release and resistance

Good morning brothers and sisters,
In yesterday's reading Paul and the others were arrested, beaten and imprisoned for their ministry, in particular for casting a spirit out of a slave. Their imprisonment led the jailer to faith. Now the authorities decide to release them from prison, but Paul isn't going to make it easy on them. Instead he tells them he is a Roman citizen, which worries them since they haven't observed his rights. We will see Paul using his rights as a Roman citizen several times in Acts.

For the most part in Acts Rome isn't the oppressor, but a mostly neutral outside power. Most of the opposition to the apostles comes from religious leaders and both sides of the conflict at times try to use Roman power to their advantage. We also see that, even though at times the apostles defy the rules and human rulers to proclaim the gospel, they also generally obey the law. When asked to leave Philippi, the apostles do. The blend of courage, defiance, obedience and strategic thinking the early church used to spread the message can teach us a lot about adapting to different situations while remaining true to our faith and seeking opportunities to share.

Blessings on the new week,
Sam

Acts 16:35-40
35When morning came, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36And the jailer reported the message to Paul, saying, “The magistrates sent word to let you go; therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37But Paul replied, “They have beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and take us out themselves.”

38The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens; 39so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40After leaving the prison they went to Lydia’s home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.