this would agree that he was on ‘the right track’ at that time.
When Paul would refer to this time of his life, to those in a Christian setting, he used much stronger language. For example: 1Co 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
And also,
1Ti 1:12 ¶ And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
In sharing your testimony I believe it is important to make clear that you were lost and in error, but be careful not to ‘relive’ and/or imply that you relish the past life. The writer of Hebrews said of Moses, “ … choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin” Heb 11:25
There is no denying that living such a life can be described as ‘pleasures of sin’ but the details are not to be repeated. Rather they must be understood as ‘waste’. Paul spoke of the ‘best’ things of the old life in this way: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:7,8
Paul also said, “… Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them for it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.” Eph 5:11,12
III. His conversion experience. 6-16
This part of Paul’s testimony is intensely personal. Each of us who have come to Christ has a unique story to share. Few of us have an experience quite as dramatic as that of Paul. I think no else in the Bible had a conversion experience like that of Paul.
Some observations …
- For what reason, I don’t know, but Paul refers to Ananias in terms the Jews could understand, but does not mention that he is Christian (v12).
- Ananias mentions something that sounds like predestination … only there is much more to it.
o God has chosen you: (14, 15)
§ To know His will.
§ To see the ‘Just One’
§ To hear the voice of His mouth.
§ To testify to all men of what you have seen and heard.
- The ‘moment’ of Paul’s new birth.
Ananias mentions the order in reverse (I do not see anything significant in this) order to what we commonly read in scripture, going from baptism … to calling on the name of the Lord for salvation.
IV. His life following conversion 17-21
- God tells Paul to leave Jerusalem … quickly. (17, 18)
o This refers to a return trip he had made to Jerusalem, some three years after his conversion.
o Paul seems to argue with God a little, regarding staying in Jerusalem, as if he owes it to the Christians for having been so ruthless earlier. God says that He is sending him ‘far away … to the Gentiles’. This was to be his life’s work. Paul had announced this to the Romans “For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry” Ro 11:13
But here Paul is, trying to reach ‘his people’ … and it is not working. They had been listening to Paul right up to the word ‘Gentile’.
- The sudden ‘explosion’ of violence takes the Roman commander by surprise. All he knows up to this point is that Paul is not ‘that Egyptian’. He knows he can speak Greek … and Hebrew and is obviously a Jew. As a Roman, the commander does not know Hebrew and has not understood a word of what Paul said to the crowd. This new outburst motivates him to interrogate Paul. (24)
Formal Inquest 25-30
Mark 13:11 When you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
In answer to “Why are these people so angry with you?” the commander:
a. First, decides to ‘beat it out of him’.
Paul uses the fact that he is a Roman citizen to stop an unlawful procedure.
This is an example of ‘dual citizenship’. He was both a citizen of Israel and a citizen of Rome. Actually he has a third citizenship … he is a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus told Pilate that his disciples belonged to that heavenly kingdom.
How do we maintain a proper balance of loyalty between our citizenships? Paul seems to be using his Roman citizenship to save his own skin, but perhaps we should look at it this way; Paul was not afraid to suffer for the name of Jesus … but if he didn’t have to …
He said to the Corinthians, Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 1Co 7:21
As Paul was making his way to Jerusalem his attitude toward the trials that were waiting for him was similar to that of Jesus as he predicted His coming crucifixion.
Paul’s feelings seem to have changed somewhat, and now, still willing to suffer for Jesus’ sake, he will not walk into persecution if he can avoid it. He uses his Roman citizenship to his advantage. He had done the same thing years earlier when he first went to Philippi and had ended up in prison.
The scriptures tell us that our citizenship is in heaven. Maybe that seems a little to remote and hard for us to get ‘our head around’, but we need to think about this … our local earthly citizenship is temporary. When we die … it’s cancelled. Although we have never been to heaven, as believers, our citizenship has already been granted. It is real and it is permanent. But, like Paul, there are times when we can use our local citizenship to our advantage. There are other times when we need to count our local citizenship as forfeited.
Peter says we are “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul”. 1Peter 2:11. The writer of Hebrews said, “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.” Heb 11:13
It might be a little easier to grasp if we think of it like this: In matters of laws and ordinances of our country, we obey and submit to the authorities. In matters of policies and politics, we stay separate from those of ‘our’ country … in loyalty to our heavenly country.
To illustrate a little further … when I was a visitor to the USA for about 5 years (seminary days) I was required to obey all laws, traffic and otherwise. But when Americans all around me were receiving draft notices, calling them into service during the days of the Vietnam conflict, I was exempt. If Americans wished to voice their opinions about whether or not the USA should even be involved in the war, they did so. My opinion would have been that of an outsider. The politics and policies of the USA were not mine.
We need to have much the same attitude as we live here on earth. Jesus said, "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.(John 15:19)” and "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world”. (John 17:16)
Jesus is lumping all earthly citizenships into one. Citizens of the world.
One more reference: Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." (John 18:36)
b. Second, the Commander calls for an immediate formal meeting with the Jews.