Chapter 12: 1-25Chapter 12: 1-25

January 25& 28, 2012 January 25& 28, 2012 Dr. Ronald C. Hill, Sr.Dr. Ronald C. Hill, Sr.

Now about that time Herod the king

stretched forth his hands to vex certain

of the church.

Acts 12:1

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

Acts 12:2

A. Satan’s relentless attacks on the church continued. This time the persecution came from King Herod Agrippa I. He was the murderer of John the Baptist. He at this point suddenly and

viciously orders the murder of James the Apostle, and he puts Peter on death row.

B. James becomes the first apostle to die a martyr’s death. His death is the only recorded death of the twelve apostles with the exception of Judas who hung himself. It is believed by many that James’s brother, John, was the last of the twelve to die.

 

1. James and his brother John were two of the most prominent Disciples of Christ. They were with Christ when He was transfigured.

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

St. Matthew 17:1

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

St. Matthew 17:2

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

St. Matthew 17:3

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

St. Matthew 17:4

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

St. Matthew 17:5

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

St. Matthew 17:6

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

St. Matthew 17:7

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

St. Matthew 17:8

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

St. Matthew 17:9

C. James and John along with Peter were the only people Jesus allowed to go in with Him when He raised the ruler’s daughter from the dead.   

 

And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

St. Mark 5:37

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

St. Mark 5:38

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

St. Mark 5:39

And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

St. Mark 5:40

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

St. Mark 5:41

And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

St. Mark 5:42

And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

St. Mark 5:43

D. James and John also requested a special favor from the Lord.  

 

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

St. Mark 10:35

And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

St. Mark 10:36

They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

St. Mark 10:37

But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

St. Mark 10:38

And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

St. Mark 10:39

But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

St. Mark 10:40

E. This chapter affords an interesting study of God’s ways as He deals with His servants. God allowed James to die; yet He sent an angel to rescue Peter. Human reason would beg the question of

E. why not save James from death also? This is where our faith in God’s love and wisdom must rest assured that God always does what is best.

F. We note, James was killed by a sword. Death by the sword in that day; was regarded by the people to be particularly disgraceful, hence it was pleasing to the Jews.

G. In Verse two we find the last reference to the apostle John.   1. We also note that there was no apostle appointed to replace James after he was killed. 

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

Acts 12:3

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.

Acts 12:4

H. The Jews responded so enthusiastically to the execution of James, that Herod was encouraged to do the same with Peter.  

1. Peter’s execution was delayed because it was the Days of Unleavened Bread. They didn’t do executions on religious holidays. Also the Jews would be too busy with their ceremonies to

1. appreciate the execution. So Herod ordered Peter to be put in jail. God has a way of using many things to have His will fulfilled.  

I. To make sure Peter did not escape from jail Herod assigned sixteen (16) men to guard the one (1) man. Peter had little, to no chance to escape 16 men.

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

Acts 12:5

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.

Acts 12:6

J. The church was praying continuously for Peter to be delivered. They knew Herod had killed James and they were praying for Peter to be spared.   

K. No doubt Peter prayed for himself but his prayer is not mentioned. It is quite obvious, however that Peter had no fear of death witnessed by the fact that he was enjoying a good night of sleep.  

L. Peter could have been standing (sleeping) on the promise of the word of God. Jesus told Peter that He would be an old man someday. Peter no doubt took the position that Herod could not kill him prematurely.  

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

St. John 21:18

This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

St. John 21:19

We too must be bold and confident to stand on the word of God and trust that no matter what we see, feel or what is going on around us; if God has given you a promise it is bound to come to pass.

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.

Acts 12:7

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.

Acts 12:8

M. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and the cell was flooded with light. When God gets involved He will always bring light to a dark place.  

1. The angel tapped Peter on the side and ordered him to get up quickly.   

2. Immediately the handcuffs fell off. Nothing can hold a child of God when God decides to set him or her free.  

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.

Acts 12:9

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.

Acts 12:10

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.

Acts 12:11

N. After Peter had dressed and put on his sandals he began to follow the angel. He thought he was seeing a vision. Peter wasn’t sure he had been released from prison until after the angel had departed.

1. The Jews were looking forward to seeing Peter killed but God had others plans for Peter.

2. Peter stated that he knew for sure that the Lord had delivered him out of the hands of Herod

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.

Acts 12:12

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

Acts 12:13

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.

Acts 12:14

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

Acts 12:15

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

Acts 12:16

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.

Acts 12:17

O. Some how Peter realized that the disciples would be praying at the house of Mary the Mother of John Mark.

1. It must have been an all-night prayer meeting, since Peter’s escape from prison probably took place after midnight.

2. The account of what took place after Peter had arrived at the house of Mary where the prayer meeting was being held was most amusing and soul searching conceiving prayer and faith.

3. Although the believers were praying to God for Peter to be set free they did not believe God had done it for them.  

It is tragic but true that often the most surprised people of all, when God performs a miracle, are the very ones who prayed the longest and hardest for it.

4. At this point Peter is not written about for several years. He gets back involved in Acts chapter 15.

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

Acts 12:18

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.

Acts 12:19

P. We know no one paid the prison guards off to release Peter. Because often was the case when a prisoner would escape, it would mean the execution of those soldiers. Who had been assigned to guard the prisoners.

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.

Acts 12:20

Q. For some unknown reason, Herod had become very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, two commercial ports on the Mediterranean. The people of these cities took advantage of his holiday in Caesarea to ingratiate

Q. themselves with him. They did this because they depended on him for food.  

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

Acts 12:21

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

Acts 12:22

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.

Acts 12:23

R. One day Herod was arrayed in shining silver apparel. He gave a speech before the people and they shouted deliriously. They said, “This is the voice of a God and not a man”. Herod made no effort to refuse such divine honors,

R. or to direct the glory and praise to God then only one who deserves such praise.

1. God did not strike him dead when he killed James; God did not strike him dead when he planned to kill Peter. But God caused worms to eat him alive when he refused to give God the glory but instead he sought to receive the glory for himself.  

But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Acts 12:24

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

Acts 12:25

S. Meanwhile, the gospel expands its outreach continually. God makes the wrath of man praise Him.

Most often than not “after a great test God will move in some wonderful way to reaffirm that He and He alone is God.

T. Barnabas and Saul had been sent to Jerusalem by the church at Antioch to take material to aid the Christians there during the hard time because of a recent famine. It is not stated whether they were with the believers praying for Peter’s

T. deliverance in Mark’s home. They were however at some point at Mark’s home, given the fact they invited Mark to travel with them.

God will not share His Glory with anyone.

It would seem that God is far more patient with a person when they mistreat His people than He is when they seek to take Glory for what He has done.

We must be very careful to give God all the Glory.

 

U. God severely dealt with Nebuchadnezzar in the Old Testament because he sought to take God’s Glory.

At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.

Daniel 4:29

The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

Daniel 4:30

While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

Daniel 4:31

And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

Daniel 4:32

The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

Daniel 4:33

And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an

Daniel 4:34

everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

Daniel 4:34 cont.

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Daniel 4:35

At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

Daniel 4:36

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his

Daniel 4:37

Life Lessons

1. God is a God who will hear and answer prayer.

Life Lessons

2. When the body of Christ is facing a challenge the key to our victory is collective praying.

Life Lessons

3. God will still perform miracles if the church will pray and believe for them.

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