July 1, 2007

Cawson St. Church of Christ

Hopewell, Virginia

Mural Worthey

 

Citizenship

 

Introduction (See David Roper, Truth for Today: Acts, Vol. 2, 334-337.)

 

When Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and was about to be flogged, he turned to the Roman centurion and asked: “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned?” (Acts 22:25.) At Philippi, Paul and Silas had been beaten by Roman soldiers and put in prison. Paul demanded that the officers come down and release them. (Acts 16:37.) Before Festus, Paul said: “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat where I ought to be judged. To the Jews, I have done no wrong, as you very well know.” (Acts 25:10.) At least three times, Paul used his Roman citizenship to protect himself from the Jews. In the end, the Roman authority executed Paul.

 

There were several ways in which a man or family might gain the coveted Roman citizenship if they were not born Romans. Sometimes the government bestowed it upon individuals and cities for their outstanding service to Rome. One might obtain it through bribery, paying officials large sums of money. Paul said that he was born free; the chief captain said that he obtained his with money. (Acts 22:28.) Once obtained, Roman citizenship was very valuable. It gave you privileges that non-Romans did not have. We ought to value our citizenship as Americans. We have freedoms and opportunities that the Romans did not possess. We ought not to devalue other human beings who are not citizens of our country, or to be filled with earthly pride. But we should be grateful for our citizenship. Sir Walter Scott wrote:

 

Native Land

 

Breathes there the man, with soul so dead

Who never to himself hath said

This is my own, my native land?

Whose heart hath ne’er within him burned

As home his footsteps he hath turned

From wandering on a foreign strand?

The Bible and Citizenship. The story of the Bible begins in earnest with the development of the nation of Israel. Many of the laws found in the Law of Moses deal with how to live as a citizen of Israel. One thing that God wanted from this small nation was for them to be an example of how to live by faith in God. Israel failed God in this regard and was carried away into captivity. For most of Israel’s existence, they lived under bondage of world empires. Their very beginning was down in Egypt serving the Pharaoh. At the end of their existence as a nation, Israel paid taxes to Rome. They could have lived in freedom, politically and spiritually, if they had obeyed God. One man foolishly replied to Jesus, “We are Abraham’s seed and have never been under bondage to any man.” (John 8:33.) A more absurd and obviously false statement has never been made.

 

The New Testament arrangement is different from that of the Old. However, the New speaks about citizenship in several important texts.

 

The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar?” (Matt. 22:17.) This was a loaded question because the Jewish nation belonged to God and should not have been under the burden of subjection from Gentiles. But they found themselves in that position because of a judgment from God. Jesus asked them to show him the tribute money. He asked, Whose inscription and image is on the money? They said, Caesar’s. Jesus replied, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.” (22:21.) Yes, they should pay tribute to Caesar since the coins belonged to him. Paul added: “Render therefore to all their due: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” (Rom. 13:7.) The image of God is not stamped upon coins, but upon the human heart. Man is made in God’s image; we ought to give ourselves to God. Some Roman coins pictured Palestine as a weeping woman because they were subject to Rome. The Jews had no coins of their own; Rome did not permit it.

 

Paul wrote, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God. . .  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same. For he is the minister of God to thee for good.” (Rom. 13:1-4.)  Peter likewise wrote: “Submit yourself to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake; whether it be to the king, as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. .  . Honor all men. . . Honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:13-17.) These passages teach Christians to be good citizens of their country.

 

Roman citizenship. Special privileges were enjoyed by those who were Roman citizens. But within those who were Romans, there were three different classes of citizens. As the right to citizenship spread throughout the empire, the special privileges diminished. Remember that Rome was ruled by a Caesar (king). He had ultimate power. After several centuries (3^rd century AD), trial by jury was removed. The strong arm of the Roman Empire kept peace over the vast reaches of the Roman power. Robbers were punished quickly; threats from foreign powers were neutralized. Roads were built making travel easier. This “Pax Romana” or the peace provided by Rome became the foundation for emperor worship. Rome was known for its many gods, but usually the worship of a Caesar was done after his death.

 

The veneration and praise of the Caesar came not by force or decree from the capital, but from the people who enjoyed such privileges as citizens. This practice is part of the rich background for the book of Revelation. Christians were found out of step with the populace because they would not honor other gods. Only Jesus was their Lord; and there is only one God in heaven. The Romans called Christians atheists because they did not believe in their many gods. They would not bow down before an image of Caesar. This caused many hardships and even death to Christians in the empire. They were not permitted to buy and sell in the Roman markets. (Rev. 13:17.)

 

American citizenship. No nation has ever enjoyed individual freedoms as we have. We have reduced the special privileges of the few and divisions of classes that plagued other nations. Rome was not a democracy; the king reigned supreme. The US Bill of Rights lists the first ten amendments to the constitution. It lists rights or privileges such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the right to assemble. These are often called the “Four Freedoms.” Norman Rockwell made these popular in 1943 when his paintings depicting the four freedoms were published in the Saturday Evening Post. Another privilege of our citizenship is the right to a speedy and public trial by jury. Citizenship involves two things: rights and responsibilities.

Our response to these freedoms and our citizenship should be: 1) Be thankful to God that you enjoy such freedoms. 2) Pray for kings and all those in authority. (1 Tim. 2:1-3.) Even the Law of Moses taught, “Thou shalt not revile the judges, nor curse the ruler of thy people.” (Exodus 22:28.) Paul referred to this passage before the Jewish council in Acts 23:5. As Christians, we should not speak evil of our governmental rulers. One cannot do that and pray for them earnestly at the same time. 3) We should live righteous lives before God. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Prov. 14:34.) Sin eventually destroys one’s nation or homeland. 4) Someone summed up our responsibilities as: pray, pay and obey. We should be good citizens, going about doing good to others. We should not expect the government to take care of us. We should take care of one another.

 

Christianity is not just about beliefs, but it includes all that we are. It includes our responsibilities to our nation as well.

 

Citizenship in God’s Kingdom

 

We are also citizens of another Kingdom, the Kingdom of God. This Kingdom is spiritual in nature; Jesus Christ is our King. Though unseen by the human eye, it is nevertheless real. Membership in that Kingdom is possible for all who desire it. We are delivered out of the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. (Col. 1:13.) Spiritually, one is a citizen of either the kingdom of darkness which belongs to Satan, or to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, “Some of you standing here shall not see death until you see the kingdom come with power.” (Mark 9:1.) That kingdom came with power on Pentecost, Acts 2, in Jerusalem. It spread from Jerusalem, to Judae, Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth. (Acts 1:8.)

 

Every person should seek to understand this kingdom; to enjoy the privileges of membership in that kingdom; and to fulfill our responsibilities as citizens of that kingdom. Are you a Roman citizen? That was an important question in the first century. Are you an American citizen? This is an important question today. But the most important question of all is, Are you a citizen of God’s Kingdom? If so, you did not obtain it as a special favor not granted to others. You did not obtain it by a large sum of money. You did not obtain it because your parents were citizens. Each person must enter into this kingdom by obeying the Gospel. We are born again into this kingdom. (John 3:3-5.) This is the only way to obtain citizenship in this kingdom, according to Jesus.

 

Traits of this citizenship. In free countries, we speak of the freedom of speech, of assembly, of worship, of the press, of the right to a speedy trial. But few know the privileges and responsibilities of those who are citizens of God’s Kingdom.

 

Privileges. 1) To walk with God daily; to call upon him when in need. 2) To receive the benefits of Jesus’ death on the cross. 3) To be called children of God. (1 John 3:1.) 4) To have the hope of eternal life and live with God. 5) To enjoy the fellowship of others who are citizens of His Kingdom. 6) To be free from the powers of the evil one. 7) To be free from the bondage of law keeping. Some spy out and talk about our liberties in Jesus Christ, while they bind human rules upon one another. 8) To have citizenship in a better country. Our citizenship is in heaven. (Phil. 3:20.) 9) To be free from humans ruling over us. Only Jesus is our head.

 

Paul was rescued from the hands of wicked men by appealing to the privileges of his Roman citizenship. How much more are we blessed and saved from trouble and death by our citizenship in God’s Kingdom.

 

Responsibilities. 1) To be an example to those outside the Kingdom of God. 2) To make known God to the world. 3) To give to the poor and needy. 4) Owe no man anything, but to love one another. 5) Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. 6) To love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt. 22:37-40.) 7) To speak of the joys of being citizens of God’s Kingdom.