Is it OK, as a Christian, to assert your rights? Based on the example of the apostle Paul, the answer is “Yes.” Paul had more rights than most other Jews, in that he was also a Roman citizen by birth (Acts 22:27-8). He claimed those rights in order to avoid a nasty flogging at the hands of Roman soldiers (Acts 22:24-29). It’s important for this story to understand that if the flogging had gone ahead, the official who ordered it could have been fired or even executed himself (William Barclay, Daily Study Bible: Acts Westminster 1976, p. 163).

However, in Acts 16 Paul was flogged by Roman authorities (Acts 16:22-3).. Why did he not claim his Roman citizenship to avoid a beating? And why did he then claim his Roman citizenship the next day, after he’d been publicly beaten (Acts 16:37)?

Is it possible that Paul acted in obedience to the Holy Spirit in failing to claim his citizenship at the time of his arrest? Paul knew that his decision to follow Jesus would involve suffering (Acts 9:16). Is it conceivable that Paul sensed the Holy Spirit saying to him, “Paul, you need to let yourself be beaten in violation of your rights. There are people who will hear about Jesus because you take this beating for Me.”?

What happened as a result of Paul’s taking the beating? First, all the prisoners learned of the power of God to give people joy in the midst of dreadful suffering, when they heard Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns to God (Acts 16:25). Notice the specific statement that the prisoners were listening. Second, the jailer and his family heard about Jesus and became Jesus followers (Acts 16:29-34).

What we see here is that while Paul had rights, he would not rely upon them if it was better for the cause of Jesus Christ that he not do so. It was more important that others hear about Jesus than that Paul have the convenience and comfort of his legal rights.

What, then, was the purpose of claiming those rights the next day? As soon as he did so, based upon William Barclay’s comment above, those local officials knew that their jobs, if not their lives, were in danger. Kenneth Bailey, a leading New Testament scholar, suggests that Paul did this in order to protect the church. Notice that Paul demanded and received a personal escort from those officials (Acts 16:37-9). After meeting with the officials at the prison and receiving from them a request that Paul and Silas leave the city, Paul took the time to go to Lydia’s house (the place where the church met (Acts 16:15)), met with the Christians and give an inspirational speech, before they left (Acts 16:40). Can you imagine the message this sent to the officials? Is it possible that the message is the following? “You violated my rights by publicly beating me without a trial. You could lose your job or your life. I’m not laying a complaint against you-for now. These people in Lydia’s house are my friends. Be sure you protect them.”

Paul didn’t enjoy being unfairly treated any more than anyone else! However, there were other things that were more important than his legal rights. How does this story connect with you?