Acts 22:22-30

Paul's Roman citizenship helped him Acts 22:22-30: The crowd listened to Paul until he said the word "Gentile." Then they said, "Get rid of this man! He doesn't deserve to live." Like madmen these people threw off their cloths and threw dust into the air. The captain decided to take Paul to the castle and scourge him to find out why the crowd was so angry with him. While the soldiers were tying Paul up to be scourged he asked them if it was legal to beat a Roman citizen without a trial?

The officer immediately told the captain that Paul was a Roman citizen. The captain had bought his Roman citizenship with much money. Paul was a freeborn Roman citizen. Those that were about to beat Paul stopped immediately when they realized that they had put a Roman in chains uncondemned. The chief captain was concerned that he would be called to give an account for even allowing Paul to be bound. It is again obvious that this man did not respect God but he did respect the laws of the land. All Christians must have respect for the laws of the land and obey them unless they conflict with the will of God. (Romans 13:1-14)

The next day the commander wanted to know the real reason why the Jewish leaders had brought charges against Paul. He ordered the chief priests and the whole council to meet about this matter. Paul was brought in to make his defense before them. Later we will see that his defense centered in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The council was much divide over the questions of the resurrection.