**********acts 12: 5-19

Acts 12:5–19 (NRSV)

5 While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. 6 The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 The angel said to him, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. 13 When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 14 On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” 16 Meanwhile Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. 17 He motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, “Tell this to James and to the believers.” Then he left and went to another place. 18 When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.

The power of Prayer

Sweet Hour of Prayer

(Acts 12:5–12)

Hymn Story: The Hymn “Sweet Hour of Prayer” first appeared in “The New York Observer” on September 13, 1845 and was accompanied by a note written by Rev. Thomas Salmon, a British Preacher, who had immigrated to America. The note accompanying the Hymn was as follows: “At Coleshill, Warwickshire, England, I became acquainted with W. W Walford, the blind preacher, a man of obscure birth and connections and no education, but of strong mind and most retentive memory. In the pulpit he never failed to select a lesson well adapted to his subject, giving chapter and verse with unerring precision and scarcely ever misplacing a word in his repetition of the Psalms, every part of the New Testament, the prophecies, and some of the histories, so as to have the reputation of “knowing the whole Bible by heart.” He actually sat in the chimney corner, employing his mind in composing a sermon or two for Sabbath delivery … On one occasion, paying him a visit, he repeated two or three pieces he had composed, and having no friend at home to commit them to paper, he had laid them up in the storehouse within. “How will this do?” asked he, as he repeated the following lines …?” I rapidly copied the lines with my pencil as he uttered them, and sent them for insertion in the Observer.

This hymn is attributed to William W. Walford, but nothing else is known about him. From the words of this hymn we can gather that he was a man of prayer. The second stanza says, “Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, Thy wings shall my petition bear to Him whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless; and since He bids me seek His face, believe His word, and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, and wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer.” This hymn story appears in “Then Sings My Soul” book 2 written by Robert J. Morgan.

Robert J. Morgan gives some challenging questions to the church that we must consider. He wrote, “If an hour spent with the Lord is so sweet, why do we race through our day prayerless, then squeeze all our requests into a two-minute segment at bedtime? If prayer is so powerful, why do we neglect it so consistently?”

How important is prayer to you? How often do you practice praying? Do you talk more about praying than you actually pray?

FACTS: The early church was used by God to reach their world for Jesus. They saw the power of God save souls, rescue His children, release those bound up by Satan, cities turned to Christ and the whole world turned upside down!

The early church understood the importance and significance of prayer. They spent much time together in prayer, many hours laboring in prayer, and fervent dedication to prayer! The early church talked to God, pleaded with God, wrestled in prayer to God, warred against the powers of darkness in prayer to God. The church must get back to fervent and faithful praying! If we are going to be used by God we must daily seek Him in prayer! Prayer was important to the early church! Is it important to you? Acts 3:1 says, “Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.”

Luke declared the ministry of the disciples in prayer and the miracle that delivered Peter. The church was focused in dire situations and the Lord was faithful to deliver the saint.

ESS: Christians are to exercise persistence in prayer and expect the power of God from prayer. To challenge the church of Jesus Christ to pray consistently, fervently, faithfully, and believing God in prayer. This passage reveals some insights about prayer that should compel us to faithful praying.

I. The purpose of prayer (5a)

“Peter was therefore kept in prison,”

In Acts 12 we find Peter arrested and waiting execution. The apostle James, the brother of John and the son of Zebedee, had just been martyred at the hands of Herod. Peter was arrested and he was next in line. Herod had James killed at it pleased the Jews who were obstinate and opposed to Christianity. Herod was on a roll; his approval rating had skyrocketed and the Jewish people were proud of their King! The church understood the urgency of the situation! One of the prominent members had just been killed. James was one of the twelve, he was the brother of the apostle John, he was one of the sons of thunder!

Verse 1 says that Herod the king had stretched out his hand to harass the church! He was doing a good job of it. After killing James, he had Peter arrested! Peter was being kept in prison until after Passover!

Kept: tereo, tay-reh’-o; (a watch; to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; to prevent escaping; to detain (in custody; figurative to maintain). This word is in the imperfect tense and in the passive voice in the Greek language and means that he was continuously guarded. Peter was kept by four squads of four soldiers each! They would rotate shifts so that four soldiers were on guard at all times. They did this so that the soldiers would remain fresh, attentive and alert. Humanly speaking there was no way in the world for Peter to escape!

The church had a great purpose to petition the throne of God! One of their own was in prison and facing imminent death! APPLICATION: There are multitudes around us that are spiritually in prison; lost and undone and facing eternal death in the lake of fire. We are to be praying for those who need our prayers! We always have a purpose to pray! Verse 5 reveals the purpose of prayer. We also note:

II. Their persistence in prayer (5b)

“but constant prayer was offered to God for him”

Constant: (KJV: Without ceasing) ektenes, ek-ten-ace’; intent:—without ceasing, fervent. This word is a medical term which describes the stretching of a muscle to its limits. They were persistent in their praying for Peter. They prayed on purpose with persistence and purpose. The church knew that only God for come through and deliver Peter. There was a sense of urgency and unity as they prayed with persistence. The church was not just going through the motions. They prayed diligently and persistently. Constant prayer was offered to God!

Thank God they didn’t give up or let up; they prayed on! They did back away or shut it down; they prayed on! They didn’t lose focus or lose faith, they prayed on! They didn’t grumble or grip, they prayed on! They didn’t pack it in or pout; they prayed on! They didn’t fuss and fight; they prayed on! They didn’t resist and rebel; they prayed on! If they would have been like many in the modem day church the prayer meeting would have ended, people would have dispersed and scattered, and the church would have given up! Too often we do not pray through!

When it comes to praying many in the church is like the little girl I heard about. This little girl went fishing with her dad. They began to fish and the little girl waited a little while. Then after getting no nibbles, she said, “I quit.” Her dad said, “Why?” The little girl said, “Dad, I can’t seem to get waited on.” Too often we give up and quit before God sends the answer! When we do that we show a lack of faith!

A woman once left her diamond brooch in a hotel. After her trip and when she arrived at home she found out that she had left her brooch. She immediately called the hotel. She told the manager what had happened, what her name was, what room she stayed in, and desperately asked the manager to try to find her brooch. The manager went to look for it. After searching for the woman’s brooch the manager found it, put it in the safe, and returned to the phone to tell the lady the good news, but she had hung up. So many of us are like this. We aren’t willing to wait on the Lord.

Offered: (KJV: was made) ginomai, ghin’-om-ahee; a prolonged and middle form of a primary verb; to cause to be (“gen”-erate), i.e. (reflexive) to become (come into being). The Bible tells of their constant prayer offered to God. The church was in an ongoing state of prayer for Peter. They were praying in the right way to the right One. Constant and persistent prayer was offered to God for him. Their praying was persistent and their praying was pointed! The church was praying specifically for Peter! They were praying for Peter’s release; Peter’s rescue! They were not general in their praying! They were diligently asking, seeking, and knocking on Peter’s behalf! It is good to know when prayer is offered up to God for us! When is the last time; what is the last request; and who is the last person that we prayed for with this kind of persistence? The purpose of prayer; their persistence in prayer;

we also see in Verse 5:

III. The people in prayer (5c)

“by the church.”

Constant prayer was being offered to God for Peter by the church. Church: ekklesia, ek-klay-see’-ah; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both) assembly, church. It wasn’t the Pharisees and the Sadducees that was crying out in prayer for Peter. They were crying out for his slaughter not for his safety. It was not the unconcerned or the unconverted that was praying for Peter.

Only the church of Jesus Christ can truly pray! Only those who have been born again and have surrendered themselves to Jesus and by faith have trusted in Him can pray! When there is a need we must call on the church to pray! The church knew Who to pray to, the way to pray, when to pray, and where to pray!

A GOOD WORD: Prayer was not their last resort, but prayer was their first response.

What an example we have from the early church to be men and women of prayer! The apostles learned from the Lord Jesus to pray; the church learned from the apostles to pray; and it was passed on to others by their obedience to God in prayer! May we be challenged by the example of the early church to be the people of God in prayer!

We’ve learned about the purpose of prayer; their persistence in prayer; the people in prayer; and we also notice:

IV. The power of prayer (6–11)

A. The desperate situation (6)

J. Edgar Hoover once said, “The force of prayer is greater than any possible combination of man-made or man-controlled powers because prayer is man’s greatest means of tapping the infinite resources of God.”

“And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.”

It was getting close to the time that Peter would be tried. It was getting down to the nitty gritty. If God didn’t come through Peter would be killed! If God didn’t answer the prayer Peter would be finished. There was nothing humanly possible for them to do! There was a desperate situation that led the church to desperate supplication. Even though the situation was desperate and things didn’t look good for Peter, to give him credit he was trusting in God!

On the night before he was suppose to be brought out and tried and killed, Peter was not worrying he was resting. He was not fretting he was sleeping! He had confidence in the Lord and his faith in the Lord gave him peace even in the midst of supposedly helpless situation. John Polhill wrote, “That Peter could sleep so soundly the night before his trial is perhaps indicative of his calm assurance that he was in God’s hands.” Peter knew one way or the other that God would not leave him. He trusted in the Lord! Peter had surrendered his life to Jesus and was a dedicated servant of God! He was willing to live for Jesus and he was also willing to die for Jesus! Church history tells us that the Apostle Peter was martyred by the Romans under Nero. He was crucified upside down!

Years ago the American Baptist Publication Society had on its seal the picture of an ox standing between the altar and the plow. This picture tells us that the ox was ready to serve by pulling the plow and he was ready to die on the altar.

Peter was there as a servant of God! He was ready to live for God’s glory, but he was also ready to die for God’s glory! Peter was sleeping bound up between two soldiers. There were four guards on duty at all times! There was no human way that Peter was going to escape!

Sweet Hour of Prayer! (pt. 2)

(Acts 12:7–19)

In the first study we learned about the purpose of prayer, their persistence in prayer, the people in prayer, and we also began to study about the power of prayer. If we do not believe in the power of prayer we will not pray often or with purpose or with persistence. There is power in prayer, but we must engage in purposeful, passionate, and pointed prayer to the Lord Jesus! Many churches have altars, prayer rooms, studies on prayer, conference on prayer, but they never truly engage in prayer.

Just before World War II in Itasca, Texas, there was a school fire that took the lives of 263 children. It was a horrifying tragedy. After the war Itasca built a new school with the finest sprinkler system in the world. Never again would the citizens of Itasca be caught with such a tragedy on their hands. Honor students were selected to take citizens of the community on tours through the new school, to show them the finest sprinkler system ever assembled. The town continued to grow, and seven years after the new school was built an addition was needed. As the new construction began, it was discovered that the sprinkler system was never connected.

We learned that the church went to God in prayer because James had been killed and Peter had been arrested, chained between guards, and was being kept for execution. The church had a desperate need to pray! Desperate situations abound all around us!

Churches under spiritual attack and physical attacks

Christians persecuted

Families being devastated with divorce, dysfunction, division, and death

Governments pressure God’s people

The days are dark—sin abounds on every comer, every street, every town, and city

Lost people grope in darkness and run head long into hell.

The church learned about the power of prayer. We would do well to learn about the power of prayer.

In verse 6 we notice the desperate situation.

In verses 7–11 we see:

IV. The power of prayer (6–11)

B. The deliverance was supernatural (7–11)

Ephesians 3:20–21 says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

1. The angel showed up in prison (7a)

“Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison;”

God sent supernatural deliverance to Peter in answer to the churches fervent supplication. Luke uses a word to get the attention and emphasizes what is about to be said! “Now behold” God sent one of His supernatural soldiers to rescue Peter. An angel of the Lord stood by Peter in prison. The angel came with a commission from the Lord! We cannot always see angels, but God’s saints have angels that minister to them! God sent an angel to minister to Peter! Thank God that God knows where we are and what we go through! The angel didn’t have to have a key to get in; he didn’t have to have an escort or a map; or a tracking system to find Peter! The angel knew where to go and what to do when he got there. The angel showed up in prison!

￫ That encourages me in that no matter how bad it looks on the outside God always has means to get in on the inside!

The deliverance was supernatural! God’s mighty angel showed up in prison! When the angel showed up a light shone off in the prison. A light shone in the prison and yet the guards with Peter and at the doors were rendered helpless. The angel showed up in prison! Do you need to be set free today? God can send supernatural deliverance no matter where you are or what you are in! Not only did the angel show up in prison; we also see:

2. The angel spoke out to Peter (vv. 7b–10)

a. What he told Peter (vv. 7–8)

“and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”

Peter was in such a deep sleep that the angel showed up and the light shine out, but Peter slept on. The light didn’t wake up Peter so the angel struck Peter on the side! Have you ever been awakened suddenly from a deep sleep? It startles you and scares you!

Before I went to college in Florida I was working 2 jobs and going to school at night. Three nights a week I was cooking at my dad’s restaurant and closing the restaurant. One night after leaving the restaurant, I was as tired as I ever remember being, and my cousin wanted to borrow a PlayStation game. My mobile home was on the way to my dad’s and I was suppose to take the money box to my dad’s. On the way to dad’s I stopped off at my house and went in and got the game for my cousin and gave it to him. We talked a minute and we said goodbye. Instead of getting back in my car and driving to my dad’s to give him the money box, I went back in and crashed. I was so tire I fell out and that next morning I was awaked by my dad hollering my name and hitting my foot. He said, “Jack, get up son! Where’s the money box!” I though “Where am I, what’s going on? What day is it? What time is it? Where’s the money box?” I had left my front door open, left my car doors open and the windows rolled down, and I left the money box in the back seat! Thankfully the Lord Jesus looked after me again and no one stole the money box! I went outside and found the money box in the back seat and gave it to daddy and tried to explain, but to no avail! I want you to know he was not a little displeased with me and I cannot repeat what I heard about myself! The angel struck Peter on the side; woke him up and then raised him up.

￫ The angel got his attention and then the angel gave him direction.

The angel gave Peter some practical instruction! He was to arise quickly! When Peter got up the chains fell off! Remember this is supernatural deliverance! Verse 8: The angel told Peter to get dressed! Gird yourself and tie your sandals! Make yourself ready to travel!

Verse 8 says, “and so he did.” Peter followed directions; he obeyed immediately the commands from the servant of the Lord! The angel told Peter to put on his garment and follow him. Peter could hear the angel, see the angel, and he was touched by the angel! Angels can and do sometimes manifest themselves in human form! Peter followed the practical instruction of the angel! Warren Wiersbe said, “God alone can do the extraordinary, but His people must do the ordinary.” W. Hershel Ford wrote, “So we see that God never does for us what we can do for ourselves. Peter could not get himself out of prison, but the angel could. Peter could not smite off the chains, he could not open the gates, but God could send an angel to do this for him. Peter could put on his garments, he could put on his coat, he could follow the angel. God today expects us to do our part. He is not going to send an angel to do for us the things which we can do for ourselves.” In verses 7–8 we’ve learned what he told Peter.

In verses 9–10 we see:

b. Where he took Peter (vv. 9–10)

(1.) He took Peter by the guards (9–10a)

“So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts,”

￫ This passage teaches this great truth: Heaven stepped in and Peter slipped out!

Peter faithfully followed the angel to freedom. Peter was not fully cognizant of what was going on. He had been awakened out of a deep sleep! He thought he was seeing another vision! (Acts 10 he had saw a vision from heaven) The angel took Peter out of the cell away from the two guards, past the two guard posts and the guards on duty. No one made a move to stop them, no one was aware of what was going on! The deliverance was supernatural! Peter’s chains fell off; the guards were kept at bay; the gates swung open wide for them. The angel took Peter by the guards! These men were the most highly trained soldiers in the world.

REMEMBER: The greatest of human soldiers are not match for the heavenly soldiers. We learn where he took Peter: He took Peter by the guards: we also note:

(2.) He took Peter beyond the gate (10b)

“they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.”

The prison complex had a big iron gate that lead to the city! Prisoners arrested could be easily transported to prison. Prisons condemned could be easily transported from prison to be executed. Understand: This was before electricity was discovered! There were no electric gate openers. There was an angelic gate opener.

I took my son Elijah with me to the nursing home to see a couple of elderly church members. When we approached the door they had a yellow circular sign that read: Automatic Door—Pull to activate. Coming out of the Nursing home the sign read: Automatic Door—Push to activate.

This gate for Peter didn’t have to be pushed or pulled! The gate didn’t have to be touched. It was supernatural deliverance. The gate opened at the will of the Lord through the work of the angel. Liberals do not believe in angels or the supernatural work of God in this world. Many liberal theologians would not even try to exegete this text, but those who do would try to explain away this miracle like they do all the other miracles.

￫ They may try to say that the wind blew that gate open! That the guards were asleep; that Peter’s chains were corroded!

We just need to believe the word of God and preach it like God gave it to us! This really happened! An angel of the Lord came to earth and supernaturally delivered Peter in answer to the prayers of the church! Hallelujah. The Old Puritan Preacher Thomas Watson said, “The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel.” William Walford wrote, “Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care, and bids me at my Father’s throne make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the temper’s snare, by Thy return, sweet hour of prayer.” Do you believe in the power of prayer? Have you experienced God’s supernatural deliverance because of prayer?

We’ve noticed the purpose of prayer, their persistence in prayer, the people in prayer, the power of prayer, and we also see:

V. The place of prayer (12)

A. It was an acknowledged place of prayer (12a)

“So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark,”

Consider this: this is a single word in the Greek language which means “having realized or having perceived.” Peter came to his senses and fully realized that God had delivered him from the hands of Herod! Peter realized why he was in jail and now why he was free. Verse 11 says that Peter realized that the angel delivered him from all the expectation of the Jewish people. The Jewish people Peter makes reference to wanted him dead and they rejoiced when James died and they were eagerly expecting Peter’s execution!

The first thing Peter did when he came to himself was to go to Mary’s house. This Mary was John Mark’s mother and the church regularly met their! Fred Howard said, “Presumably, his decision was based on his knowledge that Christians regularly met at Mary’s home for worship.” It was an acknowledged place of prayer. Peter wasn’t released at 10 in the morning or 2 in the afternoon. It was late at night and the church was still at prayer! The church was in prayer consistently for Peter. Mary’s house was known as a house of prayer where the church met together to pray. It was not only an acknowledged place of prayer, we also learn:

B. It was an active place of prayer (12b)

“where many were gathered together praying.”

Many: tells us that this was a concentrated prayer effort where prayer was made. How many today gather for prayer meetings?

￫ We have a multitude to

￫ come to meals,

￫ come to entertainment,

￫ come to singings,

￫ come to dramas, but few come to pray!

Leonard Ravenhill wrote, “The church has many organizers, but few agonizers; many who pay, but few who pray; many resters; but few wrestlers; many who are enterprising, but few who are interceding. People who are not praying and praying. The secret of praying is praying in secret. A worldly Christian will stop praying and a praying Christian will stop worldliness. Tithes may build a church, but tears will give it life. That is the difference between the modem church and the early church. In the matter of effective praying, never have so many left so much to so few. Brethren, let us pray!” The place was an active place of prayer. The church was gathered at Mary’s house for the express purpose of praying. They were praying to God, what they could do, and God was delivering Peter, what only God could do.

Praying: proseuchomai, pros-yoo’-khom-ahee; to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship pray (x earnestly, for), make prayer. This word tells us that this was an ongoing prayer ministry! The church was actively involved in praying for Peter.

We don’t need to be like the little boy I heard about! This little boy wanted a baby brother. His dad told him the way to get things is to pray for them. So the boy prayed for a baby brother. But after a couple of weeks no baby came, so he quit praying. Nine months later his father said his mother would give birth to a baby. Later, the father showed the boy twin boys. The daddy said, “Son aren’t you glad you prayed as you did?” The little boy answered, “Yes sir, but aren’t you glad I stopped when I did?”

We are not to stop praying, but we are to keep on! Are you a prayer warrior? Do you know about the sweet hour of prayer? Are you actively engaged in prayer? Is God’s house a known as a place of prayer? Do we have the power of God upon our lives and ministries? Are we seeing God save souls, change lives, and set the captives free? Do we need to cry out today for those who are in spiritual prison?

Acts 12:1-24

SOMETHING HAPPENS WHEN GOD'S PEOPLE PRAY

Intro: Prayer is a wonderful privilege. God has opened the door to His throne room and invited His children to enter His presence with their petitions, Heb. 4:16. He has promised to hear us when we call, Jer. 33:3. And, he has promised to answer our prayers when we pray according to His will, 1 John 5:14-15. We all know that there are many privileges and promises associated with prayer. I want to remind us from this passage that prayer is also a very powerful endeavor.

We have all experienced the power of private prayer. We have experienced those times when we called on the Lord in the secret place of prayer and He heard us, and He answered us in power for His glory. There is something special about entering God’s presence, by yourself, to talk to Him in secret. It’s something we should all do, and should do often.

This passage reminds us that there is power in corporate prayer. There is a special dynamic that comes into play when God’s children come together, united in faith and purpose, to seek the face of the Lord in prayer.

I want to look into this passage today and share a few truths that present themselves to us as I preach on the thought Something Happens When God’s People Pray.

I. v. 1-5a IT WAS A TIME OF PROBLEMS

A. There Were Attacks - James the brother of John, one of the Lord’s inner circle, is put to death by Herod. Peter has also been imprisoned and is sitting on death row awaiting his own execution. The Jews pressed these attacks against the early church because they hated the Gospel they preached. Herod persecuted the early church because it gave him a political advantage.

B. There Was Apprehension - The church did no know what the future held. As a result, there was fear and concern for the future of the church. After all, these people had left their Jewish roots to follow the way of Jesus Christ. Perhaps they were afraid that the hatred of the Jews and the king might eventually turn away from the leaders of the church and settle on the members of the church.

C. There Was An Adversary - We are told that Herod is the one who killed James and arrested Peter. We are also told that his actions pleased the Jews. So, Herod and the Jews were responsible for the persecution, but they were merely the human instruments. The one who organized and empowered this persecution was Satan himself. He hated the church, the Gospel it preached and the Lord it worshiped. He was out to destroy the church while it was still in its infancy. In order to do that, he stirred up his forces and set them in array against the people of God.

(Note: The church still finds itself in times of trouble. The church still finds itself under attack from its enemies. We must never thing that we are immune from assaults from without and from within. As long as Satan is allowed to live in this world, he will do everything in His power to disturb and disrupt the harmony and the effectiveness of the church. He hates our message and he hates our Master. He knows that if he can turn us against one another, he can shut down our work. He knows that if he can fill us with fear over the attacks we face he can stop us from serving the Lord. He knows that if he can fill us with fear over the future, he can keep us mired in the past.

Only someone who is willfully ignorant could look at the modern church without seeing the problems we face. We operate in a world that is hostile to our message. Society has no use for us or for the message we preach. Financially, numerically, and spiritually, the church in the 21st Century is in deep trouble. The only churches that are growing are those who have embraced a more worldly atmosphere and message. Fundamental churches that still cling to the Word of God and preaching as the foundational elements of their worship are dying at an alarming rate.

We are not immune from troubles here. There are troubles, attacks and problems here too. We need God’s help as much as any church in the world today. If there was ever a day when the church needed to learn to lean on the power of God, it is the day in which we live!

I. It Was A Time Of Problems

II. v. 5a IT WAS A TIME OF PRAYER

(Ill. There is a tiny word in verse 5 that makes a big difference. It is the little conjunction “but”. The situation looks desperate, but! It looks as though Peter might be put to death, but! It looks as though the fledgling church might be destroyed before it can carry the Gospel to the world, but! In the face of overwhelming problems, the church bowed its head as one person and it called on God. The church did not cower in fear before those who threatened them. The church lifted its collective voice and rang the prayer bells of Heaven! God heard their prayers and moved in mighty power to bring them His answer! Let’s examine their prayer, because it is the kind of prayer we should be offering up as a church body.)

A. It Was Fervent Prayer - We are told that that “prayer was made without ceasing...” The word “ceasing” means “to stretch forth”. It is a medical term that refers to a stretched ligament or a pulled muscle. It has the idea of “going beyond the boundaries”. When applied to prayer, it is a picture of fervency. It is the picture of people pouring out their hearts in prayer before the Lord as they seek His face for their needs.

That’s the kind of praying we need to undertake. The promise of God is that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous men availeth much,” James 5:16. The words “effectual fervent” refer to “energetic passionate” prayer. It is not prayer that is sluggish, lifeless, unconcerned, casual, halfhearted, blasé and apathetic; it is prayer that pours forth from a burdened heart. That kind of prayer reaches heaven and moves the hand of God.

B. It Was Faithful Prayer - By faithful praying, I mean theirs was a prayer of faith. Their prayers were made “to God”. This seems obvious, but there are times when it seems like our prayers are designed to be heard by other people, or even by us. This congregation joined their voices and reached up as one to touch God for their church and for Peter. When we pray, we must pray in faith. Faith is the essential ingredient that marks the difference between answered and unanswered prayer.

The Bible makes these statements about the roll of faith in prayer:

· “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him,” Heb. 11:6.

· “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive,” Matt. 21:22.

· “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him,” 1 John 5:14-15.

· I remind you, that when we pray, we are talking to our Father. He delights in hearing and answering the prayers of His children, Luke 12:32.

C. It Was Focused Prayer - Prayer was “made...for him”. In other words, Peter was the focus of this prayer meeting. They came together to pray for a specific purpose. This was not generalized praying, that sought to cast a big blanket of prayer over everything and everyone. This was pointed prayer that sought God’s power for a specific need.

If we do not pray specific prayers, how will we ever know when God answers? When we ask Him for specific needs, and God answers, it glorifies Him, it assures us of our relationship to Him, and it increases our faith. All I am suggesting is that we need to get specific in our praying!

D. It Was Family Prayer - They church gathered together to pray for one of their own. They came together as a family to seek God’s help for a brother in great need. The church touched Heaven for Peter. Their prayers had power because they were united in their walk with God. They joined their hearts and their hands, then they lifted their voices to God, and He heard them and moved in power.

We pray a lot, but I fear that we fail to pray for one another. We pray for our needs and our burdens, but how much time do we really spend praying for others? Right now, there are people in our church family who are facing life-threatening illness. We should be touching Heaven for them. There are others who are wayward. We should be touching Heaven for them. There are other who are struggling with needs, burdens and problems. We should be touching Heaven for them. If you will take just a minute to think, the names and faces of your brothers and sisters in Christ will come to your mind. They need you to touch Heaven for them!

Our differences hinder our prayers! We want to see people saved. We want to see the Lord bless the church. We want the power of God on us once more. We pray, and we pray, and we pray, but we do not see power of God manifested in our midst, and it is because we have allowed petty differences to divide us. I want to go on record and say that if I have offended any one of you, I am sorry. I love you and I want to be able to join my voice with yours, so that we can touch Heaven together for the glory of God.

I. It Was A Time Of Problems

II. It Was A Time Of Prayer

III. v. 5b-24 IT WAS A TIME OF POWER

A. v. 6-11 There Was Powerful Salvation - When the church prayed, God heard them and answered their prayers. Peter was delivered from prison through a tremendous, miraculous intervention. God saved Peter because the church asked Him to!

I wonder what we might see God do if we learned how to pray as a family? I wonder who He might save? I wonder what He might do among us? I wonder how He might bless His church?

I believe that our God is still the God of miracles. He is able to do so much more than we have ever seen Him do. In fact, the limits of His power have never been witnessed, Eph. 3:20. Let’s seek Him today and ask Him for some bring things that would honor Him and bring glory to His name.

B. v. 12-17 There Were Powerful Surprises - When Peter was released from prison, he went to the house where the church had met to pray. He knocked on the gate, Rhoda came out to see who was there, heard his voice and went and told the church that Peter was outside. They didn’t believe her, but assumed that he must be dead, and that it was his guardian angel at the gate. The Jews believed that every person had a guardian angel that could assume that person’s form. Poor Peter!

As Warren Weirsbe said, “God could get Peter out of a prison, but Peter couldn’t get himself into a prayer meeting.” Yet, when they investigated, they discovered that is was Peter himself, and they were “astonished.” Why were they amazed? After all, they had been praying for this very thing, hadn’t they? They were surprised because they were just like us!

Often our best praying is done in an atmosphere of unbelief. On our best day, we are marked by a lack of faith. I praise His name that my faith does not have to be perfect, it just has to be exercised. We are a lot like that father who brought his son to Jesus to have the demons cast out. He believed the Lord could do is, but he was still filled with doubt and fear. Consider their conversation: Mark 9:17-27. Jesus said, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you,” Matt. 17:20.

As long as we live in this world and speak to God in prayer, we will often be “astonished” at His answers. Let’s not worry about cultivating big faith; let’s concern ourselves with developing simple, childlike faith in the kind heart and supreme power of our Heavenly Father!

C. v. 18-24 There Was Powerful Sovereignty - This passage closes with God giving His church even more evidence that He is sovereign over everything His church faces.

1. v. 20-23 God Proved Sovereign Over The Opposition - Herod, the king who dared persecute the Lord’s people, dies a horrible death at the hands of God. He refused to glorify God, and God killed him in a gruesome, public fashion. This was a lesson to the church to leave their enemies in the hands of the Lord. It was a lesson designed to teach them that God was greater than anyone, or anything they would ever face.

The same is true today. Our duty is to serve the Lord faithfully and leave the opposition to Him. If we could ever adopt the mindset of David, it would help us a great deal. In 1 Sam. 17:47, as David faced the giant Goliath, he said, “...the battle is the Lord’s...”. It always has been, and it still is!

2. v. 24 God Proved Sovereign Over The Outreach - The early church, with good reason, worried about their survival. As they weathered the storms that came their way by seeking shelter in prayer, they saw the Lord expand their outreach in ways they never imagined. As He blessed the church and judged her enemies, God taught a watching world that He was in control of the situation. The early church learned the lesson that they were not responsible for the success of their ministry; they were merely responsible for being found faithful.

That is a lesson we need to learn today. Success cannot be measured in numbers on a board. If that is the criteria for success, then John the Baptist, and Jeremiah were dismal failures. The truth is, the success of our church does not rest on your shoulders or on mine. The success of this, or any other ministry, is all up to God. Our duty is to be found faithful to Him and to His call on our lives. As we yield to Him and look to Him in faith and by prayer make our petitions to Him, we can count on Him to do what is best, what is right, and what brings Him the most glory.

Conc: Church, we need to be able to get a hold of the Lord. We need that as individuals and we need that as a church. The only way that will ever happen is for us to come together like the early church and make seeking God our priority.

· We need to examine our hearts and be sure there is nothing in us against another brother or sister in Jesus.

· We need to seek God as a family.

· We need to call on God by faith, believing Him for all things.

· We need to look beyond our own needs and lift up those around us who are in need.

· We need to pray through our problems until we see the Lord move in power.

Something happens when God’s people pray. Let’s pray together and see what happens!

1 (12:1–4) Persecution: there was the first political attack against the church. It had been about eight years since Stephen’s death and the first persecution against the church. The persecution had been squelched by the hand of God in converting the arch-persecutor himself, Saul of Tarsus (see notes—Acts 9:1–9). However, throughout the eight years, feelings against the church had been growing until they reached the present peak (see “all the expectation of the Jews,” v. 11). The people were filled with animosity toward Christian believers. There were two primary reasons for their hatred. The public just did not understand …

• the teachings of Jesus and His followers: how the teachings fulfilled the law; how they could be reconciled with Jewish religion.

• the evangelistic outbreak of the church: that Jewish believers would be so full of fervor for Christ that they would reach out to convert the whole world. Apparently, the conversion of Cornelius and the founding of churches throughout the Gentile world upset some of the Jews to no end.

Herod, being the shrewd politician he was, saw an opportunity to please the Jews by persecuting and seeking to destroy the church. If he could please the Jews, it would help …

• keep the Jews quiet, keep them supporting Rome’s policies.

• solidify his own prestige and power with the authorities back in Rome.

Herod launched the government’s attack against the leaders of the church. (See DEEPER STUDY # 1, Herod Agrippa I—Acts 12:1–25 for more discussion.)

1. Persecution. The word “vex” or “persecute” (kakosai) means to oppress, to torment, to harm, to do evil against. Certain leaders in the church were arrested and imprisoned and apparently tortured. A person can just imagine the believers being man-handled and molested as the persecuted of every generation so often are, their homes and property being destroyed and confiscated or stolen.

2. Murder. One of the persons killed was James, the brother of John, one of the three leading apostles of the Lord (see also DEEPER STUDIES # 4–6—Mt. 10:2). Nothing is said about James in the book of Acts except that he was martyred. But the fact that Herod would attempt to silence him is clear evidence that James was very active in serving Christ. Christ had told James he would suffer martyrdom (Mt. 20:23). God makes a glorious promise to the believer who is persecuted.

“If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Ro. 8:17).

3. Imprisonment. The persecution of the church’s leaders pleased the Jews, especially the murder of one of the Lord’s leading apostles. Herod’s plan seemed to be working. Note three things.

a. It was the Passover season, the days of unleavened bread. (See DEEPER STUDY # 1—Mt. 26:17; note and DEEPER STUDY # 1—Lk. 22:1.) Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims had flooded into the city of Jerusalem. As on any festive occasion, there was a party-like atmosphere hovering over the city. The people were filled with a festive, merry spirit. Herod had a unique chance to really gain popularity among multitudes of people.

b. Herod was so elated with the response of the Jews, he lurched forward with the boldest plot imaginable: the arrest and jailing of the leader himself, Peter the apostle. Note: Herod was planning to execute Peter after the Passover. Jewish law did not allow executions during the Passover Feast. Also note: this was Peter’s third imprisonment for the sake of his Lord (see Acts 4:3; 5:18; 12:4–5).

c. Herod had Peter heavily guarded (see DEEPER STUDY # 2—Acts 12:3–4).

“But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues” (Mt. 10:17).

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” (Mt. 24:9; see Lk. 21:12–13).

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also” (Jn. 15:20).

“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me” (Jn. 16:1–3).

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).

“

DEEPER STUDY # 2

(12:3–4) Prisoners: Peter was probably guarded by sixteen different soldiers. Four soldiers at a time served two separate three-hour watches within a twenty-four hour stretch. One wrist of the prisoner was usually chained to the wrist of a guard. Note the extra security with Peter: both wrists were chained (Acts 12:6). The reason for the extra security with Peter was the huge throng of pilgrims visiting the city during the Passover. In the midst of the mass confusion within the city, Herod felt some of Peter’s friends might attempt a rescue.

2 (12:5–17) Persecution—Deliverance: there was God’s pattern for deliverance. Note a significant point: God’s providence saved Peter but not James. Why? Very simply, it was time for James to join his Lord and receive the fruit of his labor for work done here on earth. Peter’s work was not yet done. Believers must always remember, the day when they are to go to their Lord does come. God’s will may be for the believer to suffer and bear martyrdom for His name’s sake. God’s plan may be to use the persecuted believer’s faithfulness as a testimony to reach others.

God’s pattern for delivering believers through or from persecution is fourfold.

1. There is the pattern of prayer. Church-wide prayer delivered Peter (v. 5).

Note three points.

a. The whole church was praying.

b. The church was doing all it could do, praying specifically for Peter’s deliverance.

c. The words “without ceasing” (ektenes) mean fervently and earnestly continuing in prayer. The idea is intense prayer, prayer that captivates and focuses a person’s concentration. The root meaning of the word is “to stretch out.” The picture is that the church was stretched out, prostrate before God, earnestly and fervently crying out to Him for God’s sovereign deliverance of Peter. The church could do nothing and they knew it. Peter’s only hope was God.

2. There is the pattern of confidence. Confidence in God’s will and care delivered Peter (v. 6). Note that Peter was asleep, and it was the very night before his execution. Christ was meeting His dear servant’s need, infusing him with His very special grace and peace. Peter sensed the very special trust and care of his Lord.

Thought 1. The Lord infuses His strength, peace, care, understanding, and marvelous grace to go through whatever trial confronts His dear servant.

“There hath no temptation [trial] taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13).

“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever” (2 Tim. 4:18).

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished” (2 Pt. 2:9).

“Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” (Ps. 31:19).

3. There is the pattern of God’s miraculous work and the believer’s obedience. Both were involved in delivering Peter (v. 7–10). Note the Scripture and outline.

a. The angel did not do for Peter what Peter could do for himself. Peter had to act; he had to obey the commands of the angel.

b. Once Peter was safely delivered out of danger, he was left on his own, left to work out his own deliverance. He was to continue his “walk by faith” …

• to return to the church and to the believers on his own

• to seek the Lord about remaining or leaving Jerusalem and in making any other decisions that needed to be made

The point is this: God’s miraculous deliverance involved only what Peter could not do for himself. When Peter was helpless, God then took over. This is the point of miracles. Miracles are acts of God, acts that men cannot do for themselves. They are worked by God and by Him alone; therefore, He and He alone gets the praise and honor.

4. There is the pattern of God’s sovereign will (v. 11). It was God’s sovereign will for Peter to be delivered. It was not His will for James to be delivered. The true believer rests in God’s sovereign will, knowing that God’s will results in the greatest blessings. Peter thought he was having a vision (v. 9), that he was in some semi-conscious state, dreaming of God delivering him. Peter was startled; it took a moment to collect his thoughts and grasp what had happened. When he did, he realized …

• that God had delivered him by His sovereign will

• that God still had a purpose for him on earth

• that he still had a ministry to perform for the Lord

He quickly sized up the situation and fled the city, for he knew Herod would have the soldiers searching for him as soon as his escape was discovered. But before fleeing, Peter decided to quickly visit the house of Mary (the mother of John Mark), hoping some of the believers were gathered there. He needed to let them know God had delivered him and where he was fleeing.

Thought 1. Again, note how God expects His people to work out their own salvation (deliverance) when it is in their power to do so. Now note the result of God delivering His dear servant. The Scripture and outline points are sufficient to see the results. Every miracle performed by God causes the same results—of course, all to varying degrees.

Note how the church had been praying ever so fervently, yet not really expecting a miracle. We must not be too critical, however. They had already witnessed the death of some outstanding leaders, two of which are named, Stephen the deacon and James the apostle.

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 18:19).