Sovereign Circumstances (part 3)

We have seen that God brought Paul to Jerusalem, He placed Paul in the temple, and He has given Paul a gospel opportunity through false accusation and arrest.

Paul has taken advantage of that opportunity through sharing his conversion and his calling.

In his book “God Came Near” Max Lucado writes these words.

“Norman Geisler, as a child, went to a VBS because he was invited by some neighbor children. He went back to the same church for Sunday School classes for 400 Sundays. (That’s just over 7.5 years) Each week he was faithfully picked up by a bus driver. Week after week he attended church, but never made a commitment to Christ. Finally, during his senior year in High School, after being picked up for church over 400 times, he did commit his life to Christ. What if that bus driver had given up on Geisler at 395? What if the bus driver had said, ‘This kid is going nowhere spiritually, why waste any more time on him?’”

God has a purpose for your story.

Even if your story is just being a faithful bus driver.

I love hearing how God brings people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.One of my favorite stories is of a faithful lady who taught piano lessons to some neighbor children. The children’s father was in prison. She didn’t worry about that. For years she taught them. Then they moved across town. This was a rough city. So she would take a bus into the rough part of town so she could keep teaching these children. As she taught them, she would tell them about Jesus, eventually she even gave her bible to one of them. That little boy grew up, joined the military, moved around, got married, had children and lost children. But all that time, he kept that Bible with him. It wasn’t until he was 40 years old and had gone through tragedy, that God finally brought that man to himself. And so he sat down, and wrote a letter, thanking a little old lady for the Bible she had given him. As far as I know, that man still carries it today. Much worn, and recovered, but still going strong.That little old lady didn’t know how God would use her sacrifice. She was just faithful in making it. That boy didn’t know how precious that Bible would be become. He just kept it with him. As I have talked with that man over the years, I have heard him praising God for how each trial, each hardship, each broken heart, brought him one step closer to Jesus. Beloved, God has a purpose for your story. Everything you are going through can and will be used by God for His purpose and glory. Today we get to hear Paul tell his story. He is going to show us how God can use our story as a witnessing tool.We will learn three specific parts of our story that God uses.God has given Paul a gospel opportunity and he is taking advantage of it.Your story will only be used as you share it.With God at the center, our story becomes a tool to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.Part #1…

History is full of faithful men and women who didn’t have great success as the world would see it. But God used them to influence people who would later go on to do incredible things.

Everything you are going through can and will be used by God for His purpose and glory.

Today we get to finish hearing Paul tell his story. He is going to show us how God can use our story as a witnessing tool.

We will learn three specific parts of our story that God uses.

We saw 1.5 last week, we’ll see the other 1.5 today.

God has given Paul a gospel opportunity and he is taking advantage of it. As we noted last week…

Your story will only be used as you share it.

With God at the center, our story becomes a tool to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Part #1…

Let’s briefly review. Part #1…

1. God Will Use Your Conversion 21:40-22:11

There are two ideas we present when using our salvation story to share Christ with others.

a. Present the path of conversion 21:40-22:5

Paul shares the events that led up to his conversion as he speaks with the crowd. He is paving the way for a gospel presentation.

Your best witnessing tool is your own testimony.

Idea #2. We…

b. Present the presence of conversion vv. 6-11

As Paul shares the details of his conversion he makes it clear that God saved him in spite of himself.

Witnessing proclaims God’s grace.

God uses our conversion.There is a second part of our story that God uses.Part #2…

2. God Will Use Your Calling vv. 12-21

Salvation is not the end of our story. In so many ways, salvation is the beginning.

Each of us has an assignment, a calling from God that He uniquely equips and gifts us to fulfil.

As we seek to share Christ with others, He can and will use this calling. He will also use it for His purpose in others ways.

Paul is going to share with these people what he was called to as well as how that call played out in his life. These are things we can do as well. First…

a. Describe the content of your call vv. 12-16

Paul was called by God to share everything he had seen and heard of Jesus Christ. He tells this to the crowd as a way of presenting the gospel.

NKJV1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Jesus is the only one who is righteous. Paul got to see Him. Not here on the road, but afterward according to . Paul was taught the gospel by Christ Himself in the wilderness. Thirdly, To hear Jesus’ voice. This has already happened for Paul and would happen again.All of these things are going to happen to Paul for a purpose.READ v. 15This word “for” has the idea of “because.” This is the purpose. His witness. Paul belongs to Christ and will testify of Him!This is Paul’s assignment. To speak of Christ to all men. To tell them all that has been revealed to Paul.Paul will experience God’s will, he will see Christ, and he will hear Christ speak. These things he will then share with others.Look at (S).

NKJV11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

This is what Paul preached. What he was taught by Christ. Ananias continues.READ v. 16I love this question. What are you waiting for? Get busy!This is one of those verses that some use to try and teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. We need to carefully consider what is said. Paul is told to be baptized and wash away his sin. It does not say that he is baptized to wash away his sin. This begs the question, What cleanses us from sin? The blood of Christ! (S).

Explaining our calling gives us an opportunity to proclaim Christ.

NKJV7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Peter says we are bought with the precious blood of Christ ().So it is not baptism that washes us from our sin, it is the blood of Christ.Back in , the verse actually supports this. The phrase “calling on the name of the Lord” refers back to the washing away of sin. It is calling on the Lord, placing our trust in His finished work that cleanses us.Paul, standing before people who moments before were intent on beating him to death details his conversion and his calling. Explaining our calling gives us an opportunity to proclaim Christ.We tell people we are called by Him to preach the gospel and then we tell them what the gospel is.Which is exactly what we will see Paul do, next week.

We tell people we are called by Him to preach the gospel and then we tell them what the gospel is.

Conclusion

Which is exactly what we see Paul do in the next few verses.

After you have described the content of your call…

b. Describe the course of your call vv. 17-21

READ v. 17

Paul telling them he was in a trance stresses that being in a trance and having a vision while praying is not normative.

Paul is demonstrating his piety here. He was in the temple praying.

He then moves to experience. He had a vision from God.

Trance – ἔκστασις (ekstasis) amazement; astonishment. Ecstatic vision, a state of mind in which normal consciousness is suspended; often so that something supernatural might be revealed or transmitted to a person by God or an agent of God.

Trance – ἔκστασις (ekstasis)

Through prayer Paul has put himself in a frame of mind into which God can speak to him.

We here people talk about how they need God to speak to them. We hear complaints about God’s silence. Yet these same people never pick up the Word of God!

This is how God speaks! Through His Word.

I do not believe that God routinely or normally speaks through visions and dreams today. Why not? Because He doesn’t need to. He has already spoken authoritatively on everything we need to know in His Word. However, that doesn’t mean that God cannot or will not speak in this way. Please hear me carefully. If He chooses to speak in a vision or dream it will perfectly align with what He has already revealed. Therefore, in most cases, it is unnecessary for Him to speak in visions and dreams.

If you want to hear from God you need to do three things.

#1 - Trust Jesus Christ as your Savior.

Apart from salvation we cannot understand the Word. (S).

1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV

14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

#2 - Be free of unconfessed sin.

#2 - Be free of unconfessed sin. Sin breaks fellowship with God. Let’s look at two verses here. ; (S).;

Sin breaks fellowship with God. Let’s look at two verses here. ; (S).

;

Psalm 66:18 NKJV

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 NKJV

19 Do not quench the Spirit.

NKJV19 Do not quench the Spirit.

#3 - Read God’s Word.

In the 1 Thessalonians verse, the word “quench” has the idea of extinguish, suppress, or stifle. The Holy Spirit guides us into truth. It is His presence in our lives that enables us to understand the Word. When we suppress Him, we hinder our ability to understand God and His Word#3 - Read God’s Word.In context. Using proper hermeneutic methods. Don’t know how to do that? Come to the men’s or women’s bible studies!Turn to (p. ). (p. )

In context. Using proper hermeneutic methods. Don’t know how to do that? Come to the men’s or women’s bible studies!

Turn to (p. 1395).

(p. 1395)

2 Peter 1:16–21 NKJV

16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

The bottom line is that you will never hear from God if you are not in His Word.

You will not understand His Word if you are not a believer or if you have unconfessed sin in your life.

The bottom line is that you will never hear from God if you are not in His Word.You will not understand His Word if you are not a believer or if you have unconfessed sin in your life.Paul is in the temple praying. His heart is right before God and he is able to hear the message God has for him.What was the message?READ v. 18Who is the “Him” Paul speaks of? The one to whom He is praying.Here Paul is specifically told that the people will not listen to him.This would have to be incredibly frustrating and discouraging.Preach all you want, they won’t listen. Testimony is the same Greek word often translated witness. Paul wanted to witness of “all that he had seen and heard” as v. 15 called him to. Now he knows that they will not listen. The fact that he is told to leave Jerusalem quickly indicates that their refusal to hear his testimony of Jesus may take violent forms. READ v. 19

Paul is in the temple praying. His heart is right before God and he is able to hear the message God has for him.

What was the message?

READ v. 18

Who is the “Him” Paul speaks of? The one to whom He is praying.

Here Paul is specifically told that the people will not listen to him.

This would have to be incredibly frustrating and discouraging.

Preach all you want, they won’t listen. “Testimony” is the same Greek word often translated witness. Paul wanted to witness of “all that he had seen and heard” as v. 15 called him to. Now he knows that they will not listen.

The fact that he is told to leave Jerusalem quickly indicates that their refusal to hear his testimony of Jesus may take violent forms.

READ v. 19 This is a very interesting response to the Lord’s statement.

It seems that Paul is expressing his willingness to suffer for the Lord in part because of his past actions towards the church.

I believe that Paul is also expressing the thought that people might believe his testimony because of his personal transformation. He has changed his mind and heart from being a persecutor to being a believer and defender.

Notice the language he uses. Every synagogue.

Again we see the extent of Paul’s zeal.

He imprisoned and beat those who believed in Christ.

This is something that Paul never got over. He mentions his past as a persecutor repeatedly in Scripture. One of the most powerful times is in (S).

1 Corinthians 15:9 NKJV

9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

While we are completely forgiven for all sin, knowledge of what God saved us from illustrates the depth of God’s grace and our desperate need of Him.

But it serves another purpose as well.

That God could save a sinner like me is a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace!

I believe that Paul continually reminded himself of God’s grace to save a sinner like him because it reinforced that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace! REWORD

I believe that is why Paul continually reminded himself of the depth of His depravity before he met Christ.

Persecution of the church is not all that Paul considers himself guilty of.

READ v. 20

This is another thing Paul never got over.

Paul says he consented to Stephen’s death. The word used here is a little bit stronger than our English equivalent.

Consenting – συνευδοκέω (syneudokeō) agree with; approve of.

Consenting – συνευδοκέω

While Paul did not participate in the physical throwing of stones, he guarded the outer cloaks of those who did. In our court system today we would call Paul an accessory to the crime.

These are the kinds of people our God saves. These are the kinds of people He redeems! God saves sinners!

Before we leave this verse we need to see the sovereignty of God in the death of His saints.

As Paul addresses the Lord, he refers to Stephen as “Your martyr.” Other translations have “Your witness.”

Though Paul feels some responsibility associated with the death of Stephen, God is the one who placed Stephen there.

Believers who die for their faith do so according to God’s sovereign plan!

(S).

Psalm 116:15 NKJV

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints.

God does not take the death of His children lightly! Therefore, when He allows one of His redeemed ones to die for the cause of Christ, it is because He has a reason, plan, and purpose.

You can see from this verse that Stephen’s death made an enormous impact. His faith and willingness to die for Christ deeply influenced Paul.

There may indeed come a time when you and I are called to suffer for Jesus Christ. We may even face death. When that time comes, know that you are there by the sovereign hand of God!

He will walk with you, hold you up, and usher you into the throne of glory!

Martyrdom is under God’s sovereign control.

Suffering is under God’s sovereign control.

tells us to expect persecution (S).

1 Timothy 3:12 NKJV

12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

However, we have seen Paul and others avoiding persecution when possible. This tells us that persecution, while expected, is only to be embraced at God’s clear direction. For Stephen, at that time, it was. In Paul’s story, it wasn’t time yet.

READ v. 21

This is a very powerful verse.

God is sovereign in your circumstances.

This means that Everything we face has a place in God’s plan!

When Paul was in Jerusalem this first time he is describing, it wasn’t yet God’s plan for him to face persecution.

Why not? God had a different plan!

He reveals it to Paul here.

Paul is being sent to the Gentiles.

This is where the sovereignty of God brings us comfort.

When we operate within God’s plan for us, everything that comes our way is at His direction.

Why is that comforting?

Because Pain has a purpose! Suffering has a goal! Persecution opens the door for gospel opportunities!

That is what we are witnessing in this chapter.

Beloved, just like Paul, God has a purpose for us. He has a calling! Sharing that calling gives us the opportunity to speak of Christ.

Sometimes our calling is a surprise as it is for Paul here.

God is calling him to proclaim Christ to the Gentiles.

You have been called. Be ready to serve Christ in surprising ways.

Readiness involves gospel saturation and Scripture consumption.

Don’t know how to share the gospel? Go on our website, start listening to the “Personal Evangelism” class.

Want to read Scripture but don’t know where to start? Open your bulletin and start our Bible reading plan.

If you are interested in learning how to study the Bible, come to one of the ladies Bible classes or the men’s class on Monday nights.

Want your children to learn and grow? Bring them to Sunday school at 9am, to children’s church, and to Venture clubs starting next week at 6:00pm.

Our desire here at Grace Church is to make disciples. That’s what all these things are for. That is why we do what we do.

Join us.

God will use your conversion. God will use your calling. Finally, the third part of our story as revealed in this chapter…

3. God Will Use Your Citizenship vv. 22-29

You hear a lot about citizenship and illegal immigration today.

Citizenship was a big deal in Bible times just as it can be today. If you were not a Roman citizen, you were second class.

Throughout the rest of Acts we are going to see how God uses Paul’s status as a Roman citizen to open unique doors to the gospel.

This is something that He can do for each of us.

As citizens of the Unites States of America, there are freedoms we can use. Citizens of other countries also have ways that can use that citizenship for the Lord.

Paul’s situation here reveals God uses his citizenship in two ways.

First…

a. God uses it in distress vv. 22-24

READ v. 22

This is when the Jews have had enough. Paul speaking in Aramaic is not enough. They cannot tolerate the idea that God would save Gentiles.

This one word is enough to send the mob back into a frenzy.

They once again begin to scream that Paul must be taken away. They want him dead!

What is the cause of their distress? The idea that God would send a Jew to preach to Gentiles.

Their anger is crazy. It has always been God’s plan for Gentiles to be saved. This is seen in many OT passages. One of the clearest is (S).

Isaiah 49:6 NKJV

6 Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

This is the prophecy about the servant who would come. The same servant that describes as suffering and dying.

There is a powerful lesson here that applies directly to us today.

Prejudice makes us blind to God’s will.

Today there are still people who claim to follow Christ and yet hate people with a different skin tone or ethnic background.

That is sin! According to Genesis there is only 1 race, the human race!

When we discriminate and display prejudice towards others, we miss what God is doing. We miss what He wants to do in and through us.

This is what Israel was guilty of. They became racists. They hated anyone and everyone who wasn’t Jewish.

And so the very thought that God would send someone to preach of the Messiah to Gentiles makes them crazy.

Jesus died on the cross for all mankind, regardless of skin color. We are called to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to all.

That’s what Paul was called to do and these Jews can’t handle it.

READ v. 23

Again, “cried out” is the idea of screaming or wailing.

Tearing the clothes and throwing dust in the air was the outward expression used to signify blasphemy.

They are saying that Paul is lying and blaspheming God by claiming to be sent to the Gentiles.

We just say that Isaiah gave clear direction from God on this issue. Really it is the Jews who are guilty of blasphemy because they claim God would never send someone to reach the Gentiles.

This is the age old issue, we are often guilty of accusing others of sins we ourselves commit.

READ v. 24

This is the same idea present when Jesus was scourged. It was a method of examination to extract a confession from a criminal.

The tribune explains this for us. He wants to know why they were so outraged.

We are about to see how God uses Paul’s citizenship to deliver him out of this distress.

Before we go there, I want to think about this situation once again.

Why is Paul in Jerusalem?

Because God called him.

Why is Paul in the temple?

Because the elders told him to go.

Is Paul operating in God’s will?

Yes!

So why is he suffering?

Because God has sovereignly ordained it!

God has a plan and purpose for all of this that Paul won’t find out until the next chapter.

Distress is an opportunity for God’s glory to be displayed.

Here God is going to use this time of distress to get Paul to where He needs him to be.

God is going to use Paul’s citizenship.

God uses it in distress. Secondly…

b. God uses it for deliverance vv. 25-29

READ v. 25

The tribune has left. A centurion is overseeing the scourging.

As they bind Paul he asks a question to which he already knows the answer.

What is interesting here is that Paul knew he would be bound. But that’s all God had revealed up to this point.

I conclude that Paul knew God wanted him arrested, that is why he hasn’t spoken before this.

Paul is “uncondemned” meaning he has not yet stood trial.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament 22:22–29—Examining Paul

the Porcian and Julian laws exempted Roman citizens from such beatings without trial. Paul’s citizenship excluded him from being tortured for information, and together with his being untried, it excluded him from punishment.

“the Porcian and Julian laws exempted Roman citizens from such beatings without trial. Paul’s citizenship excluded him from being tortured for information, and together with his being untried, it excluded him from punishment.

This scourging would have been done with something like this (hold up whip). Similar to what they would have used on Jesus.

This would maim and possibly even kill. So Paul pleads his citizenship to avoid the scourge.

Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), .

READ v. 26

Paul has pleaded his citizenship once before.

Turn back to .

Both times Paul has pleaded his citizenship he did so to give himself leverage.

He now has something to work with.

The centurion warns the tribune that they have a situation on their hands.

READ v. 27

The tribune comes to verify.

Paul confirms that he is indeed a Roman.

READ v. 28

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament 22:22–29—Examining Paul

Scholars note that one could achieve Roman citizenship in several ways: one could be (1) born to a Roman father (so Paul); (2) a citizen of a Roman colony; (3) a retired auxiliary soldier; (4) part of a municipal aristocracy or other group honored by Rome; or (5)—and this was most common after being born in Rome or in a colony—a slave freed by his or her owner.

It is likely that this tribune had either bought his way out of slavery or had paid a bribe for his citizenship.

Here we learn that Paul was born a citizen of Rome.

Why is this significant? God is sovereign over the place and time of your birth.

There is a song I learned as a kid, it’s called the 10 Unchangeable.

1 - I am one of a kind.

2 - My Mom and Dad.

3 - My brothers and sisters.

4 - Nationality.

5 - Mental capacity.

6 - Time in history.

7 - God’s plan for me as a boy or girl.

8 - The order of my family.

9 - Aging.

10 - The time we die.

I never really had any problem with these except for #6. I always wished I had been born in the 1800’s so I could be a gunfighter.

Over the years I had to learn and accept a very important and powerful truth that all of us must accept.

God chose where you were born and when you were born for a purpose!

Part of God’s purpose for Paul’s Roman citizenship is revealed here.

There is the possibility that Paul struggled with his citizenship. After all, he had the Jewish pedigree that everyone wanted! He was from the right tribe, had the right education, joined the right group. He had it all going for him.

Being a Roman citizen was a smart move in that culture, but it had the potential of alienating Paul from his people.

Regardless, in this situation his Roman citizenship was a blessing.

Warren Wiersbe writes,

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty: The Misunderstood Missionary (Acts 21:1–22:29)

How Paul’s father obtained his freedom, we do not know. We do know that Paul knew how to make use of his Roman citizenship for the cause of Christ.

This is the key, use your citizenship for the cause of Christ!

There are times and circumstances in which being an American citizen will get you out of trouble.

Missionaries have been protected by their citizenship.

We have a legal process in this country that protects our religious freedom.

If being a citizen of a particular country can help you advance the cause of Christ, use it!

God gave you that citizenship for a purpose!

A purpose for Paul’s citizenship is clearly seen here.

READ v. 29

Remember, the examination was going to be by scourging.

This is a deliverance from severe bodily harm and possibly even death. All because Paul was a Roman citizen.

Everyone involved in this situation is afraid because they had bound Paul which was unlawful since he was a Roman.

God uses Paul’s citizenship to deliver him.

Citizenship is something we may not often think about.

If you are like me, you love our country and want to see it honor the Lord, but I don’t spend a lot of time dwelling on the fact that I am an American.

However, God has a purpose for my citizenship.

The freedoms and privileges we enjoy in this country are given to us for a purpose.

Our declaration of independence states that we have been granted unalienable rights by our creator, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

As Christians living in the united states, the freedoms we have been given are not so that we can be wealthy. They have not been given to us so that we can pursue the so called American dream.

The freedoms we enjoy have been granted to us so that we can advance the gospel of Jesus Christ!

You can pursue happiness, but pursue Jesus first! Why? Because, It is only in the pursuit of Jesus that true happiness is found!

Wealth, health, and prosperity are granted to the believer only as those things enable us to exalt Christ!

Our citizenship has been given to us as a way to advance the gospel.

Are we doing it?

Conclusion

God has a purpose for everything in your life.

That’s a catchy quote. What does it mean?

God will use your conversion.

Your salvation testimony is your best witnessing tool.

I’m going to keep saying that until we believe it.

We need to be sharing how God took us from unbelief to salvation, then share what took place when we believed.

God will use your calling.

We each have a unique call from God on our lives.

As we share that with others we have opportunities to share the gospel.

God will use your citizenship.

The freedoms we enjoy have been given to us for the advancement of the gospel.

Use your citizenship for the cause of Christ!

God wants to use our stories to help draw people to Himself.

For our stories to be used, they must be shared.

For our stories to be shared, we must be in contact with lost people.

God has placed you with people He wants to reach.

In our personal mission field, may we preach Christ.

Acts 22:17–29 NKJV

17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ” 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, 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.” 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.