Page 10 - acts_study_book4

This captain was not born a Roman citizen; he was a different nationality and had paid for his
Roman citizenship papers. But Paul’s family are well-known Roman citizens, and Paul is a
citizen by birth. Paul is also from Tarsus (a free Roman city). Because of this citizenship, Paul’s
nephew will later have easy access to visit Paul and warn him of an assassination attempt
(23:16). Paul will also have free access to speak with the Roman dignitaries Felix and Agrippa.

Act 22:29 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 leader is in a dilemma. He has the mob on one side and a Roman citizen on the
other. He has to retreat to think the situation through.

Act 22:30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the
Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to
appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

Roman law is without religious prejudice. This man needs facts. To get to the bottom all
things, he brings the accusers to the accused. This man will spot the religious prejudice during
the interrogation, and Judaism will have a setback as Paul is rescued from the courtroom.