Sunday, November 1, 2015 Lesson: Acts 12:1-11; Time of Action: 44 A.D.; Place of Action: Jerusalem

Transcription

1 Sunday, November 1, 2015 Lesson: Acts 12:1-11; Time of Action: 44 A.D.; Place of Action: Jerusalem Golden Text: Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him (Acts 12:5). I. INTRODUCTION. We all know the importance and the power of prayer. However, sometimes we fall into a ho-hum approach to prayer. We go through the motions and say the right words, but we may not pray with a confidence that God will answer those prayers. Prayer should be our first option when facing any difficulty or decision. Even so, we often find ourselves praying with greater intensity when we re faced with circumstances beyond our immediate control. This was the type of situation the Jerusalem church faced when Peter was arrested and about to be executed by King Herod. Interestingly, those who were praying for Peter were surprised when their prayers were answered with Peter s release. If we pray with confidence, we should never be surprised when God answers our prayers; for he is able to do exceeding and abundantly above all we ask or think (see Ephesians 3:20). This week s lesson will help us see more clearly that prayer is powerful and that God does indeed answer prayers. II. BACKGROUND FOR THE LESSON. After detailing Peter s response to the Jewish Christians who criticized him for visiting and eating with Gentiles (see Acts 11:1-18), Luke again writes about those believers who had been scattered after Stephen s death. These believers went into Gentile areas as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, Syria, but they preached only to Jews. However, God was with them, resulting in a great number of Jews turning to the Lord (see Acts 11:19-21). When word about these conversions reached the church in Jerusalem, the believers there sent Barnabas to Antioch to help the new converts. When he arrived and saw the wonderful things God was doing, he was filled with excitement and joy, and encouraged the believers to stay close to the Lord, regardless of the cost.

2 Barnabas was a kind person, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. As a result, large numbers of people were converted to the Lord (see Acts 11:22-24). Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul (Paul). When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch, and both of them stayed there for a full year teaching the many new converts (see Acts 9:26-30; 11:25-26). It was there at Antioch that believers in Christ were first called Christians. During this time, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, and one of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and prophesied by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the land of Israel. This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius. So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the Christians in Judea, each giving as much as they could. They entrusted their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem (see Acts 11:27-30). Many needed help because of the severe famine, but the believers in Jerusalem were also plagued by severe persecution by Herod. Note: The persecution by Herod was the fifth persecution suffered by the early church. The first persecution was by the Sadducees, elders, rulers and scribes (see Acts 4:1-22). The second persecution came from the Sadducees alone because of the preaching of the resurrection (see Acts 5:17-40). The third persecution occurred when the Libertines brought Stephen to trial (see Acts 6:9-15, 54-59). The fourth persecution happened when Saul of Tarsus wreaked havoc upon the church in Jerusalem causing many to scatter from the city except the apostles (see Acts 8:1-4). Our lesson begins with the fifth persecution under king Herod Agrippa I. III. THE DEATH OF JAMES (Acts 12:1-4) A. King Herod (Acts 12:1). Our first verse says Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. The phrase Now about that time refers back to Acts 11:30 to the time when the church in Antioch sent money back to Jerusalem to help the poor. It was during that time that Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. This Herod was Herod Agrippa I, who was the

3 grandson of Herod the Great who ruled when Jesus was born and was the one who had the babies killed at the time of Jesus birth (see Matthew 2:16). Like other members of this evil family, Herod Agrippa I was a cruel and heartless man. Note: The Herodian dynasty made its way into Palestine through Herod Antipater, an Idumean by heritage. The Idumeans were Edomites and descendents of Esau. Thus they were not Jews. Herod Antipater was installed as procurator of Judea by Julius Caesar, the emperor of Rome in 47 B.C. Herod Antipater then appointed two of his sons to ruling positions. One of these was Herod the Great who was appointed governor Of Judea. Herod Agrippa I was the son of Aristobulus who was executed by his father, Herod the Great for plotting to overthrow him. There are other sons of Herod the Great mentioned in the New Testament. These were Philip II (see Luke 3:1), Archelaus (see Matthew 2:22) and Herod Antipas (also known as Herod the tetrarch) who had John the Baptist beheaded (see Matthew 14:1-11). Herod Agrippa II was the greatgrandson of Herod the Great. Paul stood before him defending himself before he was sent to Rome. The Romans had appointed Herod Agrippa I to rule over most of Palestine, including the territories of Galilee, Perea, Judea and Samaria. He persecuted the Christians in order to please the Jewish religious leaders who opposed them, hoping that would solidify his position. Herod Agrippa I suddenly died in 44 A.D. (see Acts 12:20-23). is death is also recorded by the Jewish historian, Josephus. Herod Agrippa I is here said to vex certain of the church. The word vex comes from a Greek word that means to do evil and can also be translated to afflict with great harm or to persecute. We are not told who was included in certain of the church, but we do know that Herod vexed or persecuted some of the prominent Christian leaders as we shall see in the next verse. Up until now, persecution of believers had come from Jewish religious leaders, but now a king, a civil authority began to persecute God s people. His plan was to strengthen his own position with the Jews by killing Christians. He started with Christian leaders.

4 B. James (Acts 12:2). In this verse Luke goes on to write And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. Of course the pronoun he refers to Herod Agrippa I. We are told that he killed James the brother of John with the sword. This was Herod s first step in gaining the approval of the Jewish leaders. There were several men named James in the New Testament, so Luke identified this James as the brother of John. This John is the author of the Gospel of John as well as I, II, III John and the Revelation. James and John were both apostles (see Matthew 10:2-4) and were the sons of Zebedee (see Matthew 4:21). They were among the first disciples to be called by Jesus (see Mark 1:19-20) and were part of His inner circle (see Mark 5:37; 9:2; 13:3; 14:33). These were the brothers who asked Jesus to grant them the privilege of sitting on His right and left in His kingdom (see Mark 10:35-37). Jesus told them that He didn t have that authority (see Mark 10:40). However, He did tell them that they would share in His sufferings (see Mark 10:39). That time had arrived for James. Herod had James killed with the sword which probably means his head was cut off just like John the Baptist (see Mark 6:27). Since there is no record, Herod most likely didn t give James a chance to defend himself. As a result of his arrogance in accepting glory that belonged to God, Herod was struck dead and his body eaten by worms (see Acts 12:20-23). Hey, what goes around comes around (see Galatians 6:7)! C. Peter (Acts 12:3-4). 1. (vs. 3). This verse says And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) The phrase because he saw it pleased the Jews refers to the death of James. The Jews mentioned here were the unbelieving Jews and their leaders. By killing James, Herod

5 succeeded in getting what he wanted the favor of the unbelieving Jews and their leaders. Since Herod saw that killing James pleased the Jews, meaning that his popularity increased among the people, he proceeded further to take Peter also. In order to gain even more approval from the people, Herod had Peter arrested. To capture a key church figure like Peter would make a great impression on the Jewish people. Luke parenthetically added that Then were the days of unleavened bread. In other words, Peter was arrested during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, or the Passover. The Feast of Unleavened Bread began on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nisan and lasted seven days. Nisan, or Abib is the first month in the Jewish religious calendar and correlates to our March-April. The day before the feast began was the Passover, the 14th of Nisan or Abib (see Exodus 12:14-20; 23:15). However, the Jews came to include the Passover as part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 2. (vs. 4). This verse goes on to say 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. Once Herod had Peter apprehended or arrested, he put him in prison. Since this was during a great religious festival, an immediate trial would not have been proper, so Peter was imprisoned until he could be executed. Herod did everything he could to secure Peter as seen in the fact that he delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him. A quaternion was four soldiers. Since four quaternions of soldiers were assigned to guard Peter that means it was a total of sixteen soldiers or four squads. Note: By the time Rome took over Israel there were four watches (see Mark 6:48; Luke 12:38-39) in the night (6am-9pm, 9pm-12am, 12am-3am, 3am-6am). Four soldiers guarded Peter during each watch. Peter would be brought for judgment the next morning. It may seem that Herod was being overly careful, but he probably remembered Peter s earlier escape from prison (see Acts 5:19-24) and therefore took extra security measures to avoid a repeat escape. Luke also tells us that Herod had Peter placed in prison

6 intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. It was Herod s intention to bring Peter before the people after the Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread celebration. The phrase after Easter should read after the Passover. Note: The word Easter in Greek is pascha and is translated Passover everywhere else in the New Testament. Some scholars believe that since Easter is often celebrated at about the same time as the Jewish Passover, this is why the King James translators chose to use the word Easter here. There is no record that an annual Easter celebration was observed by the early Christians. Nevertheless, Herod s plan was to kill Peter after Passover. IV. THE DEVOTION OF THE SAINTS (Acts 12:5). This verse says Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. The fact that Peter therefore was kept in prison indicates that Herod s orders were carried out. Peter was surrounded by all possible security so the king thought the case was closed. However, Luke presents a beautiful contrast. Yes, Peter was in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. What else could the believers do? Everything must have looked bleak and utterly hopeless to them since king Herod was now threatening the early church. But their enemies failed to recognize the power of those Christ-loving, God-fearing believers as they went to God in earnest prayer. This made all the difference concerning what would happen to Peter. The whole church had banded together to pray for Peter s release without ceasing or persistently. No doubt they also prayed fervently or earnestly (see James 5:16-17). These believers were devoted to prayer and God was pleased to hear and answer their prayers. Note: This short verse provides a good model for prayer. First, prayer, or our requests are to be made to God, the Father (see Matthew 6:9; Acts 12:5), in Jesus name (see John 14:13-14; 16:23), with the help of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:26-27) and according to God s will (see Mark 14:36; I John 5:14). Second, prayer should be offered by God s people as it was in this case. Yes, God can answer any prayer He wants to, but only His people are guaranteed that He will

7 hear (see Psalms 66:18-19; I Peter 3:12). However, even believers need to be aware that God may not say yes to all our prayers (see II Corinthians 12:7-9). Third, we should pray without ceasing or persistently, never giving up (see Acts 12:5; I Thessalonians 5:17). Too often we give up too soon (see Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8). Persistent prayer shouldn t be confused with vain repetitions (see Matthew 6:7) that Jesus warned about. Fourth, prayer should be specific. Peter was the object of the believers prayers. Often times we pray in generalities, asking God to bless all the sick, or to save all the lost. As a result, we don t know if and when our prayers have really been answered. It behooves us to be specific when we pray. For sure, praying amiss or for the wrong thing can result in unanswered prayer (see James 4:3). V. THE DELIVERANCE OF PETER (Acts 12:6-11) A. Peter asleep in prison (Acts 12:6). This verse says 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 Herod was going to bring Peter before the people, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. On the night before what may be his last day alive, Peter was sleeping in prison. Evidently, he was not too concerned about his situation. Maybe he was at peace because he had come to grips with the fact that he was going to be martyred, killed for Christ just as Jesus had told him he would (see John 21:18-19). But on the other hand, maybe Peter was able to sleep because he knew that God was on duty and He never sleeps or slumbers (Psalms 121:3-4). God s people are always His first concern. Of course, Peter didn t know what the real outcome would be, but he still demonstrated unquestionable faith by simply going to sleep. While Peter slept, on either side of him were soldiers chained to him. No doubt, Herod ordered that Peter be chained to two soldiers as an added precaution to prevent his escape. Not only was Peter chained between two soldiers, Luke also said that the keepers before the door kept the

8 prison. There were two other soldiers stationed at the door of the prison. Apart from divine intervention, there was no way for Peter to escape even if he tried. And if Peter did escape, the lives of the soldiers were in danger (see Acts 12:19). B. Peter Awakened (Acts 12:7-8). 1. (vs. 7). This verse says 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. The Lord answered the prayers of the saints who were praying for Peter, in a spectacular way. On the night before his execution while he was sleeping, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison. The phrase the angel of the Lord in Scripture refers to a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ and therefore He does not appear after the birth of Christ. This phrase should read an angel of the Lord because in the Greek there is no definite article (the). A heavenly messenger from the Lord came to Peter and a light shined in the prison. The angel then smote Peter on the side, and raised him up. The angel struck Peter on his side waking him up. Then he told Peter to Arise up quickly. Just as the angel told Peter to get up, his chains fell off from his hands. Note: Amazingly, neither the light, nor the voice of the angel, nor the clanging noise of Peter s chains falling to the floor disturbed the two soldiers who were chained to him. It s quite possible that the soldiers were in a divinely induced stupor (see Matthew 28:2-4). In response to the church s prayers, the Lord supernaturally kept the guards asleep and released the chains on Peter s wrists. For sure, God was at work in that prison that night. 2. (vs. 8). This verse goes on to say 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

9 about thee, and follow me. In addition to telling Peter to get up quickly, the angel also said to him Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. Peter was instructed to put on his clothes and his shoes. The words Gird thyself refer to the long tunic or undergarment that was usually loosened to allow for more comfortable sleeping. But for rapid walking, it had to be girded or tied with a belt to keep the garment from blowing in the wind. The words And so he did indicates that Peter obeyed the angel s instructions. The angel then told Peter to Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. The garment referred to here is the outer robe or coat which had also been removed for sleeping. C. Peter confused (Acts 12:9-10). 1. (vs. 9). This verse says 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. Obeying the angel s instructions, without any hesitation, Peter went out, and followed him. Luke tells us that as Peter followed the angel he wist not that it was true which was done by the angel. In other words, Peter was not sure whether those things he was experiencing through this angelic deliverance were really happening. This caused him to think that he saw a vision or was in some kind of trance. 2. (vs. 10). In this verse, Luke writes 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. As Peter followed the angel, after they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city. The first and the second ward refers to the soldiers stationed at different points as one made his way out of the prison. The word ward means a guard or

10 watch. Peter and the angel then made their way toward the iron gate which was the outer gate that led into the city streets. This iron gate was the strongest and the last one before entering the free world. It was the massive outside gate that was always locked securely. As they approached the iron gate Luke said that it opened to them of his own accord. Miraculously, this massive gate opened by itself and they went out, and passed on through one street. The angel stayed with Peter until they passed on through one street meaning until they came to a street in the city. At that point forthwith the angel departed from him. Immediately after moving away from the prison and into the streets of Jerusalem, the angel disappeared leaving Peter by himself. D. Peter reunited (Acts 12:11). Our final verse says 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. Finally, realizing that he was really free from prison, Peter came to himself. He said Now I know of a surety meaning he was now convinced that his experience was not a vision nor was he hallucinating. The phrase hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod means that Peter had been rescued from Herod. He was also delivered from all the expectation of the people of the Jews which refers to the unbelieving Jews hopes that Peter would be murdered. That s what they expected to happen. But God had other plans in response to the power of prayer! VI. Conclusion. Herod had succeeded in killing James and arresting and imprisoning Peter. He even made the prison as secure as he possibly could. But God released His servant without the slightest difficulty. The power of prayer was witnessed by the praying saints in Jerusalem. Following his deliverance from prison, Peter went to the home of Mary,

11 the mother of John Mark. Many people were gathered there and were still praying. Peter knocked on the outside door and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it. Recognizing Peter s voice, she was so happy that she forgot to open the door. She ran inside and told the group that Peter was at the door. The believers told her that she was crazy. But she continued to say that it was true causing the believers to assume that it must be Peter s angel. Peter continued to knock, and when the believers opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. Peter made a sign with his hand to tell them to be quiet, and explained to them how the Lord led him out of the jail. He then told them to tell James (the brother of Jesus) and the other brothers what happened. Then he left and went to another place. The next day the soldiers were very upset. They wondered what happened to Peter. Herod looked everywhere for him, but couldn t find him. So he questioned the guards and then ordered that they be killed. This lesson teaches that God is powerful and demonstrates His power in response to prayer. May we be like those believers who prayed for Peter and always pray with a strong sense of the power of God to answer prayer. ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***