Acts 12:18-24 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread. 25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
 
HEROD Agrippa I seemed to have a firm grip on the area of Israel that Rome allowed him to govern. Friend of the ruling Jews and also a man of Jewish heritage, Agrippa became a deadly enemy to the apostles. At his word men lived or died. He also determined the food policy for Sidon and Tyre, cities outside of Israel. As all tyrants believe they are invincible, Herod was just in his own eyes, and his rule seemed strong and unchangeable. Emperors, kings and other rulers often believe they are as the gods whose words cause great change in their domain.
   Agrippa, though, neglected to learn from the Jews’ law regarding the LORD’s supremacy: Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. God’s justice will bless those who worship him and curse those who reject his Sovereign reign.
   Agrippa should have learned from King David’s prayer: Psalms 36:11 May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. David knew pride’s destruction. He watched it destroy King Saul’s relationship with God and with his people. David felt pride’s scourge against his integrity in the deep sins of adultery and murder. Pride destroyed some of David’s sons as they pursued their own lusts and revenge. Pride causes us to believe that in some way we are as a god who is invincible. How true is God’s law: Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Herod’s life and death perfectly illustrates this truth.
   How good to know the LORD’s authority overcomes persecution, and he will advance and spread the gospel. Barnabas and Saul had come from Antioch to Jerusalem to deliver the famine relief fund to the church. They return to Antioch, taking John Mark, who we saw at Peter’s release from jail. He is Barnabas’ cousin (Colossians 4:10), a fact that will have some influence on his future.
   Sovereign over kings, sovereign over disciples and ruler of his church, the LORD your God is God of gods. 

Acts 12:12-17 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the brothers about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.
 
THIS scene is very similar to the disciples’ response to Jesus’ resurrection. The church meeting in Mary’s home did not believe, “Peter is at the door!” “You’re out of your mind.” was their unbelieving response.
   In the same way, Mary Magdalene, Joanna of Cuza and other women went to tell the disciples, “He’s not here. He has risen!” (Luke 24:6) But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. (Luke 24:11) Both circumstances demonstrate a fundamental doubt in God’s Word and his power to fulfill what he says. In faith the disciples should have anticipated Jesus’ Word, “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” (Luke 24:7) Because Jesus came out of the grave, would it not be easy for Peter to come out of the prison?
   But the church did not believe God would release Peter. They knew they needed to pray. But they seemed not to expect God to answer their prayer with a resounding, “Yes! I will bring Peter to you.” Did they believe Herod’s and the Jews’ power would destroy the church? Any hope for Peter’s life seemed to disappear behind the barred doors, armed guards and locked chains. If even Jesus and his apostles were subject to death, what hope was there for the church of “ordinary” people?
   Yes, it seems they had forgotten Jesus’ triumph over death. God’s life-power still ruled! Peter’s “resurrection” from the jail would become another seed of hope and faith the Spirit planted into the church.
   The Lord wants you to know his rule will triumph past the persecution and the evil human heart. Long ago in his grace, God promised to cover us with a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. That hasn’t changed. Jesus’ resurrection is the greatest garment of praise possible. When we have a sure hope in the risen Jesus, we will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (from Isaiah 61:3)
   No jail can imprison true hope in Jesus.
 
Note: Mark mentioned here is John Mark, author of the gospel. James is Jesus’ half-brother, head of the Jerusalem church. Mary is Mark’s mother, apparently a leader in a house church in Jerusalem.     
           

Acts 12:9-11 Peter followed the angel out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; Peter thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.”
 
THINK for a minute about Peter’s life to this point. He had watched Jesus speak healing to many. Peter had witnessed Jesus’ glory in the Transfiguration (Mark 9). Peter saw the empty tomb. Then he ate with and learned from the risen Savior. Jesus specifically commissioned Peter, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17c) The Spirit’s fire had then opened Peter’s mouth to preach at Pentecost (Acts 2). Peter healed the lame (Acts 3), and he raised the dead (Acts 9). Stll in this moment of freedom, Peter did not believe he was truly walking free of prison’s shackles, guards and iron gates. Is this typical of our Christian life? Even when we stop to consider the many ways God has moved in our lives, do we still wonder, “Is my Lord truly helping me now?”
   One of God’s answers comes from Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  
   Jesus, the Son of God, has walked where you are walking. He knows about the happiness you experience, and Jesus knows about your sorrows. Jesus understands the pain of a loved one’s death. He knows physical hardship. Jesus understands the need for rest. Your Lord has confronted evil. The Son has submitted to the Father’s will, so you can walk free of sin’s imprisoning shackles. Consider Jesus’ live and you can go to his throne to know Jesus’ mercy. Understand his grace to help you in your time of need.
   Do not let your mind be set too long on your challenges, weaknesses or disappointments. Jesus’ incarnation is to personally help you know, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:1-2)
   Peter followed the angel out of the prison. The gospel message reveals you can follow Jesus because God’s, goodness and love will follow (you) all the days of (your) life, and (you) will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)

Acts 12:4-18 After arresting Peter, Herod put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
 
PETER was a marked man in Jerusalem for two reasons. He was the leader of this new sect that claimed Jesus is the Son of God. Salvation for all who believe comes through Jesus of Nazareth’s death, resurrection and ascension. The ruling Jews also knew of Peter’s ministry to Gentiles. This former fisherman from Galilee had to be stopped. His blasphemy was against God and the Jews. To please the ruling Jews, Herod imprisoned Peter. Jerusalem’s political and religious rulers conspired to kill Peter as they had killed Jesus, Stephen and James.
 
Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
 
WHAT do we do when confronted with great obstacles? We should pray. But these Christians had surely prayed for James when he was arrested. Even though Herod killed James with a sword, the church remained faithful to intercede for Peter. They knew all is in God’s hands. The essence of praying your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10b). our daily faith is to fully accept and trust the psalm’s proclamation: Psalms 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
 
Acts 12:6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.
 
PETER had been in jail before. But he and John were found free in the temple the next morning: Acts 5:18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. The authorities strengthened their guard to keep Peter bound. It is likely a guard was chained to each of his wrists. Still Peter is at peace. He’s sleeping amid his tormentors. He no longer fears for his life amid the storm as he and the others had the night on Galilee’s stormy waters (Mark 4:37-39).   
 
Acts 12:7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.
 
ANGELS work at God’s command. They are often forceful to move one to obedience. We consider the angels who urged Lot from Sodom’s destruction: Genesis 19:15 With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.”  We also consider the angel who urged Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. Matthew 2:13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
   God speaks to us. Through his Word, a pastor, a teacher, a friend, a dream or even an angel, he tells us what we must get up and do. Keep a listening ear. Hear his love to warn, protect and direct you.   
 
Next: Prayer Answered. Was the church believing? 

Acts 12:1-3 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
 
AS we’ve noted, the early church’s story describes a time of fruitful harvest and peace. Then it moves to accounts of persecution and death as in Stephen’s and now James’ executions. James’ martyrdom seems to coincide with the church’s growth in Antioch. Government rulers can affect the church one way or another. We all live under such authorities who can persecute the church or allow it to prosper. We must pray and strive for godly leaders to permit the church to grow under the Spirit’s direction.
   The persecuting leader in Jerusalem was Herod Antipas I. He is the grandson of Herod the Great, who ruled Jerusalem when Jesus was born. He is another in a long list of Herods who ruled different regions of Israel. Herod Agrippa I died in 44 A.D. So we know James’ tragic death was within 10 years after Jesus’ ascension.
   We can never truly understand the ways God works to direct some to martyrdom and some to a long life of service. The brothers James and John illustrate both. James’ death was a very different outcome than he and John had envisioned for their lives. Mark 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “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?” 39 “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.”
   Jesus told James and John that to share in his glory they must first share in his suffering. James died for the gospel, suffering the same cup of suffering Jesus had suffered. John suffered persecution and torture throughout his long life. The suffering cup is a common drink for Jesus’ disciples.
   How do we respond to such a price for our faith? We begin by focusing on Jesus. Your salvation is the reason for his suffering. He has experienced the extreme humiliation and agony of a rejected life and tortuous death, so we may know the joy of our salvation wrapped in his eternal glory.
   Always direct your eyes to your eternal home: Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.  
   Discipleship’s cost is a bargain for heaven’s eternal glory. 

Acts 11:22-26 News of (God’s work in Antioch) reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
 
WOULD God describe you as a “good person”? This is how the Spirit-inspired text describes Barnabas. But does this conflict with Jesus’ teaching in Mark 10:18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good – except God alone.”
   Jesus’ point in his teaching was to direct us to the commands about our relationship with one another. Mark 10:19 “You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” Our good God has graciously established the law to reveal the right way, the good way, of living in harmony with each other. Because Barnabas is full of the Spirit, he diligently strived to obey God’s good commands.
   That’s why the church leaders sent Barnabas to Antioch. The apostles, who are the personal witnesses of Jesus’ good ministry, trusted Barnabas to correctly represent them in Antioch. Barnabas possessed the character to relate with all people. He was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord.
   Barnabas was also good because he was full of faith. Barnabas knew he needed to help expand God’s work in Antioch. So he went to nearby Tarsus to get Saul. Barnabas had been instrumental in helping Saul gain the apostles’ confidence (Acts 9:27). Together the two of them could teach great numbers of people. Barnabas loved the Lord, and the text indicates he genuinely loved God’s people. We note this is where “Christian” began to describe Jesus’ followers. Is it because Barnabas and the others were good at representing the Christ to the Jews and Gentiles?
   To be good is to pursue God with wisdom and faithfulness. Jesus said in Matthew 12:35a “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him.” Know God’s commands. Then release the good into the world. Let your words and ways reflect God’s good commands. Barnabas wasn’t perfect, and none of us are. But we can help people know God is good as we strive in faith to live in the Spirit’s power.
 
Remember Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law… 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  
   

Acts 11:1-2 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
 
WHY did the church ruling body in Jerusalem criticize, even judge Peter for his ministry to Gentiles? Tthese men confessed faith in Jesus, who had ministered to many Gentiles: Mark 3:8 When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. Did they not understand the Scriptures such as Isaiah 42:1 42 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.”  
   There is a fundamental truth in our relationship with Jesus: We must continue to learn. Peter’s new ministry was the Spirit’s method to help them Jesus’ disciples understand. The Spirit made good use of Peter’s gift to speak and confirm the gospel is for the Gentiles:
 
Acts 11:4 Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 The I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ 8 I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. 11 Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
 
The Spirit has granted clarity to the speaker and to the listeners. When the church does not understand, it is good and right the listen to what God is teaching and commanding. It is good to watch what he is doing. This is the only way we can more fully live into his will.

Acts 10:44-48 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
 
LET’S begin with Jesus’ final words to his apostles as recorded in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Writing the early church’s history in Acts, Luke used Peter’s ministry to illustrate God’s plan to fulfill Jesus’ command.
   The Spirit first revealed the gospel in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:4 All of the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. The apostles spoke in other tongues as God’s sign of his supernatural power. Peter preached the gospel, so all could understand. And those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:41) The gospel is in Jerusalem.
   Then Acts 8 reports the Spirit advancing the gospel to Samaria. Peter and John investigate. Acts 8:17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Repeating his work at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gave an outward sign to the people of Samaria he was transforming lives. The gospel is in Samaria.
   Then God used Peter to advance the gospel to the ends of the earth – to the Gentiles. The Spirit instructed Peter to go to Cornelius’ home. On his arrival, Peter began to speak. And just as had happened in Jerusalem and in Samaria, the Holy Spirit unveiled God’s salvation. Once again as an outward sign, the people who had traveled with Peter heard the Gentiles speaking in tongues and praising God. Peter’s and the other Christians’ response was the same as in Jerusalem and Samaria. Acts 10:48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. For the third time, the Spirit had come to empower Peter’s preaching. People confessed Jesus is Lord. People were baptized. The gospel is now in Jerusalem, Samaria and going to the nations.
   Because the speaking of tongues is the Spirit’s gift on both the apostles and some believers, some believe one is not saved until he receives the gift of tongues. But the Bible is clear first of all that our salvation is not by a gift but only by faith (Romans 10:9-19). And second the Spirit gifts new believers with different gifts (See Romans 12:6-8 and other scriptures).
   The gift of speaking in tongues was the Spirit’s particular tool to help both the apostles and the witnesses know God was directing these events to advance his kingdom. We must remember all of this is God’s new revelation of Jesus’ atoning death to redeem the sins of the world. Everyone had much to learn. God was using all his tools to reveal his truth.
   How is he using you? Your church?