Being a Citizen: Then and There; Here and Now
Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria
Reading from Acts 16:16-40, 22:22-29
Introduction
Dr Denison’s article – 10 Reflections at Bersih 4 can be read here.
We looked at Acts to examine the socio-political-economic situation then. The biblical account is not mythological but historical. We go back to the time of Paul and see how the early Christians exercise their faith in the context of the dominant political power then. The Roman regime was a feared war machine. They were also known to build roads, have a judicial system and to uphold the law.
1Being a Citizen Then and There
1.1Dual Nature of Citizenship
Paul is an amazing and inspiring writer. However, he seems to contradict himself. In Philippians 3:20, he said we are citizens of the Kingdom, looking forward to heaven. However, in Acts 16:37, he declared himself to be a Roman citizen. In Acts 22:28, he revealed he was born a Roman citizen.
But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens,and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” (Acts 16:37,38)
The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him!He’s not fit to live!”As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaksand flinging dust into the air,24the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.He directedthat he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this.As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.”The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I am,” he answered.Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.”“But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied.Those who were about to interrogate himwithdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen,in chains. (Acts 22:22:29)
As a minority group then, the early believers faced tremendous opposition and persecution. They were falsely accused. The prisoners of conscience as they are called by Amnesty International are not criminals.
Paul was a Jew buthe was also born a citizen of Rome. As an activist, being in prison and beaten seem a recurring event in Paul’s life. This is one of the reason Christians have been in the forefront of prison reform and prison ministry. Paul knew his rights and the limitations.
1.2Lessons from the biblical narrative
- Paul’s contention to be a citizen comes from his contestation of his right to a fair trial.
- A Roman citizen has the right to a fair trial.
- Not everyone in the Roman Empire was a Roman citizen. There were people born as Roman citizens, some paid a high price for it or served in the military for 25 years. In Malaysia, some natives do not even have documentation to prove their citizenship.
- Paul did not demonstrate or walk out. He did a sit in as a sign of protest. He refused to go out from the prison until the magistrate came for him. He was not aggressive nor militant. Paul refused to leave the prison without an apology. He made a stand that he was wronged and he was protesting. (Acts 16:36, 37)
- For Paul, it did not matter where he was. In the prison or free, wherever he was, he shared about God. In that sense, Paul was more ‘dangerous’ when he was in prison. He could share the gospel to inmates who could not run away.
Paul was a great church planter and a great evangelist.
We read that a Roman citizen cannot be arrested and beaten without a fair trial. This is the fundamental right provided by the law. The Roman citizen can even appeal to be taken right to Caesar. Even though there is a system of fair trial, Paul was eventually executed.
1.3How did the Romans develop this kind of Rights
It is believed to have started with King Cyrus. He freed the slaves, declared religious freedom and established racial equality. He allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and even financed the rebuilding the temple. Then came the Greeks who brought culture and civilization.Finally it was the Roman idea of law based on rational ideas.
There were three classes of citizenship in the Roman Empires: the slaves or exiles, the Roman citizens and the elites who held power. Paul, was born a Roman citizen meaning that his father must have acquired it as they are Jews and not ethnically Romans.
1.4Implications for the Early Church
Acts has been known as a book written in defense of Paul. The believers obeyed the law and they were not subversive.
If Paul can rise up to declare himself a Roman citizen and demands his rights to be respected, why can’t we do the same?
2Being a Citizen: Here and Now
Malaysia is not under imperial rule.
2.1Recognizing the Constitutional Democratic System of Malaysia.
- We have fundamental liberties as per the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, including freedom of speech, religious freedom, rights to properties, etc.
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDGR). Some leaders have presented the political rhetoric that we do not have to follow the UDGR. As a member of the United Nations, Malaysia must adopt it.
2.2Addressing the Abuse of Power and Rights Violation in the Malaysia Society
- Influencing society by building a better Malaysia. (salt and light, Matthew 5:13, 15)
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. (Matthew 5:13, 15)
- Speaking up for the voiceless and powerless.
Speakup for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8, 9)
“It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”
~Peter Benenson, founder of Amnesty International
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
~Margaret Mead, American cultural anthropologist
If the rights of the citizens are violated, what more the refugees, the migrant workers and the undocumented people?
Sermon summary and prayer points contributed by Loong.
SERMON: Citizenship: Then and There; Now and Here
Pray:
- As Christians, we will understand the significance of our dual citizenship.
- We will be bold to stand up against injustice via the proper channel.
- We will be the salt and light in our community and nation.
- Through our lives and our testimonies, we will transform our society.
- We will be the voice of the voiceless.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)
MINISTRIES &EVENTS: 24-hour Burn
This Malaysia Day, you can be part of the 24-hour prayer in the Dream Centre. It will take place in Hall 2 from 2200 on 15/09/2015 until 1000 on 16/09/2015. The next 12 hours will be in Hall 1.
Pray:
- Christians will gather to pray together for Malaysia.
- We will get a touch from the Lord.
- We will renew our passion to pray and intercede for our nation, our community, our workplace and our schools.
- Great turn up that will encourage one another.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
MALAYSIA MY NATION: The Malaysian Citizenship
The Malaysian citizenship is one that allows access to the most nations in the world. As Malaysian citizens, we are privileged.
Pray:
- We will appreciate our citizenship and be good citizens of Malaysia.
- We will make good use of our access for the expansion of the Kingdom.
- We will get involved in nation building in our own capacity.
- We will help to recapture the 8 domains for God, including education, business, politics, the media, creative arts and entertainment, sports, family, science and technology.
- We will channel our energy into making a positive change for the nation.
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. (Proverbs 14:34)
A TRANSFORMED WORLD: Syrian Refugees
The civil war in Syria has been pushing its civilians out from the country since 2012. The number is now estimated to exceed 4 million. Most of them are in Turkey (1.8 million), Lebanon (1.2 million), Jordan (628,500) and Iraq (250,000), European countries have started to receive the Syrian refugees, Germany has reported to have 100,000 Syrian refugees and they make take up to 800,000 of them.
Pray:
- Families running away from their war-torn country will find refuge in another country.
- United Nations and the countries worldwide will see the need and provide funds to help the refugees.
- They will receive adequate food and medical supplies and they will have hygienic environment to live in.
- They will not be abused either by the nation granting them a place of refuge of their fellowmen.
- They will be able to find a way to begin a new life.
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:17-19)
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