Welcome and thank you for taking a bible break to test your knowledge of God's word.
This week's question:

All things are in place as the Mystery is finally revealed by the glorious event that unfolded upon Calvary hill, which ushered in the Kingdom and that first century church. The Roman Empire played its part as the Jews delivered up Jesus Christ to be crucified, as Rome was a nation that used crucifixion to punish those outside its Roman citizenship.

That brings us to our question, "Which apostle was a Roman citizen?". With Jesus crucified, the Jews felt they had taken care of the problem of Rome taking "away both our place and our nation." (John 11:48) had they let Jesus continue to perform such signs as raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-47). They soon found out that was not the case as the apostles were performing many miracles in the name of Jesus that even amazed the council, "What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any man in this name." (Acts 4:16-17).

The apostles were released only to be found again teaching in the temple the name of the Lord and jailed again, miraculously released and seized again, warned to not speak in his name to which Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29). Later the apostles were flogged and ordered again not to teach in His name and released and they went on their way rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name and they continued to teach and preach Jesus. The Jewish leaders continued to struggle against this remnant of people called "Christian", and especially those brave men who lost their lives for standing for truth such as Stephen who was stoned for his testimony for Jesus while on trial before the council (Acts 7:all).

So, for our answer we turn to see an apostle in the temple and certain Jews from Asia stir up the crowd of Israelites and they sought to kill him and the commander of the Roman cohort came to chain him and find out why they were beating him. The apostle wanted to give a defense for his actions and was allowed to speak and when he said, "And when He said to me, 'Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'" And they listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, 'Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!" (Acts 22:21-22).

Well, this statement got the crowd into a frenzy, as they tossed their cloaks and dust in the air and the commander again ordered that he should be brought into the barracks to be stretched by thongs and examined by scourging. (Acts 22:23-24) And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?" When the centurion heard that, he went and told the camander, saying. "Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman." Then the commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" He said, "Yes." The commandeer answered, "With a large sum I obtained this citizenshp." And Paul said, "But I was born a citizen."(Acts 22:25-28)

And so there we have the answer to our question, as the apostle who was a Roman citizen was "Paul"! Needless to say, the commander did release him at that point, although history says that he was later did loose his life for the sake of Christ by being beheaded, which is reserved for the Roman citizen.

May we be as courageous as Paul and speak boldly even before kings as Paul once did, "Consequently, king Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance." (Acts 26:19-20). King Agrippa later replies to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian." (Acts 26:28). May we be bolder than king Agrippa and make the humble confession of Christ and submit to His will in that watery grave of baptism to wash away our sins? (Acts 22:16 & Romans 6:3-6).