Acts 12

A Mid-night Release

Good morning my friends, It is hard to imagine that we are already at the end of May and with it Memorial Day weekend.

Please take a moment and pray for all the families that lost a service member in the years past whether in times of war or peace, they served well for the blessing of keeping our nation free.

Our freedom is a unique blessing, we have more freedom than any other nation in the world, but freedom came with a very high price.

Give thanks to God as well for the joy of being able to gather and worship with your brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a great blessing and privilege my friends, do not think lightly of it.

So today we come back to the Book of Acts, chapter 12.

And with this we see some of the deadliest persecution the church would face at the hands of the many, including the government officials.

But in the midst of persecution, God is at work. And man, that encourages us! When we see God at work in our difficult days, it teaches us that He stands with us to help and bless our lives...

What a blessing!

So lets begin my friends with this first thought today.

1. Persecution Rises Again....

We have talked about this over and over again, the church has always faced persecution. Just as the religious leaders and others opposed Jesus, so they continue to oppose His followers.

Lets look at our text, verses 1-5… Acts 12:1-5

Acts 12:1–5 ESV

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

So lets see what s happening here.

About the time of the dealings of the last chapter, the diaspora of the church into other areas of the world because of the persecution they faced and on top of that a great famine was approaching them.

But its about this time, which we think is about 42 to 43AD, Herod raises up with violence against Christians.

Now the Herod mentioned here is the grandson of the Herod the Great who ruled during the time when Jesus was born. Herod here in Acts 12 is Herod Agrippa, He was raised in Rome and had several friends, one of which was became Emperor. And though those relationships, He was appointed as governor over Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the area of the Decapolis.

Now we know that Emperors don’t reign forever, politics and such always played a part. Now because of this we see that Herod does his best to cater to the desires and needs of the Jewish community. That way he would always have a good backing in the land,

So verses 1 & 2 tell us that Herod, (I’m sure with the approval of the council and high priest), violently laid hands on members of the church , including James who is the brother of John, the sons of Zebedee.

Now having arrested James, the Scriptures tell us that Herod had him put to death with the sword. This meant that his sentence was being beheaded for his faith.

And when Herod saw how much James’ death made the Jewish community happy, he seized one of the most visible people in the church, Peter.

Now the Scriptures tell us at the end of verse 3 that Peters arrest coincided with the feast of unleavened bread which is the celebration around the Passover.

So during these days, it was prohibited by the Jewish law that anyone be put to death during this celebration. So Herod had him placed into the custody of the prison until his trial could move forward.

Now to make sure nothing happened to his prisoner, Herod has him placed into the care of four squads of soldiers to guard him.

Now think of this, 4 squads of soldiers, these are 4 groups of 4 soldiers who would take turns watching over Peter, keeping him shackled to 2 of them at all times. Herod knew Peter was an important figure and to get him out of the way would score a great victory for his rule.

So Peter was kept in prison, and the end of verse 5 says that earnest prayers were made to God on behalf of Peter.

Looking back at this first passage we see the church, those brothers and sisters facing persecution, people were against God, and with it, those who followed God.

But they kept on praying, seeking God’s face and help in every circumstance.

Now this brings me to a second thought… an angelic release...

2. An Angelic Release....

Now you know the church is fearful, we would be lying if we said they were not, they were fearful, they worried some I am sure. James has been killed and now Peter has been arrested...

And people are asking God for help....

Go back to our text and lets look at verses 5 to 11 Acts 12:5-11

Acts 12:5–11 (ESV)

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

The reality of the situation is seen in verse 5… Peter is in prison and the church was earnestly praying...

I love that the church was earnestly praying… It was the dynamic, heartfelt prayer of the church to God that was lifting up Peter’s name and plight.

It was an urgent prayer, it was a serious prayer and it was a united prayer.

Martin Luther said “Prayer is the mightiest of all weapons that created natures can wield..”

It was the best and only weapon of the church and they cried out on Peter’s behalf....

Now, as you look at verses 6 and 7, we see it is the night before Peter’s trial would begin.. And the guards are in place, and look at this… you would have thought Peter was a serial killer or something evil.

The soldiers are in place, one lay to Peter’s right and left and they are shackled to Peter. And the other 2 are standing guard outside the door of the cell Peter occupied. .

And look at Peter with me, do you see what verse 6 says about Peter, He was asleep between the two who are shackled to him.

Wow, you talk about perfect peace my friends, He has it. he is not worried, he is not fretting instead he is resting....

The rest of us, we would be pacing, biting our nails, not sleeping a wink. Do you know what the difference is between us and Peter here/

The ability to trust God, rest in the calm assurance that it would be OK, God was in control.

Stop there for just a second… What are you struggling with each day that keeps you from just resting in the calm assurance of the Lord’s peace?

Ask yourself, Is God bigger than your circumstance? Is God bigger than your need, the “thing” you worry about?

And if you say Yes, God is bigger than all the circumstances of my life, can you trust him and lay it at His feet ...

Peter knew he couldnt do anything, but God could do everything for his good and the Father’s glory.

Now while Peter is sleeping, a light shown in his cell, and suddenly an angel of the Lord appears in His cell...

And he strikes Peter on the side commanding him to get up, I can see it, the light has shown, and the angel steps into his reality and it doesn't even disturb Peter. I could see the angel going over and kicking him in the side, Get up, you got to get going and it says the chains he was bound to the guards by fell off, but the guards didn’t wake up.

So Peter is up and the Angel tells him in verse 8 to get dressed, get your sandals on and wrap your cloak around you, and follow me....

Now look again at verses 9-11 Acts 12:9-11

Acts 12:9–11 ESV

9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

Peter is not really sure all this is really happening, he is in such a heavenly daze he thinks this might be a vision but he is going....

They passed by the first and second guards and no one hears or sees anything and finally they come to the iron gate that leads back out into the city.

No the Scriptures say it opened of its own accord and as they stepped out onto the street the angel left him, and Peter comes to his senses and knows it is all real, He is free and its the work of God...

The angel came, sent from God and delivered Peter from Herod’s hands delivering him out of the prison back into the city...

Wow, if God can walk Peter out of a guarded prison, what can He walk you through?

Are you sick, He can take you through...

Are you weary, he can carry you and give you rest.

Are you burdened, He can carry the load and release you from the load you are walking under..

Are you heart broken, beat up and uncertain about the very things you used to trust in..

God can set you free, and deliver you safely to the other side,,,,

Now just one last thought....

3. Peter’s Testimony...

After Peter came to his senses after being rescued from prison and most certain death by the angel of the Lord, Peter made his way to a familiar place in the city.

He chose a place where there were believers, and was accessible in the city and not far from a city gate in case he had to flee in a hurry.

Look with me at verses 11-17 in our text.. Acts 12:11-13

Acts 12:11–13 ESV

11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.

So without a doubt Peter knew the Lord had rescued him from death itself that awaited him under the Herod’s imprisonment.

And knowing he was free, he needed to get somewhere within the city, and what better place than the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark.

Now you might ask, what is special about this place, well, remember the home of John Mark is important for a special reason, it’ where many in the church had stayed.

It was the home that housed the “Upper Room”, where Jesus had met with his disciples the night of his arrest before they went to the garden of Gethsemane.

It was the home where Jesus meet with the disciples and others the evening after the resurrection and a week later seeing Thomas.

It was the home where the church waited for the promise of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit and it was indeed the place where the church had gathered as The Holy Spirit entered the world in Acts chapter 2.

It is indeed a special place and I am sure Peter knew he could find help, and tell others there to share how God had been with him and rescued him that every night...

Verse 12 tells us that night, there were many believers praying there in the the house, they had been praying for Peter, asking God to deliver him, and soon they will know their prayers had been answered...

Lets look at verses 13-17 Acts 12:13-17

Acts 12:13–17 ESV

13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

Peter gets there to the house and he is knocking on the door.

He is calling softly, asking for someone to let him in… He didn’t want to spend any unnecessary time out on the street where he might be seen by someone, he wanted in the house where he could be safe.

Now in the home there is a servant girl named Rhoda, and hearing someone at the door went to open it.

And hearing Peter’s voice, for forgot to let him in and rant back to tell those praying for him. Listen…Peter is outside the house.

Now they thought this young girl was mad, out of her mind but she kept insisting she wasn’t crazy, she knew Peter and his voice and new it was him.

Some there in the home even said perhaps it was his angel.... Now what do they mean? His angel??

Well, for some of the Jews, they believed a person had a Spiritual counterpart, like a guardian angel. This angel bore the characteristics of that person, thus looking and or sounding like them.

You see my friends, they believed a person could see that angel right after that person’s death..

I think that it interesting considering they had been praying for his release, his deliverance but now so quick to assume this might be the announcement of his death…

Now Rhoda, she kept on insisting it it was Peter, alive and well … and Peter was still knocking on the door.

So they go to the door, and answering it, they saw it was him, it was Peter.

And when they answered and saw it was him, Peter motioned for them to be silent and then Peter recounted to them all that God had done for him in securing his release.

And then I love this later part of verse 17, He instructs them to report all this to James and the brothers. And upon telling them he departed from them seeking safety.

He departed because Peter understands two things here, it is not safe for him there, he needed to get away to another place to escape the wrath of Herod Agrippa.

When it was discovered that Peter was missing, many would suffer… and I am sure the city would be examined in trying to find him...

But Peter also realizes that His brothers, James, John and so many more need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness in helping the church.

Consider my friends, when we walk through some hard days, we know this, we are encouraged when we hear the testimony of others, how God led them through those difficult days.

It reminds us that God will be with us as well...

Let me ask you a question:

Do you feel like you are going through one thing after another,

Do you feel like your on the bottom a lot of the time with no hope in sight...

I want to encourage you my friends that God never leaves you or forsakes you… He will always walk along side of...

Do you need prayer today?

Do you need to know more of Jesus today so you can follow him?

Come today and let us pray for you, bless you