The Evils of the World and God’s Rescue <Ac 12:1-19>
Introduction:
* Apostle James was put to death, apostle Peter was rescued.
* The church constantly faces the evils of the kings of the world.
* Thus, revivals and persecutions are the relative experiences that the church constantly goes through.
* Through them, believers are reminded not to be complacent but to rely on God continually.
* In the midst of attacks by the world:
1）God waited for the sin of evildoers to reach its full measure, so as to punish them.
2）During persecutions, God’s word continues to advance.
Read <Ac 12:1-19>
1. <v1> King Herod Agrippa I.
* Grandson of Herod the Great.
* Roman educated, of Edomite ancestry.
* Persecuted the church with a motive (to please the Jews).
* To win the hearts of the Jews, he strived to keep the law, as well as persecuted the church.
2. <v2> James was put to death with the sword (first martyr among the 12 apostles)
* <Mk 10:37-39>: They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with.”
* They also drank the cup the Lord drank.
* James became the first martyr among the 12 apostles.
* Apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos in his old age.
3. <v3-4> King Herod arrested Peter.
* Reasons why Herod did not kill him immediately:
1）To show the people how strictly he kept the law.
(Jewish law did not allow for trials or judgments during Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.)
2）Perhaps he wanted to wait for the pilgrims to return before Peter was dealt with.
3）He wanted to bring Peter to trial with the people's undivided attention.
4. <v4, 6> Peter was heavily guard.
* Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.
5. <v5> But the church was earnestly praying to God for Peter.
* Earnestly (Ektenos) - intently, fervently (just like Lord Jesus’ prayer at the garden of Gethsemane).
* It is not our fervour that inspires an indifferent God, but God wants us to care about what He cares about.
* Earnestness is not an ignorant passion, but comes from an understanding of details.
6. <v7-11> God sent angel to rescue Peter.
1）Understanding of angels’ work.
* <Gospel of Luke> and <Book of Acts> mention the work of God’s angels 15 times.
*<Heb 1:14>: Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
* Not only should understand the work of fallen angels, but also the work of righteous angels.
* When we know spiritual truths then we will have the earnestness to pray.
2）Our faith cannot be based solely on reason, but must also have a spiritual dimension.
* We are not to worship angels, but we are to confirm how we experience their ministry in prayers.
* The more we confirm and experience this fact, the less afraid we will be of harm caused by evil people, circumstances, or the evil one.
7. <v12> John, who was also called Mark.
* Cousin of Barnabas, who got cold feet when Paul and Barnabas were persecuted on their first missionary journey.
* Events of <Ac 1:13-14> likely took place at his home.
* It may also be there that the Lord Jesus ate the Passover feast with His disciples before His crucifixion.
8. <v13-15> The faith of the disciples was small.
* Although their faith was small, God still could accomplish great things through it.
* Jewish concept of guardian angel.
9. <v16-17> Peter hid.
* Some Roman Catholics believe that Peter went to Rome from here and later became the first pope.
* But Peter appeared again in Antioch a year or two later <Gal 2:11>, and again in Jerusalem <Ac 15>.
10. <v18-19> The 16 guards watching over Peter were executed.
* Under Roman law, if a jailer who was guarding a prisoner allowed the prisoner to escape, he himself would be subject to the punishment that the prisoner deserved.