Acts 22:26-28

Citizens of The United States of America, whatever nationality, whatever faith, whatever income level, whatever sex or whatever political belief are all Americans.....some of us were blessed enough to be born here, others paid a great price for the privilege...we need to respect all of our members!  We will be judged on how we treat the least powerful of our citizens.

Originally the privileges of Roman citizenship were limited to free people living in the city of Rome. Later, citizenship was granted to others living in the Roman Empire. Sometimes the emperor would offer citizenship to those who had rendered outstanding service. Possibly Paul’s father or grandfather had became a citizen this way with the result that Paul was born a Roman. Ultimately God used Paul’s Roman citizenship to spread the gospel to Rome.

Acts 22:26-28

²⁶ When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.” 

²⁷ Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” 
He said, “Yes.” 

²⁸ The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” 

And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”