Citizens of Heaven

Chris Hatley

Central Truth

Paul's accusers are forced to cease their beatings upon hearing of his Roman citizenship. We, as God's children, get to claim an even higher citizenship. We are citizens not of any earthly kingdom, subject to failure and defeat, but of the kingdom of heaven, everlasting and immovable.

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."

Paul and the Roman Tribune

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,^{1

22:25
Or when they had tied him up with leather strips} 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.

Paul Before the Council

30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

Footnotes

[1] 22:25 Or when they had tied him up with leather strips

As predicted (Acts 20:22-23), Paul's final return to Jerusalem is not without its fair share of problems. Before long, the whole city is swallowed up in confusion. On one side, the Jews want Paul dead for allowing Greeks in the temple (Acts 21:27-31). On the other, Roman soldiers mistake Paul for an Egyptian revolutionary and want him off the streets (Acts 21:38). Paul tries to remedy the situation by sharing the testimony of his conversion (Acts 22:1-21). Mentioning his mission to the Gentiles enflames the crowds all the more.

"Up to this word they listened to him." (Acts 22:22a).

Everyone had had enough. And it makes sense why they would feel that way. Paul's message was turning the whole world upside down. He spoke of a King, greater than Caesar, who died and rose again. He spoke of a revolutionary new kingdom where Jews and Gentiles were both called to repentance and faith in Jesus. People didn't have a category for Paul or his message, and they responded with violence and confusion.

And yet, even in the midst of trial, Paul's confidence was set. He knew who he was and pointed this out to his captors, asking, "Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?" (Acts 22:25) This changes things. No longer could they flog him, for Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, entitling him to certain protections and rights. And so, if only for a night, he could rest securely.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul claims something even more radical than Roman citizenship: "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21) Because of Jesus, we are not primarily citizens of Rome, the United States of America, or anywhere here on earth. First and foremost, we are citizens of heaven, and this entitles us to far more than protection from flogging. It means Jesus Himself is our protector and promise.

1. How should being a citizen of heaven influence the way you conduct yourself? How should it influence the way you treat others? How should it influence the way you work? Vote? Serve?

2. Where are you tempted to value your earthly citizenship as more important than your heavenly citizenship?

3. Read Ephesians 1:3-14. What are the spiritual blessings we have in Christ?