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Christians and Political Rights
An interesting issue that comes up today. I'd love to see you discuss a bit. I won't be able to interact since I'm in Mexico, but I'd love to see what you all think.
In verse 37 Paul does something interesting, at least for him: he uses his rights. There is a lot of talk in the NT about giving up all things, even ourselves, to follow Jesus. Paul suffers abuse at the hands of many different kinds of people, but this time is different. Rather than just leaving the prison, but essentially says "No! You can't treat Roman citizens this way!" Paul was, in fact, a Roman citizen, and Roman citizens were not permitted to be punished in such a way without trial. Rather than letting it go, Paul actually (surprisingly!) makes a big deal out of it. Why?
"Yet for the two missionaries to leave without protesting the way they were treated “could have set a dangerous precedent for the future treatment of missionaries and also could have left the Christians in Philippi exposed to arbitrary treatment from the magistrates.” Therefore they insisted on a public apology, which would ultimately influence the public standing of the mission and the church there. Paul’s claim to Roman citizenship proved to be a turning point again in Jerusalem (22:25–29)." [1]
Whether or not this is the reason they act as they do, the fact is that Paul makes use of his political rights. So, what do you think? Is it "right" for Christians to make use of their political rights? Do you think there are instances in which we should let political mistreatment slide for the sake of the Gospel, or should we always fully make use of our political rights?
Christians and Political Rights
An interesting issue that comes up today. I'd love to see you discuss a bit. I won't be able to interact since I'm in Mexico, but I'd love to see what you all think.
In verse 37 Paul does something interesting, at least for him: he uses his rights. There is a lot of talk in the NT about giving up all things, even ourselves, to follow Jesus. Paul suffers abuse at the hands of many different kinds of people, but this time is different. Rather than just leaving the prison, but essentially says "No! You can't treat Roman citizens this way!" Paul was, in fact, a Roman citizen, and Roman citizens were not permitted to be punished in such a way without trial. Rather than letting it go, Paul actually (surprisingly!) makes a big deal out of it. Why?
"Yet for the two missionaries to leave without protesting the way they were treated “could have set a dangerous precedent for the future treatment of missionaries and also could have left the Christians in Philippi exposed to arbitrary treatment from the magistrates.” Therefore they insisted on a public apology, which would ultimately influence the public standing of the mission and the church there. Paul’s claim to Roman citizenship proved to be a turning point again in Jerusalem (22:25–29)." [1]
Whether or not this is the reason they act as they do, the fact is that Paul makes use of his political rights. So, what do you think? Is it "right" for Christians to make use of their political rights? Do you think there are instances in which we should let political mistreatment slide for the sake of the Gospel, or should we always fully make use of our political rights?
[1] Ajith Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998), 446-47.
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