Claiming Civil Rights

Standing Before Caesar

I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged.—Acts 25:10

Aaron Marten

For Christians throughout the Gospel age, perhaps no one has been a more worthy example of a true follower of Christ than the apostle Paul. Paul’s persistence in fulfilling the mission set before him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles is a continual theme of the New Testament. An important example of his determination to witness to the name of Jesus Christ despite intense opposition is found in the latter half of the account of Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 21:15 to 28:31).

The Arrest

Despite the pleadings of the brethren in Tyre (Acts 21:4-5), Caesarea (Acts 21:12-14), and elsewhere, Paul was compelled by the holy spirit to preach in Jerusalem (Acts 19:21). Upon his arrival, the brethren greeted him warmly. Apparently a good number of the Jewish converts in Jerusalem felt it was necessary to obey certain portions of the law; these included some who had taken the Nazarite vow (Acts 21:23-24). Not making an issue of it at the time, Paul went with them to the temple and was noticed by some of the Jews (Acts 21:26-27). The ensuing melee certainly would have killed Paul were it not for the interference of a Roman commander who arrested Paul and broke up the throng (Acts 21:31-36).

The commander, realizing that Paul was not a wanted criminal, allowed him to speak (Acts 21:37 to 22:21) with the hope that this would calm the crowd. When Paul’s speech only infuriated the people more, the commander ordered that Paul be scourged to find out the “true” reason for the outcry. It was at this point that Paul invoked his rights as a Roman citizen, and a native-born one at that (Acts 22:22-29).

While Paul was still in Roman custody, the Jews formed a plot to murder him when he was being transported to be tried by a council of the Jews. By the grace of God, Paul’s nephew discovered the plot and reported it to the Roman soldiers. This allowed Paul to be secretly transported by Roman guards to the city of Caesarea, the residence of Felix the governor (Acts 23:12-35).

Paul remained in the custody of Felix for two years where he was given liberty to see the brethren and even preach. All the while Felix attempted to receive a bribe from Paul (Acts 24:1-27). Porcius Festus then succeeded Felix. In an attempt to appease the Jewish leadership, Festus asked Paul if he was willing to be transferred back to Jerusalem for trial.

The Decision

Undoubtedly Paul knew what he would face in Jerusalem assuming he made it there alive. He would be subject to the accusations and rulings of the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem. Paul likely would have faced a similar situation to what our Lord faced before his crucifixion. The Jewish court and the Jewish leadership was not the appropriate place for Paul to be judged because he was (and possessed all the rights of) a Roman citizen. With this in mind, Paul again asserted his position that there was no need for him to go to Jerusalem: “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar” (Acts 25:10,11). This appeal led directly to Paul’s transport to Rome (Acts 27:1 to 28:31) where tradition holds he was eventually acquitted and journeyed on to Spain where he ministered (Romans 15:24, 28).

In the time leading up to his appeal to Caesar, it is likely Paul was thinking about the Lord. Jesus had faced similar circumstances: false accusations from the Jews, religious charges being handled in a civil court, a potential death sentence, and the like. While wanting to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, Paul also realized he had something our Lord did not: Roman citizenship. Was it just and right for Paul to invoke his rights as a citizen? Perhaps the question should be whether it is always proper for a Christian to claim a right granted by an earthly government.

While pondering his situation, Paul must have also considered that shortly before this he had received a message from the Lord that he would preach in Rome (Acts 23:11). Perhaps Paul concluded that by appealing to Caesar, he would be transported to Rome under guard and fulfill what he knew to be the will of God. This may have even been the deciding factor. While being held prisoner by the Romans in Caesarea for two years, Paul experienced a large degree of freedom in being able to receive visitors and preach to the family and staff of the ruling governor (Acts 24:23-27). The natural conclusion in Paul’s mind would have been that he would be granted the same privileges as a prisoner in Rome. He was right: “Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him” (Acts 28:30,31).

This is often how Christians must determine the will of God. They must seek the Lord’s will through study of the word, by listening to his voice through the brethren in Christ, and by observing personal circumstances. Upon determining where God’s guiding hand would lead, a Christian must not neglect to seize opportunities as they arise.

If Paul had not appealed to Caesar and Festus had transferred him back to Jerusalem, we can only guess as to what would have happened. Nevertheless, we can be sure that God would have provided some way for Paul to witness in Rome because he had revealed his plans to Paul. It is certainly likely, as King Agrippa suggested in Acts 26:32, that Paul would have been set free shortly thereafter were it not for his appeal. If Paul had traveled to Rome as a free man, he may have been spared the trying experiences he and his fellow passengers faced while sailing across the Mediterranean Sea to Rome (Acts 27:1 to 28:16).

Lessons for Christians

Did Paul act properly as a Christian in claiming his right of appeal under Roman law, or was he presumptuous in making that appeal? Several Scriptures, including some in Paul’s own writings, are cited by some to contradict the appropriateness of Paul’s appeal since they command full submission to an earthly government. To the church at Philippi, Paul wrote that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20, NIV). To the brethren in Rome he said “let every soul be subject unto the higher powers” (Romans 13:1). Peter said we should submit “to every authority instituted among men” (1 Peter 2:13, NIV). As our Lord taught, “Render unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s” (Luke 20:25).

Prospective members of the church continue to live as aliens and strangers under various earthly governments. Does this mean they do not have the same rights as their neighbors? No. If the world grants certain freedoms (such as of speech and assembly), a Christian should be grateful and use them as an opportunity to serve the Lord. Aliens under the Mosaic law were granted many of the same rights as the native Hebrews (Numbers 15:16; Deuteronomy 10:18, 19; 23:7; 24:17; 27:19). Today all democracies grant aliens and immigrants many of the same liberties as full citizens. Simply exercising rights granted by earthly governments is not in conflict with being “subject unto the higher powers.” There is, however, a real danger in taking the blessings of liberty to an extreme by invoking rights that are not appropriate, even if allowed by a government.

Just because a right has been granted or a system has been established by an earthly government does not mean it is operating within the bounds of perfect justice, which is God’s standard to which we aspire. As the sound of liberty continues to ring out across the world, people will clamor for their so-called “rights” that often go into the realm of injustice by treading on the true rights of others. For example, many governments provide unemployment compensation for citizens who cannot find employment. Taking advantage of this system when we truly have a need for it is within our rights. But if we are unwilling (yet able) to seek employment to fulfill our earthly obligations and meet our basic needs, preferring instead to live off government assistance, this goes well beyond our rights; it makes us an unnecessary burden on our neighbors (2 Thessalonians 3:10). We must be wary of claiming such “fancied” rights and abusing systems which may be just by human and legal standards, but unjust according to Godly, biblical standards.

Throughout the Gospel age there have been many examples of Christians properly claiming rights allowed by the government. During the last century many in the United States justly invoked their right to claim religious conscientious objector status. Those who fulfill their obligations as citizens to these earthly institutions by “rendering unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s” in the form of taxes or other obligations, should not hesitate invoking their rights as long they are within the bounds of God’s justice.

Learning about God’s justice and the proper exercise thereof is not only a privilege, but also the responsibility of any child of God who aspires to the high calling through Jesus Christ. “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” (1 Corinthians 6:2). A firm understanding of justice will be required to rightly judge and instruct the world of mankind in the Millennial age. Only by study and experience can we conceptualize God’s perfect justice and determine the appropriateness of invoking a right granted by a government. Would invoking this right violate any of God’s principles? Would claiming this right impede any freedoms possessed by others and especially by the brethren? These are the thoughts and questions a Christian must ask if faced with a situation similar to that of the apostle Paul.

What should we do when a worldly neighbor treats us unjustly according to the laws of the land? Is a Christian allowed to stand up for his rights under the law? In general, yes. The appropriateness of what to do must be left to the conscience of each to judge whether or not to pursue the matter. This is actually a closer situation to the one Paul faced. When he discouraged the Corinthian brethren from going to legal courts (1 Corinthians 6:1-8), he was speaking of disputes purely between brethren.

When determining a right course of action, it can sometimes be difficult to perceive the Lord’s will. If we find ourselves involved in a legal matter where someone is treating us unjustly, we can and should appeal to the legal protections we have, as did Paul. Above all, we should continue to pray for and continually develop a deeper understanding of God’s attribute of justice so we can judge and instruct the world in equity if we prove faithful.