Persecution and Growth of the Church (Acts 12)

Acts Chapter 12 – Persecution and Growth of the Church

The Persecution of the Church by Herod Agrippa 1 (12:1-23)

The Growth of the Church in spite of the Persecution (12: 24-25)

In the previous chapter, we learned that Church was doing well; In the sense, Saul and Barnabas were teaching God’s Word, and reaching out to more people with His Word.

We also learned that the Church in Antioch has become the headquarters; even the Gentiles saved people were sharing God’s Word with others! So, the Church is growing! This is what we learned in Chapter 11.

However, in chapter 12:1-23, there is a shift in the ministry of the disciples – the threat of death, an obstacle to God’s mission.

The Big Idea of the Chapter:

James was killed by Herod Agrippa; Peter was rescued by God in a miraculous way and is driven from Jerusalem, indicating, from the narrative perspective, Peter’s departure from the scene and transitioning into the next key figure(s).

Key Themes:

No tactic of the devil or men would stop God’s work from advancing His plan and purpose (vv. 24-25)

Whoever opposes God’s work will ultimately be destroyed by God.

Acts 12:1–2 KJV 1900

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

King Herod is not the same as Herod the Great, who ruled Israel at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. This Herod is Herod Agrippa I, who was the grandson of Herod the Great. Agrippa was the son of Herod’s favorite son Aristobulus.

Historical data says that this Agrippa was good at spending money, and so he lived a very bad life, poor life until Claudius, the emperor of Rome made him “king” and placed the northern Palestine in his control. Later on, because of Agrippa’s friend Claudius, Judea and Samaria were extended into Agrippa’s kingdom.

Agrippa was liked by Jews because of two things: One his mother was of the Hasmonean dynasty, that revolted against the Greeks in 163 BC, and the second, he spent much time with Jews and was involved in their culture.

Josephus says, “Accordingly, he loved to live continually at Jerusalem, and was exactly careful in the observance of the laws of his country. He therefore kept himself entirely pure: nor did any day pass over his head without its appointed sacrifice.”

“Now about that time” – this is referring to the time of the famine relief mission of the Church of Antioch dated around 44 A.D.

Why did Herod want to destroy the believing Jewish people? Probably because of the hatefulness of the unbelieving Jews.

Earlier in chapter 2:47, it seemed that people were all favorable with one another – there was no problem. But now, we see the opposite of 2:47. Some traditional Jews were not in favor of the believing Jews.

They were probably jealous of how people were moving quickly away from their Jewish traditions to following Christ, by observing their new life? This maybe the case, because they are no longer to obey the law as Pharisees, and scribes of their day.

In order to win over more of Jews favor, Herod Agrippa did something horrible; he got James, the son of Zebedee, killed. Now, Herod really had no reason to get him killed. However, to please more people, he did it; also, the way of execution is by the sword.

There are a few views about it. Some believe that James was a prominent leader of the Church in Jerusalem, therefore, he and his brethren made a nuisance with conversions; this may have been noticed as a national security issue.

The other would be James was treated as an apostate, and therefore, this shameful death of beheading is appropriate for an apostate. This execution was also used as a tactic to stop the spreading of Christianity, which was the very issue discussed in the initial chapters of Acts (the Sanhedrin did not like preaching in the Name).

Acts 12:3 KJV 1900

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

When Agrippa saw that the Judeans were pleased with it he went further to arrest Peter as well.

Now, notice, up in the north, the Word is spreading, Church is getting stronger in Antioch, and had become a central place for the growth and spread of the gospel in the northern part, while there is much persecution and threat moving rapidly in the South.

Agrippa observed the reaction of the Jewish population; they were in agreement and pleased with what he did to James, therefore, now there is no stopping for his violent acts. He wants to please people more and more; he wants to be their “king.” Here, the Jewish people were portrayed in a negative sense. They approved the elimination of the leader of the Church

Notice that Peter, was most likely no longer the leader of the Jerusalem Church, was arrested during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. This festival began with a Passover meaning, where the children of God remember the rescuing act of God in the Old Testament. They do this every year. Notice the “irony” in this incident.

When they were supposed to celebrate God’s liberation from Egyptian slavery, they were celebrating the arrest of God’s agent. When they were supposed to celebrate God’s gracious act, they were celebrating the persecution of God’s Church.

Acts 12:4 KJV 1900

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.

So they seized Peter and put him in the prison, and assigned soldiers to guard him. Peter was supposed to be in prison for about seven days because Agrippa planned to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

Peter was to be chained with soldiers. The soldiers of the four in a group would change shifts every three hours; meaning, they ought to be alert and keep an eye on Peter at all times. All this is to say that it is impossible for Peter to escape. Again, notice how God is going to rescue His people no matter the efforts of the people.

The Prayer of the Church (12:5)

While Peter was in prison, the believers prayed “earnestly.” Even here there is an irony that would relate to the next scene in the narrative. However, what we should learn is that Church prayed earnestly with zeal and anticipation that God would intervene. And He did through an angel.

The Description of God’s Word (12:6-10

The text here describes the condition of Peter. He was bound with chains. Agrippa wants to bring Peter out before the people (just like Jesus’s trial?), and present Peter to the crowd. In other words, Agrippa would have had some power in the decision and the outcome of this event. He could have done good instead of evil.

Peter’s sleep indicates that he was counting on God; he was trusting God fully. God rescued Peter from prison, and so it would not be impossible for God to rescue him even though the security is tight.

In verses 7-8, we learn that an angel of the Lord “suddenly” appeared, and the light gleamed in the cell. He struck Peter and told him to “Get up quickly!” The chains came off; the angel said fasten, put on your sandals; put the cloak on and follow me. The details that Luke gave tells us the miraculous act of God to rescue Peter.

Acts 12:9–10 KJV 1900

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. 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.

Just like Peter was confused during the vision he received while on the roof, he was also confused here; he did not know what was happening; he thought that was a vision too. The angel brought him out of the iron gate and then left.

The iron gate probably refers to Antonia tower, or the strong gate that would lead on into the city from the temple area. In other words, Peter was put in a strong cell, but it also shows that human efforts to stop God’s work will not stop him no matter how hard we try.

When Peter came to his senses, he understood that the whole act is an act of God; and he also understood how these Jewish people, his own people were expecting to happen (v.11).

Acts 12:12-17 Peter’s Testimony and the Unbelief of Believers

Acts 12:12–17 KJV 1900

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

In this part of the text we see how Peter was eager to explain what happened to him and he went to meet them at the “house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark.” He know they were praying there.

Look at the irony here. These people were praying, but they did not believe the result of their prayer.

Peter went to Mary’s house; probably a rich place, since they also have a servant, Rhoda. And Rhoda went to see who was knocking on the door of the “outer gate.” When she recognized Peter’s voice, she ran back in without opening the gate because of her joy that she heard Peter!

She ran in, and reported; Peter was probably still knocking; he had just been rescued from prison; he might be stressed out and wanted to come in quickly; but on the inside, this group of people are wondering what is going on – they even told Rhoda that she was out of her mind.

In verse 17 Peter motioned his hand saying “Keep quiet,” and he told them what the Lord has done. Interesting things here are (1) their amazement/unbelief, (2) Peter’s request to tell James, and (3) Peter’s leaving for another place.

By now James was probably the head of the Church and had a good reputation. Also, we should note the change in leadership. Peter will eventually die, and God appoints new leadership to carry out His mission.

Herod’s Search for Peter and His Death (Acts 12:19-23)

God’s judgment is coming to all that hinders his work, or persecutes His people; No king or emperor, or queen, would be left alone; they will pay the price.

In this passage we learn Agrippa had some issues with Tyre and Sidon; he blocked some shipments of goods. He likes to show off his power. He may have presented well in that meeting, but he also accepted the flattering words of praise.

Verse 21 says he is dressed in royal robes. Probably some shiny clothes; he delivered his speech. Then in verse 22, we learn the people began to show, “It is the voice of a god and not of a man!” The acceptance of this praise and also the persecution of believers brought his death.

The Lord struck him dead. Now, some say that he lived for about 5 days. But within these 5 days, we learn that he was eaten by worms from within and died.

The Spread of God’s Word (Acts 12:24-25)

No matter what people do, God’s mission moves on. Notice there is also a move from north to south. Barnabas and Saul return back to Jerusalem, taking along John who was also called Mark (Peter went to his house after the Lord rescued him).