☆ Acts 12:1...

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 

 

Around about the time of the great famine in Israel (the famine prophesied by Agabus), Herod the king decided to oppress and maltreat (vex) certain believers in the Church. 

 

The Herod we are talking about is...

Herod Agrippa I the king of Judea from AD 41 to 44. He was a grandson of Herod the Great and nephew of Herod Antipas. A series of prefects (of which Pilate was one) had governed Judea as a Roman province for over 30 years.

 

Rome placed Agrippa I on the throne as a client king for about 3 years. Agrippa had spent time in Rome where he developed a friendship with the emperor Tiberius and the future emperors Caligula and Claudius. These friendships helped him secure his ruling position. 

 

As a client of Rome, the king of Judea's job was primarily to keep the peace. Herod Agrippa I knew that, if anything was troubling the Jewish population, appeasing them was in his best interest. Apparently, keeping the peace was Agrippa's reason for persecuting the church.

 

☆ Acts 12:2-3...

"And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)"

 

Herod had James the brother of John killed with the sword.

This was the first apostle to be killed.

 

James and his elder brother John were the sons of Zebedee... and were fishermen. Because of their boldness and energy they were nicknamed "Sons of Thunder."

 

When Herod saw that the Jews were pleased with James's death, to stay in their good books, he decided that Peter was to share the same fate.

This was happening around the time of the Passover.

 

☆ Acts 12:4...

"And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people." 

 

When they arrested Peter, he was imprisoned and placed under the guard of sixteen soldiers. Herod's intention was to deliver Peter to the Jews for execution after the Passover.

 

The KJV uses the word Easter. 

In the Greek it is "pascha"...

 

The paschal lamb, referred to the lamb the Israelites were accustomed to slay and eat on the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan (the first month of their year). It is done in memory of the day on which their fathers, prepared to depart from Egypt.

 

They were called by God to slay and eat a lamb without blemish, and to sprinkle their door posts with its blood, so that the destroying angel, seeing the blood, might pass over their dwelling. 

 

The slain paschal lamb was a shadow of Christ crucified yet to come.

 

One person guarded by 16 soldiers is a bit of overkill in my books.

They weren't dealing with a murderer or an insurrectionist but a disciple of Jesus... an apostle... a preacher of the Gospel... the Good News.

 

☆ Acts 12:5...

"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but... prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."

 

So... Peter was kept in jail. 

What was the church doing during this moment of crisis?

What would you have done?

 

They were praying continually to God for him.

 

Praying for his well being?

Praying for his release?

Both I would think.

 

Whatever... they were praying for Peter... especially for his life to be spared.

 

☆ Acts 12:6...

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

 

The night before he was to be executed, Peter was asleep, double-chained between two soldiers with the others standing guard before the prison gate.

 

Peter was asleep in jail, just like his Master was asleep at the rear of a boat during a tempestuous storm. 

Peter has learned how to trust... and rest in God.

 

Peter's future looked very bleak right now... it didn't look like he was going anywhere... except for a visit with Herod's sharp sword.

 

☆ Acts 12:7...

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

 

Well so everyone thought. 

 

That night, an angel of the Lord came to Peter. There was a bright light shining in the prison. He gently struck Peter on the side and lifted him up, saying, "Get up quickly!"

Immediately the chains fell off from his hands.

 

No people... no keys... and heavy shackles falling off his hands.

Peter must have been wondering.

 

God is the God of miracles. Nothing is impossible for Him.

 

And... there was a group of believers praying up a storm right now... for Peter's release.

 

☆ Acts 12:8-9...

And the angel said unto him, Gird yourself, and bind on your sandals. And so he did. And he said unto him, Cast your garment about you, and follow me.

And he went out, and followed him; and knew not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

 

The angel said, "Get dressed and put on your shoes."  And Peter did. 

"Now put on your coat and follow me!" the angel ordered.

 

Peter went out and followed the angel, all the time wondering whether what was happening was really taking place or was he seeing a vision.

 

☆ Acts 12:10...

When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that led unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

 

They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, the angel left him suddenly.

 

Can you imagine it? 

A heavy closed metal door, opening by itself??

 

I wonder whether the praying saints knew what was going on with Peter and whether they knew that God was answering their prayers as they prayed?

 

We'll find out in a few moments. 

 

☆ Acts 12:11...

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord has sent his angel, and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

 

Peter finally realized what had happened! "It's really true!" he said to himself. "The Lord has sent His angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jews were hoping to do to me!"

 

We have already encountered several angels in the book of Acts.

Who exactly are they and what do they do?

 

☆ Hebrews 1:14...

"Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

 

Did you know that? 

 

As a child of the living God, and as an heir of salvation, we have angels that minister to us.

That, I reckon is pretty awesome.

 

Looking back in my life, there have been many, many situations... dangerous ones at that, where I know that an angel(s) have stepped in to protect me and/or keep my family safe. 

I really believe that. 

Many of these incidents, I was not even aware of angelic intervention. I don't believe in coincidence nor good luck

I do believe in Divine protection and Divine intervention. 

 

Just think about that for a moment,

 

☆ Acts 12:12...

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

 

When Peter was fully convinced that all this was for real and not a figment of his imagination, he set off to the house of Mary, the mother of John (surnamed Mark) where many of the believers were praying.

 

☆ Acts 12:13-14...

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to answer, named Rhoda. 

And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

 

Peter knocked on the door of the gate, and one of the pray-ers named Rhoda came to answer him. When she recognised Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed, that instead of opening the door to let him in, she ran and told the others that Peter was standing at the gate.

 

☆ Acts 12:15...

And they said unto her, you are mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

 

What was the reaction of the other praying believers?

 

They told her that she was mad. Not only did they not believe her, but concluded that she was losing touch with reality.

 

But when Rhoda insisted that it was Peter, they then decided, that It must be his angel and that they must have already killed him.

 

I find that a rather odd reaction from a group of believers who have seen God do some miraculous signs, wonders and healings recently.

 

So my questions to them are... 

□ Who were you praying for? 

□ What exactly were you praying about?

□ Do you believe that God is a prayer answering God?

□ Do you believe He can do the miraculous?

 

They would have retorted... Peter! His release! Yes! and Yes!

 

So why the lack of faith, so it seems?

 

☆ Acts 12:16...

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

 

Peter kept on knocking and when they eventually opened the door and saw him standing there... they were totally amazed. 

 

☆ Acts 12:17...

But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

 

He motioned for them to quiet down and told them what had happened and how the Lord had brought him out of jail. 

 

"Tell James and the others what happened," he said... and then left for safer quarters.

 

This referred to the Lord's half-brother, the Elders of the Church in Jerusalem, plus any other of the Twelve who may have been in Jerusalem at that time.

 

Evidently Peter didn't tell anyone where he was going.

 

☆ Acts 12:18-19...

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

 

The next day at the jail, there was a great commotion among the soldiers. What had happened to Peter? Where was he? How in the world did he escape?

 

When Herod sent for him and found that he wasn't there, he had the sixteen guards arrested, court-martialed and sentenced to death. Afterwards Herod left to live in Caesarea for a while.

 

This has reference to the fact that Herod had been embarrassed before the people, not being able to put forth his spectacle concerning Peter (what a morbid wicked showman)... so he spat the dummy and left Jerusalem for Caesarea.

 

☆ Acts 12:20...

And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.  

 

While Herod was in Caesarea, a delegation from Tyre and Sidon arrived to see him. He was highly displeased with the people of those two cities, but the delegates made friends with Blastus, the royal secretary, and asked for peace, because their cities were economically dependent upon trade with Herod's country.

 

☆ Acts 12:21-22...

And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

 

An appointment with Herod was granted, and when the day arrived he put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. 

 

At its conclusion of his oration, the people gave him a great ovation, shouting, "It is the voice of a god and not of a man!"

Herod would have loved this and would have given him a head swell. 

His pride overwhelmed him.

 

What does Proverbs say about pride?

Pride comes before fall.

 

And Herod was in for a huge fall... so much so, it was instant... and he was to rise no more.

 

☆ Acts 12:23...

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

 

What happened straightway is really an indicator of what God thought of this evil man. It was time for judgement.

 

An angel of the Lord smote him... because he didn't give God the glory... he enjoyed and accepted the people's acclamations that he was a 'god.'

 

Herod was a very wicked man who vexed the Christians. He was also in "the pocket" of the Caesars of the Roman Empire. 

Herod was a yes man.

 

"He was eaten of worms"... Josephus the historian said Herod lingered for five days with agonising pains in his stomach before and he died and gave up the ghost.

 

☆ Acts 12:24...

"But the word of God grew and multiplied."

 

However, in the midst of all the persecution, the Word of God grew and multiplied... it increased.

It doesn't say the church grew... it says the Word grew.

 

As the Word was preached and was taught more and more... it touched the hearts of many, many people.

The emphasis was on the Word of God, the people, and their getting saved.

 

As the Word grew... more people were saved... and yes, the church grew as result as well.

 

God's Word is powerful, eternal, spirit, truth, living and exciting!

 

☆ Hebrews 4:12...

"The Word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

 

The Word of God touches (ministers to) areas in our lives that nothing else can.

 

☆ Isaiah 55:11...

"So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

 

God's Word accomplishes that which it sets out to do... that is it accomplishes God's purposes.

 

☆ Acts 12:25...

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. 

 

After finishing their business in Jerusalem, Saul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, and they took with them John (surnamed Mark).

 

Mark would join with them on the very first Missionary Journey.

 

Marcus was his Latin surname, his Jewish name was John. He was a cousin of Barnabas and a companion of Paul in some of his missionary journeys.

 

Selah!