Main Text: Acts 22:22 - 23:11
I. Paul uses his Roman citizenship to his advantage before the Roman commander (Acts 22:22-29)
- Roman citizenship could be obtained (1) as a reward for a service to Rome, (2) by purchasing the right, or (3) by being born into a family that passed the privilege to their children.
- Roman citizenship provided legal rights including the right to have a legal trial with a judge and the right to appeal a decision; No Roman citizen could be tortured, whipped, or receive the death penalty (unless found guilty of treason).
II. Paul uses religious sects to his advantage before the Jewish council (Acts 22:30—23:11)
- Sadducees – Formed during the Maccabean era, the Sadducees were a minority party among the Jews with wealth and political power. The Sadducees controlled the priesthood in Jerusalem. They denied the resurrection and the existence of angels, and rejected the oral teachings of the Pharisees.
(Matt. 16:1-12; Matt. 22:23-34; Acts 4:1-2)
- Pharisees – The Pharisees were an influential Jewish sect focused on piety, learning, and faithfulness to the Mosaic law against Greek pagan influence. The Pharisees accepted the Old Testament as the written word of God, but gave equal authority to oral traditions. (Matt. 15:1-20; Matt. 23:1-36; Matt. 22:15-22)
III. Why Paul used earthly systems to his advantage
- Paul’s citizenship is in heaven (Eph. 2:6; 19; Heb. 11:13-16).
Philippians 3:20-21 - For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
- Heavenly citizenship is NOT obtained as a reward for service (Eph. 2:8-9), by purchase (Acts 8:20), or by birth (John 1:12-13). Heavenly citizenship is a gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-9; Acts 4:12).
- God is not done with Paul (Acts 23:11). Using these systems allowed Paul to continue to serve as a Spirit-empowered witness for his Savior.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 - For though I am free from all men, I have made
myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who
are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
Colossians 1:27-29 - To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.