CHAPTER 12

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
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.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

The words "about that time", here in verse 1, refers to the end of Chapter 11.
At the time God's Holy Spirit was doing a tremendous work, Herod was trying to break the church!

No matter how well the church is doing, there are always those who want to destroy her!

This "Herod" was Herod Agrippa, son of Aristobulus and grandson to Herod the Great.
He had been pronounced king by the Roman Emperor Caligula.
This "Herod" was also the nephew of Herod Antipas who beheaded John the Baptist.
And, here (verse 2 above) we see that Herod Agrippa beheaded James, the brother of John whom Jesus called "Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:"(Mark 3:17)

Thus James became the first martyr of the apostles.
Then, since Herod "saw it pleased the Jews," he decided to "take Peter also."
Herod was probably going to do the same thing to Peter!

However, he was waiting until after "Easter" take care of Peter.
This is the first, and only, time "Easter" is used in the Bible.
I might add that this is an improper translation of the Greek term.
The Greek word is actually pascha, meaning "Passover."

The Jews were celebrating Passover, and Herod did not want to kill Peter until afterward.
The word "quaternion" refers to a group of four soldiers.
Herod employed 4 of those groups, or a total of 16 soldiers to take turns watching Peter.
Peter would be bound with chains to each of two guards, while two other guards waited at the gate.
Then, they would be relieved by 4 more guards at certain intervals.

However, there was one thing Herod didn't take into consideration: PRAYER!
While the soldiers had Peter, the church was PRAYING!!

The church, too, was broken into groups who provided "prayer ... WITHOUT CEASING!"

Remember, no matter how well the church is doing, there are always those who want to destroy her.
We need to be ernestly PRAYING!!
We ALL need to be praying continually for the deliverance of the church!!

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.
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.
8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth 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.
11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

God had a different idea than Herod!!
Jesus sent an angel to deliver Peter!
God had more work for Peter to do!!

Allow me to take liberty here to place the statement of the angel into modern English.
"WAKE UP Peter!! Tie your skirt around you, put on your sandals, throw your cloak over you, and follow me! HURRY!"

Peter (vs 9 says) thought he was seeing another "vision" like the one he had on the roof (See Acts 10:10).
However, when he was fully delivered, and the angel was gone, Peter realized it was an actual happening!

Not only did Peter know he was NOW delivered, but that he WOULD BE delivered "from all the expectation of the Jews!"

God delivers His saints until His purpose for them is done!

When the world seems to be against you, remember the words of Joseph to his brothers who had sold him into slavery.
"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
(Gen 50:20)

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.
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
14 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.
15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

"Mary, the mother of John...Mark" was also the sister of Barnabus.
This household and family was well known for their faith in Jesus!

We don't know much about the "damsel...Rhoda."
But we can say (according to verse 14) she got so excited seeing Peter alive that she forgot to open the gate and let him in!
Instead, she just ran back into the house and told everyone he was there!

At first they thought her "mad" - crazy!
After all, who can escape from 16 guards when they are constantly chained to two of them?!

After she continued to tell them it was indeed Peter, they said a funny thing: "It is his angel."
They thought it was his disembodied spirit -- his ghost.
Well, even today, SOME Christians have really WEIRD ideas!! :)

Peter kept knocking, and finally they opened the gate and let him in.
Then, they were ASTONISHED!

Why should we be astonished at God answering prayer?!
Is ANYTHING impossible with God? ((See Lk. 1:13, and Lk. 18:27))

When people tell you it's impossible, tell them you have a God Who can DO the impossible!!

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 shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place."

Can you imagine the conversation?
"He's ALIVE!"
"It's really him!"
"How did he escape?!"

So Peter told them to "hold their peace;" which means be quiet a moment!
Then, he told them how "the LORD had brought him out of the prison"!!
Peter did not escape!
Peter was DELIVERED!!

Peter then told them to go show "James" and the others how God had delivered him.
Now, THIS "James" was different from the brother of John.
This "James" was the half-brother of Jesus!
He was now the most respected elder of the church. (See Acts 15:13 and Acts 21:18)

It is not explained where Peter went.
Later, in Acts 15, we will see where he appears before the church council supporting Paul and Barnabas in the assertion that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus alone - NOT by works!
Paul tells us of seeing him in Antioch (Gal. 2:11-14).
We do know that Peter traveled extensively, and was well known and respected.

18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
19 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.
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.
21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
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.

Can you imagine Herod's anger when he found out the guards could not produce Peter?
He had the guards all executed!!

Then, Herod went to Caesarea.
While he was there, an envoy of folk came from Tyre and Sidon.
They were trying to make peace with Herod because he was (for reasons unknown) "highly displeased" with them.

The envoy was eager to please Herod, and exaggerated his speaking ability.
Proud Herod did NOT give God the glory!

Verse 23 explains a judgment from God!
"The angel of the Lord SMOTE him," simply tells us this illness and death came immediately upon him from God!

"And, he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost!"
Most men die, and THEN are worm infested.
Herod was worm infested FIRST, THEN died!

Historians tell us that Herod the Great (who killed all the male children 2years old and younger at the anouncement of Jesus' birth - Matt. 2:16) died the SAME WAY!!

When someone tries to take credit for God's glorious works, God is NOT pleased!

24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

But God blesses His children and His Word! See Isaiah 55:11

No matter how well the church is doing, there are always those who want to destroy her.
However, God is ALWAYS with His children (Matt. 28:20), and though they may mean it for "evil" to us,
God will use it for GOOD!!

The church GREW!
When Herod was trying to destroy her, God was blessing and MANY MORE were saved!

This also means, in the face of persecution, Christians DID NOT QUIT!!
They KEPT spreading the "Good news!"

NEVER GIVE UP!
KEEP TELLING THE STORY!
And, God will ADD "to the church daily such as should be saved!!"(Acts 2:47)

God is always working ALL things for "good" to those that love Him! (See Romans 8:28)

Notice that John Mark (Barnabus' nephew) accompanied Paul and Barnabus on their next journey.
We'll hear much more about him later.

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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