Acts 12:1-24 ESV
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword,
3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.
4 And when he had seized him, he put him jin prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Peter Is Rescued
6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.
7 And behold, nan angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. pHe struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.
8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”
9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. tIt opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.
11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of xJohn whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.
14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, ain her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.
15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is bhis angel!”
16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.
17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to dJames and to the brothers.”1 Then he departed and went to another place.
18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.
19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and fordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
The Death of Herod
20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded lastus, the king’s chamberlain,2 they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.
21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.
22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.
The lessons to take away
Bad things can happen even when you’re following Jesus.
James is killed (v.2) and Peter is arrested (v.3). Sometimes we think that once we accept Jesus as Lord nothing bad should ever come into our lives. But that just isn’t true. Jesus himself said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
People were praying for Peter.
A group of believers gathered together and prayed “earnestly” (v.5) for Peter. That is what we are called to do for one another. God most definitely hears our prayers. Revelation 5:8 describes golden bowls in heaven full of incense, “which are the prayers of the saints.” Our prayers are a pleasing aroma to God.
God has a plan.
Peter is sleeping in prison, bound with not one but two chains, with a guard on either side of him. There are sentries standing at the door. There is no possible way for him to escape. **Does that stop God? **Absolutely not! God had plans for Peter and not even an impossible situation was going to prevent it from happening. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Joy comes when we trust God.
Peter walks out of prison, thinking he’s dreaming. But when the angel leaves him on the street, a free man, he knows God did this. When he arrives at the house where the disciples have been praying all night, they’re amazed to see him. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
Death comes to everyone.
I almost feel sorry for the guards who woke up to find Peter missing. After Herod had a thorough search done, he gave orders for the guards to be executed. I hope Peter had a chance to share the Gospel with them, but we’ll never know if they were ushered into paradise, as James most assuredly was! Better to die for God than for a king. (Revelation 20:11-15)
There is only one God!
“I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.” (Isaiah 45:5) When Herod is praised as a god (v.22) he is struck down by an angel of the Lord. And…gasp!…he is eaten by worms. Herod clearly became full of himself and forgot Who deserves all the praise and glory.
The Word of God can’t be stopped!
Despite the efforts of Herod, the Jewish leaders, and the guards, “the word of God continued to increase and spread.” (v. 24) Despite the negativity we see today against the Bible, against the Church, and against Believers, the Word of God can’t. be. stopped! God is in control today just as He was in control back when this story took place. Nothing and no one will stand in His way.
