Naturalization
Citizenship can be bought or inherited, and Acts shows both. Acts gives a plain example. Paul tells a Roman officer he was “free born,” while the officer says he bought his citizenship “with a great sum.” Paul’s letter to the Ephesians uses the same picture for something larger. Non-Jews once stood as “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,” strangers outside the promises; now, it says, they are “fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” The passage describes belonging granted from outside rather than earned by birth. Ephesians 2:12 and 2:19 sit seven verses apart and read well together.
3 verses
Acts
And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
Ephesians
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;