Facing a scourging, Paul claims his right as an uncondemned Roman citizen to be spared this fate, informing the Roman commander, who had purchased his citizenship at high cost, “But I was born a citizen” (Acts 22:28b NKJV). The next day, the Romans assemble the Jewish leaders and bring Paul before them to discover why the Jews were accusing him. “Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, ‘Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day’” (Acts 23:1 NKJV).
Pastor Kevin draws parallels between Paul’s status as a freeborn Roman citizen with a clear conscience and the Christian’s status as a citizen of heaven, having been delivered from slavery to sin, granted a clear conscience, and obtained eternal redemption because Jesus has purchased us with His own precious blood.
Maranatha!