Acts 22:22-29 All Christians Are Uniquely Equipped

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!” And as they were crying out and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, stating that he should be examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way. But when they stretched him out with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?” When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman.” The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And he said, “Yes.”  The commander answered, “I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money.” And Paul said, “But I was actually born a citizen.” Therefore those who were about to examine him immediately let go of him; and the commander also was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had put him in chains.

Jesus chose Saul of Tarsus, a Hebrew of Hebrews, educated in the Law of Moses to make His name known among the gentiles and their kings.  This is because he was uniquely equipped for the mission because not only was he better educated than the rabbi's about the oracles of God, but he was also a Roman citizen by birth.  When Saul set out to evangelize the gentiles, he took on his Roman name "Paul," which means "small."
Roman citizens had special care taken to grant them protection from the oppressive Roman regime and the power of the Caesar.  In time, Paul will use his Roman citizenship to plead the gospel and even bring the gospel to Rome to be heard.

Daily Prayer:  Lord, I realize that those who You call, You also equip for service in Your Kingdom.  Not only Paul, but each of us who trust in You and desire to contribute to the Kingdom of Heaven and the Body of Christ.  Search us Lord, and reveal to each of us our special equipping.  Amen and Amen.