Acts 22:25-28

25But when they had stretched him out with the leather straps [in preparation for the whip], Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it legal for you to whip a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned [without a trial]?”

26When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and said to him, “What are you about to do? This man is a Roman!”

27So the commander came and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And he said, “Yes.”

28The commander replied, “I purchased this citizenship [of mine] for a large sum of money [so how did you acquire yours?].” Paul said, “But I was actually born a citizen.”