Acts 22:22–30

 Acts 22:22–30

It seems that nothing will turn a pious audience into a violent mob quicker than the assertion that God‘s grace is available for those whom we hate. Paul’s presentation was listened to with attention until he talked about going to the Gentiles, then a riot ensued. We like the idea of God’s grace for the people we like and for those who are like us. But attempt to offer that grace to someone from any hated group and the hypocritical pious elite will say that you have gone too far. Sadly there are many people who, claiming to be Christians, but would rather certain other people in hell than see them in church. A church where this perception is present can hardly expect God’s Spirit to empower their ministry.

When the mob erupts into violence the Roman commander orders Paul taken to the barracks away from the chaos of the throng. We get a picture of the size of this disturbance when we see the title of the Roman officer. He is literally a “chiliarch” a commander of 1000 troops, this riot was so intense that the Roman regional commander has become personally involved. He is roughly equivalent to a one star general. Wanting answers and wanting them quick he has Paul stretched out with leather straps to prepare for a beating. Paul was bound very likely to the same post where Christ was beaten. But Paul claims his rights as a Roman citizen. If a Roman soldier, many of whom were not citizens, beat a Roman citizen the consequences could be most cruel.

Suffering for Christ is part of the life of a disciple, it is the cost of following. However, unnecessary suffering is simply foolish. If we suffer because of our own immature understanding, emotional issues or because of self-inflicted punishment we do not advance the gospel. If called to suffer for Christ we must do so. But if we can, with holiness, avoid suffering by all means we should. At this moment there is another, and perhaps final, break between Christians and Jews. And ironically for the moment the good guys are the Romans who have an idea of law and order even if they were pagan

"Lord, forbid that I would want to see anyone be lost. AMEN"