Bible Studies

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Herod was out to get Christians and to mistreat them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death by the sword. This pleased the Jews, so Herod arrested Peter. This is how Acts 12 opens. This is not a pretty picture, but it is sadly a parallel to what is happening in our culture. Christians are hated for their beliefs and are being put to death by the sword of ISIS.

     Peter was being guarded by 4 squads of soldiers. This was during the Passover, "but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God"(5). So what happened? James 5:16 says that "the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." Does prayer really change things? Let's see. 

     A series of events were put into motion. Back in verse 4 we are told that Herod was planning to bring Peter "out before the people" after the Passover. God had other plans and intervened at just the right moment. God's timing is always perfect. Verses 6-7 say "On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward...an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the cell..." His chains fell off and he was told to "Get up quickly...wrap your cloak around you and follow me")7-8). Talk about God intervening, but it is not over yet. 

     Peter followed, not knowing if all of this was really happening, but that it might be a vision. They went to the iron gate, which verse 10 says "opened for them by itself."The angel immediately departed. You say, did this really happen? Do you believe in the literalness of scripture because God's power can do anything? If so, he can cause chains to fall off and an iron gate to open. 

     Beginning in verse 11 Peter "came to himself... and knew that he had been rescued "from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting." What were they expecting? They may have been expecting Herod to kill more Christians. Peter went to the house where the church was praying and knocked on the door. A servant girl answered. She went and told those gathered that Peter was there, to which they responded, "You are out of your mind"(15). When they realized it really was Peter they were amazed (16). Why? Were the people not praying expectantly? This verse contains an important lesson for all Christians. When we pray, we should do so expecting God to answer, even though it may not be an answer we want. In this case, what else could they have possibly been praying for but for Peter's release? In my opinion, they were praying for him to be released by ordinary human channels, not in the bold way that God did it. They might have been wanting to hear some good news, not expecting him to knock on the door. 

     In verses 18-23 Herod had all of the guards executed. In an apparent unrelated matter Herod delivered an address to the people but refused to "give God the glory." He "was eaten by worms and died."

     The chapter closes with more growth in the Church and says, in verse 25, that "Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission..."


APPLICATION QUESTIONS

     1. Have you ever had something happen to you in a way that you knew it was only God who could have done it?

     2. Do you pray expectantly, and are not surprised when God provides an answer?

     3. Do you believe in the literalness of scripture because God can do anything? If not, why not?

     4. Every Christian has a mission. What is yours, and are you fulfilling it?

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