Paul was considered for scourging and discovered to be a Roman citizen.

Acts 22:23-29

• Paul was to be questioned under scourging.
• Paul is discovered to be a Roman Citizen.

Paul was to be questioned under scourging.
 “Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him.” Acts 22:23-24

In the previous posts on Acts 21:37-22:22, Paul gave his born-again testimony to the Jewish people. When he said he was sent to bring the Kingdom of God to the non-Jewish Gentiles, they said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” Acts 22:22 They were in an uproar, cried out, tore off articles of their clothing, and threw dust in the air. As followers of Jesus Christ, to say to today’s atheistic culture that they need to acknowledge their need for Jesus Christ, it would rile them up and they would in essence be saying, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!”

The Roman commander was standing beside Paul when he was sharing his testimony with the Jewish people. The commander is who put Paul in chains, “Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains…” Acts 21:33 This same commander is who gave Paul permission to speak to the Jewish people, “I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.” So when he had given him permission…” Acts 21:39 After the Jewish people wanted to kill Paul because of witnessing for Jesus Christ, the same commander wanted to know why the Jewish people shouted against Paul. In fact, the Roman commander decided to scourge Paul, to whip him, to get the “truth” from him.

In today’s culture, it is extremely rare that anyone will say that they despise the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They will not confess that their feelings about Christianity are the same as the feelings of the Jewish people against Paul. Those who govern and live for today’s atheistic culture, know they are against belief in God, Jesus Christ, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and Christians. However, they do not want to “wear it on their sleeves”, they don’t want it “written on their forehead”. That type of reputation would mar the Godly image they want to put forth. They are truly wolves in sheep clothing and living for the beast with two horns like a lamb [Satan’s version of the Holy Spirit].

While we may not be literally scourged with a whip, we are scourged with social disapproval when there is conflict with others because of our testimony for Jesus Christ. We will be brought to mediators, whether at the workplace, school, home, etc. to determine why so many people have such negative feedback towards us. Even though they may already know it’s because of our belief in the Living God, they want to hear what we will say the reason is. The last thing that they want to hear us say is that our life in the Holy Spirit solicits social disapproval. They do not want to hear criticism about their atheistic culture, which is global.

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you…” Matthew 10:16-17

“…be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” Titus 3:1-2

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

Paul is discovered to be a Roman Citizen.
“And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?” When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.” Acts 22:5-26

“Thongs” were used by the Romans to tie up a person’s arms in front to stretch the back in preparation for whipping. These are not thongs like women’s underwear, although I could say something about that but prefer not to. Just because a male is not part of today’s atheistic culture doesn’t mean they wear women’s underwear. Anyway, let those who have ears to hear, hear.

Paul gave his entire testimony of being born-again through Jesus Christ, which amounted to absolute “zilch” to the Roman commander. Paul was put in thongs and prepared for whipping. When Paul said that he was a Roman citizen, that meant everything. The Roman Centurion let his commander know that Paul was a Roman and the planned interrogation and scourging was canceled. The thongs were removed immediately.

We live in a world today where the importance of a person’s social standing means everything and the Gospel of Jesus Christ means less than nothing. When those of this culture realize that someone else is one of them, it changes everything. The person becomes more respected, esteemed, and given the honor of a being a citizen of today’s culture. What makes a person a respected citizen of today’s culture? Living for the entity that replaces the conscience and spirit to give people what to think, feel, say, and do. This entity gives life to the image of the beast to speak and live through people, and this is what today’s culture is built on. They are groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do.

Today’s culture, which is global, honor one another while the followers of Jesus Christ are treated like an enemy of the State [in a humanitarian way of course, so far].

Jesus said, “How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” John 5:44

“Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.” Acts 22:27-29

The Roman commander wanted to verify what he was told by the Roman Centurion, and said to Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” Paul plainly said “Yes”, and what happens next puts fear in the Romans that put Paul, a fellow Roman citizen, in chains. They discovered that Paul was a naturally born Roman citizen, but the Roman commander was not, he bought his citizenship. The commander was terrified, knowing his punishment could be severe for putting Paul, a naturally born Roman citizen in chains. In fact, all of the Romans involved in chaining Paul were afraid and immediately left Paul.

In today’s culture, doing a harmful act to a fellow citizen of society comes with severe social consequences. That’s because everyone of today’s culture is to be living for the entity that is intertwined in what they do, say, feel, and think. To be oppositional to a fellow citizen is to be oppositional towards the entity giving one another what to think, say, do, and feel. This amounts to becoming an enemy of the governing authorities, the social structure, and the entire global agenda.

Although Paul was a naturally born Roman Citizen, he was spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire and stirring up the Jewish people. Later, Paul would be imprisoned and beheaded by the Romans. Likewise, we Christians who are aware of the atheistic entity living within thoughts and feelings, we will not be recognized as part of the community culture. Christianity in any form is on the extinction list as described in Revelations 12.

Interesting Background: The Roman Emperor Claudius allowed Roman Citizenship to be bought, but it lacked a lot of power and prestige of being a naturally born Roman Citizen. However, Nero was the Roman Emperor after Claudius, and he was brutal and unmerciful towards the followers of Jesus Christ. Nero hated Christians more than his respect of Roman brotherhood. Nero had Paul beheaded, which was how Romans were executed instead of being crucified on the Cross. Beheading was considered quick and honorable and not slow and agonizing by hanging on a cross.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11