Know Who You Are: Faith Under Fire

This morning we’re going to talk about knowing who we are in Christ. This will give us the courage we need when the world might turn against us. When that happens it can leave us feeling isolated and frustrated.

The Apostle Paul knew exactly what that felt like.

In Acts 22, we find him in a pretty tough situation.

He wasn’t just misunderstood; he was nearly beaten to death by an angry mob. Picture the chaos, the shouting, the confusion.

But even in all of this, one thing saved Paul: he knew exactly who he was. Not just as a Roman citizen, which was significant, but more importantly, as a citizen of God’s Kingdom.

Today, I want to talk to you about why your identity—who you are in Christ—is your greatest weapon when life seems to fall apart.

It’s not about your circumstances or what others think of you. It’s about knowing deep down who you are and whose you are.

This understanding can give you the courage to stand firm, even when the world seems to turn against you.

So, let’s take a look at how Paul handled his tough situation and see how his identity in Christ gave him the strength to face profound adversity.

Acts 22:22–23 NKJV

22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” 23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air,

What we see is Paul standing before a crowd that is absolutely furious with him.

As soon as he mentions the Gentiles, the crowd loses it. They shout, "Away with such a fellow! He’s not fit to live!" Now, why such a strong reaction?

Paul was about to explain why he was involved with the Gentiles, but the crowd didn’t let him.

Paul wasn’t being rude or disrespectful. He was simply sharing a truth that challenged the deeply held beliefs and prejudices of his audience—that Jew and Gentile are equal before God.

The Greek word used here for "away” is "airō," which means "to lift up and carry away."

This wasn’t just a mild disagreement. The crowd wanted Paul completely removed, erased from existence.

Why? Because the message of equality in Christ threatened their sense of identity and superiority.

It’s a reminder that when we live out our faith authentically, it can make people uncomfortable. It can challenge their worldview and provoke a strong reaction.

Today, we shouldn’t be surprised when we face opposition for our faith.

It’s not necessarily a sign that we’re doing something wrong. In fact, it might be a sign that we’re doing something right.

When you stand up for what you believe in, when you live out the teachings of Jesus, it can ruffle some feathers.

But take heart—this is part of the journey. Just like Paul, we are called to stand firm in our faith, even when it’s unpopular or misunderstood. So…

We Can Expect Opposition When We Live Out Our Faith (22-23)

Let’s move on and see the dangerous situation Paul found himself in.

Acts 22:24–26 NKJV

24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. 25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”

The Roman commander, trying to figure out why the crowd is so angry, orders Paul to be examined by scourging.

When it came to interrogation, the Romans never bothered with “good cop—bad cop”.

They discovered scourging as an effective means to get any prisoner to talk—and we shouldn’t confuse Roman scourging with Jewish.

No, this wasn’t just a slap on the wrist.

The Jews used rods; the Romans, leather thongs in which they had imbedded pieces of metal or bone.

Many had been crippled and killed during such a beating.

Paul had been beaten five times with thirty-nine lashes by Jewish authorities and three times with rods by Roman magistrates, but the flagellum was far more brutal.

This was the kind of beating given to Jesus in Pilate’s hall (John 18:38–19:1).

Imagine being in Paul’s shoes, stretched out, about to face unimaginable suffering.

But here’s where Paul’s wisdom and calmness shine through. Instead of panicking, he asks a simple but powerful question: "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?"

Paul didn’t ask this question because he didn’t know the answer. Paul knew the law.

This question stops the process in its tracks. Paul knew his rights as a Roman citizen, and he uses that knowledge wisely to prevent a grave injustice.

The word used for "bound” is a word meaning "to pull tight like a bowstring." Paul was under immense pressure, but he remained composed.

The centurion had no option but to report immediately to his commander.

I think this is a powerful lesson for us. When we face injustice or unfair treatment, our natural reaction might be to panic or lash out. But Paul shows us a different way. By staying calm and speaking with wisdom, we can allow God to take care of the situation.

In our own lives, we will encounter times when we might suffer injustice.

It might be at work, in our communities, or even within our families.

In those moments, let’s remember Paul’s example. Let’s choose to stay calm, use wisdom, and trust that God is our ultimate defender.

By doing so, we can turn potential chaos into an opportunity for God’s justice and peace to prevail.

Now let’s look at verses 27-29.

Acts 22:27–29 NKJV

27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” 28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” 29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

The Roman commander comes up to Paul with the question: "Tell me, are you a Roman?"

Paul responds confidently, "Yes."

This might seem like a simple exchange, but it was significant.

Roman citizenship was a big deal. It came with privileges and protections that most people could only dream of.

It meant you couldn’t be tortured or punished without a fair trial. The commander himself had to buy his citizenship at a great cost, but Paul was born into it.

And the commander could have gotten in big trouble if the scourging had taken place. As a matter of fact, the commander had already committed a crime by placing a Roman citizen in chains, especially since he still had no idea who Paul really was or of `what crime he might have been guilty.

The word for "born" here means "to be brought into existence."

Paul didn’t earn his citizenship; it was a gift.

And because he knew it was true, he stood on it boldly—not arrogantly, but with confidence.

This is a reminder for us about our identity in Christ.

Just like Paul’s Roman citizenship, our citizenship in God’s Kingdom is not something we earn. It’s a gift we receive when we are born again through faith in Jesus.

So, what does this mean for us? It means we can stand confidently in who we are as children of God.

We don’t have to work for God’s approval or worry about our worth.

We can’t buy it like the Roman commander.

We’ve been given a new identity, and it’s one that comes with out of this world privileges and responsibilities. We are citizens of Heaven, and that changes everything.

In our daily lives, this truth should empower us to live boldly and authentically.

When we face challenges or doubts about our worth, we can remember that our identity is secure in Christ.

We don’t have to prove ourselves to the world because we already belong to a greater Kingdom.

So, as you go about your week, let this truth sink in.

You are loved, you are valued, and you are secure in Christ.

Let that knowledge shape how you respond to challenges and how you interact with others.

Stand firm in your faith, stay calm in the face of adversity, and shine bright in a world that desperately needs the light of Christ.