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January 17, 2025
Peace Publishers LLC. Resources in fifteen categories for self-instruction, classes, sermons, and conferences. An original 21st Century Commentary on Revelation is being added. Site administrator and publisher in English and Spanish: Homer Dewayne Shappley, evangelist and author of 2,500-plus documents in both languages. Oversight: Cairo, Tennesse Church of Christ.
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A 3-minute, 40-second read.
The "SECOND COURSE" of "Solid Food" on the subject of the "CHRISTIAN VOTE." Also applicable to the "RELIGIOUS VOTE" in general.
That is not really me "up there, above," with Earth over to my left, but an image Microsoft Copilot AI created following detailed instructions I gave the APP in an effort to illustrate my somewhat detached view of the planet from my privileged position in the Spiritual Kingdom of Christ and God.
DUAL Citizenship
Here, “ABOVE,” “in heavenly places in Christ,” I have SPIRITUAL CITIZENSHIP in the Spiritual Kingdom, which is also incomparably superior to any earthly citizenship.
The apostle Paul refers to this extremely valuable, unique citizenship when he writes: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:20-21 NIV
A 3-minute, 40-second read.
The "SECOND COURSE" of "Solid Food" on the subject of the "CHRISTIAN VOTE." Also applicable to the "RELIGIOUS VOTE" in general.
That is not really me "up there, above," with Earth over to my left, but an image Microsoft Copilot AI created following detailed instructions I gave the APP in an effort to illustrate my somewhat detached view of the planet from my privileged position in the Spiritual Kingdom of Christ and God.
DUAL Citizenship
Here, “ABOVE,” “in heavenly places in Christ,” I have SPIRITUAL CITIZENSHIP in the Spiritual Kingdom, which is also incomparably superior to any earthly citizenship.
That illustrious apostle Paul of the 1st century CE functioned as a spiritual citizen of God’s spiritual Kingdom by preaching the “gospel of the kingdom” (Acts 8:12), establishing and organizing congregations of Christians in various provinces of the Roman Empire.
Regarding his earthly socio-political status, Paul was a Roman citizen—a privilege that, during the first century of the Common Era, belonged inherently only to males of the free population of Italy and to those who inherited it by birth. Some men acquired it by buying it (Acts 22:22-29); others, as a reward for outstanding military service or other significant contributions to the Roman Empire.
Now, it’s worth noting that the apostle Paul did not disdain his Roman citizenship; rather, he appealed to it and took advantage of it opportunely. On more than one occasion, he invoked it
to escape unjust treatment, including beatings and imprisonment. Acts 22:22-28; 23.26-30; 25:6-12, 21.
For instance, in Jerusalem, when the Roman tribune ordered Paul “to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging.” Paul alerted the centurion also present that he was a “Roman citizen.” Upon verifying it, the centurion informed the tribune, who responded: “I bought this citizenship with a large sum.” To which Paul replied: “But I am a citizen by birth.” Acts 22:22-29. By asserting his Roman citizenship, Paul avoided being flogged.
Proceeding thus, the apostle Paul effectively established, with the Lord’s guidance, a wise and practical guideline for all Christians across all countries and times concerning the concept they should have, and any sincere, honest religious person should also have, of the duty to value and honor earthly citizenship, not abusing the benefits and privileges it offers. Meeting its requirements as long as these do not compel the true believer, in the context of Pure Christianity, to violate the precepts of God’s Sacred Writings as recorded in the New Testament of Jesus Christ.
This exception is dramatically highlighted by the reaction of the apostles when ordered by the Jewish Sanhedrin (a judicial and legislative court of 71 elders) “not to teach in” the “name” of Jesus. “…the apostles answered, 'we must obey God rather than men'” (Acts 5:27-32), fearlessly repeating what they had said previously to the Jewish authorities, as related in Acts 4:19-20.
In the Roman Empire of the first century, there were different classes of Roman citizens. As a foreigner from the nation of Israel, which came under Roman rule in 63 BCE, Paul, though a Roman citizen “by birth,” was not allowed to vote or otherwise intervene in Roman government affairs. Similarly, the Roman tribune stationed in Jerusalem, having purchased his citizenship, was also ineligible to exercise such rights.
Text and Graphics by Homer Dewayne Shappley
All rights reserved
NEXT: "Third Course" of "The religious vote." A brief history of voting. In the 1960s, the Hippie movement begins to complicate the Right to Vote for the religious. In the 1980s and to the present, personal rights related to marriage, family, sexual identity, lifestyles, etc., echoing mentalities and practices of past times, further complicate voting for the religious.
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