By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher
Text: Acts
12:1-25
Acts
12:24
But the
word of God grew and multiplied.
(NKJV)
In this passage, the persecution
of the church comes not from the Jews, but from a government official, Herod
the king. He begins with the execution of James, the brother of John, and since
this gains political points for him with the Jews, he arrests Peter, intending
to execute him as well but after the Passover. This new source of persecution for
the church requires determination of whether it is time to back off until the
heat blows over, or to continue preaching the Gospel in obedience to the Lord (Acts
1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).
The beginning of Herod’s
harassment of the church begins with the execution of James, the brother of
John (Acts
12:1-2). Since this execution is pleasing to the Jews, Herod arrests Peter
during the Days of Unleavened Bread, intending to bring him before the people
after Passover (Acts
12:3-4). However, while imprisoned, constant prayer is offered by the
church for Peter (Acts
12:5).
On the night before Herod
was going to bring Peter out, Peter was sleeping, chained to two guards with
guards watching the door (Acts
12:6). Then an angel of the Lord stood by Peter with a light shining in the
prison. The angel struck Peter on the side, telling him to arise quickly with
the chains falling off his hands (Acts
12:7). The angel told Peter to get dressed, put on his sandals, and follow
him, which Peter did, but he thought he was seeing a vision and that what was
happening was not real (Acts
12:8-9). After getting past the first and second guard post, they came to
the gate leading to the city, and it opened. Then they went down the street,
and the angel immediately departed (Acts
12:10).
Peter now realized this
was not a vision and went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, where many
were gathered praying (Acts
12:11-12). Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhonda
answered, but when she recognized Peter’s voice, she got excited and went in to
tell everyone without opening the door for Peter (Acts
12:13-14). Those inside told Rhonda she was crazy, and as she kept
insisting it was Peter, they told her it was his angel (Acts
12:15). Peter continued knocking. When they opened the door, they realized
it was Peter and were astonished (Acts
12:16). Peter then motioned with his hand to keep silent, explaining how the
Lord had delivered him from the prison, and instructed them to tell James and
the brethren. Peter then departed for another place (Acts
12:17). Then there was quite a stir among the soldiers, wondering what had
happened to Peter, and when Herod could not find him, he questioned the guards
and had them executed, then departing for Caesarea (Acts
12:18-19).
Herod had been angry with
the people of Tyre and Sidon. Still, they came to Herod, having made Blastus
the king’s personal aide their friend, asking for peace because they received
food from the king (Acts
12:20). Herod came out, arrayed in royal apparel, and sat on his throne,
giving the people an oration (Acts
12:21). The people kept shouting he was the voice of a god and not a man,
with an angel of the Lord striking him dead because he did not give glory to
God. Still, the word of God grew and multiplied (Acts
12:22-24). Meanwhile, Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem after
completing their ministry, taking John, surnamed Mark with them (Acts
12:25).
Out of anger and to
appease the Jews, Herod the king begins persecuting the church, executing
James, the brother of John, and imprisoning Peter. After a miraculous angelic
deliverance of Peter from prison, Herod executes the guards but suffers a
violent death when he allows the people to elevate him to the status of a god. In
this passage, we see persecution of the church shift from something done by the
Jews (Acts
4:1-3, 5:17-18, 6:8-12) to something coming from a government official (Acts
12:1-4). This passage also shows the delivering power of God with the
freeing of Peter from prison, where he waited for a sure death like what happened
to James. We also see the justice of God with the violent death of King Herod
because of his pride (Acts
12:21-23).
Even though there is
religious freedom in countries like the United States, a day may come when this
liberty disappears. The question the church must ask is: will it stand strong, continuing
to preach the gospel, trusting God to deliver it and judge the persecutors, or
cower in fear? I pray the church will learn from the church in the Book of Acts
share what is true from the word of God, knowing fear is not from God (2
Timothy 1:7). To accomplish this, we must be like the Bereans, daily
searching the scriptures (Acts
17:11), allowing the word of God to be a light to our feet and a light
guiding our path (Psalm
119:105).
The dark world in which
we live needs the light of the one who said He was the light (John
8:12). If you are reading this and want to have a relationship with the one
who said He was the light, I encourage you to pray with me now,
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans
3:23)
and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans
6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse
me as you promise in your Word (1
John 1:9). I believe
you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now
declare you Lord of my life.
This prayer is not some
magical prayer, but must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why
you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have
eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also
urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered
by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge,
and bless everyone reading this post.
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