Citizen Paul

Aim: To be exemplary citizens for God and men—as Christ's true church.

Doctrine: True Christians in the militant church possess dual citizenship: one is heavenly, and the other is earthly.

Exegesis: How believers are to employ their ''natural'' (this-world) citizenship advantages: there is a time to defend one's self (vv. 23-25), a time to explain oneself (vv. 26-28), and a time to repose oneself (v. 29).

Further application: How regenerate Christians are to view their two citizenships: we need to understand that our ''church'' one is eternal and inviolable, and that our ''national'' one is and changeable.

Key phrase: v. 25b ''...Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, 'Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?' ''