diff --git a/articles/citizen.md b/articles/citizen.md index 921a2f9..fa8953d 100644 --- a/articles/citizen.md +++ b/articles/citizen.md @@ -11,17 +11,17 @@ In the Roman Empire, only certain people were citizens. It was difficult to beco The apostle Paul was a Roman citizen because his father was a Roman citizen (see: Acts 22:28). Paul used the benefits of being a Roman citizen three times in the book of Acts: - * He told certain leaders they were treating him wrongly (see: Acts 16:37-38). - * A Roman commander could not beat him (see: Acts 22:25). - * Paul was able to go to Rome to speak with the emperor when others wrongly said he had done a crime (see: Acts 25:10-11). +* He told certain leaders they were treating him wrongly (see: Acts 16:37-38). +* A Roman commander could not beat him (see: Acts 22:25). +* Paul was able to go to Rome to speak with the emperor when others wrongly said he had done a crime (see: Acts 25:10-11). Paul wrote about Christians being “citizens of heaven” in the book of Philippians (see: Philippians 3:20). Paul wrote that the Philippians were citizens of heaven. He wrote this to compare being a Christian to being a Roman citizen. Philippi was a Roman colony. All citizens of Philippi were also Roman citizens. The people of Philippi thought that this was a great honor. They obeyed the emperor and also worshiped the emperor. Paul wanted the Philippians to know three things about being “citizens of heaven.” - 1. He wanted the Philippians to obey and honor Jesus in the same way that Roman citizens obeyed and honored the emperor. Jesus is the true king and savior. - 2. He wanted the Philippians to know that when Jesus returns, they would no longer suffer. The Philippians were suffering under the Roman emperor. - 3. He wanted the Philippians to know that, as citizens of heaven, God would give them great honor in the future. Jesus would give them glorified bodies. +1. He wanted the Philippians to obey and honor Jesus in the same way that Roman citizens obeyed and honored the emperor. Jesus is the true king and savior. +1. He wanted the Philippians to know that when Jesus returns, they would no longer suffer. The Philippians were suffering under the Roman emperor. +1. He wanted the Philippians to know that, as citizens of heaven, God would give them great honor in the future. Jesus would give them glorified bodies. See: [Apostle](../articles/apostle.md); [Rome (Roman Empire, Caesar)](../articles/rome.md); [Heaven](../articles/heaven.md); [Savior](../articles/savior.md); [Suffer](../articles/suffer.md); [Glory (Glorify)](../articles/glory.md)