Paul's Actions: A Violation Of Roman Law?

Paul, a man who wrote in the first century Roman Empire, broke Roman law by publicly proclaiming Jesus as Lord and inviting people to convert to Christianity.

Roman law forbade the conversion of Roman citizens to Christianity, and Cicero's book, 'On the Laws', described laws pertaining to religion, stating: No person shall have any separate gods, or new ones; nor shall he privately worship any strange gods, unless they be publicly allowed.

New Testament scholar Christopher Mathews notes that It was not lawful for Jews [or Christians] to make converts of Romans.

Paul's actions had direct implications for the early Christian religion, as the Romans considered Christians to be worshipping a separate and new God. This God was privately worshipped and was not publicly allowed.

Paul was jailed and ultimately killed because of his acts of civil disobedience.

Paul's actions were an act of treason

Paul's Actions Were Treasonous

The Consequences of Paul's Actions

Paul's actions had significant consequences. He was jailed and ultimately killed because of his acts of civil disobedience. He spent two years in Roman imprisonment, during which he wrote several epistles to the early Christian churches. Paul's influence even reached members of the emperor's household, which further spread the gospel. Despite facing persecution and imprisonment, Paul remained committed to his mission, and his actions played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity.

Paul's Understanding of His Actions

Paul understood the potential consequences of his actions. He knew that his loyalty to God did not remove his obligation to the state. In his letter to the Romans, Paul acknowledged that authorities have a mandate from God and that resisting them would incur judgment. However, he also recognized that he was ultimately subject to a higher power, God, and that there may be times when obeying God takes precedence over obeying human authorities. Paul's actions demonstrate a careful discernment in his use of legal rights and privileges. He understood that his imprisonment and legal proceedings could be opportunities to glorify God and spread the gospel.

Roman law forbade conversion to Christianity

Roman law forbade the conversion of Roman citizens to Christianity. Cicero wrote a book titled "On the Laws" in which he described laws pertaining to religion. One of those laws was, "No person shall have any separate gods, or new ones; nor shall he privately worship any strange gods, unless they be publicly allowed."

Roman law considered Christianity to be an "alien cult" and Christians were thought of badly for abandoning their ancestral roots in Judaism. Roman officials were suspicious of Christians' private worship and their practice of nocturnal rites, which were associated with treason and secret plots against the emperor.

The Roman Empire was polytheistic and local. Each city worshipped its own set of gods and goddesses that had originally been derived from ancient Greece and become Romanized. Roman religion was central to being Roman, and its practices were widespread and intertwined with politics.

The Roman approach to empire-building included a cultural permeability that allowed foreigners to become a part of it, but the Roman religious practice of adopting foreign gods and practices into its pantheon did not apply equally to all gods. Many divinities were brought to Rome and installed as part of the Roman state religion, but a great many more were not.

Roman law was largely concerned with property rights, leaving many gaps in criminal and public law. Thus, the process of "cognitio extra ordinem" ("special investigation") filled the legal void left by both code and court. All provincial governors had the right to run trials in this way as part of their imperium in the province.

In cognitio extra ordinem, an accuser called a delator brought before the governor an individual to be charged with a certain offense—in this case, that of being a Christian. This delator was prepared to act as the prosecutor for the trial, and could be rewarded with some of the accused's property if he made an adequate case or charged with calumnia (malicious prosecution) if his case was insufficient. If the governor agreed to hear the case—and he was free not to—he oversaw the trial from start to finish: he heard the arguments, decided on the verdict, and passed the sentence.

Paul the Apostle, a Jewish leader of the Christians, was accused of "advocating customs that are unlawful for...Romans to adopt or observe." The accusation was true! By preaching the Gospel, Paul advocated for customs that were unlawful for Romans to observe.

Paul was jailed and ultimately killed because of his acts of civil disobedience. Paul wrote in Romans 13 that governmental "authority does not bear the sword in vain." Paul was right! He was killed because he disobeyed governmental authority, an authority that killed him with the sword.

Paul was jailed and killed for civil disobedience

Paul was jailed and ultimately killed for civil disobedience. He was a Roman citizen by birth and was aware of the rights that came with his citizenship. He used this privilege to his advantage when he was about to be flogged in Acts 22. He asked the centurion, "Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?" The centurion was taken aback and quickly informed the tribune of Paul's citizenship status. The tribune, who had purchased his citizenship, was also afraid because he had bound Paul, which was against the law for Roman citizens.

Paul's civil disobedience was in direct conflict with Roman law, which prohibited the conversion of Roman citizens to Christianity. Cicero, in his book "On the Laws," described laws pertaining to religion, including one that stated, "No person shall have any separate gods, or new ones; nor shall he privately worship any strange gods, unless they be publicly allowed." New Testament scholar Christopher Mathews interprets this to mean that "It was not lawful for Jews [or Christians] to make converts of Romans."

Paul's proclamation of Jesus as Lord and his invitation to people to convert to this new religion were explicit breaches of Roman law. In Acts 16:16-34, Paul was accused of "advocating customs that are unlawful for...Romans to adopt or observe." This accusation was true, and Paul was jailed for his acts of civil disobedience.

Paul's civil disobedience led to his imprisonment and, ultimately, his death. While in prison, he wrote letters to various churches and individuals, including the epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. In these letters, Paul refers to himself as a "prisoner of Christ" or a "prisoner of the Lord," enduring sacrifices for the Christian life. He also mentions his "bonds" and his state as a "prisoner."

Paul's influence extended beyond the prison walls, and his message of the gospel reached many, including members of the praetorian guard and saints in "Caesar's household." However, his notoriety also attracted envy and strife from some members of the Roman congregation, who may have hoped to raise affliction for Paul by preaching Christ as King, a sensitive issue for Roman authorities.

Paul remained steadfast in his faith and continued to boldly proclaim the kingdom of God and teach about Jesus Christ, even while imprisoned. His example of civil disobedience and commitment to his beliefs ultimately led to his death, as he was beheaded by order of the Emperor Nero.

Paul's preaching was deemed unlawful

In Acts 16:16-34, Paul was accused of "advocating customs that are unlawful for... Romans to adopt or observe". The accusation was true! By preaching the Gospel, Paul advocated for customs that were unlawful for Romans to observe.

Paul was jailed and ultimately killed because of his acts of civil disobedience. He spent years in prison and was even beheaded by the Empire. However, Paul did not return violence for violence. He remained nonviolent and showed compassion for those who imprisoned him.

To claim that Jesus was Lord was an act of political subversion and treason. Paul's preaching was, therefore, seen as unlawful and a threat to the Roman Empire.

Paul's citizenship status was questioned

Paul's Roman citizenship is explicitly stated in Scripture and was something he used to his advantage. For example, when he was ordered to be flogged, he protested, "Is it legal to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?" and the centurion reported his citizenship to the commander. On another occasion, Paul was accused of "advocating customs that are unlawful for... Romans to adopt or observe", and he and Silas were beaten and imprisoned. However, when the authorities realised their mistake, their tone quickly changed, as beating and imprisoning a Roman citizen was a serious breach of justice.

Paul also used his citizenship to appeal to Emperor Nero, and it may have contributed to his release from prison in Jerusalem, as citizens had the right to appeal to the emperor.

Frequently asked questions