Sermon:

‘I Know My Rights!’
JCC 25.10.09 pm

Acts 22

Jewish nationalism was on the rise

Paul had to prove the integrity of his Jewishness

The Jerusalem church is providing an effective indigenous witness within its culture

Modern Gentile Christians opposed Jewish Christians’ keeping the law yet observe church and cultural traditions of their own

This is not the spirit of the New Testament, which calls people to forsake their sin, not positive or neutral elements of their culture

The earlier Christian Jewish people practiced the law and followed Jesus

The law is now fulfilled through Christ, so why did they, and why do the Jewish Christians even today still follow their traditions and laws?

Does it matter if they do or not?

Should we abandon culture?

Culture is a way of reaching people

I think culture allows people to keep links with their identity

Even Paul could say:
1 Cor 9:22 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Citizenship was a big issue

Still the same today

Citizenship in a Greek city gave one higher status than the many who were merely “residents” of the city

One became a citizen only by birth in a citizen family or as a grant from the city authorities

City pride and rivalry were fierce in ancient times, especially in Asia Minor, and Tarsus was a prominent city

Tarsus’ citizens were not automatically Roman citizens (it was not a Roman colony), but Paul saves his admission of Roman citizenship as a trump card in case he needs it later

Paul knew his rights as a citizen

People are treated differently based on their citizenship

The Roman rulers treated people differently if not Roman

Blacks treat other blacks differently than they would treat someone who is not black

Whites treat other whites differently than they would treat someone who is not white

Muslims treat other Muslims differently than if they were Christian

Christians treat other Christians differently than if they were not Christians

The reason for the difference in treatment is because like minds think alike
Even within the Christian Church, denominations treat each other differently

The reason for this difference in treatment is because like minds have like experiences

Quote: Race prejudice is as thorough a denial of the Christian God as atheism.
HARRY EMERSON FOSDICK (1878–1969)

As people belonging to Christ we cannot entertain prejudice of any kind

Heaven will be filled with all races and cultures

Rev 7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands

After his conversion Paul changed in more ways than just his faith

Acts 8:1 Now Saul was consenting to Stephen’s death

Acts 8:3 ..Saul,