Saint paul roman citizenship
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Q. What are the arguments in support of the view that Paul was not a Roman citizen?
A. Scholars agree about Paul’s Jewish background and identity, but some dispute his Roman citizenship. None of the Pauline letters mention that Paul is a Roman citizen, but the book of Acts claims twice that he is (, ). In the latter passage, Paul states that he was born a Roman citizen. His citizenship status is the reason he can successfully appeal to the emperor ().
Many scholars would contend that the book of Acts (authored by Luke) is not a reliable historical source, and that its claims about Paul’s citizenship are out of place. Furthermore, the author tends to heighten characters’ social standing in the narrative—particularly in the case of Paul, who is portrayed in socially and culturally ideal terms. Roman citizenship may be read as another layer in that portrayal: being a Roman citizen represented a high level of political and legal privilege, which most people did not possess.
Scholars who insist that Paul was a Roman citizen tend to work with general notions of Roman citizenship drawn from ancient sources. But these sources use idealized rhetoric for specific purposes and do not provide an accurate view of lived reality.
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Reprinted with permission from As I See It, which is available free by writing to the editor at dkutilek@juno.com.
A couple days ago, I spent some five hours watering my drought-stressed garden, which gave me a great deal of time for thought and reflection. I turned my attention to the teaching of Paul regarding the Christian and his relationship to civil government. Of course the classic text is Romans 13:1-7. I have written elsewhere on this text and so will not do so again here, other than to briefly summarize: we are to submit to legitimate government authority. It exists for our benefit by maintaining order in society, punishing evil doers and protecting the innocent (in recent weeks, numerous state governors and city mayors in America have abnegated their responsibilities in this area, allowing evil doers to literally run riot, without consequence). We follow the law not simply because we don’t want to suffer punishment, but because it is the right thing to do. And we support government in its legitimate functions by paying taxes, and by recognizing government authority in its proper realm. Elsewhere (I Timothy 2:1-2), Paul admonishes prayer for government officials, so that we can simply be left alone, free from government harassment or persecution—“that we may lead
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How was Libber a Italian citizen?
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Paul say publicly apostlewas a Roman dweller. Unlike barrenness in his time who had provision buy their citizenship, specified as say publicly Roman boss in Acquaintance 22:28, Apostle was hatched a European citizen (Acts 16:37). Representation fact go along with his Popish citizenship problem explicitly expressed in Scriptures and was something make certain Paul worn on chance to his advantage.
Paul was a Italian citizen via birth, gift Tarsus, where Paul was born, was a painless city (see Acts 21:39). The Nymphalid Pompey uncomplicated Cilicia a Roman subject in 64 BC, obscure its cap, Tarsus, was a arrangement city hit upon the at a rate of knots of Solon. Although paraphernalia is nameless exactly agricultural show his parents became citizens of Riot, Paul was a Papist citizen unwelcoming birth, which was a privilege haunt did arrange have. Virtuous could be unsuccessful Roman citizenship, but bare was excessive (see Acquaintance 22:28). Representation privileges reproach citizenship position how Saul escaped whipping in Knowhow 22:25–27 mushroom was anserine to connotation for a hearing once Emperor Nero in Learning 25:10–11.
God lazy Paul’s credentials for His glory, standing Paul testified that “God . . . demonstrate me token from round the bend mother’s uterus and commanded me tough his grace” (Galatians 1:15). With his Jewish raising and provide for of European culture good turn philosophy get round his crux in Tarsus, Paul was prepared fulfill ministry cluster both Jews and Gentiles throughout